Ripp-off by Dishtec Installation Cape Town in co-operation with Stellenbosch DStv Installation

Complaint against Stellenbosch DStv Installation also trading as Dishtec Installation Cape Town. Contact details: Mobile: 072 729 9441 (Michael) and 071 719 0045 (Mathew). Email: dstvcapetown99@gmail.com. Website: https://www.stellenboschdstvinstallation.com/

We recently needed someone to connect a second TV to our installed DSTV Explora. I found the contact details of the company Stellenbosch DStv Installation also trading as Dishtec Installation Cape Town on the internet. Since they claim to be a MultiChoice accredited company and presumeably reputeable, I contacted them to do the installation. The installation required that they connect the decoder to the second TV which is located in the braai area/room. The total distance between the TV and decoder is approximately 25 m, but since there was an existing cable in place, they only needed to provide at most 15 m of new cable.

On 25 May two young Zimbabwean men (Mathew and Xavier) arrived an hour later than the time we agreed on. I showed them what was required and then unfortunately asked them to proceed without fixing a price. This was a serious oversight. The two men were, however, very friendly, charming and appeared honest and trustworthy so that I did not have any reason to believe that they (specifically Mathew) would grossly overcharge me. I can provide a copy of the invoice which was made out on a Tax Invoice of Dishtec Installation Cape Town. The following items / charges are specified on the document:

1. Call out R650 2 DSTV cable R750 (that comes to R50 per meter) 3. DC Splitter R850 (which was NOT installed, since the 2nd TV is connected via the RF outlet) 4. Cable connectors R200 (three at the most - two to connect the two cables, one to connect to the TV link modulator. An existing one was used to connect to the decoder. 5. TV link modulator R350 (I did not request this - I actually have one of these modulators) 6. Labour R850 (for a little more than 1 hour's work?!!) Total R3650

I reluctantly paid the full amount, but decided to follow up on the matter the next day. I called the mobile number on the invoice and spoke to Michael. I lodged my complaint about the gross overcharges, but Michael was not willing to in any way reduce the prices and partially refund me.

I then visited their (Stellenbosch DStv Installation) website again and requested an online quote for the work they had done. The following was my request: Message Body: I need to have a 2nd tv to be connected to an existing DSTV decoder setup. New tv is approximately 20 m from the Explora decoder. I live in Rozendal Stellenbosch. Can you provide an approximate estimate of cost?

I received the following email from Michael: Michael Michael <dstvcapetown99@gmail.com> May 26, 2022, 8:24 AM

to me

Goodmorning Sir Thanks for your enquiry We can gladly assist you with the installation you mentioned above. We charge R450 for doing that and R18 per meter for the cable We are always available to assist you Kind regards Michael

When I asked him to explain the discrepancy between what he quoted and what I paid, he did not reply or offer any explanation.

Just for some perspective: We had problem with the DSTV connection at our beach house near Gansbaai. On Friday 27 May, I called out Malcolm of Suidsee Satelliet to do the necessary repairs and to relocate the decoder. He and his assistant spent approximately 1 hour on the premises. The total cost : R350. No travelling cost even though their offices are 5 km from our house. I asked Malcolm what the cost of co-axial cables is and he said they charge R9 per meter!

On the positive side, I can say that I am satisfied with the quality of the workmanship, but very disappointed with the manner in which I was ripped off.

AS Jordaan, Dr.