Why the extra Voicemail complication now?

[Terencek]

Vodacom's Voicemail has worked fine for years. Now for my 'safety and security' they have complicated it. Whether we want it or not, the Helpdesk confirms all users will eventually have to endure an extra step, another complication in our busy lives: entering a password every single time we want to check voicemail.

And if I preferred it the way it was, getting straight into my voicemail by dialling 121, quick and easy even from my car, given that I don't give a *** about the 'safety and security' of my simple Voicemail? You can't, says the Helpdesk. Well actually I can, by moving to MTN or CellC or Virgin.

All I want is to be able to check MY Voicemail from MY phone by dialling 121. Quick and simple, the way it works pretty much anywhere in the world. Except now from Vodacom. This is progress? My progress will be to another, simpler voicemail provider once I've used up my airtime.

 

[vodacom3g]

I don't know about this.

AFAIK, the only time you'll be asked for a password if you phone your own number from your own phone is if it is a new mailbox or it was deleted and recreated (so effectively it's a new mailbox).

You'll then be required to enter a new, non-default password but after that, if you call 121 it should not ask you for a password again.

If you're still stuck, PM me the details.

 

[vodacom3g]

Also, PM me the date and time you called the call-desk and the number you called from. Want to have the call center people listen to what you were told, for some 'corrective training'.

 

[Terencek]

Thanks for the always-prompt response, vodacom3g. I also got one from customer care, whose diligence impressed me! Seems I was indeed given the wrong information by the Helpdesk, and I will PM you the info as requested.

As I now understand it, there is indeed a new Voicemail retrieval system, and it does indeed require a regular password entry UNLESS you specifically OPT OUT, which Customer Care says you do as follows:

"The following procedure has to be used in order to switch skip password on. When this option is on it will allow that when dialling 121 from the handset the password will not be requested. Please dial 121 and press 2 for Personal options, press 1 to Change General options and to turn Skip Password ON press 2."

Would have saved a lot of time and aggro if the Helpdesk knew to tell irritated customers this straightaway, instead of insisting as mine did that I absolutely needed a password from now on, 'for my safety and security'! Grrrrr!

 

[vodacom3g]

Thanks for the always-prompt response, vodacom3g. I also got one from customer care, whose diligence impressed me! Seems I was indeed given the wrong information by the Helpdesk, and I will PM you the info as requested.

As I now understand it, there is indeed a new Voicemail retrieval system, and it does indeed require a regular password entry UNLESS you specifically OPT OUT, which Customer Care says you do as follows:

"The following procedure has to be used in order to switch skip password on. When this option is on it will allow that when dialling 121 from the handset the password will not be requested. Please dial 121 and press 2 for Personal options, press 1 to Change General options and to turn Skip Password ON press 2."

Would have saved a lot of time and aggro if the Helpdesk knew to tell irritated customers this straightaway, instead of insisting as mine did that I absolutely needed a password from now on, 'for my safety and security'! Grrrrr!

Cool.

AFAIK, the 'Skip Password' option was always on that menu with the default being 'On', i.e. you would not be asked for a password. You could set it to 'Off', thus forcing a prompt for password every time you call 121.

Have asked if the default was changed from 'On' to 'Off'.

Got your PM, tx!

 

[Quad Pipe]

VC3g - how do I retrieve my voicemail from a landline?