Vodacom is pathetic.

[Rendier]

Had my new Samsung U700 phone for 2 weeks, took it back to vodacom because it charged one night and it got so hot at the top that it cracked....(SERIOUSLY).

Took it back the next day and told them my story... they said there was nothing they could do and after an hour of fighting they said they would ship it to Joburg but they still believe I broke it through physical damage. 2 Weeks passed, got a call and said it was physical damage and that I had to pay R1400 to fix it. I didn't pay so it wasn't fixed. They said I must take the phone to samsung themselves... but when I walked out the shop my phone didn't wanna switch on (which it always did).

I walked back in the shop and they said well they can't help me because it's PROBABLY from the crack!!!!!

Took it to samsung and they are telling me that they wont fix it because I broke it..

WHAT THE FU@#!!!!

What can I do the either get a new phone or at least get it fixed for free.

PLEASE HELP as I can't handle this **** anymore...

Thanks in advance

 

[theStudent]

Regret to inform you that I had a similar story with MTN/Nokia
Mine was even worse, as MTN fixed my phone without my permission, then charged me (even though the repair contract said quote first if a charge, as it was still under guarantee). Then MTN said that if I didnt pay they would sell the phone to cover repair costs. After 2 months of fighting with MTN, we went to the Newspapers consumer watch. Soon as MTN heard that the newspaper was interested in the story.. they gave my phone back with no charge for the repairs... and an apology
End of the day, MTN were blackmailing me!

Sadly, I was going to move to Vodacom because of the incident... now I may have to change my mind..

 

[Napalm]

Thats damn nasty,

i would go back if i was you. Just say the phone is under contract and under warranty.

That u didn't break it, and demand a free fix, or a new phone. Else u want the contract canceled and u don't take responsibility for that phone.

If the phone broke by itself its a faulty Product or brand. They cannot put the fault on you, unless you actually dropped the phone or did something on your behalf that ended up breaking the phone.

Else i would push them, and make my demands

As a client you have certian rights aswell, just remember that. Specially if your a contract subscriber. On a Cash phone they can maybe divert you to Samsung or Nokia or wichever supplier. But if your on contract with Vodacom for that phone, they can hop around asmuch as they like. Ur paying Vodacom or MTN for the contract, and that phone is part of that contract. and you can nail them on that. You are not paying for a faulty/broken phone.

 

[theStudent]

Thats damn nasty,
That u didn't break it, and demand a free fix, or a new phone. Else u want the contract canceled and u don't take responsibility for that phone.

Im assuming that Vodacom would have similar contracts to MTN.

As MTN argued with me that in my contract signed... that the phone is not under warranty for ANY external damage, regardless of its circumstances.

My new phones external damage was caused by an internal spring in the flap, breaking loose and cracking the external cover flap..
So it was an internal problem that caused the external problems... MTN didnt give a ****!

I can only assume that Vodacom run on the same oligopolistic methods...

 

[JimM]

Have you actually read your contract?

I don't think its possible to exclude ALL external damage from warranty claims. The contract would usually say almost exactly what is NOT covered and if its not mentioned then it IS covered! Its not unusual for trim and lenses to fall off because of poor manufacture.

Take it back and insist that they at least get it work - as it WAS working when you took it to them, so they must have damaged it.

I don't have the price for a U700 housing but a D900 housing costs R760 (full trade price) plus R150 to fit. I'm not sure where they get R1400 from? I think from thin air one must assume?

 

[theStudent]

The price is elevated, so the cell companies can have a piece of the pie.
As for the warranty, it definitely stated that external damage is not covered. (They do this as they know that is the cause of most complaints)

I can only suggest Rendier emails consumer watch from his local main newspaper, and email the story.. and if he is lucky the newspaper will follow up on the story, and Vodacom will buckle..
Thats what worked for me and MTN, but it was a painful 2-3month battle

 

[JK8]

Lesson learned, dont buy Samsung!

 

[theStudent]

Lesson learned, dont buy Samsung!

I had a similar type problem... it was nokia

 

[broken1]

I had a similar type problem... it was nokia

Lesson Learned, Don't buy Nokia!

 

[hershey_18]

Mtn Is Rubbish

Hi

I was (note the past tense) on a MTN contract. I experienced very poor reception in the area which I live in.
So I complained to MTN. They gave me a reference number and that I was the last time I had heard from them.
A month later I contacted them to find out what's happening. They informed me that a technician will contact me to set up an appointment to test the coverage out in my area.
I waited and waited. Then I started calling in everyday to find out what's happening.
I told them I want my contract to be cancelled with no early termination charges.
After fighting and begging them to cancel it they did after they claimed that their network test was fine to which I strongly disagreed.
I had to give in my handset. And that was the end of MTN... they're absolutely pathetic... EXTREMELY poor coverage and rubbish service.

Now I'm on VODACOM and I"m satisfied.

 

[JK8]

I had a similar type problem... it was nokia

Lol ok but still dont buy Samsung, their phones are fragile, they skinny and slim whatever they still, easy to break, If the board bends the phone becomes BER, how easy is it to bend the board? I can bend it with two fingers.