Money taken from account but had to leave empty handed!

Dear Checkers Customer Service,

I am writing to express my absolute frustration and disappointment with the service I received at your Checkers Newton Park branch today.

I went to purchase groceries for my mother, who is a pensioner, and the total came to R606. I tapped my card to pay, and the EFT machine showed “Approved” — both I and the cashier saw this. The amount was immediately deducted from my account, as confirmed on my banking app. However, the till did not register the payment, and I was told the transaction did not go through on your side.

When I showed the manager, Tamryn, proof that the payment was successfully deducted from my account, I was told there was nothing they could do and that I must wait until tomorrow to see if it reverses. If not, I was instructed to come back for a refund.

To say I am angry is an understatement. Because of this error, my mother — a pensioner — has no groceries tonight. I spent my last available money on that transaction and now have nothing until Checkers decides to refund me. The situation is not only financially devastating but also deeply embarrassing — I even had to consider borrowing money just to make sure my mom has food.

What makes this worse is that the manager asked me to pay again, even after I explained that the money had already been deducted and that I had no additional funds. I find this response completely unacceptable and heartless.

This experience has left me extremely disappointed in a brand I have supported for years. I sincerely hope Checkers will take this complaint seriously and take swift action to resolve it.

I can provide screenshots of the transaction and banking proof upon request.