It’s almost like ****************,

I’ve used them numerous times in that past, I even suggested to people that they go to them, they always give a fair price and it’s a quick one stop shop, many of my friends who was referred to them by my, complained that they didn’t feel like they got a fair shake, I told them that they probably did get one, they were just expecting more, they’ve always been fair, I never really believed the bad reviews and complaints, eventually I decided it’s time to change it up and trade in the car on something else, I went online, filled in the forms, they send me a fair estimate and I arranged to go to midstream for the valuation and browse some of the cars, after work I popped in, all happy and nonchalantly, as it’s the Covid times, we queued up outside and went to the process, one thing that became clear as I entered, the place was a mad house, you can barely here the sales people when they speak, forcing your head to lean in closer to actively make out what they are saying, I don’t really know why people there have to shout about, maybe it’s the way they do things these days, like a trader on the floor, I explained to the lady that I got a online estimate etc, she for the reference number and said se needed 20 minutes with the car, off she went and off I went to the floor, things changed dramatically since the last time I was there, seemed to be a lot less cars as usual, it wasn’t as easy to locate the low price cars, the cars are bunched up and mixed, the promise of the A and B categories being clearly separated and marked, was a empty promise, you basically have to walk through half the warehouse, fortunately the bakkies and big cars are separated otherwise it would take a lifetime to go through the place, picking the cars on the electronics isn’t the best idea in these Covid times, but anyway, I browsed around, realised that they had nothing I really wanted, I put it down to end of the month low stock, many of the cars had in progress signs etc, no big deal, I figured I’d come back in the middle of the month when the stock is a bit better, it was just as loud on the floor as it was at the reception, cars being revved up all around, smoke clouding the place form a old Opel, people driving around blaring music, I assume they work there, I just don’t know what it is that they do, there really doesn’t seem to be much of supervision or rules for that matter, it’s a free for all, everyone just carries on, which is probably the salesperson life, I got a call from the lady asking me to meet her at the ipads, I walked over, very relaxed, not even worrying that they would try and ***** me, I got there, it was just as loud as ever, she took me to a spot that was a bit quieter, immediately I felt like this is bad news, after exposing to me that the car is mechanically great, full service history, interior, everything was great, apart from the door that had a few dents in it, it was the exact same way when I bought it from them, almost to the day two years earlier, now she started to explain what a very big problem this door is, apparently it’s the end of the world, I’ve seen some of the cars on the floor which a good panelbeater might not really be able to fix, still sell for a decent price, so I was not worried, I got this excuse if they would have to replace the door and repaint etc, meantime half the stock on the floor is full of dents and mismatched paint, so I couldn’t figure out why my car would have to be fixed up, even the previous cars I sold there, never had that issue, but it was at that moment I realised I effed up, the folks are correct, it’s not the place it once was, consumer friendly and fair, I don’t know if the reps are paid on the amount they make between buying and selling or what, but the way you are low balled, they probably do, I remember that I had a bit of the same experience in 2019 when I sold my bakkie, I got low balled and I want happy, I eventually contacted the guy I used before and till him so, he said I must go to Midstream direct and see if they can solve the issue, they did, eventually, giving me 20k more than the side offered, this is why I figured I’d always get a fair price, just go directly to the branch, but as it turns out, that was just a sign of changing times with them, I don’t know if it’s the company itself or the reps, but it’s actually maddening how they try and smoke you, I am amazed that people fall for it, maybe it’s because the people that are there, don’t have a choice, they just have to take what they get, it’s really unfortunate, it’s a great business model and it has worked so well for so many years, mostly because of the customer service and the fair prices, that however is a thing of the past, it seems the more success they get the greedier they become, I got offered 40k less than the estimate, not because the important elements like the engine, gearbox, wheels etc, are terrible, they are acutely in great shape, just due for a service, that’s it, but because for some reason they’d need to replace a door a respray on my car, only on my car, the things they’d say to justify you being *****ed is actually just hilarious, i bought this car from them in 2019, with the same door, but just in a better condition, for R20k more than their estimate, only picked up about 1000km in that time, which was a fair price, but it’s pretty clear that they are there to make as much as they can, it’s now actually better to go to those roadside carshacks, at least there you know you would get *****ed

It’s all fair, people are entitled to make as much as they can, but they aren’t who they said they are, but they use to be, now they are just like the next common car salesman, they just happen to have fancy apps and internet tools, at least you can get *****ed in style,

I wasn’t desperate, so it was easy for me to laugh and walk away, I just feel for those who are there because they are desperate and they can’t walk away after being *****ed, they just have to take what they can get and walk away, I was one of those people once, on my very first deal with them, they came and they were fair, I have to apologise to everyone I’ve ever had to send there with that false pretence, they probably were *****ed and I told them they weren’t,

So I short, if you want quick cash, go there, they pay fast, just don’t expect to get a great deal, also, go with them on the test drives, otherwise they’ll drive it like it’s ****** or a rental

I know this review does nothing, if it warns at least one person, it makes up for the many I send there