****ming clients and harming our credit score

Homechoice is one of those companies that are disorganized, rarely have accurate information, put money first, and will constantly harass you with calls even when unnecessary.

In January 2026, I was deciding on closing my account due to previous unsatisfactory things they had done to me as a customer. I went to Homechoice Empangeni and was given a settlement amount, which I paid immediately. I then decided to start a new 12-month contract with them. The first red flag for me was when they didn't give me any proof of me settling the previous contract. At the end of January they didn't debit anything. At month end in February, they debited an amount I was fami**** with, so I had no problem.

The biggest problem came in March 2026 when I received an SMS from Homechoice telling me I had to pay R459 on my next debit. I was sent from pillar to post when I wanted an explanation as to why I suddenly had to pay that amount. On Facebook they told me I had not even settled the previous amount. I went to the Empangeni branch twice. First they said it was interest. I reached out again on social media. They called me and said I did not settle in January and the in-store assistant was supposed to give me a letter to prove it. How is it my problem that procedures weren't followed?

I then started pushing back. The call centre agent began retracting and said yes, there is an issue with my account. The billing department has to look into it and call me back. I went back to the Empangeni branch to tell them they also gave me information that doesn't make sense, since everyone from Homechoice is saying something different. The Empangeni branch then told me that interest was not included in my previous settlement amount. How is that my problem?

All this drama was happening and Homechoice still had not deducted its debit order on the last day of the month as scheduled. I was promised a call back by Rushka, who said she had escalated the issue to her manager who would call me back. To this day no manager has called.

I was utterly disgusted when another agent called me to ask when I am paying my debit order, which made me livid because they chase money first, not customer satisfaction. If you are a person who treasures your money, don't bother with Homechoice. I was shocked when one of the assistants in Empangeni mentioned that Homechoice does **** its customers, as a lot of customers come in for the same issues which are never resolved.

What's more painful is that even after I went to the branch and paid the overcharged amount, Homechoice tried to deduct money from my account numerous times. Now it is going to affect my credit score as this will appear as a missed debit. I'm so angry and frustrated because even today I have not received any help. I'm also even more anxious about what gigantic amount Homechoice will want for the month of April. I also remember when I told an agent that I'll be recording the call on my side ,and the agent suddenly dropped the call,this further feeds the notion that Homechoice is neither being honest nor providing accurate information to clients, and that the staff is not well trained or properly informed.