Vodacom - Unfair Business Practices

R

RedBand

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Earlier this year Autopage closed and they moved my account to Vodacom.

As Autopage was not always as diligent with sending me their invoices on time I would make payment to them based on my average spending on my cellphone bill and make any corrections in the following month's invoice received.

Autopage warned that my account will be moved to Vodacom, but no date was communicated to me. I found out my account was with Vodacom when on 13 June this year I received a statement showing an outstanding amount on my account and my service was blocked because of non-payment. I immediately sent a reply email to ask for a statement showing the payments I made to Autopage and also phoned both Vodacom and Autopage to resolve the matter. In my communications with both parties I was informed I have been with Vodacom for two months already. Vodacom referred me to Autopage not wanting to deal with them and Autopage indicated they will transfer the payments I made to Autopage for the previous two months. My account was unblocked by Vodacom after I sent the proof of payment made into Autopage's account to Vodacom. This was the first time I was told by that my account has now been moved and I need to make use of a new bank account and reference number for account payments.

This is now November, and I have been blocked again for non-payment of the outstanding amount, after sending proof of the AutoPage payment to Vodacom for the 5th time last week. I also received another SMS from Vodacom to let me know I am about to face complete disconnection and additional charges if I do not make payment. I have repeatedly phoned and emailed Vodacom and their response is to reinstate the service and then after a while they cut me off again.

I have asked Vodacom for a statement of my account spanning the period when my account was moved from Autopage to Vodacom for me to reconcile my account and show there is no outstanding amount as well as a copy of my contract with them in order to see what my recourse is and how I can terminate the service with them. To date I have not received either of these things.

I have considered paying the amount, but then I admit to owing the debt and have no legal recourse. I considered not paying my account for the months I used, but realised this puts me in the wrong so I have made payment of all invoices.

All I want is for my phone service to be reinstated and for Vodacom to fix this problem once and for all. I am even at the point where I would rather have a pre-paid account which I can port to another network as I am so frustrated with the service I am receiving from Vodacom.

I am desperate. Please let me know how I can achieve the desired results above.
 
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Hi Skeptic,

Just to understand your timeframes and set my own expectations, does shortly imply the same day or the same week?

I have to admit I was very impressed with your quick response and thought I may have made a mistake about my perception of Vodacom and I just used the wrong forum to interface. Your shortly comment made me believe someone would come back to me within the hour, but I have not had any contact as yet.

You are still way ahead of the call centre who will phone me right back and I have not heard from them either. That was yesterday. It was a supervisor though, so I must realise they are busy people. Lots of angry customers to deal with.
 
RedBand said:
Hi Skeptic,

Just to understand your timeframes and set my own expectations, does shortly imply the same day or the same week?

I have to admit I was very impressed with your quick response and thought I may have made a mistake about my perception of Vodacom and I just used the wrong forum to interface. Your shortly comment made me believe someone would come back to me within the hour, but I have not had any contact as yet.

You are still way ahead of the call centre who will phone me right back and I have not heard from them either. That was yesterday. It was a supervisor though, so I must realise they are busy people. Lots of angry customers to deal with.
Click to expand...

He was being sarcastic...

To be fair your question was hidden in the unparagraphed wall of text:
Please let me know how I can achieve the desired results above.
Click to expand...

Not that I know an answer to that, my go to answer for these questions Small Claims Court...
 
Yea, I was being unreasonable. Just because I'm frustrated as this issue has been going on from June I should not take it out on Skeptic. His response to my sarcasm was mature and professional and devoid of any sarcasm, as one would expect from a support agent from a huge company.
Sorry Skeptic, I thought you were from Vodacom...
 
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RedBand said:
Yea, I was being unreasonable. Just because I'm frustrated as this issue has been going on from June I should not take it out on Skeptic. His response to my sarcasm was mature and professional and devoid of any sarcasm, as one would expect from a support agent from a huge company.
Click to expand...

Thank you Redband. Your compliments are not unnoticed. Free minutes and data are en route to you as a gesture of goodwill from the friendly team at Vodacom.

Coincidentally we are currently serving ticket 45675. Just 3756410670 queries to go until we get to yours. Enjoy the free airtime and data in the meantime.
 
skeptic_SA said:
Thank you Redband. Your compliments are not unnoticed. Free minutes and data are en route to you as a gesture of goodwill from the friendly team at Vodacom.

Coincidentally we are currently serving ticket 45675. Just 3756410670 queries to go until we get to yours. Enjoy the free airtime and data in the meantime.
Click to expand...

I think my chances of getting the free minutes and data is better than getting assistance from Vodacom.
 
Hi. I received your PM. Vodacom started billing you from April. To whom were payments made? Vodacom or Autopage, because from what you gave in your PM, I am seeing Autopage being referred to a lot. If payment was made using Autopage banking details, then the payments would not have reached Vodacom. First payments was only started to be received on the Vodacom account from June.
 
Thanks for the backup here Ockie. If you can help out from your end with the gratis minutes and data - would appreciate it.

Be Blessed
 
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