RY
Robert Y
Active since Mar 2016
25
Reviews
0
Industries
Reviews
25 reviews3 months ago
Rewardsco: A Case Study in How to Grind Customers Down Until They Give Up
I had left a review in September 2025, at the beginning of my attempt to resolve, what I thought to be, a pretty straightforward matter. This is where matters stand at present and my opinion of how this entity is geared to mislead. My experience with Rewardsco has been one of the most exhausting, time-consuming, and deliberately obstructive customer service encounters I have ever had — and I say this as someone who has dealt with complex commercial disputes for years. The pattern is simple and, in my view, intentional: Rewardsco misleads Vodacom customers, creates procedural dead ends, and then relies on customer fatigue to avoid resolution. What actually happened A Vodacom contract administered by Rewardsco was disputed and confirmed as a valid dispute. The hardware associated with the deal was returned via RAM Couriers on 30 September 2025. Rewardsco confirmed receipt of the device on 02 October 2025 (this was confirmed via a recorded phone call). Despite this: The product remained active. Billing for the returned hardware continued. No credits were processed. No resolution was implemented. The real problem The issue is not a single error — it is the systemic way Rewardsco operates: You are passed endlessly between agents. “Supervisors” provide assurances that matters will be resolved “today”. Reference numbers are issued, but nothing actually changes. Follow-ups are ignored. The customer must repeatedly re-explain the same facts, provide the same proof, and restart the process. This is not incompetence. It is a designed friction model. The only plausible explanation is that Rewardsco banks on customers eventually giving up — either because they lack the time, energy, or persistence to keep following up month after month. Why this matters Customers are billed for hardware that has been returned and acknowledged as received. Accounts remain active despite disputes being confirmed. Credits are withheld without justification. Vodacom customers are left stuck between a retailer and an outsourced third party that has no incentive to resolve matters quickly. At best, this behaviour is grossly negligent. At worst, it is purposefully misleading and borderline abusive of the billing process. Final thoughts I eventually escalated this through Vodacom directly, providing courier proof, dispute references, call references, and timelines — information that Rewardsco already had but repeatedly failed to act on. No customer should have to invest this level of effort to correct an issue that should have been resolved automatically once the hardware was returned. If you are dealing with Rewardsco: Document everything. Keep courier proofs. Record dates, names, and reference numbers. Be prepared for a long, drawn-out process. Their operation appears to be built not around resolution, but around attrition.
0 replies
3 months ago
Webtickets: A Masterclass in How Not to Support a Paying Customer
Attempting to renew an annual Kirstenbosch membership via Webtickets is an exercise in frustration that would be funny if it weren’t so utterly dysfunctional. It starts with a website that simply does not allow you to renew. The relevant page sends you in circles, offers no clear renewal pathway, and provides zero guidance on what should be a routine, annual transaction. There is an obvious “renew membership” function that just doesn't work — just dead ends and ambiguity. When the website fails (as it inevitably does), you’re pushed toward an online assistant, which is little more than someone with a scripted dead-end. She cannot answer basic questions, cannot escalate the issue meaningfully, and appears entirely incapable of dealing with anything that falls outside the most trivial of scenarios. Escalation to telephone support offers no relief. I spoke to two different agents, neither of whom could explain: how to renew an existing Kirstenbosch membership, whether it is even possible through Webtickets, or what a customer is supposed to do when the system doesn’t work. Both calls ended with variations of “we don’t handle that” or vague redirection — with no ownership, no solution, and no follow-up. This raises a very simple and uncomfortable question: How does one actually renew a Kirstenbosch annual membership? If the website can’t do it, the online assistant can’t help, and the call centre has no answers, then Webtickets has fundamentally failed at one of its most basic responsibilities: enabling customers to give you money for a legitimate, recurring product. For a platform entrusted with ticketing and memberships for one of South Africa’s flagship national attractions, this level of incompetence is frankly unacceptable. Until Webtickets fixes: a broken renewal flow, useless automated assistance, and under-trained support staff, customers should be warned that something as simple as a membership renewal may turn into a multi-channel, time-wasting ordeal with no resolution. Deeply disappointing.
112 replies
7 months ago
RewardsCo ****mers
Based on the numerous reviews, I am guilty of not doing my homework correctly and allowing myself to be conned into accepting an "upgrade" from an agent from RewardsCo, who made out to be representing Vodacom and not an this affiliate. Mind you, I blame Vodacom for allowing these ****mers to conduct business with consent to use their brand name. Long story short - agent sold me an upgrade that turned out to be something completely different. Only discovered this when SIM stopped working. Raised query and all too quickly my concern came back as valid - i.e. the agent had misrepresented / ****med me. No apologies, just "we will look into this and someone will get back to you....." I have now called back 4 times and every time I get the same runaround (after taking at least 15 mins to get through in the first place) - "....we acknowledge that you have a case that is valid....I have escalated the same.....someone will get back to you......" Only....they don't intend to! Standard ****mer mentality - **** many, and a few will query. We string the few out until they lose the will to live and they eventually go away. ****mer wins! Shame on me for allowing myself to be sucker punched by these ****bags and shame on you Vodacom for allowing these ********s to act on your behalf and to allow customers that have been with you for ages to be ****med. Be warned. Stay away from these ****mers. If you need to do an upgrade, go into a Vodacom appointed store/branch.
0 replies
12 months ago
Poor service
Enquired about opening a Capitec Account (Business Account) a week ago. The call centre were quick (credit where its due) to call me after my request was logged. This is where the process stalled and stopped working, as the call centre chap was clearly mandated to "sell/open" the account whilst he had the potential customer on the line (reminds me of a certain short - term insurer) - I had a simple question related to the process that he could not answer before I wished to proceed. Still waiting for his feedback?? Probably preferable to have figured out what poor / non existent service is BEFORE entrusting them with my business finances. Capitec, I thought you folk were better than this?
116 replies
14 months ago
Stay Away!!!!!
If I can save one person the hassle of dealing with these idiots, then my review would have been worth it. My advice is, Stay Away! I decided to upgrade my wife's car and we decided on a Haval Jolion. I lodged an online enquiry on the Thorp webpage and no-one bothered to get back to me, so I popped in to the Table Bay Dealer. Spoke to a lady called Rochelle, who was full of promises. Waited and waited, sent numerous messages, only to find out 6 weeks later that she has left to join some used car dealer in Bellville.....she then decided t contact me out of the blue to try and sell me a random used car. Went back to the dealer 2 weeks ago and spoke to a chap called Shane. Selected the model and the color we want and we are still waiting for him to call back and confirm basic details such as availability etc. Decided this morning that someone at a more senior level should be made aware of this and tried to get hold of their HO. The number advertised leads you to their N1 City branch, where they are very unwilling to give out their HO number. I asked to be put through to their DP, in an attempt to speak to someone who might have more than 1 brain cell, but after 10 mins of waiting, I was cut off. Tried their Plumstead Branch, selected Option 6 for reception and was cut off after 5 mins of waiting....thats right....5 mins....no one answers and the call hangs up. Albeit very annoying, they have in fact done me a massive favour. I have ordered my wife's Corolla Cross and have probably (if I read the reviews on this site) added years to my life by not having to deal with these idiots. My advice is, don't go near this company. People will continue to accept zero service because , at the offset.these cars are a little cheaper than other choices. Do the math though, as in the long term you will pay in poor after sales service / lack of parts / poor turnaround time with services etc. Rather go and buy a decent car from a dealership / marque that actually wants your business.
0 replies
14 months ago
Franchisor fast asleep
In fairness to the Vida E folk, I have tried to call them to discuss this situation. Impossible though, as no-one ever answers their advertised numbers. Like others who have similar comments, I have been frequenting this franchise for a long time and it is evident that the franchisor has lost all interest in maintaining franchisee standards. There are still some very good outlets, but these are few and far between and rapidly declining. I tend to pass the 2 on the N1 outside Worcester a lot and use these as a pit stop. The one in the direction of Worcester is on steady decline with goods that are stale etc, but the one across the road (direction CT) is pretty disgusting with flies in a display cabinet, with filthy glass panels and goods that would make stale look appealing. I had a Toastie yesterday afternoon.....it was pretty putrid, they smeared so much butter on the bread to mask the staleness (hardness) that it was sickeningly inedible. The bacon on this particular sandwich was rock hard. You can't serve food like this to paying customers...or anyone/thing for that matter. The franchisor doesn't care....the franchisee makes his money and very few of them give a darn as the majority of their customers suck up the poor service. So, you vote with your feet!!! There are, thankfully, some very good operators. For instance the outlet in the Montague Gardens centre is brilliant....great staff, excellent service, food is always fresh no matter what time you visit. I believe the same franchisee operates the brilliant outlet in the centre opposite Bayside in Table View. Vida e head office....pull finger and sort your story out...or not! Plenty of other options.
0 replies
18 months ago
Host not being Paid!!!!!
AirBnB do not pay their hosts! I have been asked by AirBnB, on 20 September 2024 to update my account profile (KYC) and did so immediately. I have now done so 4 more times and each time I get a standardized message saying I'm not responding to their request and they are subsequently withholding guest payments. I have tried, in vain, to reach out telephonically to a relevant support member, only to be given the same drivel about the matter having to be escalated to their "Specialist Team" and that someone will "definitely" get back to me......it doesn't happen! I will then be sent another reminder message....and the process starts all over again. I am beginning to wonder if this is a ploy to purposefully withhold host's funds, as there is no logic that prevails as to why this matter would remain unresolved. Pathetic service! Much better to consider one of the other platforms.....volume might be slightly impacted, but at least you get paid!!
0 replies
20 months ago
Snake Oil Salesmen
Having read through the reviews of this company, I am super happy that I cut them a wide berth. I was contacted a short while back by a chap called Stephen, who was touting for business for this company. After a considerable back and forth, it was evident that these folk are clearly snake oil salesmen.....lots of promises, but no ability to credibly substantiate anything they claim.
0 replies
20 months ago
Ripping the Public Off!!!
This business is charging way more than the regulated gas price/kg. They are, at best, 20% more expensive than the next most expensive option. Left a polite review on another forum to merely warn others and received a predictable snide remark from their owner.....to be expected by a business caught ripping the public off. Be warned.....shop around anywhere else, you will save on gas refills.
0 replies
24 months ago
Hassle Free.....Great Service
I have used a few tile outlets in CT to buy tiles and sanitary ware etc and, whilst CTM isn't the cheapest they do have a better selection than most, making one-stop shopping a whole lot easier. I recently purchased tiles and sanitary ware etc from CTM in Richmond Park and was well pleased with how hassle free the process was. It is particularly pleasant to be assisted by friendly and engaging staff, and it's evident that the staff are well trained when it comes to product knowledge and service levels. Particular mention must go to "Sine" who assisted with my purchase...I received great service, along with plenty of follow up calls detailing progress (tiles had to be ordered from another branch) and follow up's on the scheduled delivery day. Well done.
53 replies
Review Distribution
5 Star
3 (12%)
4 Star
1 (4%)
3 Star
1 (4%)
2 Star
5 (20%)
1 Star
15 (60%)