Spare Parts for Newly imported Vehicle

<p>I bought a newly imported VW Caddy Vehicle around the beginning of May 2016. After a week or so of getting delivery, I had the unfortunate incident where someone drove into the back of the vehicle. The rear doors, bumper and a few other parts were damaged.</p> <p>After sorting out the claim with insurance, the vehicle was booked into the Panel Beaters for the 1st of June. I dropped the vehicle off and was told the repairs would take approx. 15 working days. Happy with the situation, I left the vehicle knowing I would have it back by at least the end of the Month (20 working days or so). On enquiring towards the end of the 15 working days, I was told that the Bumper for the vehicle had been a problem to supply by VW Parts. I asked the Panel beaters when the new due date was given for its arrival and I was told the 17th June.</p> <p> </p> <p>Low and behold, I got a call from the Panel beaters again stating that the due date was now the 27th July. I was astounded by this and decided to call VW myself to enquire. This is where the whole situation worsened for myself and the Panel beaters (they cannot invoice the Insurance company until the car is fully completed and I am satisfied).</p> <p> </p> <p>I contacted the Dealer Principle where I bought the Vehicle from and asked what the problem was. He stated that they did not have any bumpers in South Africa and was not sure of the expected date of arrival for the part. I then asked for a person at VW SA I could approach and enquire about the situation. He mentioned that he would assist me with another bumper in the mean time (its from another model and had to be slightly modified to fit my vehilce) so that I could at least use my BRAND NEW vehicle until such time as the bumper arrived. I thanked him and notified the Panel beaters of the situation. I received my vehicle after 5 weeks with the modified bumper fitted and none of the repair work completed on any of the other parts of the vehicle. I asked the Panel beaters why none of the other work was completed and they simply stated that they cannot finish any of the paint work or fit any of the other parts correctly until such time as the Bumper is received so that colour matching can take place and once that is completed, all the parts will be fitted and the vehilce completed. I fully understand their situation and decided that I would undertake why the bumper was a problem to locate and try and ensure that I could get one so that the vehilce can be fixed and I can go on my merry way as a satisfied client.</p> <p> </p> <p>Unfortuantely, I have after numerous phone calls, e-mails and lots of stress and tears, am no closer to finding out why my Bumper is taking so long to supply. The worst part about it is that VW have now pushed the delivery date out by a few more weeks without any explanation. Is that going to happen every month?</p> <p> </p> <p>I have contacted the customer care line at VW SA, I have spoken to the Dealer principle and Parts manager where the vehicle was bought and as of this moment, have had no reply from any management at VW SA or even an answer to explain what the hold up is. I am petrified at this point as if my vehilce was to be involved in another accident or even break down, I would be waiting 3 months or longer to have it repaired with absolutely no explanation from any Management at VW SA as to the problems being encountered by myself.</p> <p> </p> <p>I have tried to contact a Manager but have been blocked at the customer care line. I have asked ON numerous occasions for the call centre personnel to get a higher authority to phone me and explain what is going on and why the due date keeps getting postpone witout any reason. I still have not been contacted by anyone from VW with an answer.</p> <p> </p> <p>This problem has now been going on for over a month and if the due date for the bumper actually happens, will have taken approximately 3 months to sort out. That is totally unacceptable. I am appalled by the level of care the VW SA have shown and would advise anyone buying a new VW to think twice about it as when a problem occurs, they don't seem to want to sort it out or even interact with the client to advise what the problem is and how it can be solved.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>