A rotten compost scam
GREENSIDE - A group of compost sellers who scam residents into buying more fertilizer than they need are now operating in Greenside and parts of Parktown.
Residents have been warned to not let these traders into their yards, especially if they claim to be from Lifestyle Garden Centre.
According to a resident in Mellville, Jason Gmur, the compost sellers are very persuasive and well-mannered until they enter your yard.
“The way they storm the property using intimidation to get you to back down is the problem,” said Gmur. “They quoted me for six bags of compost, however threw 74 bags on the grass before I could say a word.”
According to Gmur, the suspects then threatened him and followed him to an ATM, clearing his account.
“I only had R400 left in my account and they didn’t believe me,”explained Gmur.
“They continued to threaten and intimidate me, going as far as saying that I should sell my possessions at Cash Converters to pay them or they will make sure I will never walk again. I was glad to just get them away without being injured at all.”
Lifestyle Garden Centre management confirmed they had received numerous reports and complaints regarding the issue. The centre said the compost sellers drove around in a white bakkie claiming to be from Lifestyle. The centre added that they never send out staff to work in people’s gardens.
On a receipt that Gmur received from the compost sellers, it stated that the compost company was from Potchefstroom. However, when a journalist from Rosebank Killarney Gazette called the company, they were adamant that they worked exclusively in Limpopo.
According to another Melville resident, Shahn Irwin, this group has been doing this for more than 22 years in Potchefstroom, Johannesburg and Rustenburg. “They first scammed me when I lived in Rustenburg,” she said.
Parkview police confirmed that they had not heard of any complaints regarding the compost sellers.
Residents are urged to not allow the scammers into their yards and should contact the police if they feel threatened.
Have you been scammed by the compost sellers in your neighbourhood or seen the bakkie driving around?
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