Let's talk about takealot.com

They are calling themself SA's leading online store. If it's about some main SA qualities they are really a leader in something: They have definitely the worst customer service. Actually, they are not reachable. That is what they are saying: “Our phone lines are currently not open because of COVID regulations and the only way you can be able to reach us is through the link: https://secure.takealot.com/help”. And if you reach someone instead (e.g. on Facebook) than they are quickly blocking and they become cheeky and totally unprofessional. The delivery times are also sometimes ridiculous. But even if you are waiting 4 weeks for a purchase they are still the number one if it's about taking our money. Push the “Order now!” button and the money is already away. Amazon for example is only charging your account when the purchase is “on the way” and not before. Let's say you get the wrong product—yes, they are that fricking unprofessional and they are even too stupid to compare the order list with the articles they are packing. And if you want to get your money back you know again: I am only a customer, I am a little piece of sh#t and nothing. That is how they are treating you.

But as I said, we are talking about SA's leading online store and SA is the leading ******* nation in the world. So well done, buddies! But let us take a closer look to a current issue. It's about how takealot.com understands their online business, it's about how they are deceiving clients on their website and in the end it's always the client's fault, it's never takealot's responsibility. Two months ago I've bought a HP OfficeJet Pro 9023 inkjet printer. With that purchase I also ordered some replacement ink cartridges. I would have liked to share a screenshot, but Trustpilot is not allowing that. In the section “You Might Also Like” they are offering some ink cartridges that “I also might like” if I would have that above-shown printer. I've bought at least a set of these cartridges for R3000 but it turned out that I am an idiot! That is it how the customer service was explaining “my” mistake. To cut a long story short: I've ordered the wrong product. I would have needed the HP 963 cartridges and unfortunately, I only figured out that fact when I was replacing the cartridges the first time ... two months after the purchase.

I was sure that would not be a problem, especially because the HP 963 cartridges set costs R3500, so I would even have to pay more now. But I didn't consider the tricky argumentation of the customer service. They only wrote: “[...], we regrettably are unable to process returns once the return time-lapses which is 30 Days.” When I rep**** that it was them who was suggesting the wrong product they answered: “We sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. However, there is very little we can do on our end. Please understand that the 'You Might Also Like' section at times has nothing to do with the product in question - It just simply shows you items that are sometimes associated with one another based on purchasing behaviour or suppler/seller branding, and might at times be complementary. However, there is no guarantee they will be related.”

Now I understand! I should have known that the “You Might Also Like” section has NOTHING to do with the product in question. I am so sorry, that I am such a ****** idiot. Thank you takealot.com for that impressive R3000 lesson! But let's have a look at how Amazon is doing that. Do you know Amazon? I know that it is very unfair to compare takealot.com with another online store which is not SA's leading one. Again I cannot share a screenshot at this place, but please just go on the Amazon website and choose randomly a product. Amazon is calling their “You Might Also Like” section “Frequently bought together”. Awesome, huh? They are showing the right related cartridges while takealot.com is only showing useless ****.

Dear takealot.com! It is a serious issue in the online business if you are doing what you are doing! In terms of law, it is called “wilful deception” and it is a ***** if your customer service policy and your return policy is supporting that. To all other past, present and future takealot.com victims: Don't buy there, don't support such ********** practices. God bless you!