Cell C
Cell C ignores Consumer Protection Act

I purchased, on contract, a LG Optimus L9 from Cell C (Gallo Manor branch) during April 2013. I bought the phone for my CT-based elderly father (74) to replace his broken HTC. On Saturday, 1 June, the LG would not switch on (even after charging the battery). I instructed my dad to take the phone to the closest Cell C branch to replace the phone. Upon arrival at the Blue Route branch of Cell C, the in-store staff inspected the phone and then said they would have to send the phone to LG for repairs, a process which takes a minimum of 21 days. When my father asked if he could have a replacement, they said no, because their Contract T's&C's only allow for replacement for defects which occur within 7 days of purchase.

Now here is the problem: according to S56 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), every good sold by a retailer in SA has a minimum warranty of 6 months, in which time, if the good is defective or fails, MUST be replaced, repaired or refunded, at the BUYER's choice. A retailer cannot, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, contract out of this CPA defined warranty.

So, Cell C - would you please explain why you enforce an outright illegal policy and blatantly disregard the law???

Company: Cell C
Country: South Africa
City: Blue Route Mall

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