I visited Rosebank Mall Vodacom on 7 December 2020 and upgraded my contract to the 2 deal Hauwei P40 Lite. I dealt with Priscilla. I advised her that the cellphones were for my daughters and it would be Christmas presents, I.e. the cellphone boxes were only to be opened on 25 December 2020. Even though the cellphones were taken on 7 December 2020, Priscilla confirmed that the 7 day retun policy would only begin once the boxes were opened.
On Christmas Day the cellphones were taken out-of their boxes whereafter we realized that Hauwei p40 lite phones are not Google supported and the entire Google Play Store and all Google platforms are not avaliable on the phones. Priscalla did not advise me that the phones did not come with Google. My daughters need Google for on-line school. Also various other apps are not supported and have to be downloaded via various other websites, through the "back doors". Certain entertainment websites like Netflix is also not supported.
On 26 December 2020 we visited the Vodacom Shop in Rosebank to return the phones. The Vodashop was closed. I phoned Priscilla and told her that the phones are unacceptable as they are not Google supported. She advised she was unaware that they did not have Google.
We then visited the Rosebank Vodashop on 27 December 2020. The phones are in perfect condition, and have been returned in their original boxes with all earphones, charges, etc. We explained the situation to Carol.
She said we have to return the phones to the distributor as OBF. The phones are not faulty - and we explained the situation once again. My daughters need the full Google app and Play Store for online school. Carol said that this is the only route we can take and then the distributor will let Vodashop Rosebank know after 7 days if the phones are faulty or not. If the phones are not faulty we will have to keep them.
This is totally unacceptable. The issue is not with the phones being faulty. The issue is that Vodashop Rosebank did not disclose that the phones do not have Google. We use Google for on line schooling, as well as all communications, work and entertainment.
As discussed with Hilda, the branch manager of Rosebank Vodacom today, 28 December 2020, the upgrade must either be canceled as no payments have been deducted from my bank account, nor has insurance been loaded , OR new phones which are suitable for us can be provided. Hilda advised me that she will try her best to get authority from the distributor to let us exchange the phones, however please note that this is an in-store Rosebank Vodacom issue as the sales person did not advise us that the Hauwei P40 Lite does not have google .
Hilda advised me that she would explain our situation to the distributor and try her best to get us new phones within 7 days.
I look forward to hearing from Hilda within 7 days. Kindly note that if this matter is not resolved within 7 days I will proceed to take this matter further in light of what is stated above and in terms of the CP Act.
I have had no joy from Vodacom Rosebank. Hilda's response to me today is that there is no failure to the devices.
I need to cancel my upgrade or exchange the phones.
We need the entire Google platform on the phones. We are not satisfied with the phones and returned them after 24 hours of opening in their boxes.
Please can someone assist me urgently.