Poor salesmanship & Company shields itself from liability by offering supplier warranty to customers

On 2021/05/09, we paid R 4,699.00 for a Sansui 43-inch FHD TV from HIFI CORP Carnival Mall. The warranty period, as stated on the slip, is one year. We paid R 705.00 for an additional warranty on the TV based on the advice of the sales representative. The sales representative's number is 210282 as stated on the till slip.

We called HIFI CORP Carnival Mall on 2022/06/16 and informed them of the various problems with the TV. The consultant advised us to bring the TV to the store for evaluation.

We brought the TV to the shop and, with the consultant present, completed the Customer Repairs Manual Book in form in the customer service section. The consultant estimated that it would take three weeks for the supplier to investigate the problem and get back to us. We inquired as to why it takes so long but received no satisfactory response.

I'm furious because when the sales representative sold me the warranty, he didn't explain the process of waiting three weeks for a TV to be assessed. He did not tell me that the extra warranty is with the supplier, not with HIFI Corp, and that it is the supplier's responsibility to fix the TV for the first two years, with the second two years falling under the responsibility of HIFI CORP. If I had not purchased the extended warranty, it would have been the responsibility of HIFI CORP to repair or replace the item. He did not explain anything about the “2+2” years warranty and the conditions applicable.

It appears that HIFI Corp is selling this additional warranty product to shield themselves from the responsibility of fixing these items. I'd also like to mention that there were a few more SANSUI TVs scheduled for repair when we were waiting in the customer service area. So, HIFI CORP are fully aware that SANSUI TVs are poorly manufactured and thus have all these issues, but they continue to sell this product to the public. Our SANSUI TV had three main issues: The Applications freeze; when we change applications the music from first applications still plays in the background; the TV is not responsive when we try and get out of the applications; sometimes we must unplug everything and leave the TV unplugged and later plug it in again to work.

I believe the sales representative who sold us the SANSUI TV and warranty misled me into believing that TV was of decent quality and the warranty would be beneficial. I feel so embarrassed as I had to go back to my grandparents who I have gifted this TV to and tell them that it will take 3 weeks before they can watch TV again.

Finally, I'd like to mention that I had planned to buy a 65-inch SKYWORTH TV from the same store, but I ended up canceling the order at the till because the store's manager doesn't seem to care about making their customers happy or treating them fairly. They charge exorbitant fees for transportation for deliveries that are just down the road, and the consultants approach you on the side to offer you transportation by a friend. I'm curious to know who would pay for the damage if the consultant's friend got into an accident with the TV. At this stage, I am glad I walked out of the store and bought the very same TV from MAKRO. The delivery was free by the way!

HIFI Corp consultants have very poor salesmanship, and HIFI Corp does not care about their customers. I will never again make the mistake of purchasing anything from HIFI CORP.