IS
Istore South Africa
Unclaimed Business
IS
Istore South Africa
Unclaimed Business
187 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Istore South Africa
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, Istore South Africa shows significant strain across nearly every service dimension. Customers describe persistent stock shortages, broken delivery promises, refund delays stretching weeks, dismissive in-store staff, and warranty claims that get rejected on technicalities. While isolated branches and named technicians earn praise, the dominant pattern is frustration with a premium-priced brand failing to deliver premium support, accountability, or basic communication.
TrustIndex
1.9
Jul '25 - Jun '26
Based on recent customer reviews, Istore South Africa shows significant strain across nearly every service dimension. Customers describe persistent stock shortages, broken delivery promises, refund delays stretching weeks, dismissive in-store staff, and warranty claims that get rejected on technicalities. While isolated branches and named technicians earn praise, the dominant pattern is frustration with a premium-priced brand failing to deliver premium support, accountability, or basic communication.
The most common complaint about Istore South Africa, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Customer Service & Communication. Customer Service & Communication (1.1) is the most damaging theme. Customers describe being ghosted on emails, bounced between departments, call centres that drop calls, managers who refuse to engage, and promises of callbacks that never materialise across online, store, and head office channels.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bruce and staff went the extra mile to help resolve an issue with my MacBook. It refused to turn on due to the latest software. Bruce and staff reset it to the previous software free of charge. Thanks guys!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bruce and staff went the extra mile to help resolve an issue with my MacBook. It refused to turn on due to the latest software. Bruce and staff reset it to the previous software free of charge. Thanks guys!
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought a phone for my daughter from iStore Canal Walk. It was an absolutely SHOCKING experience. I had to deal with different staff, and each one had the attitude of "I only do this...you need to speak to somebody else for that". My rating is MINUS 5 stars. Another thing. The shop sells iPhone 15/16/17...but only 17 is on display. So I had to go somewhere else to see what a 15 is like....then come back to buy the 15. REALLY. Shocking....Shocking....Shocking.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bought a phone for my daughter from iStore Canal Walk. It was an absolutely SHOCKING experience. I had to deal with different staff, and each one had the attitude of "I only do this...you need to speak to somebody else for that". My rating is MINUS 5 stars. Another thing. The shop sells iPhone 15/16/17...but only 17 is on display. So I had to go somewhere else to see what a 15 is like....then come back to buy the 15. REALLY. Shocking....Shocking....Shocking.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3rd iPad Pro failure - iStore misrepresenting CPA law lam on my third iPad Pro M4 replacement, and l am facing a fourth hardware failure. Every unit provided by Store Mall of Africa has suffered from recurring hardware defects (Service Refs: MA106543, MA109231, MA112115). Instead of a permanent resolution, Team Leader Matthew H. is attempting to force a fourth M4 unit on me. He is misrepresenting the CPA by claiming my rights expired after 90 days (Section 56(3)). He is ignoring Section 56(2), which provides a 6-month statutory warranty from the date of delivery (31 Jan 2026). As an engineer, l deal in data. Three failures prove the remedy is ineffective. I have formally rejected another M4 and demand a model transition (M5) or an upliftment authority for a refund. I am escalating this to the CGSO. IStore is choosing internal "service strategies" over SA Law.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
3rd iPad Pro failure - iStore misrepresenting CPA law lam on my third iPad Pro M4 replacement, and l am facing a fourth hardware failure. Every unit provided by Store Mall of Africa has suffered from recurring hardware defects (Service Refs: MA106543, MA109231, MA112115). Instead of a permanent resolution, Team Leader Matthew H. is attempting to force a fourth M4 unit on me. He is misrepresenting the CPA by claiming my rights expired after 90 days (Section 56(3)). He is ignoring Section 56(2), which provides a 6-month statutory warranty from the date of delivery (31 Jan 2026). As an engineer, l deal in data. Three failures prove the remedy is ineffective. I have formally rejected another M4 and demand a model transition (M5) or an upliftment authority for a refund. I am escalating this to the CGSO. IStore is choosing internal "service strategies" over SA Law.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Dear iStore South Africa Management, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the poor service, unprofessional conduct, and discriminatory treatment I experienced at several iStore branches. My first experience was at the Clearwater Mall branch, where I was assisted by two male consultants. At the beginning of the process, I was vetted and advised that my application had been approved. I was then informed that the documents only needed to be sent to Vodacom and that I would receive a callback. Unfortunately, I never received any communication from the store. After following up myself, I was then told that my application had been declined because of my payslip, which was confusing considering I had initially been told that I was approved. The following day, I visited the Glen Shopping Centre branch seeking clarity regarding the conflicting information. I was assisted by two female consultants and explained the entire situation from Clearwater Mall. A new application was processed, and I was then told that I did not meet the criteria. During this interaction, I felt judged, stereotyped, and treated unfairly. I left the store feeling humiliated and degraded. I would also like to mention that while I was waiting in the queue, a white customer who arrived after me was attended to before me. This incident made me feel racially profiled and discriminated against. Later that same day, I visited the Cresta Mall branch while shopping with my brother. To my surprise, I was informed that there was no existing application under my name. A consultant then started a completely new application, which was approved. I arrived at approximately 14:00 and remained in the store until after 17:00 waiting for the device. During this process, I was repeatedly asked for additional documentation. First, I was asked for a three-month bank statement, which I immediately downloaded from my Nedbank banking application. Thereafter, I was asked for a six-month bank statement and even handed over my phone to allow staff to download the documents themselves. I was then informed that the documents needed to be sent to an “assessment team” for verification, despite the fact that the statements came directly from my official banking application. By this stage, I had already paid the SIM card connection fee. Due to the treatment I received and the lack of professionalism, I decided to cancel the application entirely. I am deeply disappointed by how I was treated across your stores. The inconsistency in information, lack of communication, repeated requests for documents, and the manner in which I was treated made me feel discriminated against, judged based on my appearance, and unfairly profiled. I request the following: A formal investigation into the conduct of the staff members involved. A written explanation regarding the inconsistent application outcomes across different branches. Clarification regarding the verification process and why official bank statements downloaded directly from a banking application were questioned. A formal apology for the distress and humiliation caused by this experience. I hope iStore South Africa takes this matter seriously and addresses these concerns appropriately to ensure that no other customer experiences similar treatment.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Dear iStore South Africa Management, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the poor service, unprofessional conduct, and discriminatory treatment I experienced at several iStore branches. My first experience was at the Clearwater Mall branch, where I was assisted by two male consultants. At the beginning of the process, I was vetted and advised that my application had been approved. I was then informed that the documents only needed to be sent to Vodacom and that I would receive a callback. Unfortunately, I never received any communication from the store. After following up myself, I was then told that my application had been declined because of my payslip, which was confusing considering I had initially been told that I was approved. The following day, I visited the Glen Shopping Centre branch seeking clarity regarding the conflicting information. I was assisted by two female consultants and explained the entire situation from Clearwater Mall. A new application was processed, and I was then told that I did not meet the criteria. During this interaction, I felt judged, stereotyped, and treated unfairly. I left the store feeling humiliated and degraded. I would also like to mention that while I was waiting in the queue, a white customer who arrived after me was attended to before me. This incident made me feel racially profiled and discriminated against. Later that same day, I visited the Cresta Mall branch while shopping with my brother. To my surprise, I was informed that there was no existing application under my name. A consultant then started a completely new application, which was approved. I arrived at approximately 14:00 and remained in the store until after 17:00 waiting for the device. During this process, I was repeatedly asked for additional documentation. First, I was asked for a three-month bank statement, which I immediately downloaded from my Nedbank banking application. Thereafter, I was asked for a six-month bank statement and even handed over my phone to allow staff to download the documents themselves. I was then informed that the documents needed to be sent to an “assessment team” for verification, despite the fact that the statements came directly from my official banking application. By this stage, I had already paid the SIM card connection fee. Due to the treatment I received and the lack of professionalism, I decided to cancel the application entirely. I am deeply disappointed by how I was treated across your stores. The inconsistency in information, lack of communication, repeated requests for documents, and the manner in which I was treated made me feel discriminated against, judged based on my appearance, and unfairly profiled. I request the following: A formal investigation into the conduct of the staff members involved. A written explanation regarding the inconsistent application outcomes across different branches. Clarification regarding the verification process and why official bank statements downloaded directly from a banking application were questioned. A formal apology for the distress and humiliation caused by this experience. I hope iStore South Africa takes this matter seriously and addresses these concerns appropriately to ensure that no other customer experiences similar treatment.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I Could not reset my password on website - never received email to re set it. Urgently needed to buy iPad so Went to Apple Store in v&A to get help. They could not do it either. Therefore could not order online ! So bought iPad at V&A and was supposed to be sent to CRESTA gor my staff to pick up. 12 days later. NO IPAD. Can’t call stores directly ! Endless calls back and forth
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I Could not reset my password on website - never received email to re set it. Urgently needed to buy iPad so Went to Apple Store in v&A to get help. They could not do it either. Therefore could not order online ! So bought iPad at V&A and was supposed to be sent to CRESTA gor my staff to pick up. 12 days later. NO IPAD. Can’t call stores directly ! Endless calls back and forth
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day,I made a call to iStore customer care on 6 May 2026 at 14:47 and I was extremely disappointed by the manner in which I was treated by the consultant who assisted me. The lady refused to provide her name and was rude, dismissive, and arrogant throughout the call. What made the experience even more shocking is that I had visited the iStore Woodlands on 5 May 2026, where both the technician, Ole, and the sales representative provided exceptional service. They were professional, patient, and incredibly helpful, which made the contrast in customer service even more disappointing. I am truly shocked that a customer care representative would conduct herself in such an unprofessional manner, especially when your in-store staff reflected such a high standard of service. I would appreciate it if this matter could please be investigated, as no customer should be treated in this way. Kind regards, Tremaine Sewraj
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Good day,I made a call to iStore customer care on 6 May 2026 at 14:47 and I was extremely disappointed by the manner in which I was treated by the consultant who assisted me. The lady refused to provide her name and was rude, dismissive, and arrogant throughout the call. What made the experience even more shocking is that I had visited the iStore Woodlands on 5 May 2026, where both the technician, Ole, and the sales representative provided exceptional service. They were professional, patient, and incredibly helpful, which made the contrast in customer service even more disappointing. I am truly shocked that a customer care representative would conduct herself in such an unprofessional manner, especially when your in-store staff reflected such a high standard of service. I would appreciate it if this matter could please be investigated, as no customer should be treated in this way. Kind regards, Tremaine Sewraj
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch from the Istore preowned on 30 March 2026. It arrived the next day. I bought it for my daughter who was writing tests at the time and she opened box on 10 April and it was not switching on so she powered it and still did not work. I bought another one and sent back for a refund. The macbook was taken for inspection and they said a liquid spilled on it and it was recent. I don’t understand as we did not spill anything on the macbook as we returned it how it was received. We received a dus and even when you buy a used item at cash converters they switch it on to show the customer that it was working. I did not receive such a report from istore as to when the macbook was switched on and the date before shipping to me. I am highly disappointed in their process and I spent R12 999.00 on a dud and the istore expects me as the customer to forfeit my money due to their incompetence. I am sure that they should really have a look at this and remedy the situation
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
I bought a MacBook Pro 16 inch from the Istore preowned on 30 March 2026. It arrived the next day. I bought it for my daughter who was writing tests at the time and she opened box on 10 April and it was not switching on so she powered it and still did not work. I bought another one and sent back for a refund. The macbook was taken for inspection and they said a liquid spilled on it and it was recent. I don’t understand as we did not spill anything on the macbook as we returned it how it was received. We received a dus and even when you buy a used item at cash converters they switch it on to show the customer that it was working. I did not receive such a report from istore as to when the macbook was switched on and the date before shipping to me. I am highly disappointed in their process and I spent R12 999.00 on a dud and the istore expects me as the customer to forfeit my money due to their incompetence. I am sure that they should really have a look at this and remedy the situation
Istore South Africa has a TrustIndex of 1.9 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 187 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked Istore South Africa across 2,361 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →