Shocking service

<p>I borrowed a car from a family member and on Tuesday 14 June, leaving work, the car would not start. Based on their website information and reviews, I contacted the above Company/Association (now I am not sure what it is as the Website doesnt show this information) - www.jhbautoelectrical.co.za - and decided to give them a call. Initially they were very responsive. I paid them a diagnostic fee of R450.00 after coming out to view the car. Apparently it was the ignition that was broken and not a faulty immobiliser as I originally thought was the problem. They undertook to get this repaired/replaced ASAP, After the wednesday diagnosis, they even offerred to come through on the Thursday 16th public holiday (I thought this was great as given my need for wheels, this was going the extra mile), if they were able to source the part. I asked that they give me an idea as to the cost. Their undertaking was that I would have a qoute the latest by the weekend. This was not forthcoming and set the scene for fothcoming attractions. On Monday 20 June, my call to their 24 Hour Hotline went unanswred, so I sent an SMS, asking for an update and a timeline on the repair as I was in dire need of the car. The person handling the Hotline (by the way, very personable) asked me for the VIN number of the vehicle so as to source the correct part and finalise a price. I sent this through by SMS on Monday. On Tuesday I was informed that they would need to replace all the locks with a replacement of the ignition at a cost of R7 500 for the parts only. The catch was that they would need to reprogram the keys and this could cost an additional R2 500. Obviously I found this amount exhorbitant. I was then offerred the following - They could source the ignition barrel only for R3 500 or could try to repair the lock, amount not specified. I said that they should try to find the barrel and let me know what it would actually cost. By Wednesday I had no feedback and contacted them. I was told a technician would come through in the aftrenoon to see if he could repair it. As I was not in the office (where the car was), I couldnt make the afternoon, so we arranged for him to be there before 1pm the following day (Thursday 23 June). By 12;40 on the 23rd, the said technician had not arrived. Hwoever, after two phone calls trying to chase the technician down, he eventually arrived after 2pm. As I was going out - I decided to leave the keys of the car with the technician, who said he was going to look at the ignition and if necessary go and buy just the barrel and replace it that day.. At 16:24,, I sent a message asking whether the car had been repaired? No Answer. Friday 24 June, 08:46 sent a nessage to find out when the technician would be back. I was given the undertaking that by 10 am he would be there. He failed to pitch up at all that Friday. By this time my exasperation was huge. On the friday evening I chatted to a family member who owns his own workshop. He, in no uncertain terms, told me that to replace was not necessary and that this could be repaired at a franction of the cost. I made a decision to get the car to a technician I knew. On Saturday morning a friend and I decided to drive through to my office and tow the car to the new technician. We arrived just after 7 am Saturday morning, only to find that the current technician had removed the steering wheel. I was not able to have the car towed. On Monday morning 07:03 I sent a message asking them to replace the steering wheel as well as to return the car keys. I explained that I was taking it else where, to have the ignition repaired. I was told that the technician would be on the way. Based on my now poor experience of this technician's promptness, I specificall requested that it be done before 12 so I could get the car to the new workshop. The message I got back was - "are they doing it cheaper, than us". I phoned the co-ordinator and told him that it was going to be cheaper. At 12 that day I phoned to find out where this useless technician was only to be told that they would find him and call back in 10 minutes to give me an ETA. At 13:26, I sent a messahge enquiring where this chap was and what happened to my 10 minute later call? I was sent back a message saying that they have a diary to attend to and randomly pulling people off jobs is difficult. I then enquired as to why there was never any intention of repairing the car that Monday and what of the continual promises of repair and the lack of service when I had time and again informed them of the need to have the car. I demaded that they give me an exact time for the steering wheel to be replaced and my keys to be returned. I was told that a time would be confirmed for me ASAP. No communication - Tueday 8:00 I enquired as to whether I could expect the repair that day and was told a definet yes. By 12 that day I enquired as to the whereabouts of this useless individual and i was told that he was chasing this indivudual then and there. By 114;49 - still no response. On enquiry I was told that this technician would drop off the keys that afternoon, I enquired about the replacing of the steering wheel? No answer. I then decided to write a message on their message board on the website, asking that a responsible person at the Company/assocaition to please contact me. Message received acknowledgement received. Nothing happened. Wednesday 10:33 after placing a number of call which went unaswered, i get a message to say that his director is dealing with him and the technician. I was then informed that the technician would be there in the afternoon after he finsihed his morning duties. I asked what time...noanswer. I sent a message to the 24 hot line asking waht the status was. No answer. Friday 30 June - 16 days later, 10 am I send a message as my calls not being answered. I get a reply that it will be done today. Some how I have heard this story before.... I then send another message on their website to be urgently contacted. still nothing. There are no other contact points for this organisation. Now I am writing this as I have totally run out of patience. Organisations like this do not deserve to be in business. Despite two accolades from csutomers posted on their website - I wonder how many have received shoddy service. I hope that whoever reads this that they will not be tempted to using this organisation, They should not even be in business with service like this.</p>