PJ
Patrick J
Active since Feb 2021
33
Reviews
0
Industries
Reviews
33 reviews3 weeks ago
MiWay Could Improve Customer Service with Better Communication Options
MiWay could improve its customer service by offering dedicated email addresses for complaints, cancellations, and service delivery issues. Many customers may not have time to wait long periods for a consultant to answer calls or rely on chatbots that often provide limited assistance. I experienced this while trying to cancel my household contents insurance, which felt unnecessarily difficult. In my case, the high excess amounts made the cover seem poor value, as replacing insured items myself could cost less than paying the excess. Providing efficient email support with clear response times would give customers a more convenient way to resolve issues and improve overall satisfaction and trust in the company.
2 replies
2 months ago
Concerns Regarding POLMED Medical Scheme
My recent experience with POLMED has raised serious concerns about the practical value of its benefits, particularly under the Aquarium package. Despite a doctor’s clear recommendation for diagnostic imaging (X-rays and an ultrasound) following my daughter’s ankle injury, the claim was declined. The reason provided was that the diagnosis — classified as a sprain — did not meet the criteria for a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) condition. As a result, essential radiology services were not covered. This approach places members in a difficult position, where access to necessary medical investigations depends less on clinical judgment and more on whether a condition fits a predefined administrative category. It is concerning that even when a healthcare professional identifies the need for further examination, coverage may still be denied based on coding technicalities. Furthermore, the suggestion that the diagnosis could be amended for reassessment — without any guarantee of payment — highlights an underlying issue: members may be required to navigate complex administrative processes rather than receive straightforward support during medical situations. A medical scheme should provide reassurance and assistance when it is needed most. Unfortunately, this experience reflects a gap between expected support and actual service delivery. Prospective members should carefully evaluate the limitations of the benefit structure and consider whether it aligns with their expectations for accessible and responsive healthcare coverage.
4 replies
2 months ago
Declining Service and Unacceptable Policy Changes – POLMED Medical Scheme
I am extremely disappointed in how POLMED Medical Scheme has deteriorated over the years, particularly regarding the so-called “Aquarium Package.” Recently, my daughter injured her ankle, and we consulted a doctor who, out of medical concern, referred her for X-rays and a sonar. This was not a decision I made lightly or without professional guidance. However, to my shock, POLMED rejected the claim, stating that under the Aquarium Package, X-rays and sonars are only covered in life-threatening situations. This raises serious concerns. Since when are diagnostic tools like X-rays and sonars reserved only for life-threatening cases? How are members expected to properly diagnose injuries before they become critical? The logic behind such a policy is deeply flawed and, frankly, alarming. It makes one question the competence of those responsible for these decisions. I am also aware of colleagues whose children faced genuinely life-threatening medical emergencies, yet POLMED failed to cover even a reasonable portion of their treatment costs—despite prior authorization being granted. This inconsistency further erodes trust in the scheme. If POLMED no longer intends to provide the level of cover previously associated with the Aquarium Package, then they should be transparent about it. Members deserve clear communication regarding benefit changes. In the past, X-rays and sonars were covered—what has changed, and why were members not properly informed? With recent reports about challenges facing schemes like Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), one cannot help but wonder whether POLMED is facing similar internal issues. Given the broader concerns around mismanagement and *******ion in various sectors, these experiences only add to growing suspicion and frustration. After more than 20 years of loyalty, I can confidently say: this is not the POLMED we once trusted.
3 replies
2 months ago
Disappointing Service and Poor Consumer Care at OK Furniture – Oudtshoorn Branch
This review highlights a deeply frustrating experience with the OK Furniture branch in Oudtshoorn, involving the purchase of a new stove for my 73-year-old mother. On 7 March 2026, my mother—who lives independently and enjoys cooking and baking—purchased a Defy stove from OK Furniture. Despite other retailers offering pensioner discounts, she chose this store out of personal preference and trust in the brand. Unfortunately, on Sunday, 22 March, during only the third use of the oven, something inside the oven suddenly exploded, which caused the inner glass panel of the oven door to shatter. This was not only alarming but also posed a serious safety concern. She immediately switched off the appliance. On Tuesday, I visited the store in person to report the incident and request a replacement. The response from the sales consultant was disappointing. I was informed that the store could not replace the stove and would instead arrange for a technician to assess and repair it. I was further told that replacements are only considered if faults occur within seven days of purchase—an important condition buried within a lengthy contract of nearly 100 pages, which was neither properly explained nor reasonably accessible for a senior customer to fully understand. As of the following day, no technician had arrived, leaving my elderly mother without a functional stove. She has been forced to rely on neighbors to prepare her meals—an arrangement that is both inconvenient and distressing for someone who values her independence. This situation raises serious concerns about customer service standards, transparency in contractual agreements, and the treatment of elderly customers. A product failure of this nature, within such a short period of time and minimal use, should warrant prompt replacement rather than prolonged inconvenience and uncer*****y. We respectfully request that OK Furniture take responsibility by either replacing the defective unit or collecting the faulty stove and issuing a suitable resolution without further delay. This is our second attempt to resolve the matter amicably. Should no satisfactory action be taken, we will have no choice but to escalate the issue through appropriate consumer protection channels and bring greater public attention to what appears to be unfair and potentially exploitative business practices. Conclusion: Customers—especially vulnerable individuals such as senior citizens—deserve transparency, respect, and efficient after-sales support. Unfortunately, this experience reflects the opposite.
0 replies
3 months ago
From Bad to Worse: Is Polmed Still a Medical Aid or Just a Claims Rejection Machine?
I never imagined that getting basic medical care for my child would turn into a battle with my own medical aid — twice in one year. My daughter recently injured her ankle at school. She was in severe pain and could not walk properly. As any concerned parent would do, I immediately took her to our GP. After examining her, the doctor referred us for a radiology ultrasound to ensure there was no internal damage or fracture in her ankle. It was a standard, medically necessary referral. To my shock — Polmed rejected the claim. This is now the second time within one year that Polmed has rejected claims for treatment I am supposed to be covered for. As a paying member, I am left confused and frustrated. What exactly am I covered for? Emergency care? Specialist referrals? Basic diagnostic imaging? Medical aid is meant to provide peace of mind during stressful times. Instead, I am faced with uncer*****y, administrative stress, and unexpected financial pressure — all while trying to care for my injured child. I do not understand what is happening within Polmed’s management, but if legitimate claims continue to be rejected at this rate, their client base will inevitably decline. Members cannot continue paying high monthly contributions only to fight for basic healthcare benefits. I am now in a position where I need advice and assistance. How can these rejections be challenged effectively? What rights do members have in situations like this? Who oversees medical aid schemes to ensure fairness and accountability? I urge Polmed to review its claims process and provide transparency to its members. Trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild. At this point, I am not angry — I am deeply disappointed.
0 replies
4 months ago
Polmed’s “Hidden Rules” Cost Me R1,000
After 23 years with Polmed, I expected reliability, not surprises. In July 2025, my GP referred me to a urologist for a necessary medical procedure. All authorizations were obtained, including hospitalization—everything by the book. Fast forward to my follow-up on 4 February 2026: my urologist informed me Polmed had an issue with the claim. Apparently, authorization needs to be renewed every year—or every six months, depending on who’s reading the fine print that apparently only Polmed gets to see. Funny, I never received a heads-up about this “policy,” and I doubt they’ll start any awareness campaigns soon. The outcome? A R1,000 co-payment for a procedure that should have been fully covered. After more than two decades with them, it’s clear their standards have slipped, and transparency is optional. Polmed, here’s a thought: maybe tell your members about these hidden rules before billing them unexpectedly. It might just save someone a surprise bill—and a lot of frustration.
2 replies
4 months ago
A Positive Experience with Faithful to Nature
I recently purchased Shilajit resin from Faithful to Nature and I am genuinely impressed with both the product and the service. The quality of the resin is excellent – it looks pure, fresh, and exactly as described on the website, which gave me a lot of confidence in what I was receiving. The ordering process was smooth and the courier service was efficient and reliable, with my package arriving neatly packed and on time. It’s clear that care is taken not only in sourcing quality products, but also in making sure they reach customers in good condition. Overall, this was a very positive experience. Faithful to Nature delivers both quality and professionalism, and I would happily order from them again.
1 reply
4 months ago
Meerkat Debt Review – Serious Consumer Warning
I entered debt review with Meerkat on the clear condition that my home loan must be excluded, as it is paid directly from my salary. Without my permission or signature, Meerkat included my bond anyway, which is ********. I have now paid off all my debts in full except for one small Standard Bank loan of about R12,000, yet Meerkat has failed to properly recalculate my repayment plan and continues to keep me locked into an incorrect and outdated structure. I was also told by Meerkat that Old Mutual “demanded” an additional R2,500 per month, which is not how debt review works. Creditors cannot simply dictate payment amounts without proper legal process and affordability reassessment, yet Meerkat accepted and enforced this without transparency. Even worse, Meerkat deducted money for my home loan through debt review without legal authority, putting my house at risk and generating ******** fees. This is not a mistake — it is a serious compliance breach. I am now formally demanding: Immediate removal of my bond from debt review A corrected repayment plan And refunds of ******** deductions I will be escalating this matter to the National Credit Regulator (NCR). Consumers deserve transparency, consent, and legal compliance. I received none of that from Meerkat.
1 reply
4 months ago
Overpaid, Under-Served: My Old Mutual Experience
I recently had a consolidation loan with Old Mutual that was financially suffocating. After much struggle, I finally settled the loan—paying the full R254,000. Only when I called to confirm that they had received the payment did I learn, to my surprise, that I was actually owed a refund. It seems that during the “settlement” process, my original debt of R251,000 somehow magically increased to R254,000. Apparently, this is one of the many clever ways financial institutions—sometimes with the government’s help—make sure you pay more while trying to pay less. After discovering the overpayment, I was bounced around the Old Mutual system like a pinball: general department → legal department → debt review department → told I must speak to someone named Bridgette. The first three calls were cut off mid-ring. On the fourth attempt, I was told to leave my number and wait for Bridgette to call back. It’s now almost a week later, and I’m still waiting—R140 in airtime gone, and my refund apparently trapped somewhere in corporate limbo. Old Mutual seems to have perfected the art of making customers overpay, then testing patience through endless phone transfers and broken promises. While I appreciate their dedication to keeping me on hold, I would have preferred they simply refund what is owed.
5 replies
6 months ago
Review of Polmed: Extremely Poor Communication & Inaccurate Client Information
A couple of months ago, I visited the Polmed client portal to check my remaining benefits as we were nearing the end of the year. According to the portal, I still had 11 GP consultations left as well as available benefits for hospitalisation. I re**** on this information, assuming that the system was up-to-date and accurately maintained. A week later, I had a medical emergency and was rushed to the nearest available doctor — not my usual GP — and was then transferred to Mediclinic Oudtshoorn for urgent care. My blood sugar levels were dangerously high, and I was admitted until they stabilised. That was the day I discovered that I am a new diabetic, and that my Polmed benefits were apparently “exhausted.” Polmed refused to cover the treatment I received at Mediclinic Oudtshoorn, leaving me with unexpected medical debt. I also had to pay the GP’s fees out of my own pocket. To make matters worse, Mediclinic Oudtshoorn wasted no time handing me over to debt collectors — as if I didn’t already have more than enough to deal with, emotionally and financially. What frustrates me most is that this entire situation could have been avoided if Polmed maintained an accurate and up-to-date client portal. I re**** on the information provided by their own system. Instead, I was misled and left unprotected in a medical emergency. Let’s be realistic: large organisations like Polmed rarely accept responsibility. They have the resources to drag out complaints, disputes, and legal proceedings, while ordinary clients are left with the consequences. It feels like bullying — hiding behind bureaucracy while clients pay the price for their internal communication failures. I am sharing this so that others are aware: do not assume the Polmed portal reflects your real benefits, and be prepared for a complete lack of accountability when their system errors impact your life.
3 replies
Review Distribution
5 Star
1 (3.0303030303030303%)
4 Star
0 (0%)
3 Star
0 (0%)
2 Star
2 (6.0606060606060606%)
1 Star
30 (90.9090909090909%)