DOUBLE B LOCKSMITH AND SECURITY AT THE PALM COURT CENTRE IN WELTEVREDENPARK, ROODEPOORT BE WARNED!

Double B Locksmith and Security refused to refund me for locks I returned to them still in the original packaging and with a receipt. I had called them on the same day the purchase was made to inform them I would be returning the items. They told me it was their policy not give refunds. I then pointed out that I was not informed of the policy during the sale and it was not stated in the receipt. They then said they had a notice at the shop stating this policy. When I went to the shop a few days later with the items I wanted to return, I looked for the sign but still could not see it. I then asked the employee to show it to me. When he did, it was high up by the ceiling and no customer could readily see it. I then called the manager/owner who was not there at the time hoping he would see sense. He wouldn't. Instead, he told me of another sign at the store. This also was not readily visible. When I finally saw the sign, there was a Christmas stocking hanging over it making it only partially visible. When I pointed this out and tried to convince him to issue a refund, he insisted that he wouldn't but I could either exchange the locks for something else in the store or use it to buy anything else I would need from them in the future.

I feel Double B Locksmith was grossly unfair on 3 grounds: 1) I believe their policy is in contravention of Consumer Right No. 7 as espoused by the Consumer Protection Act. The policy itself is not fair and not reasonable. 2) The policy was not placed where customers/potential customers could readily see it. I have photos to prove this. It was not indicated on the receipt which was only a Speedpoint copy. The alternative I was offered of exchanging the purchase for something else in the shop was also unfair and unreasonable as this is a specialty shop and there is a limit to available items one could exchange with. 3) The items were returned in about 5 days, obviously unused - still in their original packaging and with a receipt. This should have been acceptable to any reasonable business and a refund would have been issued.

Other potential customers should be warned. The business is located at the Palm Court Centre in Weltevreden Park, Roodepoort.