Disappointing Service.

Let me tell you my experience of WeBuyCars. (Jhb South Branch) Bare with me.16 Feb browsed around the floor, found the ideal vehicle for wife. Sales guy pitched up on his segway, I was like great,efficiency. We enquired about vehicle and all seemed fine till he couldn't start vehicle up, maybe battery he said, let's check, funny enough he couldn't even open bonnet of vehicle and all he said thereafter was this is no good and off he went on his segway and left us be. No further help niks… Browsed around again found nothing else interesting and came back to vehicle and ask another sales person to assist, whom I must say was much more helpful and even knew how to open bonnet.

Vehicle still wouldn't start after checking battery he seemed to know the vehicle's history, also the water bottle was bone dry, so I told him to fill it help, with reluctance he did.

Some time later, sales person advised they would check the vehicle and why it wouldn't start, I should call or come back Monday, in which I called, no answer voicemail and decided to go through to the branch but the sales person was not in, Monday.

New sales person assisted and said nothing has been checked on vehicle, must have not been communicated. I then offered to take vehicle as is if price could be discounted for non runner. No it will go to Auction he said, they will sort out/fix vehicle, they have to he said and that I should call Tuesday around 10am for feedback, which I did and was told wait till 4pm, he will call me back. Call came in @ around 5pm. Vehicle is being checked be Technician he said and will go to Auction as planned, I should get my registration in order for Wednesday Auction, 20 Feb. So I did.

Wednesday Auction morning came in, WOW! vehicle dashboard in pieces and a hold sticker is on vehicle for another customer, vehicle is no longer going to auction. WTH? So after hashing it out with the sales person about hold sticker, he calls up his Manager and I'm asked what's the problem? I explained I was here for vehicle on Saturday, and the whole scenario till Wednesday. On his segway, all he could tell me was in this business it's who pays in the money first, (very abruptly). After all this the customer who's hold sticker was placed on vehicle hadn't even paid a deposit. So I then decided fine I will still purchase vehicle as non runner take my auction deposit as holding deposit for vehicle but even then they wouldn't budge and kept on insisting on hold sticker guy, he needs to be contacted first and that he was on his way, his taking vehicle and supposedly had to be there at 9am, it was 9:45am, I was there, So I persisted and eventually got an okay, it's yours but you will have to take it at sticker price cause we are fixing the problem, and need to recover. I agreed to their terms and they guaranteed me I will drive out there Friday, vehicle will be fixed no rollback needed. Technician was present working on vehicle. Sticker guy he never answered call, also never rocked up for vehicle that day as I stuck around for auction and awaited feedback on vehicle.

Around 1pm technician advised its the CAS System. Repair time, 2 days. Vehicle to be delivered Friday 22 Feb. My sticker attached to windscreen. Signed documents, invoice created, details provided for balance.

Friday, vehicle wasn't near done. Still in piece's, technician was present working on other vehicles on lot but not mine, he mentioned ECU now needed to come out too and be synced with CAS, key etc. Saturday came ECU still wasn't taken out. Somewhere between Saturday afternoon and Monday he attended to vehicle. I followed up Monday, no news. Tuesday visited branch. no luck all sales person told me was, I haven't seen him, (Technician) I mean no one follows up, are we just going to wait for him to appear out the blue… Manager was called again and he eventually followed up on the progress, WOW! Progress, Bitter - sweet, they syncing up CAS, key etc basically what I was told the Friday. Sir your vehicle will be ready Friday if sooner we will call you, Eish! Oh and I was asked if balance was paid, really? I let them be till Friday 1 Mar. 5pm, I called sales person and he said tomorrow, it will be done, I will call you. Saturday, 2 Mar, call around 9am. He is here, I saw him, his busy on your vehicle, uhhh the balance? you must pay balance. I haven't seen vehicle put back together, start up, yet alone driven it but you asking me about balance?

11am your car is ready… 2 weeks later, instead of 2 days.

Got to WeBuyCars around 12pm. Sales person, your car is right, that balance? I was like listen I haven't test drove the vehicle, when I'm happy I'll settle balance. Car was started, all seemed fine, till warning lights came on. Engine, tyres, fuel. I asked, now what's happening? sales person couldn't answer me, all he kept telling me is, your car is right, your car is right… let's go for a drive, went for a test drive vehicle seemed fine, sluggish though, I thought no fuel and probably standing long, technician hasn't cleared error codes, everything else fine though. Where is technician? No he has left. Before signing final documents, I asked jokingly if the wheel was to come off or something had to happen to vehicle around the corner can I bring it back, I was told No. Vehicle is sold voetstoets, no warranties niks, you signed for it sales person pointed. However if you financed a vehicle you covered by Dekra of iets... Our vehicles are brought in washed and parked for sale I'm told. Me???

Signed, settled my balance, and said here goes nothing or everything. Took delivery, filled up at nearest fuel station. Warning lights gone, vehicle boosting all is good, joy. Arrived home +/-20km and not driven vehicle again till we decided Sunday, let's go for supper, the car wouldn't even start. Engine Light on. Couple attempts to starting it up,started to idle but low. Now I'm thinking within 24 hours of having the vehicle, it's broke! Monday vehicle started normal no lights, is this vehicle bewitched or what? Off to mechanic and a repair quote of a R15 000.00 is discussed...

Vehicle went to a reputable Mini repair shop, eventually. Bill of R15k+ later. Thanks to, your car is right, your car is right, voetstoets nonsense…

This leads me to wonder?

How does WeBuyCars evaluate what they buying, what's their mandate, procedures, who does their checks on vehicles coming in? So do WeBuyCars only consider doing proper checks once there is interest from buyer on a vehicle or lack thereof? Why are buyer's not informed of mechanical, suspension issues with vehicle's? All you seeing is a book cover not knowing what tale is inside. Most dealers even auction houses are more informative of what they selling you. Why is it that on vehicles being financed get checked proper? Cause of banking regulations…? As this is what I was told by the sales person, only financed vehicles go for roadworthy checks. Are roadworthy checks not mandatory for such a big establishment on all vehicle's, bought cash or financed?

I am absolutely appalled at how I was treated and the absolute disregard of their clients concerns. It just felt like a money making scheme, how much sales can be made, quantities, movin stock…

Another thing Test drive. Test drive is around the block. The drive is short, a kilometer maybe less and that is definitely not enough to consider or make a proper decision.

So heed my advice, be prepared and be careful, do full checks on any vehicle you interested in. You might have to take your own mechanic with you or Stay Away, each their own. Buying from this company might hurt your pocket in the end no matter what bargain it seems you getting.