Don’t respond to pole adverts
MIDRAND – Do not try and save money by using any repairmen who advertise on street poles, but rather use reputable companies.
A Midrand resident, Nalisha Maharaj warned residents to not use repairmen who advertise their services at robots.
Maharaj said she, unfortunately, fell victim twice after responding to robot ads that offered home improvements and repairs, and had learnt the hard way.
She explained, “I responded to two pole adverts for fridge repairs and home construction and painting. The repair man, who drives a red bakkie, came to repair my fridge and advised me that the fridge motor had packed up and he needed to get a new one. I paid him R1 000 and afterwards realised that he replaced my existing motor with an old broken one. Before leaving, he said it would take 30 minutes to ‘kick in’.”
Maharaj said despite numerous calls, the repairman never returned to fix the fridge. She then got a reputable company to fix the fridge and was told that her fridge’s ‘new’ motor was broken and outdated.
“As for the two handymen, they managed to do the painting and plastering, but also stole our tools from the garage and groceries from the fridge in our absence,” said Maharaj. “They also attempted to get into the house, advising my helper that I gave them permission to do so, thankfully she did not fall for [their request] otherwise much more would have been stolen.”
Midrand Reporter spoke to the man who allegedly did not repair the fridge properly. He refused to comment but promised to pay back Maharaj’s money after a week.
Metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said, “Metro police will remove any adverts that do not have a sticker on them of the City of Johannesburg indicating payment managed by City of Joburg Outdoor Advertising Unit. There is a R200 fine per advert.”
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