Deplorable Aftersales Service

On 25 August 2024, we visited WBC Germiston Branch to view a 2002 Honda CR80.

Upon initial inspection, we noted a few drops of fuel on the floor. I asked the sales assistant assigned to us, Anthony Elliot if they are going to do something about the leak and he mentioned that the bikes are sold as is. He had a colleague come over to assist in getting the bike started, said colleague mentioned the bike needed a "good carb service". Getting a carb service kit and servicing it, no problem we thought.

We paid a holding deposit on the day. The remainder of the funds were paid on the 26th. The final payment consisted of the balance for the purchase of the motorcycle and a documentation fee.

We collected the bike from WBC Germiston on the 28th, just after mid-day. Upon collection I asked Anthony where the registration/natis document was for the bike and he noted it will take three weeks, I will then have to come and pick it up at their premises.

Got home later that afternoon, my 14 year old was elated and could not wait to ride the bike. On the first ride within a few minutes we noted fuel was starting to gush out of, the right-hand bottom side of the tank. Not the carb...

Upon further investigation it became evident that the tank was previously damaged to such an extent that it was unusable (massive crack on the top of the tank, massive crack on the inside of the tank and a proper hole on the right hand side of the tank) The tank was covered with fiberglass to cover up the damage and then painted to match the theme of the bike (white and red)

Fibreglass and HDPE dont bond.. I sent Anthony a message about our findings on the same day, by 16h20. He responded saying, that he will inform his management.

We parked the bike and waited and a response, by the 4th of September still no word from WBC. We took the tank off the bike and stripped the fibreglass back to see the true extent of the damage... Took images of the damage and shared that with Anthony. Highlighted our discontent with the situation and received no response.

On the 23rd of September I reached out to Anthony again, by this time it was obvious that WBC Germiston were not going to do anything about the fuel tank, asked where the registration/natis document was for the bike. Guess what... no response once more from Anthony. On the 25th of September I followed up again and finally got a response from him. He noted that he will follow up and get back to me. Followed up again on the 26th, the response received indicated that offroad bikes have no natis documents as they have no license disk or number plate.

All offroad vehicles are registered on the eNatis system.. all offroad vehicles have a VIN. Told Anthony to carefully check his facts and to explain, why we paid for paperwork, why we were told to wait three weeks when we picked it up, how we will prove the bike is registered in our name.

We essentially bought something we cannot use and now are being told there is no proof of ownership.

Post his last voice note on the 26th indicating there is no paperwork, not a single peep.

I can understand that there are many ************ sellers out there, did not expect such a deplorable experience with a so-called reputable establishment.