Cell C
Reviews and Complaints

Good day
I was legible for an upgrade, so I asked for a Samsung A32 phone, then they sent me a Samsung A12 phone wrongly, then last week Thursday 12 August, cell c came and to collect the phone to return it to them. I called from friday the 13 August to find out that they did not received the phone yet, then they said it will be Monday 16 August off there system, then I can upgrade again with the A32 Samsung. I called again today the 18 August then they said at today 11 am the phone will be of there system then I can upgrade, then they will call me back, still nothing.
Later I called again the A12 Samsung is still on the system, they will escalate it and I must still wait. For how long must I still wait, Cell C is very fast to call if I owe them money, but they don't resolved my issue.
I am not very happy there service is very poor. They stole my phone on saturday and every time I tell them that, still nothing happened.
I don't have a phone and I really need the phone because of my work that I done.
Really bad service of Cell C
Hannelie van Vuuren
[protected]

Firstly I'm grossly disappointed with how this company continues to bill customers for expired contracts without client concerns.

The services have been utterly frustrating, the company took my account to debt collector when i don't owe them a single cent. I've been nothing but a loyal customer fulfilling my payments without delays, however after the contract I had with the service provider expired they continued to bill me without my concerned. I've called their customer service center on several occasions with the promise that the contract has been called but to my suprise the service provider have deliberately tarnished my financial records and reputation as a bad payer. I want to reiterate that i owe this company nothing.

May 2019: Started with Cell C Pinnacle Contract with a starting value of R23, 539.01 (i.e., R980.79 monthly repayment). The contract includes recurring 1GB, WhatsApp bundle, and 900 voice minutes. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I fell behind with my monthly payments.

Whenever a Cell C Representative phoned to query the outstanding payment, I explained the situation and promised to prioritize the payment as soon as I'm back on my feet. I explained the reason for falling behind with my payments: I resigned from the company I worked at to start my own business venture. My business was registered, but only 2 weeks after I worked my notice at the previous company (thus, 2 weeks into my new business), we were in a nationwide lockdown - of course, there was no way to predict this and as a result, I had no income at the time. As proof, I sent the new business registration.

The Representative advised me not to make the payment into the account stated on the latest invoice. My account had been handed over to the Cell C Debtors Department and payment will not be allocated otherwise. An email with banking details will follow, I was told. Once I make the payment, all will be rectified.

I did not receive the promised email. Cell C also phoned me to follow up on payment - every time I would (again) explain the situation and ask for the correct details to be sent. Still nothing!

I was eventually asked to send an email to Cell C Debtors department to request the banking details. Many a mail was sent, but every time Cell C failed to respond. More phone calls and emails followed; I asked if I could be transferred to the Debtors department or speak to someone in the department directly. This was denied every time because Cell C staff were working from home, according to each of the representatives I spoke to, and they were not allowed to hand out contact numbers or direct email addresses.

In the meantime, my phone was disabled - I lost business at a time where things are already tough. Out of desperation, I continued to send emails and phone the call-center - all to no avail! Instead, I received emails and calls from Debt Collectors. My account had been handed over and my name was listed at the Credit Bureau.

Despite my pleading, Cell C eventually demanded that I cancel the contract and pay the commitment fees for the remaining device value, monthly subscription fees, and usage charges that have not been paid to me. I believe that it is unfair and unjust in this case - I was on my knees to make a payment, but denied it. As per the latest letter, I owe R16, 041.33. How can I justify paying this amount if I will not be receiving the value thereof?!?

CELL C FAILED/REFUSED TO FURNISH ME WITH THE BANKING DETAILS FOR PAYMENT DESPITE THE PLEADING. THE LACK OF RESPONSE IS UNFAIR.

Debit order for Cell C is R359 per month. This is debited from an account not often used. Debit order was taken on 1 March, 1 April, 3 May and then apparently due to Cell C error only requested on 18 June. We did not know this and were not contacted when this late debit order did not go off. Debit order again went of on 1 July and eneough money was left in the account for 1 Aug. However now they tried to double debit us and the R718 debit order failed and they contected us. I went to Cell C at Newmarket and they gave me bank details whihc Nedbank said wasnt for Cell C. I went back and another lady told me to pay at Pick and Pay and she didnt know which details the other person gave me. She then updated the system with the payment. Today we receive a message that we owe another R359 but the gentleman refused to tell me for when and said it was fees (how is fees R359) he then said was tired of answering my question and put the phone down. If I owe I will pay but for whihc month . Call was at 15h10 on 13/08. Do we just pay money we dont knwo what we owe for, if they cant confirm what for. He then threatened to switch of teh service. I can not wait for this contract to be over. In over 30 years I have never been treated like this by Vodacom.

Last month on the 7 of July, I lost my phone and all my efforts to sim swap and claim my number back have been unsuccessful. When I contact cellc customer centre unfortunately they tell me I failed security questions and as a result they are not able to assist meI have been using this phone number for more than 10 years and all my business and accounts are linked to this number. Already have lost a substantial amount of business because people are failing to reach me

I made an eft payment to settle my arrears on the 25th of June 2021, Cell C debited my account on the 30th of June 2021 and i called in Same day to start the refund process they asked me for a proof of payment which i sent through, and every time i call in each consultant asks me for the same thing . I have been sending in that POp and still nothing . They say the now want pop of the amount that was actually debited and is reflecting on their system how unlogical can you be . I want my refund . the service is very bad and your staff refuse to escalate this matter to management. Thabang Vilakazi should be trained or let go . the remaining staff also need training

Hi there,

I have 3 contracts with Cell C and been with them for a very long time and I am so disappointed that my job might be at risk at this period of Covid-19. I am working from working and it is the second day without internet connection due to cell c SA incompetence. Logged a call and chat with several agents with my frustration, transferred to technical team support and then my issue was escalated after hours with them over the phone and I was advised that I will be contacted by vodacom but nothing happened till today. Any reliable service provider that anyone can provide? I am in Soweto.

I had an outstanding payment that was due and made the full payment on the 31rst of July 2021.

Since than i have been calling customer care and collections department and each day being told that my payment is still outstanding and no means of a way to help me gojng forward. One of your agents from the collections team said to me ive come to the right department but unfortunately she cant assist me.

Your customer service must be the worse service department in the world.

I have sent more than 10 emails and i only get an out reply telling me someone will get in touch with me. Its been more than 10 days since u made payment and not one person in your whole business can tell me where my payment has gone too.

I just need to find out what further steps can one take to get this matter handled as your customer service is just getting paid for sweet nothing.

I took a cellphone contact on the 24th of June and called in 2 days later to cancel the contract, reasons being that when I called to follow up on the contract because of a sim card only that was delivered I was told that cell c is out of devices and I would have to wait until they receive stock and wait again for 7 to 14 days for delivery waiting period so I then decided to cancel because I urgently need a phone, when I called I was made aware that I didn't order what I said I had ordered and I still requested they cancel whatever contract they see on their side and I was told they'll investigate and get back to me in 72 hours and no one ever got back to me I have lost count of the number of long calls (being transferred from one department to the other)...I've had with them to cancel the contract and reverse the money they have debited and correct the arrears reflecting on my bureau details and to this date nothing had been done, worse and disgusting thing now is I receive again a statement for that contract they are going to debit again R893.94.

Dear Cell C

Dear Cell C

In March 2021 I contacted you requesting a closure amount on my fibre account as I was intending on moving premises. I was advised that I would need to pay R2775 thereafter my account would be closed. This amount was paid and on the 29th April I received confirmation that my account was closed. In June, as I was randomly checking my credit score, I discovered that Cell C had listed me as having missed payments. Upon contacting you, I was advised that there is an amount which was missed when you were calculating the closure amount. My account was sitting in arrears with an amount of 949. On the 25th June, I payed this amount and sent proof of payment. I then received confirmation that my account has been closed. It is shocking now that you have still listed me as having missed payments whereas this matter was supposedly closed. This has negatively impacted my credit score and as it stands I am not able to apply for any credit. This continued unprofessionalism from you, Cell C is inacceptable. Can I ask that someone fix this

We have a contract with cell C and the agreement is that they will debit R648 for two cellphones so month of end June they withdrew R2500 claiming that we did not pay for 3 months how, we don't know because we've been paying at Checkers and we also have proof that we've been paying this whole time. Today I went to settle July's payment and again they withdrew R1200 but they were supposed to take R648. All I'm asking for you guys is to do your calculations right and give us our money back.

MM Slater
[protected]
I got retrenched because of Covid so I am not using my bank account any more wanted to change bank details to my husband's account but they refuse want me to go in the bank or retail store every month to pay my account! And send proof of payment... I am trying to avoid going out due to high covid numbers and cell c refuse to help me.

Good day, on 17 July 2021 my husband have renewed two Cel C contracts online with dealer code eTE4274116 (agent 224) whatever that might mean, who told him that the devices will be delivered in 5-10 working days max.
In the interim the renewal contracts were sent via e-mail, and we noted that the information on it was COMPLETELY wrong, and if that was used to deliver the devices we would NEVER receive it.
We called Cel C to update the information and was told it cannot be changed because the devices were not yet sent to the dispatch dept. I explained that it is why I called, to prevent the dispatch dept. to send it to a non existing location.
After being transferred from one department to another - in fact about 7 different departments, we FINALLY got someone to listen (and then I have to include that my husband had to verify his details EVERY TIME)
Details were changed, but after 10 days I had to call to find our when the devices will be delivered, and got a waybill number to follow up with the courier. The couriers told me it was scheduled to be delivered the same week, but needless to say, no delivery! In fact I just checked the delivery address they have and the "non existing address" that we previously rectified with Cel C was still the address they had. That was again updated, and when I called today to check on delivery I was told that the parcel is still with them, but Cel C did not include ANY DOCUMENTATION to the parcel, so they cannot deliver until they get the documentation that needs to accompany the parcel for us to sign! HOW DOES THIS WORK?
I have been calling Cel C so many times this week, to find out about this delivery, and to put the cherry on top, only ONE device is going to be delivered, they are waiting for stock - and we were NEVER TOLD ABOUT THIS. I am very sorry but CEL C is going to lose a lot of clients, their service is terrible and I will NEVER recommend anybody to use them - ever! I honestly hope someone will reply on my complaint, but has to say I have no hope after what I experienced to date from Cel C

I am waiting for months just to get a feedback on my clearance letter but still nothing. Every-time I phone I've promised that within the next 24 hours you will receive an email. I'm still waiting for it. Why you doing this to your customers ...

I have a Contract with Cell C. Cell C then added a Getmore service to my account WITHOUT my KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT. I've been trying for Months to cancel this uknown subscription and get a refund. CELL C keeps referring me to getmore and getmore refers me to cell C. Getmore Says a cancellation has been activated yet at the end of the month, cell C deducts!

Good day,

ID number: [protected]

Please note that I am writing this email with a lot of frustration and disappointment in Cell C.

I took out a contract with you guys in mid January / February for a 100GB per night and 100GB per day data sim only. There was a promotion running with CellC for this package for only R389 per month which I applied for and one of your agents contacted me and confirmed the amount of R389 per month only that will be debited from my account. I also requested for a limit to be put on the contract which your agents confirmed. Since inception of this contract I have only used it once and never again due to the negligence and CellC debiting over a R1000 per month!

I have been having problems with Cell C since I took out the contract, I have been phoning CellC numerous times and have probably spoken to over 20 people in the last 5 months due to the issues that I have been facing and for being over charged by your company. I have spoken to a Mr Thamsanca Maluleke (manager from Cell C) on 26 May 2021 who confirmed that the negligence is on CellC's side and that the agent whom I took the contract out with was suppose to apply a discount at the time I took out the contract out hence me being over charged. Please refer to case number [protected].

My problem now is that I am in the process of taking out a bond and my ITC record has now been effected because of Cell C's negligence. Your agent Miss Karabo Meje confirmed on Monday that I do not owe a cent and that there is a credit on my account which is due to me. I urgently need a letter confirming that I do not owe Cell C a cent to provide to the bond originator.

If this is not sorted out I will have to take further steps against CELL C as the service I have been getting from your Call Centre is appalling!

Your urgent assistance in this regard will be highly appreciated.

I am a Cell C client for long time, I have a query one of the sales agent MBONGISENI SKOSANA (Contractor) oversell me the product. I have mention that I could not afford due to I am paying for other contracts with Cellc, now I tried calling cancellation departments and I am still not going through. They also activated a new account that I did not apply with Cellc how ever this has been deducted from my account.

honesty I am no happy with the service anymore

I need to be contacted with regards issue

Cell number [protected] LARA DIANE HOPWOOD [protected].
Contract upgraded 12/07/21. Was not asked what colour phone. Did not think about it at the time.
Upgraded to Samsung S21.
Phoned 25/07/21 as device not yet received.
Told that Violet colour out of stock. Advised them that I did not ask for Violet and they must just send whatever colour is available. Was advised that Grey was available. The colour choice had been changed.
Phoned 28/07/21 to check if device dispatched yet.
Please note - 084 145 DOES NOT WORK FOR UPGRADES. When selecting the upgrades follow up option, you get cut off or you hear "the subscriber you dialled does not exist".
Please note staff on [protected] do not know what they are doing. I phoned four times. Each time transferred from one person to another and told a different story. The truth is nobody was able to help me. WHAT IS GOING ON? This is disgusting service.

There was a house robbery where we were robbed at gunpoint, our valuables were taken including 8 cell phone in which my phone was one of the phones. I ported from Vodacom few years ago and already regretting doing that. I tried to make a sim swap which was declined due to the reason that I couldn't pass the security questions which in my view are making things too difficult for me. I had the phone's IMEI number with me, including last time the phone was used, the current airtime and data balance as well as the police case number. I know you guys claims that all this fuss is for customer safety, but it's very frustrating and in my view way out of line. Hope you will review these so called safety measures. How can one keep all the info asked of the client, we really don't keep all that because we don't expect our devices to either be stolen or lost.

My contract expired December 2020, I have been trying to call and e mail cell c almost every day with no success, , it's been 7 months now and the company is still deducting money from my account ... Im not even using the Sim card anymore hoping that the company would stop deducting money from me, , I am not happy at all as the company is not taking their customers serious, I am also pleading with cell c to cancel my contract as soon as possible