Declined Cell Phone Contract Help

How Can Phonefinder Help

Phonefinder was developed in order to make it easier for South Africans to get connected to a mobile deal, be it a cell phone, SIM-only or data plan.

We compare plans across all major Networks as well as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (such as Intellicell, Blue Label Connect, Mr Price Mobile and more). This allows us to form connections with multiple service operators which means that we can follow your application throughout the approval process and find an alternative solution should you be declined for your first choice.

No other comparison service is as connected as Phonefinder. We are committed to getting you connected! This is what sets us apart from the rest.

Why Was I Declined?

Think of a cell phone contract as a loan offered to you by the Network Service Provider (Cell C, MTN, Vodacom or Telkom). A smartphone such as the Samsung Galaxy J5 retails at R3,499. In order to attach this product to your mobile contract the Network Service Provider needs to finance the phone — it therefore becomes a loan (no different to a home or car loan).

While smartphones are coming down in price, they are still sizeable risk factors in terms of a loan. For this reason, the Networks take your credit score and match it against their scorecard (think of a scorecard as a pre-determined risk factor chart that matches credit ratings against the Service Providers' products).

Factors which may influence your approval rating are income, blacklist status, work history, living situation, defaulted payments, judgements, and debt review.

Get your free credit report here.

Is My Decline Permanent?

The Network scorecards are forever changing to match the economic environment. Sometimes they are lenient and sometimes they are extremely strict. Currently, the average pass rate is roughly 20%. If you failed the scorecard today, there is no hard rule to say you won't pass in three months’ time.

Failing the scorecard is also not a permanent mark against your name. If you resolve the factor that caused the decline, you may pass your next application.

How Does the Credit Check Process Work?

Each network has its own credit scorecard with requirements that must be met before approving you for a sales call.

Once you apply for a mobile deal on Phonefinder (even a SIM-only deal), your free credit check will be processed by the Network (this could take up to 12 hours).

If you pass, a sales agent will contact you. If not, Phonefinder will help you find another mobile deal.

I Was Declined, Now What?

This is where the Phonefinder connection comes in! Our team is already working to find you a mobile deal we hope you'll love. You should have been contacted already with alternatives.

Don't worry — over 80% of South Africans face the same challenge. A solution may be a SIM-only plan, a different smartphone, or another provider.

The next steps:

1) You applied on Phonefinder

2) You’ll receive an SMS within 24 hours with your approval status

3) If declined, we’ll contact other service providers

4) If there's a match, you’ll get a call from the new provider

You may also want to apply for our credit-friendly mobile solutions:

Clientele Mobile

Unlimited Mobile