Sim deactivated - eSIM won’t setup NO PHONE FOR 5 DAYS

[mhduke640]

So I ordered a iPhone 16 Pro to replace my iPhone 12 Pro. 
I chose eSIM when ordering, when my new phone was passed to DPD my eSIM was triggered and physical sim deactivated. 
I received my phone 2 days later (my old sim is still dead) hoping to switch on and it work……not a chance. 

Web chat after webchat and I have nowhere. 
“wait another 24 hours” numerous times. 

I have epilepsy and am point of contact for my daughter when she’s in school etc and I cannot send or receive texts, calls or data. 

To make matters worse, apps that I have that are 2 factor authentication send me a text to confirm it’s me. So I’m locked out of lots of my apps and bank accounts. 

I wish I’d never bothered upgrading as I now have 2 phones none of which will work without WiFi. 

[Tal]

Hi @mhduke640, I'm very sorry to hear that your number has stopped working due to the eSIM swap and what it has caused you especially with your current situation. Please reach out to us so we can check if we can push the order to complete so it allows us to add a physical SIM or send a new one out here.

[mhduke640]

Hi. I’ve reached out to Vodafone and on Saturday morning was told my eSIM order was being cancelled and I would be receiving a physical sim. 
2 hours later complaints rang me and confirmed the same, told me never accept an eSIM if you can avoid it as there nothing but trouble. (This came from vodaphone employee)

now 24 hours later I’ve just had a call updating me that my eSIM hasn’t been cancelled and no physical sim is being sent and told me it’ll be 24 - 48 hours before anything happens. 

This will mean I’ve been without a working sim for a whole 7 days. I can’t access my bank account amongst other things because of the 2 factor authentication on various apps. 

I’ve had to go out and purchase a sim only just so I can be contacted, so that’s screwed up my WhatsApp account also. 

Shambles !!!!