Unjust Demands by the Absa vehicle collections department

Good Day

I purchased a vehicle with Absa Vehicle Finance in March 2020. it had been a smooth transition until November when I had major mechanical issues in the car that required +-R20000. I then called the bank prior to the debit date (scheduled for the 1st December 2020) to make an arrangement wherein I was advised to first let the debit order bounce and then call the bank again to notify them of the challenge. As per the advise I was given advise telephonically to let the debit order fail as ABSA did not make prior arrangements of which came as a shock to my as the customer. the advise was given to me by a bank personnel of which I believe was representing the Bank and acted accordingly and called the bank after the debit order had failed. I proceeded and attended to the mechanical damages as per the advise I received. No other payments have been missed on the vehicle from the date of purchase to date except for the month of December where I believed I was in understanding with the bank

To my surprise the past few months have been challenging as there has been a lot of back and forth with the collections department and they have since been refusing to look into the matter but bully me into arrangements even when I have been communicating to the bank that the amounts were not feasible due to a reduced income, I am still making the normal payments accordingly. The bank has since refused to look into the prior arrangements that was made in December and their main focus has been bullying me.

1.How am I as a customer of the bank paying the ultimate price for advise that was offered to me by their representative? 2. Does the fact that I notified the bank prior not mean anything? 3. What will happen in the future if I come across a financial situation beyond my control and I have to communicate with the bank because as it stands Absa's treatment to their customers is unjust? 4. Does the fact that I have the documentation highlighting the time period, works and amounts to justify my claim not mean anything to the financial institution?

I have been trying to reach common ground with the institutions but unfortunately it has been a fruitless exercise. at this point I regret purchasing a vehicle through the institution and certainly will not recommend anyone to do so

I tried calling the bank again today after a discussion I had with their employee again today I tried contacting the bank again however, I was not successful in obtaining the assistance I was hoping to receive. At this point I am left with no options but to agree to terms and payment periods that are not feasible to bring the account to date.