Why Buy Cars / Woodford - *****!

On Friday 14 August 2020, I leased a car from Why Buy Cars. I initially leased a Renault Kwid, however when leaving their office / depot at OR International Airport, I found the car to be defective as the wipers would not switched off. I immediately returned, and they exchanged the car for a Toyota Corolla Quest. The lease was for 3 months. During the lease period I never received the contract as I was promised, nor did I receive a invoice. It is note worthy that on my initial invoice I paid an amount of R350 in respect of etolls, the vehicle did not have a etag fitted to it. The was a 90 day lease, although it is advertised on their website on a per month basis. This would put the expiry date of the lease on 12 November 2020, 12 of November still included. And hence the car would have to be returned / renewed on the 13th of November 2020.11.22.

It is further important to quote the following terms from the why buy cars website: “We have an empty to empty fuel policy. You will receive a near-empty tank and you have no obligation to return the vehicle with any fuel. Any fuel left in the tank will not be credited back to you. All fuel costs will be paid by the driver on their own account.”

Neither vehicle was filled completely with fuel, however I was pleasantly surprised that it had some in it. The initial Renault kwid had about ½ a tank of fuel and the corolla quest about 3/4 Each month I made the agreed payment of R5000 excluding the initial payment which included their contract fee and etolls deposit. I never received a invoice or confirmation of payment. I assumed all was in order. When my lease was due to expire on 13 November 2020, I emailed why buy cars about a week in advance. Asking them to 1 renew my lease 2 if I could keep the same car. I did not receive a response, after a second email I received a response. After allot of up and down and me having to look hard for their contact number, as it is not availbile on their website or emails. I received word that the car I currently had has been sold and secondly that they did not have a corolla for me, that I would have to take a Toyota Etios. On Friday 13th of November, I asked and called their office 4 times. Asking for the amount I would have to pay that afternoon when returning the old car and collecting the new one. No response was forthcoming. When I arrived at their branch around 5pm, I was shocked when a attitude filled Collin informed me that I owed an additional amount of R1,300 and change. The best he could explain it to me was that I had the car for 5 days longer than what I should have. I disputed the additional charge, as the car was returned to them as arranged with their own admin department. I was informed that he does not really deal with Why Buy Cars, but rather with it’s parent company Woodford Car Hire. And that I should return on the Saturday to speak to Justice, who deals with Why Buy Cars. On Saturday 14 November 2020, I made my way to the airport again to see Justice. When I got to speak to him he informed me that I did not owe them anything and he said “I don’t know what this guy collin is doing”. Still with the old and new lease, I am yet to receive a agreement or invoice for anything. During the same conversation I voiced my requirement for a Toyota Corolla again to Justice who undertook to let me know as soon as he has one for me. On 16 & 17 November 2020, I received welcoming messages from Why Buy Cars on whatsapp as well as a email. I responded to the whatsapp asking them about the Corolla, I was assured they would get back to me. On the 18th of November 2020 I asked again as well as on the 19th. On the 19th I received a response informing me that they did indeed have a corolla for me, and that I could visit the branch to swop cars. Being very excited about getting a corolla again, I headed to the airport again, accompanied by my wife. We had a very sensitive fertility treatment scheduled the next morning, and we were looking forward to taking the journey the next day in a comfortable corolla instead of a hard etios. When arriving at the OR Thambo branch, nobody knew anything about the exchange, although the whatsapp said that everything was arranged. Immediately after, Collin at the branch told me that I had to pay an extra R2200 this was firstly explained as damages to the previous car. Having done the inspection with them, I knew there was absolutely no damages. After being confronted with these facts he proceeded to tell me this was due to petrol and etolls and 5 extra days. I immediately disputed all the above. 1. Their own policy of a empty tank, the tank was not full to being with 2. I did not have the car for 5 extra days 3. Etoll statement’s or charges has not be sent to me at all Following a lengthy argument I told him to get someone in charge there and I would return on the Saturday. I then walked out of the branch. When returning to the new car the etios. I was told I cannot leave until I pay. I went back to the office in a enraged state, and basically was forced to pay this unsubstantiated amount of money before I could leave. This stress is the last thing me and my wife needed before the big procedure the next day.

I was forced to pay this amount, and left with the etios. Following my departure, I started trying to get hold of someone more senior at Why Buy Cars. Eventually I ended up speaking to a guy at their Durban branch. Who undertook on my demand to get a manager to call me by 7pm. I demanded to speak to a director of the company, as the above is ***** and I am happy to open a case with SAPS. Around 6:45 someone called Dinesh called me, totally enraged I explained to him what had taken place. He promised to get back to me by 7:30am Friday morning. I received an email from him stating their invoices were correct, this is also the first time I had seen an invoice. I responded with the facts again and around 8:30am a lady Samatha called me, she heard I was complaining about etolls which I am not. I am complain about the extra days and more the fuel charges. Etolls are fine, just proof that is indeed the bill. She undertook to give me feedback later in the day, after 11 I spoke to her again and she was going to get back to me again. After 4 I spoke to her again, and the answer was, their invoices are correct and I owed the money.

1. How can I owe money for fuel which was never their, even more so when they have a empty tank policy 2. How can I be charged for extra days when I did not have, well atleast not 5 3. How can I be charged for etolls when they have not provided proof of such etolls. How can their word be trusted when they are committing ***** on point 1 & 2. Never get a car from Why Buy Cars, they will **** you. I will proceed to open a case of ***** with the South African Police Service against the directors of these companies. Woodford & Why Buy Cars