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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 67 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many people expressed dissatisfaction with the customer service, citing unhelpful and rude support staff, and difficulties in reaching a real person or getting clear explanations for issues. Customers frequently reported problems with their service, including SIM cards not being activated, phones returned unrepaired, and prolonged service outages, leading to lost business opportunities and income. Payment issues were also a significant concern, with people being overcharged, billed for services they did not agree to, or experiencing unauthorized deductions, and difficulties in resolving these financial discrepancies. However, some customers also noted positive experiences, praising responsive and friendly customer service, excellent assistance from specific employees, and good network reception in most places. A few other people also felt that the network was fast, reliable, and consistently kept them online without stress.

What people talk about most

Service

Users describe ambiguous interactions with service, with many expressing significant disappointment and... See more

Customer service

Reviewers mention negative feedback about customer service, with many expressing frustration over... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with staff, with many praising specific agents for their... See more

Customer communications

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of contact, with many expressing frustration over persistent and... See more

Payment

Clients share negative opinions on payment, with many reporting unauthorized deductions and charges for... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

BAD SERVICE FROM CELL C....I WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY OF MY FRIENDS OF FAMILY, I HAVE BEEN CALLING, EMAILING AND NO ONE CAN EVEN GIVE MY A POSITIVE OUTCOME TO WHY MY SIM CARD IS STILL NO ACTIVAT... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell C sold me a refurbished iPhone 12 after persuading me away from an iPhone 13. I was assured it was “as good as new.” It failed completely within months. Apple confirmed a hardware failure. D... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Poor customer service ie support staff are arrogant and rude.If you lost sim unable to do sim swap the only option is to switch to other mobile service providers.Overcharging on advance also.poor netw... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I strongly advise against using CellC due to their questionable business practices. Despite following their exact instructions to convert an overdue contract to prepaid, I have received no ack... See more


2.2

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

248 reviews

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No history of asking for reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The worst to have a contract with

The worst to have a contract with. My mother finished with the contract and now they don't want her to cancel. They keep on deducting. Is there anyone to assist in how to cancel? Calling them is useless because they become rude when you tell them you wanna cancel your contract.

5 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The lovely lady at promenade branch…

The lovely lady at promenade branch Zhandre was really a great help getting a new gadget,she went out of her way to assist me as quick as possible,made my experience so cheerful and helpful to the max,thanks so much for your great service,there aren't much that works in sales that does things like this for clients so I give you my best and keep on doing your best.

28 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My number

Hi Cell C Team,

I've been using my Cell C number for over 9 years. Recently, I lost my phone and SIM card, and I've been trying to do a SIM swap to get my number back.

I bought a new starter pack as advised, called your call centre, and then went to the nearest Cell C store. I waited for almost an hour to be assisted, and when I finally got help, I gave all the details I could — the numbers I regularly call and WhatsApp, and even the last recharge date I remember.

But now I'm being told that I must provide the last number I called. Honestly, how can anyone remember that exactly — especially after losing their phone? I'm already stressed from losing my device, and I’ve given more than enough to prove the number is mine.

All I’m asking is to get back access to my number that I’ve had and used for years. Please help me sort this out without making it more difficult than it needs to be. I’d really appreciate it if someone can escalate this and assist properly.

3 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Pathetic service

Pathetic service, inexperienced call agents who are frustrating to interact with. Useless at investigating cases where online purchases have been made but data or airtime not received. Strongly do not recommend.

14 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrible service

I lost my phone and line got suspend, I went to do an eSIM sim swap at Cell C, I waited for their 4 hours as advised to my surprise the SIM card did not work, I called their customer service and as always I was not assisted, they told me to go back to the store as they were suppose to reactivate the line when doing a sim swap, don’t know why they sent me to the because this is something that can be done over the phone, I have worked for a network provider before and I know how these things work. I have a prepaid number and I know how easy it is to resolve this and they just failing me. It’s been more than 24 hours of not being assisted. I cannot login to my WhatsApp, my apps that i registered with using this number as they are sending the OTP there. I’m beyond frustrated now and they are now refusing to refund me the money that I used to purchase my eSIM so that I can part ways with them. I’m even crying because of the inconvenience caused by this company.

19 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Dealing with Cell C has been one of the…

Dealing with Cell C has been one of the most frustrating customer service experiences I’ve ever had. Their complete inability to communicate, assist, or resolve even the simplest issues is beyond disappointing – it’s infuriating.

From being passed around with no answers, to receiving empty promises and scripted responses that go nowhere, it’s clear that customer care is not a priority for this company. You’re left feeling ignored, disrespected, and stuck in a loop of incompetence.

If there was one company I could say I genuinely hate dealing with – it would be Cell C, forever. i cant wait to switch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Q!Q!Dealing with Cell C has been one of the most frustrating customer service experiences I’ve ever had. Their complete inability to communicate, assist, or resolve even the simplest issues is beyond disappointing – it’s infuriating.

From being passed around with no answers, to receiving empty promises and scripted responses that go nowhere, it’s clear that customer care is not a priority for this company. You’re left feeling ignored, disrespected, and stuck in a loop of incompetence.

If there was one company I could say I genuinely hate dealing with – it would be Cell C, forever. Absolutely unacceptable. i cant wait to switch!!!!!!!!

7 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Customer service

Overall we stay with Cell C for over 15 years, other providers will agnoledge your loyalty,but Cell C Somerset mall not at all,we upgraded again, we wanted to go to Vodacom, but said to my wife, we are all the years with them,asked for covers for the new A26 x2,answer we and Cell C give no freebeeze
Maybe our next upgrade will be Vodacom or MTN
REGARDS
Louw
084 295 8351

1 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell C has continued to try and charge…

Cell C has continued to try and charge me AFTER I have already cancelled my membership and payed off all outstanding arrears. They even sent me the acknowledgement of cancellation email. The only time customer care bothers to contact me is when they think I owe them money. All other queries or requests are just ignored including the email I sent with proof of payment showing my account can be closed without any outstanding payments. I would not recommend anyone who wants a professional experience to sign up with Cell.C.

4 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell.C is the worst service and…

Cell.C is the worst service and customer care provider.
Logged a complaint numerous times on 084135 ,whatsapp ,and went to cell c Grove mall for help.
I cannot make or received calls I have enough airtime ,data ect...that they could tell me ..The Grove said I must do a sim swop so I did . Still NO PRPBLEM solved,this is a week later and I am losing bisiness because of cell c !!!

Promise to fix problem still no response and I am loosing business day by day because of cell c

8 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

CellC is truly taking advantage of its…

CellC is truly taking advantage of its clients. My monthly installment keeps increasing and when i report this, they pretend that they will fix it. They keep telling me about penalty fee declined debit order and recently I am no longer able to view my statement. I have subscribed for get more, but when i cancel it, they don't want to. This shows how much power companies like CellC have. Another thing I do have evidence to prove what I am talking about. They also don't want to provide a call recording when i request it therefore, it is not a reliable company.

17 January 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell C illegally debiting account

Cell C have continued to debit my mother's account for a contract we cancelled 3 months ago!!!! She keeps calling them to escalate to a manager, they promise her a call back and it never happens but without fail they will debit her account every month. We asked for a settlement amount which keeps changing with every agent you speak withh. we sent emails with proof of payments but nothing is been done to close her account.

24 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell C’s emergency airtime is a whole…

Cell C’s emergency airtime is a whole SCAM. I just checked my balance and apparently I owe R17.63 in emergency airtime, I quite literally loaded R45 airtime and yet I still owe R17.63 ? Am I supposed to load up to R100 just to cover the fictional R17.63 balance ?I am seriously considering changing network providers

15 December 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Illegal billings that one never subscribed to

Cell c charges you for game blasts that you never subscribed to . This only happens to prepaid customers . This is illegal and guess what they get away with it . Please move to another subscriber if you get the opportunity., as this never happens to other telecom brands

13 December 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell C internet connection not working for 7 days.

My Cell C fibre has not been working since Tuesday last week. I had to block my Airbnb bookings since because I cannot book them in without a WiFi. I can’t even see my spa bookings so I have not had clients since then. Cell C says it is Vumatel problem and Vumatel says it is Cell C. Vumatel ticket number is 00420092. And another one is CF133907 and another one is 00424578 then I received an sms from a Sandile claiming that I should tell them when to phone but there is no missed call on my phone. I had to close my business Airbnb since my adverts say I have WiFi connection. People can’t book at the spa for massages and other aesthetics treatments because they use online booking. This is a mess

3 December 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Suspended for no reason

Can't call anyone. Getting no internet coverage. My number is suspended for not "paying" suposelbly, although the debit order went of. Customer service useless.

21 November 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cell c has bad service i damaged my…

Cell c has bad service i damaged my phone on the 13/07/24 and i went to the store on the 15/07/24 i completed a claim form after 3 weeks i called to check if my phone is fixed they told me i didnt fill the form correctly they send me another form via email i filled it they the told me that the IME number is incorrect they told me to fill the form again then i was told that i filled an older form that it was 2018 form number 1 i never claimed since i got my insurance secondly they sent me that form and 3rd i was told this things when i did a follow up not them calling me so the service is very bad the consultants from the insurance side are rude and not properly trained to deal with us i asked my phone back since they are useless am going to fix my phone myself yet am paying them evey month so i domt recomend any1 insuring their device with this useless company

15 July 2024
Unprompted review

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