Vodacom Prepaid Data Bundle Warning SMS - Could be improved

[kemosabe]

Hi,

I'm hoping a Vodacom techie will spot this message, and look at my suggestion.

The SMS that warns me that my data bundle has run out / is about to run out could do with a bit of improvement.

The problem is when I have more than one active data bundle, I have no idea which bundle is expiring / has expired.

• I usually buy a prepaid 500MB data bundle as and when I need it.
• In addition, I get a 100MB free allocation every month if I buy more than R 50 prepaid talk time.
• ( Offer was included in my purchase of a Vodacom Smart )

So at times I have more than one bundle active.

Now the SMS:
1. makes no reference to which bundle has expired
2. makes no reference to the fact that another bundle is still active

So the warning that the data bundle has expired says that I am about to pay OOB rates, which is NOT the case.

SUGGESTION

Wouldn't it be possible to say:
"Your 100MB data bundle is about to expire."

Or even better:
"Your 100MB data bundle is about to expire. You have a 500MB data bundle pending."

Surely it must be possible for the Vodacom back-end system to do a lookup of my balance against my number before it sends the SMS ...
(just as I can do with a *111#)
... and then report a bit more useful information in the SMS ?

Cheers
Rich

 

[The_MAC]

Even better suggestion.

Ask Vodacom to get with the times and implement a proper out-of-bundle management mechanism, just look at Telkom's.

Also, while you at it, ask them why a Contract customer cannot simply purchase a bundle via the app.

I mean they have been in the business the longest but still have some of the most outdated systems..

 

[thapedict]

Even better suggestion.

Ask Vodacom to get with the times and implement a proper out-of-bundle management mechanism, just look at Telkom's.

Also, while you at it, ask them why a Contract customer cannot simply purchase a bundle via the app.

I mean they have been in the business the longest but still have some of the most outdated systems..

Change is very difficult to come by if a) will cost money b) system not broken c) not mandatory

 

[SauRoNZA]

Drop the entire concept of "out of bundle" and this problem goes away.

Simply make it... no bundle...no data.

 

[alphabyte]

This part of Vodacom's underhand way of doing business. According to them the customer is an idiot and it is their privilege to milk him as much as they can.
They will send you the warning message that your bundle has or is about to run out, and if you do not keep track of your bundles you will do the obvious thing and buy a new bundle, even though you have enough data left. So who scores? Vodacom, of course.