Here’s how!
SHOP AROUND
Get a few quotes – don’t settle on the first one. Most reputable companies offer free quotes on big appliance repairs. One of the actual “market leaders” that I’ve dealt with in the past comes to your house, takes your appliance to their premises, and quotes. And if you don’t like their price, they deliver your goods back to you, without any cost to you.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR
If you’re in need of a professional service, exercise caution. In Cornelia Moller’s case, she responded to a Gumtree ad, which said the company operated all over Joburg. They might very well but that could also mean they’re desperate for work – anywhere.
TRUST YOUR GUT
Alarm bells should have sounded when the “professional” fridge repairer arrived with his wife and four kids in tow. Clearly they were playing the sympathy card with a senior citizen. In the case of the domestic worker, things didn’t add up – nor did it help matters that the woman did her very best to get her prospective employer on her side by crying and giving too much convoluted personal information.
A horrible experience all around.
The woman who wanted to go on holiday did the right thing – when she caught a whiff something was amiss, she cancelled the deal.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Look for recommended companies, with references. This is especially true since you’re inviting strangers into your home and, ultimately, paying for work to be done – to your satisfaction.
STAY SAFE
On its website, Gumtree warns fraudsters often take
photos from the internet to make their ads more appealing. Before you commit to a booking, ask for additional photos and, if you can, use Google Street View to check out the address advertised with the property.
If the price seems too low for the time of year or the property type, be suspicious.
They also suggest that you confirm ownership of the property with the local municipality. If the poster avoids providing you with details or additional photos, or they are hounding you to make a commitment and send payment, that should be a warning sign.
Bad spelling and grammar or an overseas phone number should be red flags too.
Finally, speak to previous renters. The owner of the property should be able to put you in touch with some of their past tenants.