Cape Bakkie Centre Cheats Customers & Leases Out Broken Cars

Good day,

I would like to warn you about Cape Bakkie Center. Carel & Teresa took my R55,000 deposit for a 3-year lease on a VERY problematic 4x4 Isuzu bakkie 3 and a half months ago. Out of those 3.5 months, I have only had the car for 1 week. It has been ‘in repair’ for the past 3 months and the company refuses to give me back my deposit.

My family and I specifically took this car for a trip to KZN. The deal was for them to fully service the car and make sure all was in working order before leasing me the car. They left me waiting for 2 weeks claiming they were fixing up minor things, eventually handing over the car to me, claiming that all was 100%.

On the way to KZN, the car starts giving us issues; it makes scratchy engine noises, the front wheel is making a noise; the wheel alignment feels off; etc. I was now on a trip across country with my wife, toddler and baby, wondering where/when we would be stranded.

Thankfully, we complete the trip, and I have 2 friends with passion for cars look at it.

The tyres are worn out; wheels are misaligned; there are *****s missing; the engine is fitted with the wrong filter that doesn’t seal properly; there is a non-standard bar that has been welded in front of the engine indicating it had been in an accident; and the list goes on…

At this point, I am ****ed; but I politely arrange with Carel for the bakkie to go into a nearby mechanic, as our contract states that Cape Bakkie Center is to be responsible for any and all issues. I take the bakkie to the mechanic and I wait. I get no update. I contact Carel, he says he’ll let me know. Days pass. I don’t hear from him. I contact him again. He says they are waiting on parts. I feel odd and go speak to the mechanic myself. He tells me that Carel is beating around the bush, doesn’t want to pay the necessary price, and is stalling to try and get cheaper parts. I phone Carel right away, literally 5 minutes later. He tells me all is fine and that he’s given the mechanic the go-ahead. This is where I start to suspect that I have gotten into a contract with a dishonest person.

I wait more days. No word from Carel. I contact him, he says he’ll check with the mechanic and let me know. The day ends, no word from Carel. I message him again. He gives me another reason why it will take longer.

Time drags on, and all this time, my family and I are without a car. Every few days, I manage to pry an update out of Carel, and every few days, he gives me some reason for why it’s taking longer. I hear him say ‘Next week Tuesday’ week after week. Eventually, he says this mechanic cannot finish the job and the car must go to another town for electronics. I have no choice but to go along, but I do let him know that I expect him to please keep me updated and give me better service, or I would prefer my deposit back.

After all, who wants to deal with dishonest and horrible service for another 3 years?

At this new mechanic/electrician, the same process continued. ‘Next week Tuesday’. Next week Tuesday comes, nothing. And still, no updates unless I dragged them out of Carel.

Eventually, 3 months down the line, after telling me ‘next week’ every single week, Carel tells me that he can give me another car, but I must drive down to Cape Town to come get it myself. I wonder how I will even get to Cape Town without transport and ask him if someone cannot bring me the new car and pick up the Isuzu. No reply.

This has now been another 5 days.

Again, in total, I’ve had this lease agreement for 3 and a half months, of which I have had the bakkie in working order for only 1 week.

Carel, I don’t want another car; I don’t want a payment holiday; I don’t want your service. It is downright **********; you show no care for your customers who support your livelihood; and thus, I wish to have nothing more to do with you.

I have alerted you multiple times that I would either like my car back in fixed condition along with proper service, or, seen as you’re in breach of contract, get my R55,000 deposit back and you can come get your car. You have given me neither and are still giving me horrible service, so I am now sharing my experience far and wide, as I have told you I would.

Even if I have to spend R10,000 on promoted Facebook posts to get back my R55,000 - it is worth it.

The longer you wait, the more people will know of your treatment, and the more you tarnish your reputation. What is your reputation worth to you?

You have my account details. I expect my deposit in my account and our contract in your bin.

Regards, Laszlo