Bad experience with Absolut Auto at 361 Beyers Naude Drive

In August 2017, I purchased an Audi S3 Sportback, blue, 2015 with approximately 41,000 KM from Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga a Pre-owned Sales Executive at Absolute Auto at 361 Beyers Naude Drive, Tel: ********** , Cell: ********** , Email : ********** While in negotiations I was advised that the Audi S3 included the spare key after directly asking Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga.

I traded in two vehicles, a 2000 Audi TT Roadster and a BMW 328I 2014 white. The BMW was in mint condition. The Audi TT was a restoration project car. I spent in excess of R100,000 trying to restore the vehicle after the initial purchase price of R75,000. All details of the Audi TT was provided to Absolute Auto even going so far as to provide a comprehensive lever arch file with all the invoices and plans of what I had done and still needed to do. Besides this I was only given R75,000 for the Audi TT. I really wanted the S3 so I proceeded with the purchase.

I collected the Audi S3 on 8 August 2017 from Absolut Auto and handed over both vehicles.

I was advised that that the spare key for Audi S3 was still with the previous owner and that Absolut Auto had requested the key from them. I was advised that the key would be given to me when the eNATIS documents were available. On 22 August 2017, Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga advised the following:

“Please be advised that I do have the license disk and a copy of the eNatis. We in the process of trying to get the spare key from the previous owner and if that fails will have to make an order for it”

Over the next couple of days I was advised that the previous owners could not be traced/did not have the key/had lost the key/were unwilling to bring the spare key in……. I was then advised that Absolut Auto would request a new key from Audi. There was a several follow ups.

On 16 October 2017, Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga advised the following:

“I am waiting for my manager to make payment for the key. It is going to be paid for tomorrow”

And later the same day:

“I am waiting for my boss to get back. We not refusing in replacing the key. I apologize for the delay”

After the above email Ian did not email me again. I however continued to follow up. The weeks passed and I was given the same excuse over and over again.

Eventually I sent the following email on 17 November 2017:

Good Morning Ian, I hope you are well. Another week has passed. Please can you reply with some positive feedback besides the standard “I am waiting for the boss to approve”. Please, please, please sort this out for me. I am disillusioned.

I was advised telephonically that this would be paid and ordered before the end of November as Absolut Auto wanted this resolved before year end and that I should be patient.

I wrote the following email confirming the discussion:

Hi Ian, Just a written record of our telephonic conversation earlier. The end of November deadline for the key in my hand is not going to happen. Despite your promises and assurances that it would. However you have advised that the “bosses” have approved the payment for the key to be done at the end of November. I will therefore be contacting you on the 30th for an update.

Today is the 11th of December 2017, guess what I still do not have the key. I went to Absolut Auto and spoke to Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga directly. New excuse….. Apparently Absolut Auto had sold the Audi TT and the purchaser brought the car back and cancelled the purchase because it did not have a compressor for the air conditioner. Because of this Absolut Auto is disputing the payment of the spare key and will not be providing it to me. Even though the lack of an air conditioner was specifically discussed at the time of sale and specifically included in the information provided when the Audi TT was traded in to Absolut Auto.

On 12 December, I advised Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga that I would be lodging this complaint/review, Ian Nkanyiso Mhlanga advised that his manager would be calling me on the day to discuss.

Today is 19 December and I have not been contacted by anyone from Absolut Auto.

How is this acceptable in this day and age?

This is a huge concern for me. There is a key out there that can be used on my Audi S3. I was assured repeatedly that the spare key was forthcoming.

Please note that all emails quoted above are available.