'Blood-suckers were bugging us in bed'

• Date: 26 November 2020
• Published date: 26 November 2020
• Publication title: Southern Suburbs Tatler

The Hewitsons notified Tafelberg about the problem eight months after they bought the mattress.

"If Restonic had a pest problem, there would be thousands of them, it is impossible to only have one bed bug case. We have supplied beds to Tafelberg Furnishers for over 16 years and this is the first complaint regarding bed bugs.

"Each of our nationwide factories has highly skilled health and safety officers who implement and follow stringent health and safety measures that are above international standards," Mr Du Preez said.

Ms Hewitson and her husband Alexander paid R3 199 for the bamboo mattress on October 17 2019.

"During February we started itching, and, thinking it was a flea or two, we randomly sprayed to eliminate whatever was bothering us. But the itching and scratching continued until we saw the bugs crawling across the bed linen. When we lifted the mattress and pushed it up against the wall we saw black marks made by the bugs over the months on the ribbon fabric. The back of the mattress is covered in brown synthetic leather and knowing we could not sleep on it (synthetic leather) we've never bothered to flip the mattress before," said Ms Hewitson.

Ms Hewitson said that they were able to contact Tafelberg Furnishers in May during level 5 lockdown when salesman André Munnik told them he would complete the necessary documents and forward it to Restonic with the images the Hewitsons sent him. Restonic, however, was still closed.

A few weeks later Ms Hewitson received an email from Mr Du Preez stating that "after careful consideration, we are not going to repair, or replace the product, as you were aware of our terms and conditions. However, we will give you a new mattress at cost price, excluding VAT".

Ms Hewitson told Restonic that the only document they received was an invoice without any terms and conditions. Some days later Mr Du Preez emailed them a four-page booklet stating the terms and conditions.

"I told Mr Du Preez that it was the first time I'd seen the booklet and that he should do the right thing and do an exchange or give us a refund. I then phoned Mr Munnik who said he would speak to the manager," Ms Hewitson said.

And that was the last they heard from Restonic or Tafelberg Furnishers.

"This is only the third mattress we have bought and the first time we've had this experience. Please assist," Ms Hewitson said.

Mr Du Preez said they were only notified about the complaint on May 19 this year and the bed was bought in October 2019.

"Bed...