******.

Dear Mr. Price

I live in Cape Town and originally from Kwazulu Natal. I am a full time engineer, I went to the shop Mr.Price Home Claremont between 12pm-1pm today with my partner for account payment. I never miss payment - I always pay! Very loyal customer.

When I arrived there, I said "Excuse me sir, I cannot understand my balance. Please kindly explain to me. However, I do not have my account card- Only an ID". He rep**** " Sorry, I cant help you without a card".

Ok. I waited anyway because I was shook. Then a manager came, She said "Yes we can help you". I didnt say anything, I just gave my ID. The manager said "Well, this is your balance, there s nothing we can do.". I asked for her to please contact head office because I believe something is wrong here, my balance is R1600 instead of R500.

She said "Go contact head office at your own time..we are a shop and we have nothing to do with head office". She said whatever I took has accumulated interest to such an extend that its now R1600, and I missed payments.

I told her I never missed payments and I know what I take. She got angry, I then asked for a calculator. I added my amounts, with interests and fees. I showed her it doesn't match up. She then completely stared at me and told me "You have to go".

This statement right there went deep in my heart like a knife. While I was digesting the response, The guy on the till with the manager, rudely shouted "Next customer please! calling the white lady next in line as if I was not a customer". For a second, I thought of shouting but I just kept calm and I drove from Mr. Price Claremont to Mr. Price in Cape Town Adderley street (its a long distance).

When I got there, the guy at the door said "No worries, go to the till and ask for the manager". The manager came and looked at my balance at the till (R1600), I showed her my balance online and June statement (R500). She immediately contacted head office on my behalf - in store(God bless her soul). On the phone I spoke to Lerato, she was so sweet and confident. She was direct, friendly and understanding.

In my mind am asking myself, how can Mr, Price home Claremont treat me like that? Were the white customers on the line more important than me? is it because I was wearing shorts? or I am black? or maybe I looked unimportant? Anyways, Lerato from Durban head office handled the matter with so much professionalism( Assalaamu Alaykum).

Lerato checked my statement. Found root-cause of the problem. Contacted relevant departments on my behalf and cleared my balanced to the correct amount.

I would like to get feedback on the matter with regards to Mr.Price Home Claremont (Western Cape). Because of the manner in which they treated me, I am traumatised and affected emotionally. I will be closing my account as soon as possible with Mr. Price because I see the Whole Brand As ******! I fell st********** my dignity - no matter how educated I am.

Thank you Mr. Price