**** & *****: Damaged, mis-sized, 76 days waiting for refund promised in writing

76 days waiting for a refund Croissance agreed to in writing. Their reply to my letter of demand: "Lol see you in court"

I bought a queen boucle headboard and base from Croissance Interiors (Kempton Park) on 16 June 2026 after enquiring on their Instagram page, and paid R5 120,00 in full (R4 500 plus R620 courier to Cape Town) on 17 June against invoice INV136. I was told the headboard measured 188 cm x 152 cm and carried a 24-month warranty.

The item delivered on 29 June measured 227 cm x 185 cm. The fabric was stained in several places and the top edge was not straight. I rejected it in writing the same day and asked for collection and a full refund. On 30 June Croissance rep****: "Will initiate collection tomorrow."

That was 76 days ago. Since then:

• 2 July: "Ok, I will let you know." No collection. • 7 July: I asked in writing for a collection date. No reply. • 22 to 24 July: most of my calls went unanswered. Croissance then switched on disappearing messages in our WhatsApp chat and asked me to dispose of the headboard myself, at my own cost, saying they would "still refund". • 29 July: "Refund will be processed on the 31st." Nothing was paid. • 1 August: the owner personally asked in writing for "until Monday at 17h00 to make payment". Nothing was paid. • 4 August onwards: no replies to messages or calls. • 12 September: I served a formal letter of demand. The business rep****: "R13k. Lol see you in court." The owner's number then stopped accepting my messages.

Throughout this period Croissance has continued to advertise and sell on Instagram. The R5 120 refund it accepted in writing on 30 June has still not been paid, and the headboard has still not been collected.

I have lodged formal complaints with the retail marketplaces Croissance named as its partners Takealot, Makro and LeRoy-Merlin, am lodging a complaint with the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud this week, and will proceed to the Small Claims Court if the refund is not paid by 28 September. I will update this review with the outcome.