This morning, I received an SMS from Vodacom that really got to me. It reads: Due to the holiday season, your December debit order from Vodacom will be deducted on 23/12/05. To change it to 30/12/05, reply yes to this SMS before 19/12/05.

Firstly, who gives Vodacom the right to decide when they want to debit my account, after I specifically signed in my contract that all debit orders from Vodacom must come off on the last day of the month? Secondly, wouldn’t this be in breach of the contract I signed? What if I had somehow deleted the SMS before I had read it? What if I was on holiday overseas, and my phone was switched off until the new year? What if there is no money in my account because of Christmas, and Vodacom sends my account into overdraft on the 23rd? Are they going to pay the interest? (Ok, i know this is an extreme example, but still.)

I see the reason behind it, but they went about it the wrong way. Christmas time is one of the busiest times when it comes to cellphone usage. Christmas SMS’s, phonecalls to family etc. They could’ve done this in a different way. This definitely wasn’t a call from the marketing department, but from the fatcats wanting a nice bonus before Christmas.

People are always hesitant towards change, and when it comes to money, even more so. So instead of changing the debit order automatically to the 23rd and having me override it, rather only change it to the 23rd if I want it.

Thanks Vodacom, and have a Merry Christmas.