Think twice before using FNB Connect

To all consumers,

Like the subject, if you're thinking about ordering anything through FNB Connect (FNB Smart Devices) - think twice.

I ordered a Samsung 55" TV from them about a month ago. It arrived three days later than the date we had agreed up - meaning I ended up taking two days off of work to receive the TV (you have to have certain documents that any person can't just have to receive it in your place).

It arrived on a Friday afternoon at roughly 16:30. It took me and another person roughly half an hour to set up the TV and turn it on. Upon turning it on, there were black blotches on the right side of the screen. Upon closer inspection, we noticed a fine crack running from the top right frame toward the centre of the screen.

We promptly boxed it up again and I contacted FNB in two separate emails (explaining the situation). I couldn't get through to their call centre as it was already after hours (due to the courier arriving late).

Long story short - the TV stood here for another week until they came to pick it up. Then they took roughly a week to have it evaluated by a technician.

The technician said the TV has physical damage (duh) and I (as the client) am now liable for almost R 10 000.00 worth of a device I only switched on ONCE.

This despite having a witness and the paper trail of emails I sent. Above and beyond that, there are YouTube videos of the particular TV model (and size) I bought that come with broken screens in the box. Unlike FNB, the people in the video got their TV replaced by the retailer. Here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i_nySQB46w&t=375s

I'm still waiting on further feedback, but I will not hesitate to exhaust every single procedural avenue. I am not guilty and did not damage the TV myself.

FNB's refusal to see this will also cost them a life-long customer.