Communications – the saga of Telco’s continues

Funny story. Well, almost. 

I arrive in Istanbul needing to contact my host and knowing that it’s a big city and some access to google maps might be useful.  In Kadakoy I rock up to the Vodafone banner I can see on the skyline.  Turns out the shop below the banner is their competitor, TurkCell and Vodafone has done the equivalent of the first letter in their name by renting the air space above the Turkcell shop.  This should have been an omen.  I didn’t read it properly. 

I ask for a good data plan, with some local calling capability.  There is a package “on promotion” [I’m fast learning this is code for “with strings attached”] which includes 1GB of data and 500 free local call minutes for 50 Turkish Lira ($25.00 or thereabouts).  Only here for 6 days but that’s an investment I’m willing to make to be in contact with the world and an e-compass

“That will do just fine.” 

Then the fun starts.  The guy hands me the SIM package, I hand it back and ask him to insert the SIM and configure it to show me data and phone working.  He spends 30 minutes attempting to do so with much muttering and shaking of his head.  Eventually he walks outside of the shop to continue.  This makes sense as it’s probably more line of sight to Mecca and divine intervention- because he clearly needs it.  Eventually he gives up and hands the phone to a colleague.  She does something similar (the pilgrimage outside is obviously a common part of the methodology).  They hand it to a 3^rd colleague who plays with it for 5 minutes then walks over to me.  In very broken English “This no work.  There not enough credit. “  As if to illustrate the point he dials a number which shows me that I have 18 lira on the account, not the requisite 20 I need to accommodate the “special deal.”  He demands 15 lira for a top up to make it work. 

“I have not touched the phone since I bought the package deal.  If anyone has used credit it is your colleagues trying to configure it!” I reason.  He shakes his head “You pay 15 lira.”

“No”

It becomes a Turkish stand-off.  When it becomes apparent that I’m not leaving before it’s working and not paying another cent (or lira), he mutters something, loads the SIM into his phone, punches something in (loading credit I presume) re-loads the SIM into my iPhone and throws it at me. “Working” he grunts.

 Service with a smile.

 I later find out that this is a frequent occurrence with TurkCell.  Then again, having not tested the others, not sure whether they are any better?