MultiChoice Africa / DSTV
Reviews and Complaints

I called the call centre requesting to have my account blocked as my daughter is busy with exams. I was informed by your agent that it is not possible as the terms and conditions were changed. I then said that I did not receive any written notification of this. My call was then terminated. I called again and spoke to another agent. I was not rude to him however I requested to speak to a team leader where I was put on hold for over 5 minutes and then my call was released again. I do not expect this kind of service for a simple query where I could have been assisted on my first call and I am now extremely unhappy with the service I received.

Why is money spent on making a commercial explaining to Multi Choice viewers about the repeating programs and that we must accept it, yet nearly one year later i am seeing repeats of repeats of repeats. If i switch on tv now there is nothing new, Top Gear is a fine example, Split Ends, American Chopper, American Hot Rod, Overhauling. Its a utter joke i have to be honest the money that was maybe spent on the commercial should of been put into use of securing new programs for its viewers. I have been a subscriber since Mnet first started and cant even stand Mnet now either because its a second Series channel there is nothing of interest on it anymore.

I am not sure who runs the programming for some of these channels but planning ahead for the future is crucial you cant show repeats for the next 10 years. Put me into that programming position and i will start with Discovery and work my way down through all the channels, you will have more compliments than complaints thats for sure and heck might even end up with a higher turnover of new clients per year.

I was handed over for not paying the last instalement of my account i cancelled, I was not aware of this money but it was sorted and I paid up my account. Till date i am am not removed from the ITC reports, showing that i stiil owe the money. I applied for vehicle finance now and im going to loose the deal because I'm getting NO response from Multichoice, Seeing that I'm not able to speeck to the same person when I phone the callcentre, the same response is given everytime, That they cannot supply me with a letter stating that this account has been settled. This is unacceptable!

Yesterday, 1 September 2009 I went to multi-choice agents in Pretoria central to resolve problems i have with multi-choice. I was charged R60 extra a month for something i didn't use and it never worked. The only thing that i got from call centre agents was bad attitude & arrogance when i tried to tell them that my decorder doesn't have full functionalities that comes with it and that was the reason i bought the HD PVR. They kept on telling me to reset, take of all the cables from decoder without switching it off and it never worked. I also asked that subcription to be cancelled because it doesn't work.

To my suprise, my account was suspended reason been i didn't pay extra R60 pm for subscription on my account. I told call centre agents that I don't have those functions and I was told that they don't have a prove of it.

I took a day off and went to multi-choice agent with the decoder, I sat there for 3.5hrs checking my decoder and they confirmed it doesn't work. they told me i'll get a second hand one on friday. How can I get a second hand one if i bought it brand new and I was charged R60 pm subscription for rubbish & I bought it for R3899. I want R60 back & new decoder.

My Decoder Packed up and I bought a new one in June. When I phoned DSTV to activate the new decoder I was told my old card would not work on the new decoder and I have to therefor activate the new card. Upon enquiry the call centre told my I can cutup the old card and throw it away as i cannot use it anymore as each decoder now comes with a card assigned to it. In July I was billed for two decoders plus pro rata for two decoders from 22 June (R1145), when I checked I was told that they will listen to the call and refund. I phoned back in July and was told a 'cheque' was issued but returned and they will now pass Credit. I phoned to find out how much was due for september and was told my account is overdue? I get promises and no answers. My phone bill to sort this out is now standing at a staggering R689.00.

I woulkd like to kow from Multichoice when i can please get my R646.00 back for the overcharged 'second Decoder' as well as a refund for all my calls which they don't bother returning, and for keeping me on the line for in excess of 20minutes everytime, while every new person tries to check up. I get told a supervisor will phone me back, which also has not happened.

Am getting disconnected every month alternatively. For non-direct debit customers payment for July I should made before 4th of July. Otherwise they will disconnect the service. They don't even answer when is the due date.

Usually any service minimum they give 15 days or at least minimum 10 days for payment. In DSTV Mauritius its only 2 or 4 days.

when you buy a pace high definition decoder you have an option to subscribe to extraview for you bedroom or another room what they dont tell you is that when you buy a good flat screen tv such as a sony bravia you get a rubbish picture because th output sinal is so weak so in order to get th full benefits of th expensive tv i purchased i had to fit a mudulator costing me over 700 rand nowhere is there a warning that this would be the case thus encouraging the purchase of extraviewthat is not up to specification

I have applied for a staff account in 2008 and when signing the contract the terms was that a debit order from my bank will be done on every 23rd of the month, however I received a Call from a Vivian on the 01Feb2010 advising me I owe R2110 as it did not go off my salary for the first 7months... I was shocked and wanted to know why they only calling me now (after a year) also wanted to know how come was it then debited from my account 7months later as I signed a contract for my account to be debited. Firstly I do not have a 2110 laying around for other peoples mistakes and when I called them back to discuss a payment a arrangement they told me I have to pay my current invoices aswell as R675 of my overdue for three months. Which will amount to close to R900 for a dstv, I really dnt have such monies for 3months, I am a single mom and paying for my own studies aswell, I dnt have that kind of money and tried explain to them also seeing that it was a staff account and I wnt be running away with the money i requested for them to make me a better offer and wanted to speak to a supervisor, I called numerous time to Reyhaana(the supervisor) which up to date she didnt reply to my emails or calls. I just think this kid of service is putrid atleast someone can get back to me... If I must go through this lengths to get someone to get back to me after me calling and emailing with no reply then I will have too, I will also go to hello peter and all other complaints boards.

We are all customers and would like to be treated as such and not like criminals, I want to pay this account I just need to understand and get proper answers to why I must be held liable for a mistake that was not my fault, This type of service make me ashamed to be part of multichoice, If this is the way they treat the staff accounts how dnt they treat the customers! very very very disappointed

I would just like to say that the Communications Manager for Supersport, Clinton van der Berg has been causing quite an uproar lately with his dismissive attitude and more recent sarcastic commentary regarding flaws in the Supersport HD format.

When asked why a cricket match was aired on the HD channel when it clearly was of a very low quality, he responded as follows:

********************
The feed is produced by the SABC. I suggest you direct your query to them.

Clinton van der Berg
Communications Manager: SuperSport
********************

This is not the first time he's given this exact answer. He gave a similar response to two previous questions posed as well.

When it was pointed out that firstly, the Supersport logo itself was also of a low quality during the match (proving it wasn't a problem with the source feed) and secondly, it's bad practice to ask YOUR clients to go to YOUR content providers for answers, he responded as follows:

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Hello everyone,

Thank you for your postings. As you’re no doubt aware, SuperSport HD has been in a trial phase for less than a month now, with the official launch set for February 12. There have been a number of teething problems, but SuperSport believes most of the problems have been ironed out.
However, since some forum users are deeply dissatisfied with the HD offering – and clearly have expert knowledge on the technology – SuperSport would love you to come in and share your expertise. I have chatted to the head of production, who would welcome the opportunity to host any of you: perhaps you could teach SuperSport’s technicians a few things.
This is a sincere offer. You are welcome to contact me at [email]clinton.[protected]@supersport.co.za[/email]

Clinton van der Berg
Communications Manager: SuperSport
********************

I've tried escalating this blatant lack of customer service etiquette to Multichoice but keep getting the cold shoulder.
I honestly cannot believe that this kind of behaviour is tolerated within Multichoice, especially since his job title is "Communications Manager".
He's shown a severe lack of skills in both 'communication' and 'management' and I feel we, as paying subscribers, are entitled to some form of action being taken against somebody who obviously only has his own pride at heart.

Discovery channel’s verminators – hard to swallow

Last night i saw an ad for a new up and coming program which will be featured on discovery channel’s “everyday heroes” stint.

Firstly i must say i am rather disgusted at discovery channel’s “show the people what they want” programming. i have always considered dc to be a learning channel, great for kids and adults alike – never a dull moment, and always something new to learn. not only about engineering, but animals and the environment alike. dc has always had my thumbs up, especially with children as they could learn from a very young age about the realities of global warming, exploitation of animals etc.

It seems now that dc has run out of things to air. on last night’s advertisement for verminators, the guy promptly tells the camera that “if it runs, flies or crawls, i kill it”… (big smile on the face “nogal”). i just want to know what this teaches our children?

When you think about it, yes, vermin do exist everywhere (once you can actually define the term “vermin”). the reason rats and mice appear to be “overcrowding” public areas, is probably because we have been killing off snakes who are their natural predators. rats and mice have become resilient and survive easily among humans, but their predators don’t, as they are often dangerous and fearsome.

Spiders are more often than not totally harmless to human beings as long as we don’t tamper with them. and in fact, only 4 species of spider in south africa are actually lethal. however, they do get into our homes and do pose a threat of a nasty bite to your toddlers. but have you ever stopped to ask yourself why they are not controlled in their numbers? probably because we have decided to remove trees and natural bush to build flats and houses. and so, there go the birds. the birds would happily have taken care of those 8-legged critters around our homes even before they get to crawl through a gap in your burglar-barred window.

And so discovery channel documents these so-called “everyday heroes” and puts them in a light that is deserved and good. why don’t we just wipe out everything that lives and breathes on the planet, excluding ourselves of course… then we need not worry anymore about phobias, germs, heebee-geebies, and the like.

When did we become such ruthless nancies?

I will certainly endeavor not to encourage any children i know to watch this program, or discovery for that matter. what a sad turn to a channel that used to be informative.

In utter disgust…
Vanessa massyn

Constant repeats on 5/6 of the DSTV channels (BBC food/Nat Geo/Discovery to mention a few).
DSTV is the most expensive satelitte in the world! - no competition.
Give subcribers the option to choose which channels they want and charge accordingly, that is all people are wanting. Why should we have to pay for channels we do not watch.

I suggest that Multichoice should change their name to multirepeat - you guys do not think the viewing of movies or programs through - I think you should plan the viewings more and get rid of repeats.

MM1 - Movie magic channel 1 is over sized all the time, who on earth is manning that channel - if any? Doesn't anybody know that this is a problem?
Home Style Discovery and national geography - First you guys annoy us with the most idiotic mobile ringtone ads - then you drive a viewer crazy by broadcasting the same ads from the relative channel respectively continuously - even advertising the program you are busy watching. Who came up with that idea? You will drive yourselves crazy watching the channels - I dare anyone to sit and watch the home channel the whole day or any other of the above mentioned channels without starting to lip sync with all the ads. Who came up with this idea - that person should be banned from adding anything "constructive" to our viewing plan.
Why is the HD decoder so expensive and why do you only get a HD decoder with PVR - you showcase everything at least 15 times a month - you don't need PVR because Multichoice has their own PVR. You should write a book: How to fool consumers into thinking they have amnesia and getting paid for it.
I think a lot of people are sick of your viewing planning and corners being cut - carry on and a lot of people will cut you out of their monthly expense. I'd rather do something else than feel like I do now.

You are absolutely taking the piss !.. your BBC repeats are bordering on criminal extortion !.. "4 brand new channels" ... [censored] !.. they are 90% all repeats from last year, last month, last week, yesteday and earlier today... .. you should be ashamed of yourselfs !... unless... its a cunning plan to get us all to un-subscibe and the head of DSTV programing is to be the new MD of the up-coming competition !, , , get a grip guys.. be honest with yourselfs and the people that pay your salarys... "US"... and give us some value for our money !

1.I requested my account, which has 3 decoders on it disconnected on 23/9/08 as i am unable to afford the service any longer.
2.The 3 decoders are in different locations, in different properties.
3. The account is in my name and deductions are from my bank account. 4. On 9/10/08, While enquiring about the refund due to me as per my discussion with call center agent Desiree on 23/9, I discovered the service had been reactivated.
4.Without my knowledge or notification in any form or manner, the service was reconnected simply by another party supplying my ID number.
In effect multichoice have allowed another person to incur costs on my behalf without my consent or without notifying me of a change.
I have not had a phone call returned from the corporate offices in JHB left yesterday and not received any satisfactory answers from call center agents Tebogo or Gabriel.
This is reckless behaviour with my money and I expect nothing less than what was indicated to me as a refund by Desiree when disconnected.

I've got 2 decoders - the 1 for my mom Mrs AS Moller (Mrs Y Bester REF [protected]) and other one for myself Mrs Y Kilian (REF [protected]. The last 3 months I've battled to get multi choice to send the books to the correct addresses. They suddenly decided to change the address for Y Bester Ref [protected] and send both books to P O Box 1234, Worcester.

Please amend urgently the address as follows :

Y Bester REF [protected]
c/0 Mrs AS Moller
8 Limousine Street
Groenleegte Landgoed
Noorder Paarl
7646

and the other one

Y Kilian REF [protected]
P O Box 1234
WORCESTER
6849

It causes us a lot of trouble if the books is not send out to the correct addresses. Please acknowledge receipt of my e-mail.

Regards

Yvonne Kilian
[protected]@secubond.co.za
Tel [protected]
Fax [protected]