iStore Clearwater Mall - R10 342.00 “Irreparable” iPhone 11 Quote vs R750.00 Battery Fix

I took my iPhone 11 to iStore Clearwater Mall on 17-10-2025 for diagnostics & repair as it had switched off and would not turn on. I paid R250.00 and had to remove my protective screen and camera protectors. The phone was declared irreparable, said a new battery would not work, and they quoted R10 342.00 for a replacement unit. I declined and collected the phone on 25-10-2025. Two days later, an independent repair shop at Cradlestone Mall replaced the battery for R750 — the phone has worked perfectly ever since. I lodged a complaint with the iStore via their online customer care form and received no reply. I then lodged a formal complaint with Core Group (***) on 03-11-2025. They acknowledged receipt and said it was escalated internally and sent to the iStore Managers, but have since ghosted me despite follow-ups. No further escalation channels exist on their or Apple’s ZA websites. I have now escalated this to the CGSO. Avoid iStore Clearwater for repairs — get a second opinion before trusting their diagnostics.