Pathetic Service from CAR TRACK

Part 1

I am a regular transporter between Durban to Jhb. On Sunday 27/04/2025 whilst in Jhb my vehicle stalled and switched off. I had to get it towed. Only to find out that my 6 month old Willard Battery was flat. (No call from CAR TRACK) Thinking it was due to cold weather, i took it to the closest battery centre and had it recharged for many hours.

The next day I left back to Durban. The vehicle was fine yet I noticed it took a bit longer to start.

Tuesday 06/05/2025 my battery went flat in Ballito. (NO CALL FROM CAR TRACK) I got hold of my insurance company. They sent someone to come and boost me. Once we got the vehicle to start, I drove to the Willard Battery Centre. They advised to have it recharged and gave me a replacement battery instead. (NO CALL FROM CAR TRACK UPON REMOVAL OF BATTERY)

On Thursday 08/05/2025 I went to follow up at Willard. I was told the battery was flat and they have no idea why.. but its now charged fully and fitted my battery back on - NO CALL FROM CAR TRACK.. They tested the alternator and confirmed the alternator was charging 100%.. All was fine until Saturday 10/05/2025.

I was travelling to Jhb on Saturday 10/05/2025.. I stopped at Caltex Monte Vista for a break at 22h30. At 23h00 I left. As i took off, I noticed my hand brake lights, diff lock and battery light was on. I stopped and checked the battery terminals and all was in order (please note, vehicle is loaded with goods and attached is a trailer with goods).. I couldn't see a fault so I called an auto electrician from Durban. He advised it could be a break in the line and something is possibly earthing. He wasn't too sure as it could be many reasons.

I took the risk and continued on my journey. I reached my destination at 03h30 that Sunday morning.

At 10h30 I started my work with my deliveries and lo and behold, like magic, the battery was stone dead. No dash lights, nothing. With help from family, they managed to get a spare battery.. removed my battery and replaced it with theirs.. and my vehicle started. Got my battery recharged. After recharging, we replaced my battery and was good to go.

1st delivery to Parktown in Jhb. Switched off and spent approx 90 mins offloading. Guess what thereafter, bakkie did not start.. Everytime I turned the key it made a clicking sound. Lucky for me I was parked on a decline so I rolled it and kick started the vehicle. Long story short, I didn't switch off again.. At about 3pm I was in Mondeor with a delivery. Parked on a decline. Switched off and spent 30 minutes to offload and like normal, I had to kick start once done.

I called a family member who lived nearby, and he said to stop at his place. I went through and he tested the battery.. only to tell me the battery is flat.. and I am now FURIOUS with Willard Battery Centre. He tested the alternator and confirmed it was fine. He tested the starter and said all good. The battery is just flat but it's not recharging. Yet with his battery on my vehicle it shows the alternator is charging..

I left his place with a boost at approx 18h15.. As I got closer to my place in Robertsham, the vehicle stalled and switched off on the road. Yeah I was fuming. Got a tow truck to get me a few streets away by 20h00. The rest of the night I spent trying to find an unto electrician in Jhb..

Fast forward Monday morning.. everyone at work.. nobody to boosts me. All auto electricians need me to bring the vehicle. Eventually found an auto electrician in Alberton who charged me R600 for a call out. Earliest was at 2pm. Please note, I was supposed to have loaded and left Jhb for Dbn that Monday evening. I had to make arrangements with clients.

Auto electrician comes through and done all the checks only to tell me i have to replace the alternator. I gave the go ahead and got that replaced. Vehicle was ready at 16h45. In that time while working on my vehicle, he was recharging my battery. Started the vehicle and he said that is the end of my problem.. and by then it was too late to load and leave for Durban.

Tuesday morning - happily leaving to load and leave for Dbn.. Guess what.. YES YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!! Battery is DEAD!!! Ignition keeps clicking again. I called the auto electrician and told him. He tells me to bring the vehicle to him. I towed the vehicle out and managed to get it started. Drove all the way to his place in Alberton. In that time MOST of my clients cancelled my work!!!

So I hook up my trailer empty and get to his place.. he does the checks again. He replaces the new alternator.. After nearly 3 hours he starts it. Tests again and tells me he isn't happy with the battery..

Part 2

I immediately call Willard Battery Centre in Durban where I purchased the battery. I laid my complaint. The lady tells me to call Willard head office since Willard Battery offers a National Warranty. Number on the battery. I called and spoke to a lady. Explained my experience. She transfers me. I explain my story.. and the guy says it will cost me R2900 to have the battery exchanged.. confusing right, since my battery cost R2400. The gentleman said the lady does not know what she is talking about and advised me to go to the nearest Willard agent - Midas or Autozone.

I googled and found Midas in Alberton which was 7km away. I went through at 12h45 and oh my gosh they have the most amazing friendliest staff ever.. I explained my issues and they did all they could to assist me. Removed my battery.. did a test.. charged the battery for a few hours.. offered me to use the bathroom.. offered me hot or cold drinks.. amazing is all I can say.. they couldn't have the battery replaced so they recharged it 100% by 16h30 and said it was safe to travel to Durban and go to Willard there.

Let's fast forward - get to Dbn by 01h30 on Wednesday 14/05/2025 morning. Later that morning, I got to Willard Battery Centre and spoke to the lady I initially called who misinformed me about the National Warranty. They removed my battery and replacement battery again.. yip we going in circles.. they kept the battery until Tuesday 20/05/2025. I arrived and said there isn't anything wrong with the battery. Alternator test again and they were happy.. and so was i, thinking it's all over.. an hour later the vehicle was taking long to start again.

I got hold of my auto electrician and was told to bring the bakkie to him. I get to him in Resevoir Hills.. he did all the tests and said it has to be the tracking unit in the vehicle which is faulty and that my friends, is the cause of my battery being drained..

Now sit back and enjoy the popcorn.. coz let's go to part 3..

Part 3

Tuesday 20/05/2023 i got hold of Car Track (from control room, literally transferred to person number 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. 6.. and #6 says he will put me through to control room. Call logs are available as proof for the amount of time I spent on these calls.

Anyway in the end I am told that they're booking me down for a repair and the technician will call me the same day to arrange a time. Satisfied, I eagerly waited. In that time I had been busy finding work for the next Jhb trip which was scheduled for Friday 23/05/2025..

Wednesday no hear from CAR TRACK..

Thursday I waited half the day, and by 13h00 I called CAR TRACK to do a follow up.. after almost another 30 minutes on the line, I am told no technicians available. I advised that I am available to go to any fitment centre. Say all technicians are fully booked. Then too I was assured a technician will contact me the Thursday..

I collected goods from clients who needed things transported to Jhb thinking I will be sorted by Friday and i will leave on Friday evening to Jhb as usual.. No calls from CAR TRACK or technicians on Thursday and Friday.. I followed up with them and NO HELP AT ALL.. I couldn't make the trip on Friday or Saturday or Sunday..

I had to call my clients and give them my sob stories ruining my name, my reputation, and my business.. and i was painted as an irresponsible and unreliable person. I assured them it will be done this week and some of the clients wanted the goods returned so they could use another reliable transporter..

Today morning 26/05/2025 at 08h03 I called CAR TRACK to follow up.

The gentleman says that he doesn't see on the system that a repair is booked or scheduled for me. Nothing at all, and he will book a repair and the earliest that a technician will be available is on the 2nd July 2025.

I would like to know from CAR TRACK what is going on?? When you guys need the business, you call over 100 times to market and sell your product.. yet once you have us as your customers and the moneys are in your account, then we are nothing to you!? Is this what's it all about.. Being a client for over 8 years I never did a claim.. never had a problem, yet this one time and this is the service and appreciation we receive as loyal clients?? What happens in the event my vehicle is ****** and insurance company does not come to the party because your tracking unit is faulty?? Any losses to you?? No!

Should we as clients have to go through the inconvenience, the humility, the shame.. because of CAR TRACKS PATHETIC DISGUSTING SERVICE!?!?!

I have a huge loss of income which I will claim for (with proof).. I also have all grounds, according to my lawyer to SUE you guys.. Do not take advantage of people because you make millions a month..

If anyone is thinking of using CAR TRACKS service, think again. If anyone is currently using CAR TRACK, maybe consider changing to another tracking company..

Here's the Laugh of the day..

I called in Car Track Durban now 10h35 (DEAR CAR TRACK PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CALL IS RECORDED) .. I posed as a new client. I spoke to Lindie. She asked if I'm a new or an existing client. I said I'm new and it's 1st time. She said she has to send me the application to fill in. Once I am loaded on the system they will send a technician out. I enquired how soon after I am loaded on the system as a customer will they send the technician out.. she said either today latest tomorrow. How is this possible??? There are NO TECHNICIANS AVAILABLE UNTIL NEXT WEEK..