Dear Editor,
Guyana doesn’t offer many options for decent household furniture and appliances. That scarcity is exactly why — despite good sense and past bad experiences — many of us still end up at Courts Guyana.
In October, I visited the Main Street branch with my cousin to purchase a bed frame. I selected the frame, paid in full via credit card, and was assured delivery within 48–72 hours. During that window, the delivery driver called for directions and mentioned he was bringing only the nightstands — not the bed frame. When I asked why, he frankly explained they had to “bruk down the bed” in the store, because the display model was the one I would be receiving.
At no point was I told I was paying full price for the display piece. I immediately contacted the store and requested a refund.
The next day, the salesperson called and opened with, “Me did’nt tell you that was the bed yuh gun get? I sure I tell yuh.” I explained that neither I nor my relative heard any such thing. Her response? “Tek de bed man, it ain’t bin out deh long.”
I reminded her that I paid for a new, boxed item — not a floor model.
She told me I would have to come in for the refund.
I also explained that travelling from the Mahaica/Berbice area is costly and time-consuming, and that a simple point-of-sale reversal should have been possible. She replied, “Yuh gah fuh come in,” and abruptly hung up.
After returning from travel, I visited the store on November 6, 2025. I was directed to the assistant manager, who was openly dismissive, unprofessional, and made no attempt to understand the issue or apologise. The refund due was $179,999, yet she insisted I was owed $100,000. When I corrected her, she sucked her teeth and walked off, muttering that customers think they can “talk to people anyhow.”
She later returned and threw a refund requisition slip across the counter, instructing me to take it to the cashier with the original receipt, then stated that without it, I would not be refunded.
When I asked to speak to the manager, I was told she was in a meeting and that no one else could assist.
This experience reflects more than poor customer service. It highlights persistent violations of basic consumer rights in Guyana — the kind we face far too often even at so-called reputable businesses. I will be lodging a formal complaint with the Consumer Affairs Commission, but this behaviour deserves public scrutiny.
We deserve better — not attitude, not “bruk down” display pieces passed off as new, and not the runaround when we insist on fair treatment.