They won’t give me my goods!

I am desperately in need of your help.

I purchased goods from a supplier in Gaborone and managed to collect some while they were still manufacturing some at their factory. Before I could collect the last batch, I lost the receipt. I then did an affidavit before the police explaining that I lost the receipt.

The remaining materials are at their warehouse with my name written on them awaiting collection. The owners have flatly refused to give me the materials amounting close to P10,000.

They told me that they cannot retrieve the copy from the system and there is no way they can help. Yesterday, I went there and pleaded with their manager and he said I have to buy again.

I approached the authorities and they told me they can’t help and I should take the litigation route. How can you assist?

By a strange coincidence yours is the second case like this I’ve received this week. In both cases a consumer has paid a lot of money for goods, then they lost their receipt and the supplier has decided to be difficult.

Firstly, I do understand that stores do need proof that the right person is trying to collect goods they’ve paid for. The other supplier I spoke to this week says that it does happen. Apparently a crook will arrive at their store trying to collect goods that someone else had paid for. Then, when the real customer arrives, they have to supply the goods again and involve the police in a complicated and costly exercise. That’s why they demand receipts. So he says.

let’s hope this one can be as helpful, instead of being so difficult. They have a simple choice. They can’t keep your money and the goods that now belong to you. They should either give you what you bought or give you a refund.