I can break the news that the earliest that anyone other than the original 50 000 TopTV decoder buyers will be able to get their hands on one, will be Thursday, May 6. I can also reveal that the price will remain R499 per decoder, including installation and satellite dish.
I was first with the news RIGHT HERE on Saturday already that all 50 000 TopTV decoders were sold out hours after it went on sale on Saturday - a shipment to stores that was supposed to last the whole month. Now TopTV is working on getting decoders into shops as soon as possible - from Pep and Makro, to Pick n Pay, House & Home and many more who ran out within hours on Saturday. Although TopTV said the price will be R499 while stocks last, I can tell you that TopTV will keep the new decoder price unchanged, which still includes free installation and a free satellite dish.
''We will have more TopTV set top boxes in stores from Thursday and roll out more between Thursday and the weekend,'' Melinda Connor, TopTV spokesperson tells me. ''Anyone looking for a TopTV decoder over this coming weekend should be able to find one. Pick n Pay has also come on board in a big way in terms of supplying decoders.''
''I know it must be incredibly frustrating for people who want a TopTV decoder to get to a store and hear that they have sold out,'' she says. ''I please, please want to ask people - if they get to a store - to not go mad and get upset at the store, its not their fault. People can contact TopTV on 08600 86788 and we will make sure to dispatch TopTV decoders to the shop. Please don't complain to the shop, it's TopTV who has to send set top boxes to them,'' she says. ''Also, the advertised special price of R499 will stand, the price won't be going up.''
