Aggressive and Disrespectful Conduct by Associated Credit Specialists Representative

Extremely disappointing and disrespectful treatment from Associated Credit Specialists - a company owned by Mr Price

I am writing this review because I believe consumers should know about the way I was treated during a telephone call from a representative who identified herself as being from Associated Credit Specialists.

On 27 August 2026, I received a call on my cellphone number *** from ***.

The caller introduced herself as being from Associated Credit Specialists / its contact centre and spoke about credit-related matters. From the way the call was presented, I understood that she was offering or discussing services relating to credit or debt assistance.

I explained that I did not have credit problems and that I was not interested.

If the purpose of the call was actually to contact me regarding an existing Mr Price account, the appropriate and professional response would have been to clarify that: for example, to say that the call was regarding my Mr Price account.

Instead, according to my recollection, the caller became angry and said:

“Masuqede ukuzenzisa uhambe uyokhokhela i-account yakho.”

In context, this means approximately:

“When you are done pretending / playing dumb, go and pay your account.”

She then ended the call.

I found the tone and language completely unacceptable. There is a major difference between contacting a customer regarding an outstanding account and speaking to that customer in an insulting and aggressive manner.

A customer is entitled to misunderstand the purpose of a telephone call. If I misunderstood why the representative was calling, she could simply have clarified the purpose of the call. There was no reason to accuse me of “ukuzenzisa” (pretending/playing dumb) and then terminate the call.

What makes this particularly concerning is that this was apparently a call relating to credit/debt matters. People who deal with financial difficulties are already in vulnerable and stressful circumstances. They should not be spoken to with contempt or humiliation.

Afterwards, I called the number back and spoke to another representative. The representative checked the system and informed me that the original caller had apparently not made any notes regarding the call.

I was subsequently told that the matter would be escalated to a team leader, who would listen to the call recording and call me back.

I welcome the fact that the company has indicated that the recording exists and that it will be reviewed.

My questions are:

• Why was I not clearly told at the beginning that the call concerned my Mr Price account?

• Why did the representative respond to my misunderstanding by insulting me rather than clarifying the purpose of the call?

• Is telling a customer “Masuqede ukuzenzisa uhambe uyokhokhela i-account yakho” considered acceptable conduct by Associated Credit Specialists?

• Has the company investigated the representative’s conduct?

• Why were there apparently no notes made on the system after the call?

• What training and supervision are provided to representatives who communicate with consumers about debt and credit?

I am not writing this review to avoid any legitimate financial obligation. If there is a legitimate outstanding Mr Price account, that is a separate matter which can be addressed through the appropriate channels.

My complaint is about how I was spoken to.

I believe companies dealing with consumers have a responsibility to maintain professionalism, dignity and respect, even when discussing overdue accounts.

I am therefore awaiting the outcome of the company’s review of the call recording.

I hope Associated Credit Specialists takes this complaint seriously, investigates the conduct of the representative properly, and ensures that other consumers are not subjected to the same treatment.