THULANI MPUNGOSE SHOWING A CUSTOMER png.
What makes this branch special is its strategic location near the Park Station where there are buses to neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, making it a favourite for those who want to buy furniture to send home. This is particularly so for Zimbabweans.
One such customer is Zimbabwean Phillip Nhira (42), who had recently travelled all the way from Hwedza, 120 km south of Harare, to buy a four plate stove and lounge suite.
“I shop here mainly because their prices are very, very cheap compared to other shops here in Johannesburg. Every time that I want to buy household goods, my destination is always here because I’m treated like a king.
“The other thing about Fair Price is that they have quality products and have a good guarantee. Apart from what I’m buying today, I have in the past bought a television set and a kitchen unit, both products are still in excellent condition.
“We take all these goods back home to Zimbabwe, but the problem we are facing now is that some of the products are no longer allowed to cross the border because the Zimbabwean government wants to promote local business. In as much they want to do so, the Zimbabwean products are inferior to that of Fair Price. That’s why we want Fair Price to open shops in Zimbabwe,” says Nhira who says no one referred to him to Fair Price but chose the shop after getting affordable prices.
“I came to this shop while I was comparing prices with other similar outlets only to discover that Fair Price has got the cheapest prices in town and offer quality products. Their service is just out of this world. Since then I have referred many customers to buy here.
Satisfied customer, Phillip relaxes at Fair Price Braamfontein while waiting for his stove to be delivered. PHOTOS: Simba Rushawaya.
“Fair Price must introduce a system where they reward people who refer the most customers, that way they will boost their clientele base. I have referred many Zimbabweans to buy at Fairprice. I’m particularly impressed by the fact that they don’t treat us like foreigners. In other shops, workers there like to make you foreign which is different with Fair Price,” says Nhira.
Malawian Benson Chirwa (36) says he buys all his household goods at Fair Price because they have “fair prices”.
Says Chirwa says: “I’m working here in South Africa, but I come to buy things like televisions and radios for domestic and commercial purposes. Goods at Fair Price are so cheap that you can resell them outside South Africa.
“I came to know about this shop after a colleague at work referred it to me four years ago and since then it has become a tradition to shop here because their service is very good I must say. If I’m buying goods for local consumption, they deliver at my house and make sure you are happy.”
Locals like Dlozi Tiro (30) from Meadowlands, Soweto says she like to shop at Fair Price because of the flexible lay-bye facility.
“The prices are very cheap and their lay-bye is excellent in that you pay for 12 months without having to accrue interest as is the case with other stores. Furthermore, their service is very good in that they are warm to customers.
“Every time I come here, they greet me right from the entrance and politely ask how they can help me even if they know I’m a regular customer. Tholakele has been helping me since I came into the shop and I’m feeling at home.
“Shopping has never been this good. I came to know about Fair Price through advertising in the newspapers and on television. I came here today because my friend wanted to buy a stove and I advised her to come to Fair Price and she says she is impressed by the products and prices, so we are buying her stove,” says Tiro.
The branch, which is on 100 De Korte Street is managed by Welcome Sibuyi and run by sales representatives Thulani Mpungose, Tholakele Ndlovu and Ophelia Shikwambana.
