Deception. Eagerness to give credit. Rejection of Cash Buyers.

Home Choice’s business model is designed to be a trap that keeps in bondage to debt. I wanted to buy blankets with cash (R 2 000.00) but they refused. I had created a profile on their website and downloaded their ****py App so I could access their adverti*****ts. After struggling for days to place my order - being prevented by their buggy system from paying - I decided to call them. I explained to the consultants how I struggled to make a payment even though I had followed all the guidance as programmed on their system.

The consultant agreed and confirmed that the way I had tried to place my order and pay was absolutely correct. She also was surprised as to why payment kept on failing. She then asked me what my residential address was and I told her. Then she asked me to send Home Choice a proof of that address. This is where our talk began to get tense because I could not believe I was being asked to provide a proof of residence just to be able to buy blankets from Home Choice. In trying to place my order I supp**** their system with all the requisite details, including a delivery address of my choice.

Since I'm buying cash, I don't understand why Home Choice would want to profile me first, as though I were applying for credit. I SPECIFICALLY asked the consultant “whether she confirms that I, a CASH BUYER, need a proof of residence just to be able to buy blankets from Home Choice”, and she insisted that indeed, it is their rule to be sent proof of residence, before a payment could go through. I have tried again and again ever since, to no avail. The consultant also advised repeatedly that I take the blankets on credit and pay for them in instalments, which I refused.

What kind of business model is this, where a business literally rejects a cash purchase from a customer, insisting on immaterial things like proof of residence? Why should I be pushed by Home Choice to become their debtor? Why do they make things so difficult for people who want to buy with cash? Why do they insist on giving people credit? Why should I have an account with Home Choice before I can buy from them?