Why I will NEVER use VODACOM again - STOP SPAMMING!

[ScrooV]

Open letter to VODACOM:

Vodacom - you are unbelievable - and I will be doing eceryting in my power to get out of my contract.

I promised myself that I'd go public if the problem I'm about to describe happens again. (This is just the beginning) I registered here just to vent my anger...

The story:
3 months ago I took a Vodacom Cell contract (Via Nashua Mobile). A BRAND NEW MOBILE NUMBER...

I wish I hadn't.

I have been receiving and endless stream of Vodacom SPAM (Daily).

Examples: Message from VODACOM23: "Keep your caller entertained with the latest hip hop track...etc"

And: VODACOM23: "Running low on airtime?...etc"

* I originally phoned Vodacom "Care" asking them to remove me from the list - They said speak to Nashua.

* Nashua of course cannot help - the SPAM originates from VODACOM. Nasua Told me only VODACOM can stop it.

* After 5 calls over the last 2 months, (and requesting 5 escalations each time), and having received 5 PROMISES that my number has been removed, I STILL get this GARBAGE.

VODACOM - STOP SPAMMING ME!!!!

How difficult can it be to remove me from your "promotional" messages?

And why do you LIE every time to me - saying "Sir your number has been removed and you will receive no more messages"
ME: You sure this time?
VODA " Yes sir, I promise.."

I work Night Shifts (in Emergency) so any messages I get in the day ARE VERY DISRUPTIVE! (No-one apart from my work has this number and NEVER contact me during the day unless an EMERGENCY)

Here is my promise to you VODACOM:

At the 1st chance I have and when we have a real choice in SA, I will never use you as my provider again.... EVER. Congrats on becoming the next Telkom...

 

[Hummercellc]

Hear Hear....

Can't wait till my 3G contract is over! So i can give Telkom, oh i mean Vodacom the boot!

I still have 0% service for the past 6 months...

However i was promissed it would be sorted out soon.

6 months = soon to Vodacom

And no use worring Vodacom. I now have MTN 3G so go (imagine a word) yourself....

But VC only have GPRS (when its works)

 

[LazyLion]

http://www.waspa.org.za/

Having a cellphone number is like having an e-mail address. People are going to spam it. If you don't want spam, give up your e-mail and your cellphone.

 

[ScrooV]

Garyvdh - OK fine - but isn't it strange that the ONLY spam I get on my phone is from the very people I am paying for the phone.

I took a new number purposely to avoid any distractions during the day - unless it's an emergency.

And there is NO excuse for them not being able to remove it....

 

[Grouter]

http://www.waspa.org.za/

Having a cellphone number is like having an e-mail address. People are going to spam it. If you don't want spam, give up your e-mail and your cellphone.

I've got gmail and vc prepaid phone. I never get spam. I must be lucky.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I also never get spam on my VC number.... EVER....

And i haven't been careful with my number. Are you sure these Spam messages are originating from VC and not possibly a different WASP that is advertising something similar to what VW would be advertising?

 

[SUPERMAN89]

Far as i know, when your new to Vodacom they do send sms's to promote products. Makes business sense to promote your product to new customers.

Thou in this case, does bring up the issue of having a choice to either get these messages or not.

 

[LazyLion]

Garyvdh - OK fine - but isn't it strange that the ONLY spam I get on my phone is from the very people I am paying for the phone.

I took a new number purposely to avoid any distractions during the day - unless it's an emergency.

And there is NO excuse for them not being able to remove it....

It is not necessarily all directly from Vodacom. There are many re-sellers in the market who are profiting from Vodacom's services. That is what being a WASP is all about.

My suggestion to you is write down the details, number and stuff, then to reply to all of them with "STOP" in an SMS form. Those that persist are in violation of the WASPA and you should report those. But "STOP" is the industry standard method to remove yourself from their lists.

 

[Peder]

Those things from Vodacom23 are from vodacom... they say you can unsubscribe and i do exactly what they say but it still carries on!!

And my SP is vodacom!!

 

[LazyLion]

just reply with STOP. If they persist, then report them to the WASPA, they will be fined.

 

[Peder]

just reply with STOP. If they persist, then report them to the WASPA, they will be fined.

seems then i better do that eh...

 

[BBSA]

just reply with STOP. If they persist, then report them to the WASPA, they will be fined.

I'm always careful with that, you never know how much they going to charge you. If is is a premium number it could be substantial.

 

[LazyLion]

http://www.waspa.org.za/code/waspa_coc_6.2.pdf

5.1.1. All commercial messages must contain a valid originating number and/or the name or identifier of the message originator.
5.1.2. Any message originator must have a facility to allow the recipient to remove his or herself from the message originator’s database, so as not to receive any further messages from that message originator.
5.1.3. For SMS and MMS communications, a recipient should be able to stop receiving messages from any service by replying with the word ‘STOP’. If a reply could pertain to multiple services, either all services should be terminated, or the recipient should be given a choice of service to terminate. The reply ‘STOP’ procedure should be made clear to the recipient at the start of any messaging service, for example by including “reply STOP to opt out” in the first message sent.
5.1.4. For SMS and MMS communications, a message recipient must be able to opt out at the lowest tariffed rate available (with the exception of reverse billed rates). If replying ‘STOP’ as set out in 5.1.3 will result in a charge greater than the lowest tariffed rate available, then instructions for the lowest tariffed rate opt-out must be included in every message sent to the customer.

So either the cost to STOP is R1.00 (the lowest rate) or the SMS will tell you how much it will be. If it is too much, then rather contact the provider by phone (look them up on the WASPA directory) and request to be removed.

The problem is with providers who are not members of the WASPA. In that case I would contact Vodacom directly.

You do also have the option of just ignoring the messages completely. It costs them to send these messages, so they are just wasting their own money. Every few days I just go in and clean out the folder. Let them blow their own cash. It's not my money I have to worry about.

 

[ScrooV]

Garyvdh - The only spam i get is from VODACOM - they agree that it is from them - they have said they will stop it - 5 times - and 5 times it hasn't stopped...

I have replying STOP to them - but it does not work. I don't know if i was charged for the SMS's - knowing vodacom, it would not surprise me...

My complaint is that

1) I never opted in - I never gave them my number or asked for anything.
2) THEY can't stop sending them to me, even though they have tried 5 times. (And told me 5 times it will stop)

Personally, I think it is disgusting that they spam already paying customers.

The spam always comes from VODACOM23 and VODACOM24 - and are always vodacom related marketing garbage:

EXAMPLES: (pasted straight from my phone):

3 more weeks until you can get free airtime from Vodacom! Remember; keep on using your number (07xxxxxxxxx) for calls and SMSs to qualify.

Running low on airtime? Use reverse charge to keep in touch with friends and family. Dial 082180 and the number of the contract customer you wish to tal to.

Keep your caller entertained with the latest hip-hop track or comedy clip, while they wait for you to answer. Call 0822468663 to get a welcome tone now!

Use your number (07xxxxxxxxx) for calls or SMSs and you will get FREE airtime from Vodacom in 30 days.

Congratulations! You qualify for R6 FREE airtime because you have used 07xxxxxxxx for 30 days. You will be credited with your airtime in 2 days.

Never loose contact with friends and family by keeping your number. Visit a Vodacom approved dealer to replace lost, stolen or damaged SIM cards.

I have MANY more to choose from...

 

[ScrooV]

Just to reiterate: There are NO instructions provided with the messages to opt out - and replying STOP does absolutely nothing. And now you can add asking them to stop to the list - that fails also...

I have reference numbers from them - have quoted them every time i phone. Every time they say: "but it was fixed?"

 

[LazyLion]

Garyvdh - The only spam i get is from VODACOM - they agree that it is from them - they have said they will stop it - 5 times - and 5 times it hasn't stopped...

11.2. Termination of a service
11.2.1. Instructions on terminating a subscription service must be clear, easy to understand, and readily available.
11.2.2. Customers must be able to unsubscribe from any subscription service via SMS using no more than two words, one of which must be ‘STOP’.
11.2.3. The ‘STOP’ request described above must be charged at the lowest tariffed rate available (with the exception of reverse billed rates).
11.2.4. Members must ensure that the termination mechanism is functional and accessible at all times.

13.1. Lodging of complaints
13.1.1. Any person may lodge a complaint against any member who, in the view of the complainant, has acted contrary to the provisions of this Code.
13.1.2. Any complaint must be lodged with the WASPA secretariat using the contact information published on the WASPA web site.
13.1.3. A complaint should contain the following information:
(a) the name of the wireless application service provider against whom the complaint is being made, or if the identity of the service provider is not clear, the number of the service or other identifying information;
(b) the full names, address and contact details of the complainant;
(c) to the extent that the information is known or available, identification of the part or parts of the Code of Conduct which has allegedly been breached; and
(d) a detailed description of the actions (or inactions) that resulted in the alleged breach.

Here is the complaint submission form...

http://www.waspa.org.za/code/complaint.shtml

 

[ScrooV]

Garyvdh - thanks for the links and quotes - maybe i should have started there first.

Guess I'll have to go through that process to just to force them to get their act together. Seems such an effort when surely 1 phone call to them should have solved the problem..

Ah well - like I said - I'll make sure never to buy any product even remotely related to Vodacom ever again.

 

[LazyLion]

you're welcome... good luck.

 

[ScrooV]

Garyvdh - thanks again - I just went to the link you provided to lodge formal complaint.

In the complaints section you have to select the WASPA member you wish to complain about - all companies are listed but Vodacom - lol - typical!

 

[quovadis]

Very simple solution - lay a charge of harrassment at your local police station against vodacom - make sure u take a detailed affidavit to save time.