Where was it damaged?
Hi. I need your help I bought a couch from a furniture store in August last year. I transported it myself. No assessment on the couch was done but upon arrival the couch was broken, and it shows that the couch got damaged at the shop. I informed them the same day I found out. They told me they will assist me. Till now It's only back and forth with them. They are not willing to help me. They are not answering my messages.
Finally, they contacted me and they said I should bring the chair to them. For me to bring the chair it means more costs. I already transported it from Maun to my place and it costed me P500.
Unfortunately, this is a complicated situation. I contacted the store and their position is that the furniture was fine before it left them and because you elected to transport the goods yourself, whatever happened while they were being transported was your responsibility, not theirs. You sent me a photo of the damage, saying that it proved it was damaged while at the store but they claim that the same photo shows that it was damaged while with you.
The store suggested that they will inspect the furniture if you can return it to them but I know this will cost you even more in transportation costs. The manager suggested if they have another delivery in your area they might be able to collect it but there's no certainty when that might be.
The lesson here is to inspect any major items before you take them from a store and refuse them if they show any signs of damage. Another lesson is that transporting goods yourself isn't always a good way to save money. This store told me that they charge less than the P500 you paid someone else and if there is a problem, they collect and redeliver things for free.
Can I return the phone?
I humbly need your help. I bought a Huawei Y62 phone on the 9th of January 2025 at a store in Pilane. I bought it because I used to have it in the past and I thought I knew everything about it, but upon reaching home I realized that the phone does not have the same features like the one I used to have. The next morning I returned the phone to the store but they refused to accept the phone telling me that they don't accept cellphones that are being returned. Now, when I bought this phone, they didn't tell me about their policy of returning goods, I would have maybe bought it at my own risk. I will be keeping the phone in the box until you guys help me.
Firstly, I think there might be some misunderstanding about the phone you bought. I checked and the Huawei Y62 was only launched in January last year. Are you sure it was the same model as your previous Huawei phone?
If you had your previous Huawei phone a few years ago, it's possible that what you're seeing is the change Huawei had to make when they were forced by the US government to stop using the Google App Store and moved to their own app store.
Either way, the question that matters is whether the phone works. Remember that we only have a right to return things to a store if they are faulty or if they were mis-sold. If they made any promises about the phone being the same as your last one, you can argue that it was mis-sold but I don't think that's what happened? I think the best thing to do is accept your new phone as it is. From what I read online it's a very nice phone.
Consumer Watchdog is a (fiercely) independent consumer rights and advocacy organisation campaigning on behalf of the consumers of Botswana, helping them to know their rights and to stand up against abuse. Contact us at consumerwatchdog@bes.bw or find us on Facebook by searching for Consumer Watchdog Botswana. Everything we do for the consumers of Botswana has always been and always will be entirely free.
Sunday, 26 January 2025
Saturday, 18 January 2025
The Voice - Consumer's Voice

It's that time of year again, when we think about New Ideas for the New Year. In 2024, as with previous years, we've seen people make serious, costly mistakes and we need to stop making the same mistakes in 2025. None of these ideas are actually new, but they are really important.
Technology
Change your passwords. Do it right now and do it again in the future. Do it often. Just as importantly, choose passwords that are hard to guess. Don't use your birthday or the names of your children, use a phrase that contains numbers, upper and lower case letters and symbols.
Contracts
Read all contracts BEFORE signing them. If you don't understand something in a contract, don't sign it. If necessary, ask for advice from someone who knows more and who cares about you. Remember that contracts are often one-sided and designed to protect the large company that can afford lawyers, not to protect you and me. One we sign a contract, we're committed and there's no way out. Saying we didn't understand it after we signed it is too late.
Ask questions
Don't ever be afraid to ask 'stupid' questions. Whether you're buying a house, a car, a laptop or a cellphone, ask as many questions as you need to understand what you're buying and what it means for you. The question you think is 'stupid' is often the smart question that the company doesn't want you to ask because they don't want to answer. They know that if you knew the answer, you'd walk away and take your money somewhere else.
Slow down
Don't make impulse decisions, particularly with expensive items. No matter how tempting and attractive it is, that item will still be there tomorrow almost certainly at the same price. Don't give in to pressure from the sales staff, particularly if they say you'll only get the special deal today.
Insurance
If you're thinking about getting a funeral plan, consider life insurance instead. A funeral plan covers just one thing, burying you or your loved ones in a hugely over-priced coffin. A life insurance policy, even though it can be more expensive, it covers a lot more. If you pass away, your children will be better looked after with a life insurance policy
Change companies
Don't be afraid to change banks, network providers, insurance companies, any service provider. They need to know that you'll be willing to move to one of their competitors. And then, if necessary, do it. Maybe, if you're feeling like having some fun, tell them company that you're looking to move and see if they can't get you a better deal. Make them work for their fees.
Alo, understand that the large service providers you think you love don't love you in return. They just want your money. Loyalty must be earned, not given.
Money-making schemes
It's critically important to understand that anyone who invites you to join their money-making scheme wants to make money FROM you, not WITH you. It's the same with so-called 'miracle money'. The miracle they talk about is taking money FROM you, not giving it TO you.
And anything that's offered for free? Ask yourself why would they do that? What do they really want in return?
Finally…
Please be very careful. Way too many people still fall for scams and we need to stop it. Please spread the word to your family, friends, workmates and neighbours and then we can beat these criminals in 2025
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