Beware of Makro Market Place

I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with a recent experience on Makro’s online marketplace – an experience that has not only wasted my time but has also seriously undermined my trust in the Makro brand.

I placed an order for an Instant Pot being sold at R1,299 – a price notably lower than anywhere else online. While the price appeared attractive, I did consider the possibility that it might be too good to be true.

The product was listed by a seller on Makro’s marketplace called Moon Trading. Despite some initial hesitation, I proceeded with the purchase, trusting in Makro’s reputation and assuming that any marketplace seller operating under your banner would be vetted and held to basic standards of service.

The item was supposed to ship by the 20th of May. After waiting more than a week, that date came and went, with no shipment and no communication.

I contacted the Makro call center and was told the matter would be escalated and that I would receive feedback. I did not.

I called again and was told, once more, that the issue had been escalated — but with no update, no resolution, and no timeline. Just silence.

What I was told next is even more concerning. A Makro call center agent informed me that Makro allows external sellers to trade on their marketplace, takes a commission from those sales, and yet takes no responsibility for the accuracy of listings, the quality of the goods, or even whether the goods are shipped at all.

Apparently, this is not an isolated incident — I was told that it's common for customers to receive incorrect items, or in cases like mine, no item at all. And what does Makro do? Eventually refunds the customer — after allowing the seller to waste the customer’s time and patience.

This is an appalling business model that prioritizes Makro’s profit over customer protection and satisfaction. If Makro chooses to profit from marketplace sales, it bears a responsibility to its customers to police those sellers. Otherwise, your platform becomes a breeding ground for disappointment, unreliability, and outright ****s.

The only person who loses here is the customer — the one who placed their trust in the Makro name.

I strongly advise anyone considering a purchase through Makro’s online marketplace to think twice. Unless Makro begins taking real responsibility for its third-party vendors, I will not be using the platform again, and I will not hesitate to share this experience widely so others can avoid the same pitfall.

Sincerely,

Jonathan