Shocking substandard workmanship & service

I would like to lodge a formal complaint regarding the shocking service I received from Renew-It Panel Beaters in Randburg following an insurance claim.

On 31 December 2025, another driver collided with my vehicle. I submitted a claim through my insurer & insisted my car goes to Renew-It Randburg, as I had previously received good workmanship from them. Although my insurance consultant advises against it, I chose this branch due to its proximity to my business & convenience.

Once the parts reportedly arrived, I took my vehicle in for repairs. The process took an excessively long time. I was eventually informed that my vehicle was ready for collection. However, upon personal inspection, I immediately noticed a clearly cracked light & that my number plate had not been fastened. It was obvious & impossible to miss. I refused to accept the vehicle in that condition. I was told a new light would be ordered & fitted. This also took a considerable amount of time.

I was called again to collect my vehicle. On second inspection, I found the following issues: 1) Chips & defects in the spray painting 2) A small crack in the bumper 3) A small part of the bumper that had not been sprayed at all & remained white.

My vehicle had to go back for a third time.

I explained to the branch manager, Harriet, that I rely on my vehicle daily & cannot afford to be without it. She assured me the repairs would take one day & arranged a courtesy car for me, which I appreciated.

However, after collecting the courtesy vehicle, I received a call later that same afternoon informing me that my vehicle would not be ready as promised. Because I now had the courtesy vehicle, I proceeded to an urgent appointment in the West Rand. As I left my office, the petrol warning light come on. The courtesy car had been given to me virtually empty.

As a woman driving alone to the West Rand, I then had to stop, locate a petrol station, determine what fuel the vehicle required & fill it up at my own inconvenience. As a result, I arrived late to my meeting & received a verbal warning the following morning form my director.

Throughout this entire ordeal, the only response I have received from management at Renew-It Randburg has been "sorry". There has been no meaningful offer of assistance, no accountability & no visible consequences for repeated failures.

I am extremely concerned about: 1) The poor workmanship - cracked light fitted, substandard spray painting, incomplete work. 2) The failure of quality control - how were these defects missed not once, not twice, but repeatedly? 3) The lack of management oversight & accountability. 4) The complete disregard for customer inconvenience & safety (including handing over an empty courtesy vehicle) which I was told to put petrol into by Harriet, the manager.

It raises serious concern about pride in workmanship & operational standards. If obvious accident-related damage such as a cracked light & bumper can pass quality control twice, what doe that say about their inspection process?

Needless to say that I am deeply disappointed in the management & overall service at Renew-It Randburg. Based on my experience, I would not recommend them to anyone. The workmanship is substandard, quality control appears non-existent & management response has been dismissive & inadequate.

At this stage, I am still uncertain whether I will have to return for a fourth repair attempt.

I trust that this complaint will be taken seriously & investigated thoroughly.

Sincerely Leoni Cohen