Unfair Business Practice

Unfair and abusive behavior I have been encountering from Lewis Store Pretoria North is beyond comprehension. I have on a number of occasions, requested for the head office to intervene on the matter, however they have bluntly refused to step in.

I made request for a payment arrangement, I was reffered back to the Branch Manager, Mandla at Lewis Pretoria North, we made an arrangement of R600 monthly. I kept to my promise, however the smses stating overdue amount did not cease, I was not getting statements and my credit profile was not updated. I called in requesting for statement, and to my shock, there was no sign of improvement on my balance, even with the arrangement in place. I queried the statement, and head office got thier Pretoria North regional manager to contact me.

Thandi(Regional Manager), basically told me, that unfortunately that is how it is, because I am unable to pay the full installment, even with a payments arrangement in place. I further asked, what then is the point of monthly payment? That it would then be better to save the money aside for a few months and make a lumpsum payment. She non chalently said it wouldnt make any difference.

Shortly afterwards, I. Received a letter of demand from the head office, I got on the phone with them, seeking clarity on why I am getting such a letter with an already existing payment arrangement, the lady told me to foward the email I am reffering too, implying that it might not be from Lewis, after a heated conversation, I sent the letter via email and there was no assistance regarding the matter.

Earlier this week, the branch called me twice and on both times, I missed thier call, however I made sure to call back on the sameday, to find out what the call is about, of which on both occasions, I was told I would be called back and that never happened.

Yesterday, the branch manager sent two of his male staff to come and demand money from me or my account will be handed over, unfortunately I was not available at my workplace, and I was called with the work phone, notified by my staff that men from Lewis are there looking for me. Embarrassed by the whole situation, I went ahead to speak to them on the phone, I asked why did they not call me to notify me they are coming? Why do they have to use our business phone for thier money collection? Why are they not respecting my privacy? I told them this was against POPi,the whole exercise was meant to shame and humiliate me, because they could have simply come to my house, where the goods were delivered. I refused to be intermidate by the men on the phone and they ended up hanging up.

I called the manager again, seeking clarity as to why this is happening again for the second time? Why is he always bent on harassing me, embrassing me and exposing my Financials? They have my home address. I asked what more do I need to do, because we have a payment arrangement. At this point, he said there is a difference between a payment arrangement and what I told him I am comfortable paying... In other words, yes I called in to make a payment arrangement, but because the amount was not what he wanted, he did not bother to make that payment arrangement and did not note it on the system, neither did he bother to tell me, that there is no payment arrangement in place and left me to assumption. I notified him, that I now know how he turns back on his word and I have a recording of our discussion, because I am tired of his unprofessionalism and harassments.

I called head office yesterday narrating my experience, the gentleman Brandon escalated the issue and said I will receive a call back.

This morning I received the call back this morning from Nureya Pontac Who sounded very irritated, again stating they can't help, reffering me back to the same manager. I asked if there was anyother challenge I could explore or do I now have to escalate it externally I have decided, for as long as Lewis will continue to be nonchalant about the hassarasments, humiliation, unfair practice and invasion of privacy, I too will drag them on public platforms calling them out for thier behavior

Regards Chantel