What should be a simple repair too often turns into a costly and unfair experience.
I have personally encountered this issue more than once, and now I have decided to take action.
In December, I took my Samsung A03 phone to a repair shop in Moorreesburg where I originally purchased it. The phone was still functioning, but the touchscreen stopped working after it accidentally fell. Along with it, I handed in another Samsung phone belonging to someone else for a screen repair. When I returned on January 3rd, I was told to pay R400 before receiving my phone back. However, after paying, I realized that the phone still did not work. Despite my complaints, I was told to return later, only to find out that they could not fix it.
If the phone was still broken, why was I charged?
I was then offered another phone for an additional R200. Out of necessity, I accepted, but this decision only led to further frustrations. The replacement phone already had a cracked screen, and when I pointed it out, I was assured that it would not affect the phone’s functionality. Within two days, the crack spread, and I struggled to use the touchscreen. When I returned to the store, I was falsely accused of dropping the phone. Frustrated with the ongoing issues, I agreed to trade in the other Samsung phone to cover further repair costs.
The problems did not stop there. When I received the phone back, one of my SIM cards was missing. The store replaced it with an unregistered SIM, which was handed out without any verification process. Additionally, I later discovered that most apps could not be installed due to limited storage, forcing me to carry two phones instead of one.
This is not the first time I have faced such issues. In my own town, Hopefield, I had a similar experience that forced me to throw away a phone. My daughter, Azalia, also encountered the same problem with her phone in Hopefield but chose to let it go. This pattern of dishonest practices in phone repairs and sales is unacceptable, and I refuse to stay silent. That is why I have decided to take legal action through the Small Claims Court.
I am not the only one. Many people have shared similar stories on the streets, highlighting how common these unethical practices are. I encourage anyone who has had a similar experience to come forward and share their story. You can submit your experience via the “Contact Us” form on our website. Your voice matters, and by speaking up, we can expose these dishonest business practices and hold these stores accountable.
If we do not stand up for our consumer rights, these unethical businesses will continue to take advantage of us. It’s time for change!
Have you experienced similar issues?
Share your story with us through the “Contact Us” form, and help bring attention to unfair business practices!
