JA
Jonty A
Active since Sep 2025
5
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0
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Reviews
5 reviews9 months ago
Do not do business with Fine and Country
Buying a home should be a joyful milestone. Unfortunately, our experience with Charleen Kroukamp from Fine & Country Durbanville Real Estate was an ongoing nightmare of deception, misrepresentation, and neglect. We were sold a dream and handed a disaster. From the day we moved in, we faced major structural and functional issues that had clearly been hidden or denied. After 1 year and 6 months of chasing and legal escalation, we finally received the approved building plans—documents we were told had already been “submitted” to the municipality before the sale. That was completely false. From the first week, we had over 15 roof leaks, severe damp, water pressure issues, leaking gutters, and faulty electrics—all of which were denied in the general disclosure form, which we later learned was inaccurate and misleading. The house had clearly been abandoned before the sale, a major detail that was never disclosed to us. The seller and agent claimed ignorance, but it’s not believable that anyone occupying the house would be unaware of the serious issues we discovered immediately. We re**** on Charleen’s responses during the sale process, particularly when our bank requested specific information about the property’s condition. We acted in good faith—only to discover much of what she told us wasn’t true. A clear example: we were told the thatch roof had been recently serviced and was in good condition. The first rain exposed multiple leaks. Temporary patchwork was arranged by Charleen but failed repeatedly. We later learned the roof hadn’t been serviced in years and now requires full replacement. Another shocking discovery: we were told the gate motor was fully functional. After moving in, we found the housing was completely empty—no mechanical components inside. It was never operational. This was a blatant example of false representation. In addition, we had no compliance certificates (COCs) for the first two weeks after taking ownership—despite being told all certificates were in order. And while we were assured the building plans were already submitted, no such submission had been made. We had to take on all the admin, delays, and legal escalation ourselves—without any support from Charleen or Fine & Country. We also asked directly about the area before buying and were told there were no issues. Yet shortly after moving in, we became aware of ongoing problems in the neighborhood that any experienced, local agent would have known and should have disclosed. Communication throughout this process was poor. Charleen was unresponsive, dismissive, and failed to follow up unless chased multiple times. When we escalated to Fine & Country Durbanville’s Managing Director, Andre du Plessis, we received one vague reply. After sending a detailed breakdown of our concerns, we heard nothing further—not even a courtesy acknowledgment. To make matters worse, Andre later tried to persuade me to remove my feedback about our experience. But when I began pointing out clear facts about their incompetence, he simply ghosted me—exactly the same way Charleen had. Sadly, this avoidance and lack of accountability seems to be the Fine & Country way of doing busine If you’re a seller, and your only concern is getting your property sold quickly—regardless of condition or honesty—Fine & Country Durbanville might suit your needs. But if you’re a buyer, especially one expecting transparency and post-sale support, we strongly urge you to look elsewhere. Buyer Advice: Get everything in writing Hire independent inspectors—never rely solely on the agent Treat disclosure documents with caution Save all communications Use your own attorney—don’t fall for the seller’s discounted legal team We expected to move into our home with peace of mind. Instead, we’ve spent the last 18 months dealing with lies, repairs, and stress—with zero accountability from the agent or agency. The saddest part is, Agencies like this will always get away with it unless you splash cash for a law suit! Charleen have since blocked me on all socials - guilty conscience!
0 replies
44 months ago
Diamond are not Diamonds
about a year ago, i bought an engagement ring at american swiss. I received a diamond certificate along with the ring upon purchase. a month ago we decided to use the diamonds and have the ring redesigned. this is when we found out that the diamond is in fact cubic zirconia. We took the ring for a second opinion to confirm the findings and this was infact confirmed cubic zirconia. This is real bad, this makes me question all the other rings you guys are selling.
1 reply
76 months ago
ACD Gibsons Ruined me financially
ACD Gibsons - most incompetent people ever, Ian and Chantel, both liars, as they billed and promised me all kind of things, at the end of the day, no repairs was done, old fake parts was fitted on my Vehicle. Everything started a year ago when they fitted my new radiator, radiator was fit incorrect which caused the bottom radiator pipie to break and caused car to overheat. Went back to them to reseat radiator, whereby Ian an chantel both said that Pang who previously worked on my car did the wrong work and they got rid of him, Ian also convinced me that my car was in an accident at the previous owner that is why pang struggled to fit the radiator, which is the reason why he fit it with cable ties. I told Ian that is impossible because my car was send for inspection at dekra and passed that, ian then said that dekra gets bribed in order to get cars on the successful list. I realised after all this mess that they were covering there tracks all the time. My car has been by them 3 times within 2 months, not once was my car sorted, the last time my car over heated again and tey claimed that it was my water cap which was faulty and not releasing pressure. they replaced my cap and car was fine for 4 days, they gave back my old cap. I then came across an image of my previous cap i send to them before my car overeated, it does not look nearly the same to the one they gave back to me. ANyways, my car overheated again a week later and blew a gasket.. I decided to take it straight to Reeds because Gibsons has not ever did a proper job. Reeds findings was that the cap Gibsons replaced is broken, and also is an old cap, those caps no longer come in yellow colors, but in black only. So now Gibson wants me to bring my car back to them so that they can do diagnostics.. is there written idiot on my head?? I will never take my car back to then, i will rather have to pay 20-30k to get my engine fixed now than going back to the team of chantel and Ian. Never again, rip off to say the least! see the images attached surrounding the Cap only, got many more evidence around this matter. Now my pistons is melted and got a crack in my motor, so all this could be prevented.
0 replies
77 months ago
ACD Gibsons corrupt
most incompetent people ever, Ian and Chantel, both liars, as they billed and promised me all kind of things, at the end of the day, no repairs was done, old fake parts was fitted on my Vehicle. Everything started a year ago when they fitted my new radiator, radiator was fit incorrect which caused the bottom radiator pipie to break and caused car to overheat. Went back to them to reseat radiator, whereby Ian an chantel both said that Pang who previously worked on my car did the wrong work and they got rid of him, Ian also convinced me that my car was in an accident at the previous owner that is why pang struggled to fit the radiator, which is the reason why he fit it with cable ties. I told Ian that is impossible because my car was send for inspection at dekra and passed that, ian then said that dekra gets bribed in order to get cars on the successful list. I realised after all this mess that they were covering there tracks all the time. My car has been by them 3 times within 2 months, not once was my car sorted, the last time my car over heated again and tey claimed that it was my water cap which was faulty and not releasing pressure. they replaced my cap and car was fine for 4 days, they gave back my old cap. I then came across an image of my previous cap i send to them before my car overeated, it does not look nearly the same to the one they gave back to me. ANyways, my car overheated again a week later and blew a gasket.. I decided to take it straight to Reeds because Gibsons has not ever did a proper job. Reeds findings was that the cap Gibsons replaced is broken, and also is an old cap, those caps no longer come in yellow colors, but in black only. So now Gibson wants me to bring my car back to them so that they can do diagnostics.. is there written idiot on my head?? I will never take my car back to then, i will rather have to pay 20-30k to get my engine fixed now than going back to the team of chantel and Ian. Never again, rip off to say the least! see the images attached surrounding the Cap only, got many more evidence around this matter.
0 replies
128 months ago
Incorrect Shipping Details
I am so disappointed, I am from South Africa and ordered something from Adidas online in Ireland, for some reason I was unable to change my country when completing my shipping details, I then clicked the next button...then bamn! payment went through! I am trying to hold of Adidas, have mailed them countless times, tried mailing Adidas in South Africa too, but they cant assist me, how is that even possible?<br> <br> So now I lost ZAR1700- 111 Euros...I do not understand how there can be know way to change my shipping details, or they can at least see that the address does not exist in Ireland! been waiting 24 hours for a response from them, and still nothing!
1 reply
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