AUTO MAGIC PANEL BEATERS LINBRO PARK

1. 10 January 2020 – car was taken to panel beaters for damage assessment; 2. 7 February 2020 – received sms confirming booking for 12 February 2020 to drop off car – why were the parts not ordered in the meantime to avoid delays? 3. 12 February 2020 – car was dropped off – Brandon advised I would receive an update every second day from 14 February 2020; 4. 13 February 2020 – estimated completion date smsed (3 March 2020); 5. 14 February 2020 – estimated time of arrival for parts is 17 February 2020 (I assumed it was for indicator as well as bumper but it was only for the bumper); 6. 17 February 2020 - bumper was delivered; 7. 19 February 2020 – received sms update: car is in panel beating bay – parts are on site; 8. 19 February 2020 – spoke to Brandon – he advised that the bumper was replaced and the fender was fixed - the car panels were being re-aligned and would be repainted afterwards. When I asked, he confirmed the indicator had arrived today – estimated completion date given: 3 March 2020; 9. 24 February 2020 – received sms update: from panel beating bay, your vehicle will move to paint preparation bay; 10. No further update received until I called on 28 February 2020 – advised that panels are being re-aligned and parts would be fixed afterwards – advised further damage found yet car was stripped and assessed for further damage within a week of drop off - new estimated completion date: 6 March 2020 – panel beaters specifically reiterated completion date is only an estimate (I understand it is an estimated date, this does not answer my question as to why the parts to be replaced were not ordered when it was confirmed they would get my car on 12 February 2020); 11. 28 February 2020 – received sms update after phone call: expected completion date has changed to 6 March 2020 – called insurance company repairs department to expedite process. Insurance company (Dial Direct) repairs department also advised them the turn around time is too long in respect of the repairs to be done.

- Previously inconvenienced by this company as the branch in / near Ferndale refused to take the car as it did not need to be towed (wow! business must be booming if they can refuse clients!) – I drove 25km to leave the car in Linbro Park; - Since 12 February 2020 I have had to uber to work every day which costs +- R100 per trip – panel beaters were advised of this on numerous occasions and requested to expedite based on same; - I felt I was being given the run-around so I checked with a third party regarding turn around time to fix my car. I was advised by the third party (qualified person from another insurance company) it should not take longer than 10 days; - Updates smsed are very vague and I had to call to obtain a detailed update. Sending me an sms saying "we will keep you updated on progress" is not an update.

If the panel beaters could not attend to my car immediately and the result would be that my car is parked for a week, I would rather have taken the car back as it was still roadworthy and only taken the car back to them once the parts had arrived. Since the date of assessment, being 10 January 2020, the panel beaters had enough time to order the parts (bumper and indicator) required therefore the delay and inconvenience I have experienced is extremely unreasonable. In addition to the above, the further damage found was damage to the cradle which only required panel beating. It did not need to be replaced.

The amount of time it took for them to fix my car (12 February 2020 to 6 March 2020) is unreasonable. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

I suggest Dial Direct remove this company from their approved panel of repairers due to the above. My claim was approved within a day but it took almost a month to fix my car!