Please do not invest in Microthumbs

Please do not invest in this business!! I don't even give them one star - its the lowest I could go!

I paid my deposit for the Executive package in Nov/Dec 2024. MicroThumbs then insisted that I pay the balance in the first week of January 2025 as they were ordering my equipment. Prior to this I had long discussions with them on the ideal place to run this farm from, so I moved and rented a place with a warehouse attached specifically for this purpose - this I have been paying rent for since December 2024. I also bought a fridge, steel table, filter etc as they specified. My husband passed away and I was left destitute - the amount I received from an RA I split in two - one half to put away for retirement, and one half to invest in this 'opportunity' to earn an income for myself. I paid R270 000 over to Microthumbs.

Fast forward 6 months and I have received 40 odd trays, one bag of peas, one bag of growing medium, two hygrometers. By then I was threatening to go public and I then received 4 shelving units that were damaged, the wiring burned, 20 lights that were damaged. The contract and invoice had stipulated 'new custom built' shelving. Again I threatened and then sent invoices for my rent I have been paying for a property I can't use, as well as interest on the amount I had invested - they could only reimburse me R2500, stating that they were having cashflow problems due to a new machine they had bought.

I gave them a final chance - MicroThumbs sent me photos of boxes with equipment as well as a truck they were apparently loading to send the equipment. I gave them 2 weeks notice to deliver by Friday 25 July 2025. The latest story - the truck broke, and everything would be delivered Monday 28 July even if he had to deliver it himself. We are now on Tuesday 29 July - 8 months since I paid my deposit . For 8 months they have been sending me promises, excuses and nothing has been acted on.

As a widow who saw this as a way to earn a steady income - a fact they knew - I now question every promise ever made and doubt they would every be able to pay my for produce. I am demanding my investment back, as well as rent paid for the space intended for this endeavour, interest lost and potential income lost.

DO NOT INVEST IN MICROTHUMBS.