Don’t do business with this group

While I found the sales person Daniel to be knowledgeable and kind, I’ve found the dealer itself to engage in ************ business practices.

After being assured a vehicle was available and me providing a deposit of R10k, I was told the car would be sold to me and I could pick it up Thursday at latest. I transferred money from my USA account at unfavorable exchange rates for the remainder of the vehicle sales price. I called my sales person today to I get an update and was told that it had been sold to someone who looked at the vehicle prior to me. The folks prior to me had never given a deposit. When I was at the dealer I asked no less than 5 times if the vehicle was available and was assured that it was, only to be told today, AFTER I CALLED, that it was sold to someone; remember I provided a deposit. I called the GM and informed him of the matter and was told that he’d investigate and get back with me. He didn’t get back with me, but instead had the sales manager that stated the vehicle was available call me. I found the lack of customer service to be lackluster, the business professionalism to be underwhelming, and the integrity of business to be completely poor. While I would recommend Daniel the sales person, I cannot recommend the dealer and I’m left to wonder if this type of practice is systematic and pervasive with the entire SMH Group. I suppose this is my welcome to South Africa first car buying experience. Business is conducted so different here but I will manage.