No delivery or installation despite payment being made

Gumtree Ad: https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-building-trades/other/gates-fencing-building-works-and-more-contact-us-for-a-free-quotation/***

Denzil *** ***

Joe *** ***

On 6 March 2019 is sent an email to *** requesting a quote for 2 aluminum pedestrian gates. I received a call from a guy called Joe immediately asking me if I was serious about fitting gates because he had an opening that Friday where he would be able to give me a special price.

On 7 March I received a quote from Denzil Pieterse <***> At the time of requesting the quote I told Joe telephonically that I was in the process of installing grass and paving in my yard and would prefer that we hold off on the gates until this is done, Joe continued to punt the special price and mentioned that my gates could be stored with no problem until installation. I then sent a WhatsApp where I told him to hold off because I was busy installing grass and I didn’t want to mess with the gates. After receiving endless calls and whatsapp voice notes about the level of customer service and going the extra mile for their customers I agreed to production and made the deposit of R4500. I further confirmed to Joe that the gates could be stored at my place until my yard was done and then could come and install after. On 18 March I received a message confirming that my gates are done and that powder coating for an extra R700 will be done but at no additional cost to me, Joe further confirmed that gates will be delivered and kept at my place until installation in a WhatsApp voice note. On 25 March I received a call asking for an additional R900 payment, requesting immediate payment so that the additional work with a cost confirmed not to be carried by me could be done and my gates could be “released” I received endless calls, WhatsApp voice notes and messages. I further asked for confirmation of delivery of my gates to which Joe responded on WhatsApp that he will confirm a bit later. On 26 March I received a message confirming that the gates had been received and that it would be stored in the shop until it is fitted I then confirmed that I would confirm installation as soon as my yard had been completed. After the work in my yard had been completed on 16 April I asked for an update on fitting Joe confirmed that it would not be that week due to current work and would be after Easter – I was happy with this. On 29 April after receiving no communication from Joe I asked for another update on fitting on WhatsApp, my messages was not being delivered so I called he then confirmed that he will confirm a date asap. On 3 May after receiving no communication from Joe I asked for update on fitting he confirmed fitment for Friday 10 May. Confirming that this was kept open for my installation. On 10 May after no installation, no communication I contacted Joe who was not responding to my calls or messages, after finally getting hold on him he sent me a WhatsApp Voicenote confirming that the plan was to install but had an emergency operation and will find out what is happening with installation. Joe then shifted the blame to me for delaying the installation due to complications with my yard, at this point I realized that everything he confirmed, the endless calls, Voice notes and messages promising the best level of customer service was all to get the job and could not be met with delivery. He further confirmed that someone would contact me regarding installation On 27 May after no contact I followed up again endless promises from Joe to get this sorted. On 31 May after no contact, no communication, no feedback I followed up again Joe confirmed installation for 7 June. At this point I handed this over to my husband, same pattern continued, empty promises of installation, endless WhatsApp Voice notes confirming that this will be resolved, we asked for our gates to be delivered so that we can arrange installation but with no success. On 6 June I confirmed what time installation would be, my WhatsApp messages were blocked and my calls not answered. My husband called from a different number pretending to need his services and Joe answered his phone, he then told him who he was and asked for an update. No delivery or installation on 7 June as promised. On 9 June I received a WhatsApp viocenote from Joe promising installation during the course of that week. We have had no contact since then, our messages are not going through and calls being ignored, still no gates delivered or installed. We have given up and have realized that we have to write this off. Do not do business with this guy, however big or small your job is, not being able to deliver on the small jobs implies that his business model is about making money and not delivering good quality service, its good quality service that receives referrals from customers, its being able to deliver on your word that shows customers your business values and principles, Joe is a man of many promises and no delivery, I have not been able to see the quality of work but based on my experience I can only imagine that this too does not live up to expectation.