Most horrible experience at Pick 'n Pay Vangate Mall

After a week of pondering whether to write this review or not - I had eventually arrived at the decision to actually go ahead - this came after hearing from another person of their horrible experience and how they too became victime of the disgusting and ill conduct from the staff and ‘management’ at “PICK ‘N PAY VANGATE MALL”.

On the 30th of June 2023 at around 6.30pm, my friend and I attended Pick ‘N Pay Vangate Mall where I had intended to purchase a handful of items required at the time. After getting all the items needed (which were 6 items), I proceeded to the till point.

Before the cashier started to ring up the items, I enquired whether it may be possible to check the balance of a Pick ‘N Pay voucher I received and used a few months ago but could not remember what balance was available. The cashier blatantly responded that “No, they don’t do that here. They don’t check the balance of vouchers.” I responded to ask whether or not it is that they DO NOT do it or they CAN NOT do it. She went on to state that they do not do it.

A man then came up behind the cashier and aggressively leaned over to me and asked if there was a problem here. I asked who he was and that I would like to speak to the store manager. He said his name is Roloff and he is the store manager, however later on he said his name is Johan. I explained to the ‘store manager’ that I enquired with the cashier if she could check a balance on a voucher that I had and she said they don’t do that here so I’m trying to find out if you guys don’t check it or you cannot check it.

The ‘store manager’ rudely then said “Listen, if she said we don’t check it then we don’t and if you don’t stop arguing then I will refuse you service”. The cashier then proceeded to call another shopper behind me in the queue and started to serve him. I asked the ‘store manager’ whether he could see what was happening and if that is at all correct because I had never said I’m done and not paying for the items I had. He then began taking the basket of items I had and said he will not be serving me. I was so dumbfounded I hardly had any response to what was happening.

I told the ‘store manager’ that I seriously just need the 6 items in the basket and then I’ll leave. He then said “Good, just pay and get done”.

Never in my life had I experienced such distasteful and menacing service, moreover not from a once distinguished retailer such as Pick ‘n Pay. It is sad how such a former giant in the retail industry had shrivelled into an organisation festered with unprofessional and rude individuals who represent the brand. It is a complete shame. In fact, it is completely discriminatory and a clear example of bad business practices. Something I would never have thought would be representative of Pick ‘n Pay who I’ve shopped with for more than 10 years.