Builders Warehouse / Gripp Generators

In February we purchased a Gripp 5kva generator from Builders Warehouse Table view. After consulting with the salesperson, we where assured that the machine would be able to handle our needs. Our neighbors have one of these machines, and this is the reason for choosing it as they use there's for much harder work than we would use ours for. Running our machine with a small fridge, TV, and a small angle angle grinder, the machine started bellowing smoke from the generator side, with a strong burning smell. Now this machine has a circuit breaker and apparently overload protection as stated in the specs. Non of these protection devices seemed to have stopped this machine from self-destructing as the machine had to be chocked to switch of with the on off button being non responsive. After returning the unit to Builders, we were told it would be assessed, and they will get back to us. Unknowing to us, the unit was couriered all the way to joburg where it was striped to be assessed. All of this at a cost we were not made aware of until all was done. On top of all this we receive a quote of just under R14000 to repair the unit, that we paid R11000 for ???? A report was sent that the unit was overloaded and had burnt out at the alternator side. After asking how this could happen with a unit that features overload protection, we were told it must have gotten feedback from Eskom power that made it happen. I did not know Eskom has this new type of power that is wireless, as we are not allowed to make any connections to our DB boards as specified by our landlord, and all equipment was run with extensions. Now this unit has not emptied one full fuel tank yet, and the timer showed 9 hours run time all in the span of one month that we have used it on the odd occasion. To all clients please be aware these generators do not have a so called warranty, and you will have to pay should anything go wrong with it. We insisted on a refund, as we require a unit for our company, after which we were told that there is no refunds or returns on generators. A fact we where never made aware of. It has been more than a month with no response from management, after numerous calls to clerk's who just answer with "mmm" "mmm" ? We are left with no generator at all, and Builders Warehouse having R11000 and no aftersales responsibility. Of course we await the standard South African retailer response "we apologies for the inconvenience" after they have your money and you have nothing to show for it. SAVE IT. This review will be followed up with a complaint to the National Consumer Commission.