Eight Months And Counting


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I made some more calls today to my cell phone service provider and my credit is still not resolved since February. Apparently I am waiting on one more signature to have the credit authorised. It takes 3 and now I have 2 after 8 months. This is fast considering they told me the first one only was signed off in September. During the 4 calls I made as that is how many times I was cut off whilst talking to someone it didn't leave me with much confidence. Surely this is the most important part of their business as they are speaking directly with their customers.


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This is my work phone, but I also pay for my kids phones as the money is paid from the same bank account. The problem was I had loads of unauthorised apps running at x amount per day. There were at the peak over 100 and some as much as $0.60c per day each.

Boxing, kiddies science, wild animals and the list goes on and on and I had no clue until a very large direct debit went off the account in mid April. Many I believe are being stung by this racket as there are no controls happening. I am almost certain companies are just paying for this if they don't have limits set up on their contracts.

I know it hasn't been resolved yet as both my kids phones were cut off today for an unpaid bill. This happened despite me phoning this morning complaining and querying where the credit is. The operator mentioned she would highlight the outstanding credit so this would not occur.

My argument is they owe me over $1000 in credit yet my kids phones only total $120 a month on their set contracts. The problem I have is these huge companies are so quick to take your money but bloody slow to return when they know full well what they have done is wrong. I cannot change service providers until I get the credit so they are just dragging out the inevitable.

This company is by far the biggest service provider we have here in South Africa and just wish there was more competition like everyone else has in other countries. There are just two other large providers and knowing my luck they are all offering the same shabby service.

We had similar issues with our internet provider a few months back and realised how hard it is to get a straight answer from anyone these days. No company is too big to fall and service is what keeps you apart in a competitive market. In this country all the major services have no competition like water and electricity. This needs to change if standards are going to be lifted as competition forces bad habits to change.

Two signatures in an eighth month period is just unacceptable leaving me seriously guessing how long for the last one. Apparently the reason why the first one takes so long is it is the most important one so where is the hold up? I honestly can't wait for when I am all set and can leave this place knowing I will only be popping in checking on the business on a monthly basis or as required.

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I use Tracfone and pay maybe $100/year for it. I don't use data on the phone unless I have to as that part is expensive. I can use wifi for free of course. The phones are dirt cheap too. I normally buy from Home Shopping Network (yes, phunny... but they do have the best deal) where I can get a mid- tier smart phone for $80 plus a years service and 1500 talk minutes, 1500 texts, and 1.5 Gig data. I then have Google Voice on the phone which I use to call and text when I have wifi access. I have been very happy with their service and have been using them for close to 15 years. I figure I've saved over $15,000 over that period compared to what my buddies who have $100/m unlimited plans.

Hope you get your issues worked out.

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I hope so too. I just need the credit so I can at least move to another "service" provider and will definitely be changing what type of contract. I don't really care as long as it is hassle free and will most likely go pay as you go for the time being. There is no long term plans to be in this country so that makes more sense right now. The business does pay for the phone and most of the calls anyway so I am indirectly paying it out of the business costs. Like you I just need a basic phone and don't care what it looks like as long as it works. I have had this phone now for nearly 8 years and don't need to change that at least.

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(Edited)

We have so many competitors here you can always switch without a contract. Electric and utilities are another story, you're stuck with one choice.

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One choice is not good. The good thing is the planes here are not long term otherwise I would be off the grid for the most part anyway. Flying in every 4 or 6 weeks is the new plan to do business and to maintain and build what I have already. The lock down has proved that this is possible as the relationships are strong and will only become stronger. Need about 20 new accounts to make this happen and know I will over the next 6-12 months.

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Oh man, you are still dealing with all of that? That totally sucks! I am sorry that you are having to go through all of this. It seems like in this day and age they could at least let you use digital signatures. When I purchase stuff from Verizon for my business, I just have to check a box to approve it. It is all electronic.

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