JM
Jackie M
Active since Jan 2014
11
Reviews
0
Industries
Reviews
11 reviews15 months ago
Opt-out function is a ****.
The opt-out function is useless. Their members, such as Discovery, appoint rude marketers to phone trying to sell insurance to the deceased on their orphaned children’s personal phones, and then pretend that they are not involved. DMASA have done nothing about the years of harassment I have endured at the hands of its members. On the 4th anniversary of my father’s death, I received a call on my phone from a marketer representing several DMASA members (including Discovery) looking to speak to my father. I now have a longer list of blocked numbers than contacts! DMASA is in direct violation of POPIA and CPA. What’s worse is I cannot opt my deceased parents out because they are dead. So there is no end in sight.
0 replies
15 months ago
Violating Consumer Protection Act and POPIA.
They have violated both the Consumer Protection Act and POPIA by phoning me to try sell insurance to my deceased father. My number is registered on both the DMASA and NCC opt-out lists and my number has never belonged to my father so it also means that they stole the information from the estate file. They phoned on the anniversary of his death which is in particular poor taste. If they are willing to be dishonest in contacting potential customers, they are willing to be dishonest in their dealings with their customers. Don’t trust them. Don’t do business with them.
0 replies
17 months ago
Don’t appoint ABSA as your executor.
TLDR Don’t make ABSA your executor, but if your recently deceased loved one did, read on. If you or loved ones choose ABSA as your executor you will need the following links: Masters Office Web Portal - Index so that you can monitor the progress yourself. https://icmsweb.justice.gov.za/mastersinformation/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fmastersinformation%2fMastersOfficeWebPortal%2fDeceasedSearch Step 1 in the complaints process: Complaint Resolution Suite: Email actionline@absa.co.za or call 0800 41 41 41 Brace yourself though. ABSA’s complaint resolution department will insist on addressing the correspondence regarding the complaint to the deceased family member instead of the person who complained. They have no clue that they might upset you further. They will act surprised. Each time. When you don’t get assistance, step 2: https://www.obssa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Application-for-Assistance-form-FINAL.pdf The estate’s Act. You’re going to need this. Pay attention to Sections 29, 35, 46, and 54 Justice/Homehttps://www.justice.gov.za › ...PDFAdministration of Estates Act 66 of 1965 If they appointed attorneys and you have proof that the attorneys did not adhere to the estates act requirements. Legal Practice Council https://lpc.org.za › how-to-lodge-a...How to Lodge a Complaint If ABSA have passed the estate off on to attorneys to do the work, know that you are on your own. We complained repeatedly to ABSA, even asked them to change attorneys. But they refused and left us to fight the ******** incompetence alone. This is the response we got from ABSA two years into the saga, after we officially complained because their estate’s department were ignoring their attorneys’ mistakes: “Our role was to resolve the complaint that you raised and ensure that, once the issues have been resolved, the normal process of finalising the Estate can resume, including regular communication between yourself and the attorneys. All questions, queries or requests going forward, until the finalisation of the Estate, must therefore be directed to the relevant attorneys.” The complaint wasn’t resolved, but ABSA decided it was, so we escalated it to the Ombudsman. A year later the OBSSA found in our favour. It only took so long because ABSA took months to respond to the OBSSA. Go figure. Unfortunately the finding against them had no impact on ABSA’s hands-off approach. Seven months later, after having stepped in again to fix yet another mistake made by ABSA’s attorneys, this is the response I got from ABSA: “This is disappointing feedback, which I will take up with [ABSA’s attorneys]. However, your efforts in the matter continuously do not go unnoticed. Thank you for all the assistance” Did ABSA take it up with the attorneys? Apparently not, because there was no change in their behaviour. In the almost 4 years that we have sent hundreds of emails, we have only twice had a response from the person who was appointed by the Master of the High Court as the executor. Both times, her response was “We hereby acknowledge receipt of your email and will revert shortly with a response. Thank you”. Needless to say the promised response did not happen “shortly”. It also came from someone else when they finally responded 2 months later, after multiple emails requesting a response. And this was the email where I pointed out that they had violated Section 51(4) of the Estates Act. So my advice is to also monitor the estate bank account. The law specifically states that the executor may only be paid once everyone else (including the heirs) have been paid. ABSA’s attorneys withdrew the executor fee before paying the estate’s bills. They also withdrew the full executor fee even though they had agreed to a reduced fee on recommendation from the Ombudsman. Guess they thought we wouldn’t notice. The heirs were only paid out 19 months after the executor fee had been withdrawn. I had to remind them of the provisions of Section 46 to get them to repay the interest and the ombudsman fine. I also had to teach them about compounding interest. If they do the same to you, just remind them of the following court case: Thobejane v Master of the High Court, Johannesburg and Another (32145/2019) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1138 (9 October 2023) Also, it is important that you insist that any “correspondents” and “consultants” that the attorneys subcontract to do the work of the executor, must be approved by the heirs before they are hired. These costs will be charged as an additional fee for the estate. Demand an explanation on why the task falls outside of the expertise of the appointed attorney, and if so, why the attorney was then appointed if they do not have the “expertise” to hand a document in (when laypersons may perform the task)? For instance, submitting the documents (allegedly) to the Master and then collecting the letter of executorship (after the heirs traced the missing documents that were left with security by the “consultant”) will cost the estate almost R2000. Insist that you are given the Master’s office reference number upon submission as proof of the submission. Tax attorneys are an acceptable expense; query the rest. And don’t believe the excuses that it is the Master’s office that is solely at fault. The staff at the Nelspruit Master’s office are not that difficult to contact, they are friendly, and they are helpful. For instance, they helped us track down the documents that had not been submitted, and then issued the letter of executorship within two weeks. If any of the heirs have emigrated, google the SARS requirements yourself, because ABSA’s attorneys will wait until the end before asking for the necessary SARS documentation, further delaying the process. And then they will appoint yet another subcontractor who will try fleece a further 1,5% plus swift fees to open a bank account with Capitec (not ABSA??) in the name of the heir, and then only will they pay what little is left of the inheritance over to the heir’s foreign bank account. It’s an entirely nonsensical step in smaller estates that will only cause a massive tax headache in both SA and the home country of the heir. My parents’ estate could have been finalised within 6 months, but due to the multiple mistakes made by ABSA’s subcontractors, it took almost 4 years. The family was left to carry the costs of maintaining the property while ABSA had already (*******ly) paid themselves. I estimate that the total cost in avoidable expenses and interest paid/lost adds up to about 15% of the estate’s value. This does not take into account the impact on the health and sanity of the family, nor the time off work to fix the executor’s mistakes. All this added to the trauma of losing 3 family members in less than 3 weeks. P.S. ABSA, I know you read these reviews, but you might want to check out the reviews of the “relevant attorneys” you appointed. Your name appears regularly on that attorneys’ review list and it isn’t a good look. I am sure you know who I am referring to. I do not want another **** apology from ABSA. You had your opportunity and you missed it (see The Organizational Apology to understand what I mean). As I told one of your regional managers recently, “Changed behaviour is the most sincere apology.” We have yet to see any change. I will not provide any of the multiple complaint reference numbers as I do not want any further feedback from, or contact with, ABSA. This review, as a warning to others, is the final act in cutting all ties with ABSA. Adieus
112 replies
44 months ago
Professional and compassionate care from Langamed South Secunda
Langamed South Secunda This review is a bit overdue. I had to phone Langamed South 4 times over a period of 6 months in 2020-2021 for various emergencies, each with their own particular challenge. Once we literally just needed hero or two that did not require actual medical treatment, and they were there in a flash and literally saved the day. Twice it was dire medical emergencies, where Langamed South’s fast response, and immediate stabilisation and transfer were specifically credited by the specialist physician as being critical in the good outcome. The last call was the most difficult, but again they were there immediately, literally willing to risk their lives to give the best care. With each call, they were professional, calm, compassionate and reassuring. At a time when that was what we really needed.
0 replies
44 months ago
Zero service in late estate handling.
I see that the business does not respond to the Hello Peter reviews. Nor do they respond to emails.
0 replies
45 months ago
Appoint enough staff at ABSA Secunda
Dear ABSA Secunda Mall. Please have more than one person on duty at the “Customer services and Tellers” counter on Saturday mornings. This is the second time I have been here to find the branch short staffed. The staff are absolute troupers, working as quickly as humanly possible, smiling the whole time. In some cases they have to handle angry customers (one understands why they are angry), and they handle it with absolute professionalism. This is a failure of the management. Appoint more staff. And please commend your staff that soldier through. Thankfully I am in the queue today to close my last account with ABSA. I look forward to ending my 34 year relationship with ABSA.
296 replies
56 months ago
My doggy absolutely loves Furry Paws
I inherited a fur child after a tragic series of events which left her being very sad and traumatised. She had been an “only child” for years following a bad experience with a bigger dog when she was little, so she was naturally nervous around other dogs. Her whole life had been turned upside down, going from seldom being alone (because she got to follow two pensioners around a large property), to living in a small home and being alone during the day. And walks were scary instead of fun because of all the other dogs on the path. So a friend recommended Furry Paws to help with the socialising. But we underestimated what would happen. I now have a very happy, confident puppy who has found her playful side again. Nicole patiently drew my doggy out of her shell and has showered her with love. My doggy loves going to school and it gives me great comfort knowing she is having fun and being well cared for while I am at work. My dog now loves playing with her school friends, even initiating games. It has made such a difference. I also have the prettiest dog in town now, thanks to the fabulous grooming at Furry Paws.
0 replies
77 months ago
I’m glad I switched
I have just switched over from another ISP (after a horrendous experience) and dealing with Rapidnet was a like a breath of fresh air. They respond to emails, they phone you back and when they come for an assessment, they come equipped to install immediately if you so choose. The team of technicians were efficient, worked neatly and were real gentlemen. The headoffice sales rep was patient and answered my questions before I needed to ask them.
0 replies
77 months ago
Help when needed
Once again ICASA have helped me resolve a problem, this time with an ISP. The procedure is straight forward, the response quick and effective.
0 replies
78 months ago
Axxess service record slipped
Axxess lost a customer today. The Rain LTE became very slow and intermittent, but after a month of trying to get Axxess to log a fault I have given up. I cancelled the service in November but am expected to pay for it until end December. I then ordered the MTN LTE, which only worked for 5 days and then nothing. No internet, and no service from Axxess to get it resolved. So today I cancelled the MTN LTE service as well. I used to advise others to switch to Axxess. I won’t anymore. And now I am shopping for a new ISD.
210 replies
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5 Star
4 (36.36363636363637%)
4 Star
0 (0%)
3 Star
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1 Star
7 (63.63636363636363%)