Costly and poor customer service

While looking for a new car I had mine evaluated at one of the pods. That went smoothly and the buyer was approachable and professional. After searching for a month, I finally found what I was looking for at the branch nearest to me. I was quite excited. Unfortunately it was close to closing time on a Sunday (when I first saw the car with my wife) so I had to come back on Monday morning for a test drive. The next day I found the sales exec assigned to me. He hardly seemed interested and I got the impression that his attention is reserved for customers buying more expensive vehicles. He gave me the keys to check the car out, while he went off to do other work or whatever. When he returned, I told him that the rear seats don't fold flat. He informed me that it's not WBC's responsibility. Fair enough I suppose :( He asked if I'm financing the car, which I confirmed. He then stated that I'll have to pay for the repair of the one fog light, since it won't pass roadworthy. Great :( but let's stay positive! I then went for a test drive.... Exactly the vehicle I need for my family I thought....

I asked a few questions while driving and then the sales exec (who seemed more interested in his cell phone and other clients I suppose) told me about WBC's policy of having a mechanical warranty if the vehicle is financed. I told him I'm not interested, but he made it clear that it is compulsory to protect WBC against any claims. So I HAVE TO pay an additional R12k or almost 10% the cost of the vehicle to protect WBC against any claims I might have, though apparently they're fine with you buying a B class car without any warranty???

After we got back from the test drive the sales exec went on one of his errands, while I waited again (I guess people that don't buy expensive cars are treated differently). I told him that I'm disappointed, since I can't afford all the extra costs. But really needing a larger car for my family, I cut a few things from my budget and decided to buy the car with the warranty and paying for the broken fog light etc.

The next day I went back for a second test drive which seemed to irk the sales exec and he stated that one can only test drive a car if one has done the finance application. Seriously??? He then suggested that I go to the app, click on "Buy now with finance" and complete my details, while he went off do his "rows" first. By now I'm used to WBC's poor customer service (try phoning anyone listed in all the different Whatsapp you get) and sucked it up for my family's sake.

We went for a second test drive to which (it is MY hard earned money after all), came back and I was sure this is the car for me. After waiting for the sales exec again I asked him what he needed, greeted him and sent him all the documents soon afterwards. He then informed me that I'll have to get my car reevaluted again since the offer has expired. Had it reevaluted the next day at the pod again (it's a lot closer than the branch). The buyer, the only person that ever followed up with me and acted professionally, phoned the sales exec to enquire why the process was lagging, since I was already preapproved the previous day.

Went back to work and a short while afterwards was informed by the sales exec via Whatsapp that they have received "validations", but that the car was sold to someone else in the meantime. Of course WBC will then point out that I should've reserved the car, but if I hadn't asked about it after seeing the option on the website, the sales exec would never have mentioned it to me anyway. But I don't have the R5000 just lying around (do they even care?) and thus didn't reserve the car so it's presumably my fault for losing the car then (not that I've ever this issue with any other dealer for any car I've ever bought).

Overall it's been a terrible and confusing experience that just cost me a lot of petrol and time leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I hope no one else ever has the priviledge of experiencing it themselves.