A repairman who advertised his services in the Classifieds section of a Caxton West Rand publication for four weeks seems to have conned residents.
Two complaints about his services, or lack thereof, have reached the Record since residents have approached him in early January this year.
The man, only known as Gert or Gerhard, advertised his services merely as “air conditioning, refrigeration and appliance repairs” in the Roodepoort Record of 10 January this year, further stating that there is “no call-out fee” and that quotes are free of charge.
The two people collectively spent R1 090 towards his services; a man (Witpoortjie) paid him R500 for fridge repairs while a woman (Helderkruin) paid R590 to have the motor of her electric gate fixed.
“He removed the motor of my gate and I paid him the money for the repairs, but thereafter I basically had to beg him to return the motor.
“The motor didn’t work when eventually it was installed, and I haven’t been able to get a straight answer from him since,” the distressed woman told the Record.
Both residents allege that he knows their numbers and either doesn’t answer his phone when they call or answers and makes excuses about why he hasn’t been in contact with them.
“I’ve heard several stories from his side; that he had sent his henchman out, that he’s on Ontdekkers Road and on his way, that he would meet me at a certain time or that he ‘phones’ this henchman to reprimand him for not having helped me yet – it’s all a bunch of lies,” the man told the Record.
His wife came across the advertisement early in January and decided to phone the repairman since the freezer compartment of their fridge was not working properly.
The repairman’s invoices allegedly state that he guarantees his parts and services for one year after repairs.
“He seemed to know his job and my fridge worked for a few days after he had repaired it. However, thereafter I couldn’t get him to come out to me again, or to refund me.”
Several phone calls and messages from both affected parties have been to no avail.
The woman told the Record that the so-called repairman allegedly conducts his business from 43 Webber Avenue in Helderkruin.
The Record has not been able to reach the repairman for comment but his voicemail, on which he states the nature of his business once again, promises that he will return the call.
