Beware and avoid the not so Goede!

Good day,

Please be cautious as Merlot Motors (Table View CT) regularly conducts ********* conduct by misrepresenting and hoodwinking soft targets by cunningly driving up the prices of a car service once in possession of your car.

The parts were charged extra to the service (yet were quoted as part of the service) and cost way in excess of what the Ford dealership would have charged for genuine parts (R1000 mark up on R323,90 Ford spark plugs) and even a full service including all these parts would have cost less at Ford itself, and Merlot motors also left out the fuel filter which is supposed to be part of their service: “Hi, the minor service will be oil and oil filter change where as the major service will be oil, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, pollen filter and spark plugs.”

Please also google/check Fb and Hellopeter for a history of similar complaints. They clearly have been doing this without consequences for years while RMI and MIOSA turn a blind eye, and are also problematic, so consumers are left with no recourse and the modus operandi continues unabated.

I was assured both verbally and in writing that the service cost would be +-R1400-R2600 for a routine service. I am 2 years off plan on my 2015 Ford and have diligently serviced every year and my book is stamped to attest to this. They were made aware l am unemployed and have no funds for unnecessary items yet they called me for permission (which l granted on the assumption they were HONEST and the “expert“ and would be professional and sincere and I said as much to them (Ex Blouberg Motors: Eugéne and Justin De Goede run the workshop) who called to deceive and push me into paying more. l literally begged him to be upfront and not to dupe me about the necessity of replacing what l thought were “extra” non standard filters.

Yet he maintained the severity and insinuated that my cars current filters were so horrifically dirty that according to them, it didn’t appear like they were EVER changed. Obviously l didn’t want my engine to seize, so l eventually gave permission based on their pure misrepresentation and lack of clarity used to drive up the price.

They gave the impression that it would be risky to drive the car in that condition. (I didn’t realise at the time that these same filters that they were trying to charge extra for, were supposed to be replaced as part of the service as per their written quote. l was therefore confused and tried to get clarity but they were mumbling and indistinct. The more l tried to ask how R1400 becomes R4200 because of some “filters”, the more vague the answer was and the more they pushed for me to accept the price hike so that they could continue with my service before closing time. (They also NEVER ONCE mentioned changing my spark plugs or my wipers. My friend overheard the call and is my WITNESS as l had it on speakerphone).

l eventually paid almost R4000 for what turned out to be a very basic and standard service and the parts that were supposed to be included with a service were suddenly charged separately and not as per their written quote.

Merlot motors horrifically overcharged me (genuine FORD spark plugs directly purchased from Ford are almost R1000 CHEAPER than the inferior pirate parts they used and added a massive markup to without getting my permission). From all the other reviews l can see they have numerous unhappy clients and are notorious for this type of conduct.