JM
John M
1 reviews | Active since May 2025
21 May 2025, 11:14
Low Willard Battery quality
I bought a battery on the 18 th of April 2025 (easter) from Del Motors in Secunda, travelled to Phalaborwa the same day. By the time i got to Phalaborwa the battery was flat. I got a charger to charge the battery during the next week and when i connected the battery back on to the car, my terminals and alternator exhibited some smoke.
I disconnected the battery and subsequently had it tested. The battery showed a negative figure when connected properly and and 12v when connected the other way around. I took the battery to Phalaborwa Auto Spares and they contacted a Willard rep via video call who said that my warranrt was invalid as i charged the battery the wrong way around. I am fairly educated and know which charging terminal is positive and which one is positive.
I believe the quality of Willard batteries has gone to the dogs and is a brand not to be trusted if customers can be blamed for mixing terminals. They have just lostme as a customer
Helpful (0)
Replies (5)0
Replies (5)
Willard Batteries's replyOfficial
21 May 2025, 15:20Dear John
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. We are truly sorry to hear about the issues you’ve encountered with your Willard battery, and we understand how upsetting and frustrating this situation has been for you, especially during a long trip.
We take quality issues and customer feedback very seriously. As such, we are escalating your case to our customer relations teams for urgent review. A thorough investigation will be conducted, including a follow-up with Del Motors in Secunda, Phalaborwa Auto Spares, and the representative involved.
Our aim is to resolve this matter fairly and transparently. A member of our team will be in touch to provide you with a formal update and the next steps.
Kind regards,Willard Batteries
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. We are truly sorry to hear about the issues you’ve encountered with your Willard battery, and we understand how upsetting and frustrating this situation has been for you, especially during a long trip.
We take quality issues and customer feedback very seriously. As such, we are escalating your case to our customer relations teams for urgent review. A thorough investigation will be conducted, including a follow-up with Del Motors in Secunda, Phalaborwa Auto Spares, and the representative involved.
Our aim is to resolve this matter fairly and transparently. A member of our team will be in touch to provide you with a formal update and the next steps.
Kind regards,Willard Batteries
Willard Batteries's reply21 May 2025, 15:20
Official
Dear John
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. We are truly sorry to hear about the issues you’ve encountered with your Willard battery, and we understand how upsetting and frustrating this situation has been for you, especially during a long trip.
We take quality issues and customer feedback very seriously. As such, we are escalating your case to our customer relations teams for urgent review. A thorough investigation will be conducted, including a follow-up with Del Motors in Secunda, Phalaborwa Auto Spares, and the representative involved.
Our aim is to resolve this matter fairly and transparently. A member of our team will be in touch to provide you with a formal update and the next steps.
Kind regards,Willard Batteries
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. We are truly sorry to hear about the issues you’ve encountered with your Willard battery, and we understand how upsetting and frustrating this situation has been for you, especially during a long trip.
We take quality issues and customer feedback very seriously. As such, we are escalating your case to our customer relations teams for urgent review. A thorough investigation will be conducted, including a follow-up with Del Motors in Secunda, Phalaborwa Auto Spares, and the representative involved.
Our aim is to resolve this matter fairly and transparently. A member of our team will be in touch to provide you with a formal update and the next steps.
Kind regards,Willard Batteries
JM
John M's updateReviewer Update
26 Jun 2025, 12:45I have had a refund for the battery that I bought and had to return due to quality issues. Dealt with a lady called Elize that gave me a good service but now I am struggling to get my s**** battery back and the same person has told me that it takes up to 6 months to test a battery and I am not entitled to get my s**** battery back.
They should then give me my money for the s**** that I gave back and is being tested. The response from her is that I am not entitled to get my battery back and I should go to the original retailer to get my battery back. With Willard Batteries or Auto X it seems like the customer is on his own.
I still reiterate that Willard batteries have gone to the dogs and the quality is so bad that I will not buy any battery from them including the other brands that they own
They should then give me my money for the s**** that I gave back and is being tested. The response from her is that I am not entitled to get my battery back and I should go to the original retailer to get my battery back. With Willard Batteries or Auto X it seems like the customer is on his own.
I still reiterate that Willard batteries have gone to the dogs and the quality is so bad that I will not buy any battery from them including the other brands that they own
JM
John M's update26 Jun 2025, 12:45
Reviewer Update
I have had a refund for the battery that I bought and had to return due to quality issues. Dealt with a lady called Elize that gave me a good service but now I am struggling to get my s**** battery back and the same person has told me that it takes up to 6 months to test a battery and I am not entitled to get my s**** battery back.
They should then give me my money for the s**** that I gave back and is being tested. The response from her is that I am not entitled to get my battery back and I should go to the original retailer to get my battery back. With Willard Batteries or Auto X it seems like the customer is on his own.
I still reiterate that Willard batteries have gone to the dogs and the quality is so bad that I will not buy any battery from them including the other brands that they own
They should then give me my money for the s**** that I gave back and is being tested. The response from her is that I am not entitled to get my battery back and I should go to the original retailer to get my battery back. With Willard Batteries or Auto X it seems like the customer is on his own.
I still reiterate that Willard batteries have gone to the dogs and the quality is so bad that I will not buy any battery from them including the other brands that they own
Willard Batteries's replyOfficial
09 Jul 2025, 10:14Dear John,
Thank you once again for your message.
We’ve looked into the matter, and it appears this was addressed some time ago in collaboration with our Customer Service Manager. Our understanding from the last engagement was that you had been reimbursed for the battery, and it was clarified that there is no s**** unit to collect from Willard, as our responsibility ended with the refund.
Should you wish to revisit the details, you're welcome to email us at ***. We remain committed to transparency and appreciate your engagement.
Kind regards,
Willard Batteries / AutoX
Thank you once again for your message.
We’ve looked into the matter, and it appears this was addressed some time ago in collaboration with our Customer Service Manager. Our understanding from the last engagement was that you had been reimbursed for the battery, and it was clarified that there is no s**** unit to collect from Willard, as our responsibility ended with the refund.
Should you wish to revisit the details, you're welcome to email us at ***. We remain committed to transparency and appreciate your engagement.
Kind regards,
Willard Batteries / AutoX
Willard Batteries's reply09 Jul 2025, 10:14
Official
Dear John,
Thank you once again for your message.
We’ve looked into the matter, and it appears this was addressed some time ago in collaboration with our Customer Service Manager. Our understanding from the last engagement was that you had been reimbursed for the battery, and it was clarified that there is no s**** unit to collect from Willard, as our responsibility ended with the refund.
Should you wish to revisit the details, you're welcome to email us at ***. We remain committed to transparency and appreciate your engagement.
Kind regards,
Willard Batteries / AutoX
Thank you once again for your message.
We’ve looked into the matter, and it appears this was addressed some time ago in collaboration with our Customer Service Manager. Our understanding from the last engagement was that you had been reimbursed for the battery, and it was clarified that there is no s**** unit to collect from Willard, as our responsibility ended with the refund.
Should you wish to revisit the details, you're welcome to email us at ***. We remain committed to transparency and appreciate your engagement.
Kind regards,
Willard Batteries / AutoX
JM
John M's updateReviewer Update
09 Jul 2025, 10:31I havehada response from a different person atWillard that explained how the system works. I do not unfortunately agree with it but I will not take it further.
The messagethat I gotoriginally was that the battery was going to be tested and I would get it but this later changed to " you can go and fetch your original battery from the original retailer 500kms away
Thank you for the explanation I got from Zanele, such a professional at what she does. I still feel that the original lady i dealt with will lose Willard a lot of clients with her attitude. Dealing with customers should be taken away from her responsibilities. Maybe she should be transferred to the warehouse
I am fine with what Zanele explained and will take this no further
Thank you
The messagethat I gotoriginally was that the battery was going to be tested and I would get it but this later changed to " you can go and fetch your original battery from the original retailer 500kms away
Thank you for the explanation I got from Zanele, such a professional at what she does. I still feel that the original lady i dealt with will lose Willard a lot of clients with her attitude. Dealing with customers should be taken away from her responsibilities. Maybe she should be transferred to the warehouse
I am fine with what Zanele explained and will take this no further
Thank you
JM
John M's update09 Jul 2025, 10:31
Reviewer Update
I havehada response from a different person atWillard that explained how the system works. I do not unfortunately agree with it but I will not take it further.
The messagethat I gotoriginally was that the battery was going to be tested and I would get it but this later changed to " you can go and fetch your original battery from the original retailer 500kms away
Thank you for the explanation I got from Zanele, such a professional at what she does. I still feel that the original lady i dealt with will lose Willard a lot of clients with her attitude. Dealing with customers should be taken away from her responsibilities. Maybe she should be transferred to the warehouse
I am fine with what Zanele explained and will take this no further
Thank you
The messagethat I gotoriginally was that the battery was going to be tested and I would get it but this later changed to " you can go and fetch your original battery from the original retailer 500kms away
Thank you for the explanation I got from Zanele, such a professional at what she does. I still feel that the original lady i dealt with will lose Willard a lot of clients with her attitude. Dealing with customers should be taken away from her responsibilities. Maybe she should be transferred to the warehouse
I am fine with what Zanele explained and will take this no further
Thank you
Willard Batteries's replyOfficial
23 Jul 2025, 13:03Hi John
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We're pleased to hear that Zanele was able to provide clarity and assist you professionally — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her.
Thank you again for your understanding, and should you need any further assistance in the future, we’re here to help.
Kind regards,
The Willard Team
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We're pleased to hear that Zanele was able to provide clarity and assist you professionally — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her.
Thank you again for your understanding, and should you need any further assistance in the future, we’re here to help.
Kind regards,
The Willard Team
Willard Batteries's reply23 Jul 2025, 13:03
Official
Hi John
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We're pleased to hear that Zanele was able to provide clarity and assist you professionally — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her.
Thank you again for your understanding, and should you need any further assistance in the future, we’re here to help.
Kind regards,
The Willard Team
Thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We're pleased to hear that Zanele was able to provide clarity and assist you professionally — we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to her.
Thank you again for your understanding, and should you need any further assistance in the future, we’re here to help.
Kind regards,
The Willard Team