Consumer Complaint Builder

What you will need

• Who did you buy from? (text): Shop, online store, service provider, motor dealer.
• Date of purchase or service (date): From your receipt or invoice.
• What went wrong? (text): Faulty, not as described, poor service, unfair contract, unauthorised charge.
• What do you want? (text): Repair, replacement, refund, or the service redone.
• Type of product or service (text): General goods, motor vehicle, cellphone or telecoms, insurance, banking, medical scheme.

How it works

months = (today - purchase_date)/30. If problem = faulty and months <= 6: show 'Under the Consumer Protection Act, goods usually carry an implied six-month warranty of quality: you may choose repair, replacement or refund.' If months > 6: show 'The six-month warranty may have passed, but other warranties or rights may still apply.' If bought through direct marketing and within 5 business days: show cooling-off note. If bought online and within 7 days of delivery: show the ECTA cooling-off note (confirm exclusions). Escalation map by sector: general goods -> Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO) then National Consumer Commission or provincial consumer protector; motor -> Motor Industry Ombudsman of SA (MIOSA); insurance -> the relevant insurance ombud; banking -> National Financial Ombud; telecoms -> ICASA complaints route (confirm current names). Output a complaint letter with facts, dates, remedy requested and a 7-business-day response request.

What you get

• Rights that may apply
• Draft complaint letter
• Where to escalate

What it means

• You have strong rights; start with the supplier in writing.
• Escalate to the ombud for your sector; ombud services are generally free to consumers.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Contact the relevant ombud, the National Consumer Commission, or a consumer attorney for larger claims. The small claims court can hear smaller money claims.

Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses.