Very bad customer service

I must first commend the SweepStars; they’re wonderful and not the problem at all. However, the Sweepsouth call centre and customer service are appalling.

Today, we decided to book a SweepStar every second Wednesday going forward. Sweepsouth promptly billed and debited my bank account for the next two payments upfront! When I noticed the deduction and didn’t understand why, I called their office. I raised a valid question about the deductions. At the time, I didn’t realise they were for the next two payments, up to four weeks ahead of the intended service. They seemed oblivious to their conduct even though this is likely a common practice at Sweepsouth.

A customer should not be funding a business’s cashflow through deep advance payments. Notwithstanding, it was actually their request for a copy of my bank statement before investigating the deductions that was deeply disturbing to me. I reminded them of my consumer rights under the POPI Act and refused to provide it. They refused to investigate further without it.

Bank statements contain highly sensitive personal information. Considering Sweepsouth’s internal system already has the bookings on record and holds my payment records, I reminded them and I do so to other consumers as well that a service provider generally can’t legally require you to provide a bank statement just to help with a routine query! They put the phone down on me.

Sweepsouth does not deserve the privilege of serving the needs of the wonderful SweepStars. It is these people who, under conditions of crippling unemployment in South Africa, suffer when such obviously poor service is provided in their name.

The bookings we made have been cancelled, and we will not do this again and suggest you do not either. Just book the SweepStar a day or two before you need their service.