MultiChoice Africa / DSTV
reviews and complaints

I object to being charged a box office rental. I view box office as a monopolistic act in making subscribers pay for a service that subscribers have been given the expectancy that they will get as part of their subscription.

I have not activated or applied box office or agreed to its terms and conditions.

I have never and will never rent anything on box office.

I appeal to all south Africans to support Ban box office.com

Andre Brink.

I've been a customer of Multichoice for more than 10 years! In August last year i made the stupid decision to hand in my SD PVR for the Xplora. I've been having endless issues with the decoder. i then asked, at the N1 City brand, is there any payments i need to make, is everything up to date, to which i was said "no ma'am, just continue to pay as you have been" - I then took out a second package, which i was granted with no hassles. TODAY, 6 months later, my service is suspended for being "behind" on payment. As per the person i spoke to, this "behind" payment has been coming on since April last year (10 months ago).
so WHY was i given another package if i was "behind" on payment? and WHY was the "behind" payment not communicated to me by the non-existent statement of theirs?
i want my service put back on.

Last year on the 18th of March 2016 I made an annual payment for my dstv subscription and was advised that they will only be required to pay again in March 2017.

On 26th of January a debit order ran on my account for an amount of R658.71 - when i called them on the 27th the lady told me that their system had an issue and all the annual customers payment frequency changed to monthly automatically. She told me that she will change my account back to Annual and refund me the amount, but it will take 7-10 working days for the journal/cancellation etc etc.
On the 9th of February I called again after the 10 days - the lady told me that although the cancellation was done, the request for refund was not requested - she will do it and it will take 3-4 working days then i will have the money back in my account.

So now today is the 4th day - i just spoke to the DSTV Call centre again and they said that i am still showing as a monthly payer, i am due to pay in february and there is no request for refund - what the hell? Why are we forced to be nasty to get service in south africa?

Now my payment was changed back to annually and the fees was reversed and a refund request has been loaded (apparently as i have no proof of this and now again this will take 7-10 working days for the refund to be processed and the lady says she guarantees me that a debit order will not go off on my account in February, but how will i know?

I can understand that there was a system issue in January - but why were the customers not informed via a letter or SMS or email? When i picked it up i was reasonable but now i had to phone twice again and still no refund and no guarantee that it won't happen again - I am fed up this is against the consumer protection act and not treating customers fairly

I bought my DSTV Explora decoder 2 years ago and I took out insurance when I received my decoder with Multichoice.

I then received an sms and email from you on the 11th January 2017 advising that my insurance was cancelled and I immediately called your company to find out why. They mentioned that I missed a payment in October 2016 but I was never notified of the missed payment. I then asked to be reinsured immediately.

My decoder blew 3 weeks and when I went to the multi choice shop in the Lemon Tree in Alberton they said I cannot get a new decoder because I haven’t had my insurance for longer than 3 months.

I then called your company and they advised that I need to wait 3 months before I can get a new Explora which I find extremely unfair as I wasn’t informed that I missed a payment and I definitely wasn’t advised that there is a 3 month waiting period plus I had paid for 18 months already.

I was then told to email [protected]@multichoice.co.za my complaint and was advised via email that they would get back to me in 24 hours.

I called 24 hours later only to be told by the call centre lady that it takes longer than 24 hours and up to 7 days and that the promped email response form Multichoise is incorrect.

Its been 2 weeks now and I still haven't heard form anyone.

Please urgently advise.

My partner and I came into DSTV – Multichoice building to bring in a faulty decoder – We got to the reception / helpdesk @ +/- 13:15 found 2 black ladies there one with uniform (blue Multichoice DSTV golf shirt with shorthair) and the other with civilian clothes (white blouse and had a long weave/wig). We were allocated number 60. My partner went to counter 60 and I told him I need the bathroom therefore split with him and went to the restrooms just behind the reception ladies. I had my cellphone Huawei P9 Lite (Gold) on my hand went into the toilet then put it on top the toilet roll holder. After doing my business went to the basin to wash my hands then left the restrooms and leaving my phone there. I went to counter 60 took a seat by the cone couches as I await my partner not even 2minutes went past and remembered I left my phone ran back to the bathrooms looked inside the loo I was in but it was nowhere to be found. I asked the reception ladies if anybody brought my phone there and they both said no and they carried on with whatever they were doing. I then asked security who I could speak to as I want to see footage to see who went in the bathroom after I did, they told me to ask the reception lady to show me the line manager. The lady at reception with the Multichoice uniform then assisted me but because she was alone there she 1st had to get someone to look after the counter as she was alone at the time. She managed to get a lady to come standby as she went to look for the line manager – the lady with the blouse then came back “I am not saying she took my phone but she looked dodgy and had no interest in me whatsoever” The lady with the uniform called me and introduced me to another lady (cannot remember names as I was losing my mind but I can pinpoint them) whom I saw the footage with and she also tried calling my cellphone it went to voicemail. She said she suspected the lady with the blouse but said she needs to get facts 1st because she disappeared from the counter, however the camera does reach or view the bathroom door. She took my partners number [protected] but I have not heard from her ever since. Please can someone have a look at the footage will be much appreciated.

Hi My name is Penny [removed] (removed) I have changed my decoder three times now because decoders are not filly functioning i.e. my box office not working, catch up not working, since i bought my first decoder HD pvr 3 to 4 years . I called your call centre they couldn't help they then told me to go take decoder in to be checked got new one then they same thing happened again took it in got new one. The new one also not functioning fully. Tried 3 technicians referred by your call centre agents that didn't help they all say you should be able to assist me. Everything is connected properly. Im exhausted now I've never enjoyed tissue HD pvr with my family at all. Im asking for your help in this regard.

I previously changed my package to the easy view package due to the poor value for money and repeats that makes DSTV not worth the price you pay for it. I called in Oct to find out if I can use catch up option on another package or lower package and I was informed that this can be done for a fee of R85. I accepted and had the option since then. However the service does not work and I was misinformed. I even called this week to enquire about my charges and was informed that it does work with lower packages, I checked again and it still does not work. I called again today and spoke to the most rude consultant that has absolutely no customer service experience or qualities as he is trying to shout over my voice without given me the client an opportunity to speak and explain. I then asked to speak to his manager and that was also so difficult for him to arrange . Mojali I am waiting for you to call me back!
I require my calls to be checked and listened to since Oct and refunded for the incorrect charge for service that you unable to provide

This saga has been going on for 2 years already. I have complaint on numerous occasions and yet Dstv fails to resolve and to deliver on their promise to collect the explora which was sent to us after lying during their marketing campaign and false advertising and sales pitches. I am now considering obtaining an interdict on Monday against Dstv. Dstv has failed to make arrangements to collect the explora yet have now handed us over to a credit recovery company. Unacceptable.

I'm posting on behalf of family. A payment of R2000 was made into the DSTV via EFT, the same account they use every time. Payment was made on 03 January 2017 to cover 5 to 6 months of viewing. They have not had service since. The lady has called the call centre more than 10 times. They activate and deactivate after 3 days. The lady is at her wits ends, she does not know what to do now.

The account ref is [protected]. Please assist, proof of payment is available.

My account number [protected] has a query going back to November 2016 and I'm being inconvenienced because every 5 days I have to call as my services are disconnected yet I made a payment but according to dstv the payment was reversed and sadly the money never went back to my account as I pay via eft. Today I received a message that says I have been handed over to itc. Can somebody please help me as I would be listed for something I do not owe. I have all proof of emails I had sent to more than 20 agents including superiors but none seem to care. My telephone bill is always high because of dstv. Or maybe I should take the matter up?

I would like to understand why certain series are put on catch up and then half way or after the 2nd or 3rd episode it no longer appears on catch up. There is no explanation that there has been a series break.

You are always promoting Catch Up, but you cannot or seem to have any control. You have to have the full package to be able to use this facility but it never works. Some days two of the same episodes are on catch up. I have been waiting for Chicago pd, Homeland and Missing. I had to record the programs. So i can view it but it does not reflect on Catch up. What is the catch.

I waited for an installer who never pitched - Trevor from www.dish-wizard.co.za, contacted him at 8 am on the 6 Feb 2017 and at 5.30pm still had not arrived after promising to be here at midday.

I googled accredited Installers, and Eagle Satelite came up .I contacted Brighton [protected] or [protected] and he was here within 20 minutes, took a look at the machine, and said yes we should replace as the LNB on the machine was faulty. So we went to DSTV Gift Acres today, and replaced with HD machines, for top and bottom lounge, as our previous machine was dual view.

I had Brighton here for about 2 and half hours and he drilled and went on the roof, set up the machine in the bottom lounge and the top lounge. Told me that the MNET bundle wasnt all there, but we are paying for the full bundle . So the channels 102 up till 110 were not operative. and also some other channels were missing. Brighton told me they would come in about an hour ...it would come through Mnet. When he left i contacted
Mnet and she told me there is a fault its not set up correctly ...E48 fault i think... so after being presented with a bill for R 1428 -00, we still have no TV and now no channels whatsoever . ... this is since Sunday evening, there is nothing on the channels . Mnet gave me a reference and1935671/I41 Lesedi was the contact. Who

Good day,

Since january I have been calling dstv saying please dr my account, I supplied all my bank account details - my monthly debit of r345 has not gone off for january 2017.
I even went online and loaded my own dr order details.

I don't understand what sort of company does not want to take they money.

I called the call centre again today stayed on the line for 15mins ref 191 069 75-i21.
Now dstv wan't to charge me r399 for a payment that was supposed to be r345 and go of on the date I loaded 23rd jan 2017.
Don't you think that's a bit sad that customers have to pay extra just because a company can not do their job.

I actually want to demand that they forfeit my debit and allow me to have free service for a month, cause of this useless service.

Thanks
S

On 23 December 2016 I bought and fitted a new HD decoder, In fact it replaced my old decoder.So it didn't correspond with DSTV 's info.They detected a new decoder was connected, so I phoned into the call centre.I told them I fitted a new HD decoder.They told me they will use the new HD decoder s smart card number.I assumed the old decoder will fall away. After 2 months I noticed I have to pay double premium.I phoned the call centre to ask why.They said to me that I didn't specify that they must cancel the old decoder.It was my intention to cancel the old decoder but maybe they didn't understand it so.Then I asked the operator why THEY didn't ask specifically if THEY must cancel the old decoder, then she got angry and raised her voice.It happened at an earlier call in also where their operators were rude and talked arrogantly and raised their voices.If DSTV operators had a proper protocol, they would have asked as standard, if the client wants to replace the old decoder.I now paid 2 months subscription unnecesarilly because of their incompetenceThe fact that they are arrogant and rude make things worse! when they don't realise that DSTV customers pay their salaries.

I'm BEN from South Africa I would love to know Why don't you add this season of big brother on the walka, I'm poor I don't have access to the dstv now app I can't afford the premium services.1.I know you guys are an greedy corporation. Instead of taking the show of the walka why not increase the monthly fees, 2.the show has been on the walka for the past six years why not this one

Well, where do I start? On 3 January I paid R1350, 22 into our DSTV account as Dec. amount + pro-rata did not go of the account. But then on 30 Jan DSTV took R2924, 42 from our account. I phoned in twice and they said that the R1350, 22 will be refunded into my bankaccount as that money went into the previous DSTV account and not in the new account which is the explorar. But R2924, 42? It is UNACCEPTABLE! When I phoned in the Lady said it was a system error and R824, 42 will be refunded.

SO NOW IT IS A TOTAL OF R1350, 22 and R824, 42 which adds up to R2174, 64 that must be paid back into my BANKACCOUNT and NOT into my DSTV account. We have a child to take care of and woooops here comes DSTV not keeping with their own contract. I want my money back please and it is urgent.

Thank you

So sick and tired of the repeats on Dstv
Same movies same series over and over again
I can't understand it that so many customers pay a large fee every month and all we get are repeats
Don't dstv have the money to buy new movies and series? Why do we have to always just accept this terrible service in South Africa?
Dstv you guys are really getting boring! !

I have been a customer at DSTV for more than 10 years. I am paying my very expensive premium of R840 every month on time. Never ever late or non payment. I applied for the explorer premium freeze and was declined. How fair is that? our current dual decoder is giving problems and we can barely watch DSTV at the moment because it keeps on saying loosing signal. We had the installer there and he installed new 'electronic eyes' on the dish but still the same. he recommended we get the explorer. How can you decline a loyal customer.

Hi, I have had a DSTV PVR for the past few year, which I am paying R844 debited from my account.
A consultant called me in Dec to offer me the Price Lock offer, which I accepted to take.
My understanding of this agreement was once the Explorer was installed, I was supposed to call and cancel my PVR subscription and activate the Price Lock offer.
I have been away on holiday, so now I am installing the Explorer,
But I just received an sms saying that I owe R2872.80 -
When I call DSTV, they say that's it is for the explorer,
So they have already been deducting the R844 every month, up until 25 Jan - but now I have to pay for the explorer which I have not even installed yet.
I will not be paying for 2 services, if I have only been using one.
I only have one connection in my house, .
I have called DSTV twice already, and they keep saying someone will call me back, but I have not received any calls yet resolving this matter,
All I want to be charged for one service, not 2 . I don't even mind if they re-allocate the funds that I have paid for the PVR already to the Explorer, and I can pay the difference . But I will not pay for both, when I have only used one.

Sasha Jaggernath
[protected]

Lightning hit my house and my explora was damaged. That was Saturday 21 Jan.

I Took it in to my dstv branch in Middelburg on Monday morning. I explained what happened, stated that I had insurance on the machine and asked what would happen next?
They took my machine and asked me to come back later for my “new machine”, because it would take some time to set up the new machine.
I got the replacement machine later that day. The machine did not work when i plugged it in at home. It was late and we left it till the next day.

After work on Tuesday night, I paid a technician R1500.00 to help me. We found that the power cable was also damaged. We phoned the local dstv office owner, who sold us a new power cable for R350.00
After everything was plugged in, the technician still struggled for over an hour to get the machine working. Eventually there was display, and we could watch tv that night.

Wednesday morning the dstv was dead again. I took the decoder to the dstv agent, they tested it, and said that the machine was in working condition.
Wednesday after work i phoned the Custumer Care line and after a while they got it working and we could watch tv that night.

Thursday morning it was dead again... after work that evening I phoned the Custumer Care line and after a while they got it working and we could watch tv that night.

Friday morning it was dead again... after work that evening I phoned the Custumer Care line and after a while they got it working and we could watch tv that night.

Saturday morning when it was dead again, i took it back to the dstv office.

Then they told me that even though I have insurance, dstv does not give you a new machine, they give out Re-furbished machines. And they will keep on giving me a refurbished machine until I find one that works. Doesn’t that sound ridiculous?
So I asked them to give me a letter for my House insurance, then I can claim a new machine from them. No sorry... they don’t give letters for insurance purposes...

The dstv agent had no other solution than coming back repeatedly until I find one that works, so I also got another re-furbished machine on Saturday which is also broken…
I cannot even take the machine back now, because they don’t have any other machines to give me, I have to wait until Wednesday when they will have a new machine for me to try out.

So I am paying my full dstv premium this month, I pay almost R140.00 for insurance via dstv… I pay house insurance… and I can’t watch TV for almost 10 days now, how does that work?!

Realdi van Rooyen
[protected]