Vodacom ripoff

[Avenue]

So my aunt and uncle went into the vodacom store to upgrade their contracts and bought 2 x Red advantage R999 contracts. Now being old people who don't know much about it, the salesmen convinced them to get the Samsung galaxy A5. For the same price they could have had 2x galaxy s6, with the free screen repair, far superior specs, better camera etc.
The A5 is an underwhelming phone that's marginally better than the s3.
I'm sure the salesmen are told to do this, perhaps even incentivize because it gives Vodacom an extra R5000 based on the selling price of those two phones. (R10,000 in their case because they bought two of them)
This feels to me like they are taking advantage of two old people, and I wonder if there is anything that can be done about it? I'm not holding thumbs, but perhaps someone here has some good advice.
They bought it two days ago, and unfortunately have already opened the boxes.

 

[isie]

So my aunt and uncle went into the vodacom store to upgrade their contracts and bought 2 x Red advantage R999 contracts. Now being old people who don't know much about it, the salesmen convinced them to get the Samsung galaxy A5. For the same price they could have had 2x galaxy s6, with the free screen repair, far superior specs, better camera etc.
The A5 is an underwhelming phone that's marginally better than the s3.
I'm sure the salesmen are told to do this, perhaps even incentivize because it gives Vodacom an extra R5000 based on the selling price of those two phones. (R10,000 in their case because they bought two of them)
This feels to me like they are taking advantage of two old people, and I wonder if there is anything that can be done about it? I'm not holding thumbs, but perhaps someone here has some good advice.
They bought it two days ago, and unfortunately have already opened the boxes.

CPA they can return if not happy with the purchase - if they feel they were duped they should advise the managment of the store. TBH all salesman at stores(no not you Ockie you different ) will try and BS you - old or not trust me
Also the A5 maybe underwhelming in specs, but its allot better then the S3 (IMHO better then the S4 too)

Though im not sure what deal you referring to where they could get a S6 for the same price as the A5?

 

[medicnick83]

You can't blame Vodacom for this... it's not Vodacom that did this, it's the staff member in the Vodacom shop that did it - and if it wasn't done properly, he probably doesn't know what he is doing.

Just go in, report it and deal with it properly with the store manager - if there is errors, it will hopefully be sorted out.

 

[Ockie]

There is no such incentive from Vodacom.

 

[supersunbird]

Should have taken you with, or else just leave them to live with their choices.

 

[Avenue]

You can't blame Vodacom for this... it's not Vodacom that did this, it's the staff member in the Vodacom shop that did it - and if it wasn't done properly, he probably doesn't know what he is doing.

Just go in, report it and deal with it properly with the store manager - if there is errors, it will hopefully be sorted out.

The thing that concerns me is that Vodacom is offering this phone at the same price- check the link below. To me the only reason they would do that is because they can make more money out of it from unsuspecting people. I was in sales a while back and that's the kind of thing that happens all the time. The sales staff "upsell," or sell an inferior product, the company makes more money and the salesman get a cut of the profit as an incentive to do this.
There is a slim chance that the guy didn't know what he was doing, but I would put my money on it being deliberate.

CPA they can return if not happy with the purchase - if they feel they were duped they should advise the managment of the store. TBH all salesman at stores(no not you Ockie you different ) will try and BS you - old or not trust me
Also the A5 maybe underwhelming in specs, but its allot better then the S3 (IMHO better then the S4 too)

Though im not sure what deal you referring to where they could get a S6 for the same price as the A5?

It's not that the s6 is cheap, its that the A5 was expensive. Here's the S6 deal
And the A5

Also the A5 maybe underwhelming in specs, but its allot better then the S3 (IMHO better then the S4 too)

Though im not sure what deal you referring to where they could get a S6 for the same price as the A5?

I know the A5 is 64 bit, but it seems to have much lower specs than the S4. The s6 is vastly superior

A5 vs S4

720 x 1280 vs 1080 x 1920
Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 8916 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
Adreno 306 vs Adreno 320
16 GB VS 64 GB
2300 mAh battery vs 2600 mAh

 

[Avenue]

There is no such incentive from Vodacom.

Whats the point of offering the phones at the same prices though. There is literally no upside in choosing the A5, so why would the salesman push that if it didn't mean anything to him one way or the other? If he gave them all the facts and they chose the A5 then fair enough, But he pushed that which makes me rather suspicious.

 

[rimmoah]

So my aunt and uncle went into the vodacom store to upgrade their contracts and bought 2 x Red advantage R999 contracts. Now being old people who don't know much about it, the salesmen convinced them to get the Samsung galaxy A5. For the same price they could have had 2x galaxy s6, with the free screen repair, far superior specs, better camera etc.
The A5 is an underwhelming phone that's marginally better than the s3.
I'm sure the salesmen are told to do this, perhaps even incentivize because it gives Vodacom an extra R5000 based on the selling price of those two phones. (R10,000 in their case because they bought two of them)
This feels to me like they are taking advantage of two old people, and I wonder if there is anything that can be done about it? I'm not holding thumbs, but perhaps someone here has some good advice.
They bought it two days ago, and unfortunately have already opened the boxes.

they can take the phones back in original packaging within 7 working days and ask for refund/cancellation

 

[Avenue]

they can take the phones back in original packaging within 7 working days and ask for refund/cancellation

is this legit? does Vodacom allow this, or is this just something that theoretically should be allowed by the CPA, but isn't enforced?

 

[isie]

The thing that concerns me is that Vodacom is offering this phone at the same price- check the link below. To me the only reason they would do that is because they can make more money out of it from unsuspecting people. I was in sales a while back and that's the kind of thing that happens all the time. The sales staff "upsell," or sell an inferior product, the company makes more money and the salesman get a cut of the profit as an incentive to do this.
There is a slim chance that the guy didn't know what he was doing, but I would put my money on it being deliberate.




It's not that the s6 is cheap, its that the A5 was expensive. Here's the S6 deal
And the A5





I know the A5 is 64 bit, but it seems to have much lower specs than the S4. The s6 is vastly superior

A5 vs S4

720 x 1280 vs 1080 x 1920
Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 8916 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
Adreno 306 vs Adreno 320
16 GB VS 64 GB
2300 mAh battery vs 2600 mAh

Whats the point of offering the phones at the same prices though. There is literally no upside in choosing the A5, so why would the salesman push that if it didn't mean anything to him one way or the other? If he gave them all the facts and they chose the A5 then fair enough, But he pushed that which makes me rather suspicious.

Like i said Trust Ockie he wont lie (his a good oke) plus im sure kick backs on a S6 would be better then an A5
First of all the deals you mentioned are completely different, you paying for the airtime R630 for R200 airtime (R200 for airtime and the rest is to pay off the phone) vs R999 for 700mins (and i read it you actual getting the phone free) see both have 1Gb data
as for your comparison hands I on, own both the A5 just seems to work better smaller battery yet lasts longer - S4 resolution is better - memory well depends on which version you get.

You need to compare what your Oom and tanie wanted, were they concerned with the phone or the amount of airtime they get for their money? R200 by the way is a long way from 700 minutes
- but none the less as i said the CPA you can return in 7 days.

 

[Ockie]

Whats the point of offering the phones at the same prices though. There is literally no upside in choosing the A5, so why would the salesman push that if it didn't mean anything to him one way or the other? If he gave them all the facts and they chose the A5 then fair enough, But he pushed that which makes me rather suspicious.

I really dont know. It would have been to the consultants benefit to offer the more expensive S6 incentive wise.

 

[FNfal]

Sorry for your aunt and uncle , but the moral of the story here is do not sign any thing unless you know what you are signing for .
Could have been the S6 was out of stock then the sales person will try to sell some thing else .
School fees .

 

[arr0w]

Why do people still use physical stores?

My S4 was delivered to me when i used elitemobile. I asked for the upgrade fee to be waived and the consultant agreed. No hassles

My sister ordered her tablet from the vodacom site and it was delivered to her. Phone to confirm stock and then place your order online.

I dont understand why South Africans still use physical stores.

 

[George Cloney]

Why do people still use physical stores?

My S4 was delivered to me when i used elitemobile. I asked for the upgrade fee to be waived and the consultant agreed. No hassles

My sister ordered her tablet from the vodacom site and it was delivered to her. Phone to confirm stock and then place your order online.

I dont understand why South Africans still use physical stores.

Because, despite the high chance of getting mugged or shot in SA, some people still prefer to go outside their abode to get some fresh air. Might as well go to a physical store while they're at it.

 

[Safferbeauty]

It's called getting out of the house and just being in the out doors plus sometimes its nice to hold the handset before you buy