Online Reporter
Your Money, Your Call
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba
DECEMBER is a month of joy and reflection.
And if you are lucky, a little extra finds its way into your bank account.
For most Zimbabweans, the 13th cheque is a lifeline.
It is school fees paid in advance, a long-overdue home improvement or the seed money for a side hustle.
It is also hope wrapped in hard-earned dollars.
But, as the festive lights go up, so do the number of complaints from customers who were let down by service providers after paying deposits for services.
It is a story that has become all too familiar.
Imagine a young couple, still trying to get to their feet, paying a deposit for a custom-made wardrobe, only to be ghosted for weeks.
Or a small business owner ordering branded uniforms but the supplier keeps shifting deadlines and eventually asks for a “top-up” owing to “unexpected costs”.
In some cases, a family pays for a December wedding venue, only to discover on the big day that it was double-booked.
These are not just isolated incidents.
In fact, they are symptoms of a deeper problem and probably a service culture that too often prioritises short-term gain over long-term trust.
However, to be clear: Not every service provider is dishonest.
Zimbabwe is full of hardworking entrepreneurs who are doing their best in a tough economy.
But the rise of fly-by-night operators, social media “businesspersons” with no physical address and WhatsApp-only vendors has made it difficult for customers to separate genuine entrepreneurs from opportunists.
And December, with its emotional spending and time-sensitive plans, is a prime hunting ground.
So, what can customers do to protect themselves?
First, treat your 13th cheque like an investment, not a windfall.
Before you part with a cent, ask: “What am I buying? From whom? And what recourse do I have if things go wrong?”
If the answers are vague, that is your first red flag.
Secondly, insist on written agreements, even if it is just a WhatsApp message that clearly states the price, timeline and payment terms.
If a service provider gets defensive when you ask for clarity, walk away.
In short, transparency should never be negotiable.
Thirdly, do your homework.
Here, ask for references, check reviews and visit the premises if possible.
A slick Instagram page means nothing if the person behind it cannot deliver.
And finally, resist the pressure to pay in full upfront.
A reasonable deposit is standard, but staggered payments tied to progress milestones protect both parties.
If someone demands 100 percent before lifting a finger, ask yourself why.
But this is not just a customer issue.
Service providers, too, must reflect.
If you are in business, your reputation is your currency.
Every missed deadline, broken promise and unexplained top-up erodes trust — not just in you, but in your entire industry.
And in a country where word of mouth is king, that damage spreads fast.
This December, let us do better.
Let us honour the sweat behind every 13th cheque, build a culture where deposits are sacred, timelines respected and contracts — no matter how informal — are upheld.
Because at the heart of every transaction is a person — a mother trying to stretch her bonus, a young man in the process of starting a business or even a family hoping to make memories.
They are not just customers; they are dreamers; hence they deserve better.
Cresencia Marjorie Chiremba is a marketing, sales and customer service consultant. For suggestions and training, contact her at [email protected] or +263712979461/0719978335/0772978335.
