They sold me a fake!
Long story short, I bought a toner cartridge from a store on 9th May in Gaborone. The toner is for an HP Laser Jet and is for my small printing jobs at home. When I bought it; I still had my remaining toner but since I live in Selebi Phikwe and this particular toner is not available there; I decided to buy and keep for future use. On Thursday the existing toner runs out, and I'm not worried since I definitely have the backup. Now imagine to my dismay, the printer is not 'reading' the toner. It gives a 'supply memory error' sign. So I decided to ask a technician to take a look if maybe the printer was the problem but he says the toner cartridge is counterfeit and showed me the difference with the original. There were visible size differences to the toners since it wasn't a genuine product.
I went to check the receipt since I had it after all this time, and on their receipt is written a disclaimer that they do not accept returns of toners and cartridges! Meaning that even if I had realized same day that they sold me a fake toner, their silly disclaimer says I cannot have my monies back when they are the once who are selling fake toners. Imagine a huge company making huge profits fraudulently off hard working Batswana. My P1047 for the toner that went to their pockets was not fake, why should I be stuck with their fake toner and P1047 poorer while they line their pockets with my money??!! This can't be right.
Anyway, I needed your advice on this. I realize from May has been a while, but their disclaimer would still have applied same day so I don't think the duration matters; but their selling of fake toners is very offensive and they should be told off. And imagine if they have a whole warehouse full of fake toners to sell to unsuspecting citizens then hide behind a disclaimer of no toner returns!! Bollocks!
I agree with you entirely. This is bollocks.
It really doesn't matter when this company sold you the cartridge, or what warranty they offered, this is much more serious. They haven't just broken the Consumer Protection Act (which they certainly have), they're selling illegal and fake products. I think you should contact them and ask them to explain themselves. I'll do the same. Hopefully they'll be too scared to argue and will either replace the cartridge with a genuine one or will refund you. However, whether they do or not, we also need to report them to the Police and to the legitimate HP representative in Botswana. Counterfeit goods aren't just troublesome to the real manufacturers, they're a problem for consumers as well.
Can I get a refund?
Kindly assist me here. I bought bails from a supplier in Commerce Park Gaborone at the end of June 2024 amounting to P3,500 only to find out that one bail I was given something that I did not want. I wanted to buy ladies coats but I was given fashion jackets. I was advised to return the bail to the store by the owner but I was not refunded. They said they will try to sell my bail for me to be paid back my P1,750. There is no clear communication on my payment, I am always calling to check on how far with the payment but I am not getting a clear answer on that.
It's been 5 months now and I haven't been paid or given any feedback and my business is suffering since July 2024. Looking forward to your positive feedback.
I think this is a very good example of where agreements need to be in writing. I've heard from so many people who buy these bails online but are then disappointed when the goods arrive.
The good news is that when we chatted you told me that the supplier agreed in a message to refund you. I think the best thing to do is to message or email them saying that unless you get a refund within 7 days you'll go to court for an order against them. If they fail to do this you should go straight to the Small Claims Court with all the messages you've saved and see if they can assist you.
I'll also contact them and see if I can influence them.
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