RENEW-IT RIVONIA WORST PANEL BEATER IN SA - READ THIS NOW

This is without a doubt one of the worst panel beaters we ever had to deal with. During our experience, we dealt with probably 5 employees. All of them with the exact same attitude. “Whatever, who cares” They have zero interest in providing good quality service or acceptable workmanship. From day one, we had issues with them until a month after we checked out the car. If I was management at this branch, I would seriously reconsider my staff…

Let’s look at a basic timeline of what happened at RENEW-IT Rivonia.

My wife booked her car in on 12th October 2017, and received an email on the 13th confirming vehicle has been booked in. My wife requested a quote for additional work over and above the primary accident damage. There are smaller dents and scratches we wanted to have repaired while the vehicle was at RENEW-IT Rivonia. The next day, she got an email stating car is going in for painting, but she had not yet received the quote requested for the additional work. She spoke to the agent over the phone and via email to follow up. On the 16th of Oct, she spoke to a guy named Phineas and another named Khensani to follow up on the quote requested but she still received no answer from either of them. Just the same thing, we will get back to you. Shortly after, she got another message stating that car is now in assembly. Still nothing regarding the quote requested in writing, via phone and in person. She sent them another email to find out what is happening:

“Dear Khensani and Phineas, I keep getting updates that my vehicle is being repaired, but don’t even have quotes yet. Regards Sune” - 17 Oct 2017 - Followed up again, no response to this email.

Next, she got another message saying vehicle is now in their control department. Still nothing regarding the quote she requested. She phoned them on the 18th and left a message, nobody got back to her. She called on the 19th again and was told neither of the above guys work there anymore. On the 20th she phoned again and spoke to another guy named George. She explained everything to him again since the other two are not working there anymore. He said he will get back to her and obviously also never did. So now it’s 3 different people all saying they will provide feedback and then simply don’t. Looks like we are forming a trend at this useless panel beater. Let’s carry on… On the 23rd she got a message your vehicle is now ready for collection. When she got there, the additional damage was obviously ignored and to this day, nobody got back to her regarding a quote. We decided we will take the car to another panel beater as RENEW-IT Rivonia has no interest in fixing the damage or making money.

When she went to collect the vehicle on the 23rd, she immediately found visible paint imperfections and had to get the car re-polished, she was told it should be done by the end of the week. She went back on the 25th to collect her car, but noticed that the initial work was not even completed. They did not repair the boot at all. This was part of the main accident damage. This is the reason why the car was there in the first place. Now it’s clear, there is unquestionably ZERO quality control at this branch. It’s impossible for anybody to put their stamp of approval on a vehicle that was repaired only 70%. There was a clear as day dent & paint damage still on the boot. At this point, even the insurance broker was fed-dup with the appalling workmanship and service we received by RENEW-IT Rivonia. Good luck getting future referrals from them.

Eventually on the 2nd of Nov she was advised that she could collect my car by a lady named Alta. When she got there to collect the car she noticed clear over spray and had to send it back in for polishing AGAIN. She waited at RENEW-IT Rivonia until the polishing was complete. She checked out the vehicle on the on the 2nd of Nov. On the 23rd of Nov we realised the tow bar 13 pin to 7 pin adapter was removed during repair process and not put back. We did not notice this as we did not use a trailer up to this point. We were on our way on holiday and had to drive without light as our older trailer does not work on the newer Mercedes plug. This is why we had the adapter in the first place. She called Alta from the road to inform her about the issue. On the 24th of Nov she got a call to advise her that they will look into it and get back to her. Nothing further... No feedback no response. Nothing! Now it’s 4/4 employees at RENEW-IT Rivonia with exactly the same modus operandi. On the 6th of Dec she sent an email to Alta to follow up on adapter. Again, no response... Have you ever heard of such a thing? It’s disgusting how little the staff at this branch care about clients relationships. Eventually a lady named Sandra got involved and said she is now the primary point of contact. Followed up with her on the 9th of December, she responded on the 11th of December and said she will get back to us ASAP. We followed up again on the 12th of December, got an email from her on the 14th apologizing for the delay, she will follow up with the workshop manager.

At this point is has become more hassle than what it’s worth. It’s now 5/5 employees at RENEW-IT Rivonia that keeps telling us they will get back to us but never do. I personally, employee around 20 people, if my staff operated like this I would fire the entire lot… Your company reputation has taken a major knock. Do you expect us to ever return?

From here, I decided to take over as they are wasting my wife’s precious time. I have since phoned and emailed Sandra on numerous occasions. Some with response, some without. I have left message and did not receive a call back. I sent emails that received responses with no solution. Seems like at this point she was humbly hoping the issue will just go away if ignored. I have sent Sandra an email on the 14th of December with photos explaining exactly what the missing part is (I now consider this adapter ****** by RENEW-IT Sandton) She said she will get back to me the next morning. – Did not get any response until the 28th of December when I decided to follow up again. This is understandable as its festive season. On the 29th, I received a response from Sandra simply saying she confirmed with the workshop manager that a NEW tow bar does not come with this adapter. This was never what we wanted. We simply wanted our adapter back. Clearly, at this point, almost a full calendar month of trying to explain that we want our OLD adapter that was on the car when we checked it in and not a new one out the window. Back to square one! I decided enough is enough. I spoke to Sandra via telephone on the 29th and said that this is obviously not going to get resolved EVER. I explained to her in a very calm tone more than once that it’s not about the money but the principle. This adapter cost around R200. I explained to her that I’m going to buy this adapter out of my own pocket and as a result, I will post this review. I explained to her that this review will cost RENEW-IT more than the R200 it’s going to cost me to replace the adapter they refuse to return to us. She said her manager can phone me in a week. I said it's not necessary. I will go and buy the adapter and write this review. I'm not going to wait another week to simply find out I have to follow up again.

There is no point in trying to work with RENEW-IT or any of their staff members. We have been super patient, understanding and even considerate throughout all this. At some point, you have to accept that not all companies are equal. If you want false promises, ***** workmanship, shocking client relationship management, passing the buck and even theft of goods, book your car into this panel beater. Judge by their 1.1 average Hello Peter review, you have been warned.

AVOID RENEW-IT RIVONIA!