Ethics_Not Roadworthy_"Is it factored in the price you pay?"_Buyer Beware!!!

<p>I’m thankful to the Bidvest McCarthy Franchise CEO and the diligent lady (name known) who escalated my query upon request for holding the Dealership Bidvest McCarthy Pre-Owned Menlyn and its Dealer Principal to account even after they had told me to go wherever to lodge my complaint.</p> <p> </p> <p>Normally I would not be writing for the record but by the way things went at the dealership as they finally attended to my complaint, I see it fit to now do so after much patience.</p> <p> </p> <p>0n 28 December 2015 I bought a vehicle from the dealership.</p> <p> </p> <p>After taking delivery I decided to replace okay looking front tyres with new ones for my confidence since I was immediately embarking on a 1300km trip.</p> <p>At the reputable tyre dealer I went to, I noted;</p> <p>· One tyre had a crack and a bubble</p> <p>· another had a repair on both sidewall and surface</p> <p>· yet another was excessively worn unevenly</p> <p>· and the wiper blades were worn out</p> <p>This for a car deemed to have passed road worthiness!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>In the end at my cost I replaced all tyres and wiper blades owing to their unroadworthy state the same day I had bought the vehicle.</p> <p> </p> <p>On the 5th of January 2016 upon return from my trip I went to the dealership seeking remedies for the misrepresentations as to road worthiness.</p> <p> </p> <p>By that time, I had also realized the;</p> <p>· Front bumper had come loose owing to motion</p> <p>· The lower grill had also come loose</p> <p> </p> <p>On the same day (5th January 2016), I wrote to ********** concerning the tyres after the then Dealership Manager had declined me remedies stating the car price had factored in the state of the tyres. To this, I got no response to date.</p> <p> </p> <p>On the 28th September 2016, I booked the car in for repairs with the dealership after the bonnet un-locked and held only by the safety latch while I was driving, (no warning light on the dashboard comes on when the bonnet is open by the way).</p> <p> </p> <p>The dealership sent the car to their workshop and the problem was fixed it seemed, however;</p> <p> </p> <p>On the 11th of June 2017, the bonnet lock started giving the same trouble. After escalating my query, I got a call from the Dealer Principal who;</p> <p>· Thought it laughable that I was trying to bring in a “2012” car that I had bought from them in December 2015, for repairs 18 months after purchase and 8 months after their initial repair to the same problem and who also told me to report wherever I saw fit, as even the repair had passed their 6months warranty.</p> <p>I took the Dealer Principal’s advice and escalated at Tel:: ********** 900. The Franchise CEO, I’m made to understand proposed a roundtable for me and the dealership.</p> <p>On this day, 23 June 2017, the day for the round table, the Dealer Principal arranged for the car to be taken for repairs which she had previously indicated was only wishful thinking on my part.</p> <p>Needless to say;</p> <p>· The car got fixed</p> <p>· Was delivered to me unwashed, grease on the hood...</p> <p>· There were no apologies for past or present inconveniences</p> <p>· There was no offer for pick-up from where I had been dropped off</p> <p> </p> <p>N.B. I only chose to pursue matters that auger well for safety, the tyres and self-unlocking bonnet, and ignore the cosmetics; the overspray and non-uniform spray paint job that are clearly apparent to those who are more car savvy than I was.</p> <p> </p> <p>In all this, It’s clearly evident, IN THIS DEALERSHIP, YOU’RE VALUED BEFORE THE SALE AND A FEW MOMENTS THEREAFTER, HANDSHAKES AND ALL. After the sale, you can GO WHEREVER, YOU’RE NOT WORTH THEIR TIME OR COURTESY!!!</p>