Wesbank - Thanks for nothing

<p>I had a car financed with Wesbank a few years ago. I ran into massive financial difficulties and approached them to put the finance on ice for a few months while I got back on my feet. The ladt that helped me at the time said it was fine and I could pay a minimal amount every month. All of a sudden after a few months, a reposession co was phoning me threatening me and saying they will find me and will take my car. </p> <p> </p> <p>I made contact with this lady and she told me it was now all of a sudden out of her control. She advised me to hand the car to the bank for a few months and when I was ready, I could get the car back and we could then make an arrangement on how to structure the o/s amount over the terms remaining. </p> <p> </p> <p>I handed the car over in good faith and never saw it again. I was never given the opportunity to try and get the car back or to carry on with the contract as discussed. The car was then simply sold for a fraction of the book value and I was advised that I had to now pay R150,000 + becuase of the shortfall. Not once was I advised to try and sell the car myself or I would have. I was told the bank was trying to assist me. Not the case though. </p> <p> </p> <p>When I finally got hold of one of the directors at Wesbank, he simply said that he understands and feels that it was not handled properly but added that he could not help me as he would then need to help so many other people. Sad truth that this happened to many people in the past before some law was passed to protect us. Another sad truth is that the rights of people can unfortunatly not be back dated!</p> <p> </p> <p>I have been passed from one collection co to the next over the last few years and although I have tried to pay monthly amounts these have never been taken off the amount owed. each time a new co pops up the amount goes back to the full bal. In fact, the latest co has now doubled the amount to over R350k stating that interest was ruled in order by the court. Again, sad part is I was never ever served to appear in court to state my case and possibly get a fair outcome. </p> <p> </p> <p>For the last ten years, this issue has taken over my life. I am not able to buy anything incl another car and has had to take on situations and solutions that are less than ideal or fair. </p> <p> </p> <p>I feel that the banks and more specifically Wesbank, simply do not have a single care in the world other than making money and if you get into trouble along the way they will drop you and bury you as fast as they can. </p> <p> </p> <p>I have to wonder if one of the other banks would have handled the situation a little better. Possibly tried to help and in doing so keep a client? </p> <p> </p> <p>Needless to say, there is no real end in site as the monthly amounts I am able to pay for a car that was sold out from underneath me dont even put a dent in the balance based on what the collection co says. </p> <p> </p> <p>Wesbank thanks for the great service and for trying to help a client that just needed 6 months to get back on their feet. </p> <p> </p> <p>If I was you (client) I would pick one of the other banks and I suggest you ask questions about how they handle issues like mine. Sadly these things can affect anyone so know your rights. </p>