Highly Annoyed

Company: TARPS for Africa

On the 29th October 2024, I reached out to TARPS for Africa to assist me with a quote for a pool cover. A gentleman Mark Reed ***ner of Company) contacted me and come out to complete the assessment/measurements.

I was then provided the quote on the 5 November 2024, valid for 30 days. I then enquired on the timeline for the pool cover to be completed, I was told 10 days after the 70% deposit has been made. Happy with the information received, I was then provided a term of conditions which clearly states the timeline of 10 days (assuming it is 10 working days) no problem, the terms also mentions that the goods remain the property of TARPS for Africa until paid for.

I then accepted the quote and proceeded to pay 70% deposit, I then followed up again on the 21 November (45 days later) on the progress as the cover was not urgently needed at the time. I was then given a scheduled installation date for the week of the 25 November 2024. The week arrived I was told that TARPS for Africa is waiting on the mounting brackets (considering that my pool requires specific bracket due to the shape) the bracket was not delivered to TARPS for Africa and I will be informed when the brackets arrive.

I then followed up again on the 9 December 2024 as I have not received any feedback yet, I was then told that the brackets are done and awaiting delivery. The cover will be installed in the same week. The week of the 17 December 2024 arrived, still no feedback, and still no installation from TARPS for Africa, I then messaged Mark with the following message:

Good Day Mark Hope you had a good long weekend. Please can you assist with installation of the pool cover.

Full payment has been settled for the invoice. It was mentioned that the cover takes 10 days following the 70% deposit which was made on the 21 November and the full balance paid on the 29 November 2024.

With December being a short month with companies closing I would appreciate if I could receive a confirmed date to when the cover will be installed.

My concern is the safety of my child and other children.

Regards

Mark then calls me saying that he is now out of poles for the cover, and if we can schedule for the week of the 6th January 2025. Mark sent me the following message after our call

“Hi Shaheen, I am very sorry for the inconvenience and for the poor communication. We will install your pool cover in the week of the 6th of Jan”

I then agreed as I don’t have an option now that its Mid December and companies are closing, so what do I do? I agree for the 6 January 2025. Cool.

Happy New Year, January arrives, I follow up on the 9 January 2025, asking Mark to confirm set date for installation, as previous communication confirmed installation date for the week of 6 January 2025. Mark then responded asking if he can install on the Thursday 16 January 2025, and he then confirmed booking for this date.

This morning, 15 January I make a follow up as a reminder that we are scheduled for installation. Mark then calls me saying that he is sorry, he has not received the poles. He tells me that he will get back to me on Friday 17 January with feedback, and then we can install on Tuesday 21 January 2025. I asked Mark to pay my full money back, if he cannot have my installation done on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.

I feel that people/companies should stop taking clients for a ride, especially when 70% deposit was paid on the 21 November 2024 and in my case I paid the outstanding balance on the 29 November 2024. Therefore, fully paid, “the terms also mention that the goods remain the property of TARPS for Africa until paid for”. In this case the pool cover is my property.

I will be waiting for feedback on Friday 17 January 2024 from Mark. I will be taking this further with legal action should the cover not surface or my money refunded back to me.