Alleged Overcharging and Coercive Conduct by Instafix Installations – Invoice No. 035 dated 2 June 2026

My father contacted a company trading as Instafix Installations (Reg. No. ***), Witdoring Avenue, Moreleta Park, Pretoria, following what he understood to be a standard DStv service call. He was quoted R300 for a call-out fee prior to the technicians' arrival, which he accepted. Three technicians arrived and completed the work in approximately 45 minutes. He was then presented with Invoice No. 035, totalling R7,998.00 (subtotal R6,993 + VAT R1,005), comprising the following line items:

1. Call-out fee: R699 2. Optical Switch HD Booster: R2,950 3. Accessories: R199 4. Cables: R1,250 5. Service/Installation: R1,895

My father felt threatened and was subjected to demands for immediate payment by the technicians. He paid under duress.

We have since obtained comparative market pricing for the Eldoraigne/Centurion area (see table below). The market rate for the work performed — which took 45 minutes — is conservatively R650 to R1,100 for a complete job including parts. The invoice presented to my father exceeds this by approximately 600% to 700%.

COMPARATIVE PRICING TABLE

| Line Item | Instafix Invoice | Market Rate (Centurion/Pretoria) | Source | |---|---|---|---| | Call-out fee | R699 | R199 – R300 | Tellyman Inc (Centurion): R199.99; DStv Installers Centurion: R250 | | Optical Switch / HD Booster | R2,950 | R300 – R500 (booster/signal amplifier) | dstv-installer-pretoria-east.co.za; thehandymanjohannesburg.co.za | | Accessories | R199 | R0 – R150 (included in most standard quotes) | handymanpretoria.co.za; dstvgauteng.co.za | | Cables | R1,250 | R0 – R200 (RG6 coaxial, typically included) | kandua.com; dstvgauteng.co.za | | Service / Installation labour | R1,895 | R420 – R750 per hour; 45 min = R315 – R565 | handymanpretoria.co.za; dstv-installer-pretoria-east.co.za | | **TOTAL** | **R7,998** | **R650 – R1,100 (all-in)** | |

Just be careful of these ****sters