Online Credit Balance A Joke

While at work this morning, I happened to catch my pants on a nail and tear a decent-sized hole in the thigh.

Going home to change presented something of an inconvenience, so I decided to head down the passage during my lunch break and simply purchase a new pair on my Mr Price account. Before leaving, I logged into my online profile to check my available credit so that I’d know what I had to work with as I’d reached that point in the month when funds are running depressingly low.

After trying on a couple of pairs, I settled on a pair of jeans and headed to the counter to pay – only to be informed that I had insufficient credit to cover the purchase. I told the young lady who helped me that there must be a mistake as I’d already checked my available balance and there was enough to cover the pants with around R40 to spare. At this point, I pulled out my phone, logged into my account and showed her the available credit balance stated there.

Her colleague at the counter then came over, scanned my card again, and called up a list of my recent purchases. They pointed out that I’d made a purchase last month, to which I responded that yes, I had indeed made a purchase last month. This, however, isn’t last month. This is today, and my account shows sufficient credit to cover today’s purchase.

They then pointed out the lost card protection that had come off the account on the 7th of this month. Again, I was forced to point out that this isn’t the 7th. This is today, and my account clearly displays sufficient credit to cover today’s purchase.

They then chose to inform me that their accounts don’t reflect an up-to-date balance, and my credit was much lower than displayed on my account. I then told them they could keep the jeans, and walked out.

I’ve encountered some lax business practices, but this seems outright dishonest. What, exactly, is the point of a facility that doesn’t reflect accurate data? With no disclaimer anywhere on the page to inform unwary customers that the reflected amounts might not be an accurate representation? I’m almost tempted to contact the NCC in this regard. I seem to recall something in the Consumer Protection Act about false, misleading or deceptive representation. We won’t go into the embarrassment of getting to the counter and being told you don’t have enough to make your purchase.

A glance at my account will show that in all the time I’ve held it, I’ve never failed to pay my instalment every month. It will also reveal that I made frequent use of said account; something less likely to happen from this point on. Bad show, Mr Price.