A Stellenbosch mother is battling to get a refund from a Facebook seller who sold her a faulty electric meter box.
Ingrid Adams, 38, says her meter box had started giving her issues and she saw an advertisement by Girshwen Schalkwyk.
The Kylemore resident contacted him in August and they agreed on R900 for a second-hand box.
To her disappointment, the box wasn’t working properly and the electricity in her backyard Wendy house continued to trip.
“I told Girshwen about the problem, he promised to fix it but he never came. I then asked for my money.
“He refused to pay until I threatened him with police and a court case,” says Ingrid.
“He then paid R400 into my account and has since refused to pay the remaining R500, giving different stories and sometimes threatening me.
“He has different addresses so I can't find him and I need my money.
“I am a single mom of four and would rather use that money on something valuable than a broken box.
“The whole situation is frustrating.
“People must be careful of these online services, some are scams that will leave you sitting with an even bigger problem.
“I now have less money and I’m still struggling with my electricity.”
Though her lights work, the box trips frequently, doesn’t load new units properly, and the units run out quickly, says Ingrid.
Girshwen confirms doing business with Ingrid but insists he is not a fraud.
“I explained my options to her and she chose a second-hand one, which is cheaper. I told her what to expect.
“I then removed her old box, fixed the wiring in her Wendy house and installed my box.
“She then informed me of the problem and demanded a refund.
“I found it unreasonable but she wouldn’t stop harassing me so I paid the R400.
“I don’t have the R500 as business is slow.
“She doesn’t even want me to pay instalments, so where must I get the money and what about my loss?” he said, referring to the labour and petrol cost in going to install the box.