Most Appalling Service

I took my late father's watch (real gold) in to Barksole (N1 City) for a service on 27 November 2022, and paid a R200 deposit. It obviously has a LOT of sentimental value to me. They told me they'll send it away, and the people who service it will phone me in the next two weeks with a quote, which I can either accept, and they will begin. Or I don't have to accept, and they will send the watch back.

I don't get any phonecall. I phone Barksole on 28 December 2022 and ask for an update. They only answer after the third time that I try. They can't tell me anything because the people doing the service will only start working again on 9 January.

I phone Barksole on 9 January 2023. They only answer after the eighth time that I try. I get told that I have to phone back after 11:00 because the lady who deals with the watches isn't there. I phone back on 10 January. I get told that they don't know what's going on, they will phone me back. I phone back on 13 January. They only answer after the eighteenth time that I try. They give me a quote. I say, "No, thank you. Please can they send it back, I want my watch back." They tell me they'll phone me when it's back.

I phone on 18 January for an update. They only answer after the fourth time that I try. They tell me no one has arranged yet for the watch to be sent back. I ask them to please arrange it, because this is beyond ridiculous. I phone on 31 January for an update. They only answer after the sixth time that I try. The watch is not back yet.

I phone on 9 February (Thursday) for an update. They only answer after the fifth time that I try. They tell me the watch will be back on Monday. I phone on 13 February (Monday). They tell me my watch will be back the next day. I get a phone call on 14 February to say I can fetch my watch. 10 weeks and two days later.

I go fetch my watch. Jacky (who phoned me), tells me she can't give me my deposit back, because they don't have enough cash and she asks me to come back. I ask her when? "In about three hours; but I'll phone you!" I tell her I won't be there in three hours and I'm not driving back. Suddenly, she has enough cash to give me my deposit back. I notice the watch's paint is off on the sides of the face, and there's a dent in the side of the watch. I ask her what is going on? How did that happen? She tells me that she doesn't normally work at that branch. She'll ask Lisa to give me a call on Thursday. I ask her if she just expects me to accept this? She tells me the same thing again.

I'm beyond disgusted, appalled, angry, and sad, for multiple reasons. I feel as though I've let my father down. These people simply could not care less. It's shocking.

Docket number: ***8