Marianne A

SmartCall/Vodacom shenanigans not to honor our deal. BE AWARE

Hi I just want to warn people about the shenanigans Vodacom and SmartCall employ to not give me what I paid for and they promised This is the deal I bought: https://store.smartcall.co.za/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1504 On 31 October 2024 We finalized this deal with the understanding that they will deliver before the 4th of November when the Vodacom prepaid data I was using at that time will expire. But the router and sim was only delivered on 11 November. Because I normally use 100G data in a month, I was forced to buy 30 days prepaid data on the "old" Vodacom sim I was using. I bought 100G + 100G from SmartCall (the same company in this review) Now on the 11th the router arrived. Because I already paid for data, I did not activate the new sim. I kept it untouched to activate, it according to their instructions (see below and on the link above), when I needed new data. ------------------------------------------------------------------- THEIR INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in mind the below steps to follow when you receive your parcel: You must first insert the SIM in the router to get the 50GB+50GB data. Check for an internet connection by using the internet. Check the internet signal on the router. Please do not insert the SIM in a handset or any other router if you don't see internet connection. If you don't follow these instructions, Vodacom data will be forfeited. Please do not remove the SIM card provided before you get the connection. This device operates exclusively on the Vodacom Network. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Because we did the deal to have a mobile router I inserted my "old" sim into the router. AS you can see that nowhere does it state that I can only use this router with the new sim. When the time came for me to use the 50G + 50G "BONUS", I opened the untouched sim and inserted it into the modem. For 2 days I got the message that I have run out of data. So I phoned SmartCall. I spoke to Given who was very helpful but said that the matter must be referred to Vodacom. ----------------------------------------------------- This is the reply from Vodacom: (SEE MY COMMENTS IN CAPITAL LETTERS) When client receive a parcel , they must first insert the SIM in the router to get the 50GB + 50GB ( And the data will be loaded by Vodacom ) THIS IS WHAT I DID ALTHOUGH IT WAS 1 MONTH LATER And the pairing Sim card with the router must not be removed from the router before Vodacom allocates data. THIS I DID. THE SIM IS STILL IN THE ROUTER OUT OF FEAR THAT I MIGHT FORFEIT MY ALLOCATED DATA. (A REDICULOUS THREAT IN MY OPINION) And there is no other sim card that can activate data except the pairing Sim card that comes with the router. I EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MY DATA WHEN I PAIRED THE SIM WITH THE ROUTER. I DID NOT EXPECT FROM THEM TO ALLOCATE THE DATA TO MY OLD SIM. If the incorrect / old Sim card is first inserted in the new router, Vodacom data will be forfeited. ( They say customer did not meet the campaigning requirements ) NOWHERE IN THEIR INSTRUCTION WAS THIS A DEMAND OR MENTIONED. SEE THEIR INSTRUCTIONS ON THE LINK ABOVE AND THE COPY I PASTED ABOVE. So ,Vodacom has picked up that the first Sim card that was inserted in the router was not the one it was paired / sold with from Smartcall. AGAIN NOWHERE WAS THE DEMAND THAT I CAN ONLY USE THE MODEM WITH NEW SIM. Kind regards ----------------------------------------------------------- I cannot understand what the problem is. I purchased Vodacom data from SmartCall on my "old" sim. Not from anybody else. Because they delivered the parcel late. Why can't they just give me what I paid for. It seems to me that they are looking for excuses and make up new demands not to allocate the data I paid for. I can maybe understand if I used a Telkom or MTN sim in their precious router. BUT I USED VODACOM DATA PURCHASED FROM THE SAME COMPANY (SmartCall) Because of this delay I am again forced to buy 30 days data for my needs. This will expire next month this time. So I will be glad if they allocate the data in question this time next month. OR They come and collect their sh... and give me a full refund. There are other data providers that will appreciate my business. I really think it is unfair. Be aware!!! Regards