1 reviews | Active since Feb 2011
SMG Century City/BMW FINANCE/ BMW SA takes consumer rights as a joke :)
I was in the market to buy a new vehicle for registration in 2020 only. in September 2019 I was asked to pay a deposit to secure the vehicle to SMG. I made arrangements and swiped my credit card with the dealership. not long after I was informed they had a buyer that wanted the car, but would replace it with another higher spec at the same price. I agreed and 2nd vehicle arrived 30 Sep 2019. in early Nov I went to another dealership to order rubber mats, and when I gave the VIN number I was told the motorplan had been activated in September even though I was only taking delivery in JAN. I called the dealer who then found another New vehicle for me after I threatened to cancel and buy elsewhere. they pleaded that I sign the contract on the 22nd Nov 2019, to which I agreed and delivery would be at Sandton Auto in JHB. since I was advised that the docs needed to go to SMG in Cape town, I trusted the dealership and signed the release note without dating it, (the vehicle was still at SARS in the Durban port) and I did this trusting that BMW would not let me down. so the car arrived at Sandton Auto and I went to inspect in the ba*****t wash bay on the 3rd Dec 2019, and gave instructions on what fitments I wanted. bear in mind delivery with saleman from SMG was 20 dec 2019 at his convenience and I only wanted to drive off on the 2 January 2020 as I was going on holiday on the 4th January 2020. on the 9th December I saw a Facebook/Instagram and twitter post advertising the New X3M at Sandton Auto. I sent a friend out who confirmed the VIN for me and was offered to view the car which was open and standing on the showroom floor. ( I signed for this same vehicle on the 22nd Nov at Sandton Auto, so technically the car was sold). I messaged the salesman on the morning of the 10th Dec 2019, asking them to move my vehicle off their showroom floor, as delivery was still much later. he advised me that they were doing fishing touches on the showroom floor, they had no space, and they didn't want the vehicle to get damaged in the wash bay. I told him the vehicle is far from finishing touches as the windows were not tinted, the VPS was not done, etc. he assured me it would be moved. On the 10th Dec 2019 @ just before 12, my people arrived at the dealership to do the VPS and found the vehicle still on the floor, windows open and a salesman from Sandton Auto allowing another customer to sit in the vehicle. I contacted SMG and told them I don't want the vehicle as it is being used as a DEMO. SMG blamed the people at Sandton and then said they would do an expensive valet. I gave them the option to Cancel, sell me the vehicle at a demo price, or find me a brand new replacement. all my requests were brushed aside and I was told their salesman would be there on the 20th. I then emailed and tried to contact BMW financial services and customer care. after putting negative comments on BMW facebook page someone contacted me and promised to revert soonest. I waited and nothing happened, so I drove to BMW Head office Midrand. on the 1st occasion I met Greg (bmw Finance) and Titus (BMW SA) and gave them the run down. They advised that the dealer had been paid already. to my surprise I requested the documents as I had not supp**** proof of insurance or my company letterhead signed by the members authorising the debit order. they promise me feedback, which I did not get. I drove a second time and met Zizo from customer service and another guy from BMW Finance. I was promised feedback and nothing again. after a few days I went back again and met another guy from Customer service and the same gentlemen from BMW Finance. I gave them a file with all the documents and emails, and they assured me feedback. on the 30 dec 2019, Greg called me and advised that BMW Finance was going to take their 1st debit order on the 1 Jan 2020. I again re iterated that I had not provided proof of insurance, and debit order authorisation letter. he advised I could reverse the debit order or go to the ombudsman. he sent me an email confirming this on the 31 Dec 2019. on the ! Jan 2020 my personal account was debited with the instalment of over R23000,00. I immediately emailed BMW requesting the supporting documents (proof of insurance, and debit order authorisation) I was only provided with the debit order authorisation, which I have proven to them was altered by the dealership in order to get paid as I had not provided my company authorisation letter, so they removed it from the document I signed with the FNI at Sandton, thus committing ***** and against the CPA. by now I had to book tickets for my family to go on holiday, and I again went back to BMW head office Midrand. this time they made me wait 1 hour and I was advised they were aware I was there again. after waiting an hour I was then met by 2 previous gentlemen, and a new guy from BMW Legal. he wanted me to tell the story from the start again which I did. after going through the whole story, he said oh I signed the release note, to which I requested the vehicles tracking report from BMW, to prove there was no way I could have taken delivery as the car was at the port in DBN, I then asked him for the proof of insurance BMW had made the pay out to. He advised that he wanted to speak to the dealership or I could have my attorney summons them for the document! this was almost a month after I started this process with them and it was clear that they gave no regard for customers and only to protect their franchise SMG Century City even though they had committed Blatant ***** to get a pay out in Nov and meet their sales targets to get the Incentives from BMW. I hired a car and went on holiday to go and fetch my family and my 10 day Vacation was cut down to 4 days as I had still hoped to resolve and drive the New car. yesterday 14 Jan 2020 I received an email from SMG saying they have registered the vehicle in my name, and when am I collecting, showing complete disregard to me as a client and my rights as a consumer. I have today had to appoint an attorney to send a letter to see if we can resolve or we go to court. I DONT WANT THEIR DEMO!
