Fridge repair man leaves ouma out in the cold
|Published
IRK: Rita Georgia of Bontas IRK: Rita Georgia of Bontas
A Bonteheuwel ouma is miserable after she lost nearly a month’s supply of food, and blames the fridge repair man for it.
Rita Georgia, 54, who lives in Swartysterhout Street, contacted Abie’s Repairs, after seeing an advert in a local newspaper, when her five-year-old Defy fridge packed up at the beginning of this month.
She says the repairman, known as Christopher, was very nice in the beginning but then took her for a ride.
The ad, according to Rita, said regassing costs R180, but she ended up paying R1500. She says Christopher came to do the repairs, but then explained that the R180 was “just the call-out fee”.
“He came here the morning of 2 November and had a look at the fridge. He said it needed regassing and it would be back on in no time,” she says.
“He said the job would cost R1500 and I went to the ATM to withdraw my partner’s pension to pay for it.
“Christopher left after working on it and the fridge seemed to be fine, then later that day, it was off again.
“I called him back a few times and he said he would come see, but it has been FOUR weeks.”
IRK: Rita Georgia of Bontas
She says because the fridge was off, all their food spoiled.
“My 62-year-old partner and I lost lots of groceries, and we have to walk to the butcher every day to get something to eat.
“We can’t keep milk or meat, so it is very stressful. I just want my money back, so I can find someone else to fix my fridge.”
When the Daily Voice spoke to Christopher on Tuesday, he said they charged Rita R1500 for the regassing and a new compressor.
Asked why he hasn’t been back to see Rita, he said “we have lots of other clients” and then promised to refund her instead.
“We promise to refund her and remove our brand-new compressor. You can follow up with her by Friday,” he said.
“We will get sorted in the next two days. Our apology for any inconvenience caused.”
Rita's broken fridge. Photo supplied
On Wednesday, Rita said Christopher had not been to her house yet.
“If he doesn’t come by Friday, I am going to the police station,” she adds.