Tortured, for expecting decent service.

1. Wednesday 11/03/2026, I bought front brake discs and pads (as well as back brake-light globes) - as per the information on the car-license disk, which I took of photo of, while the car was standing outside the store. The person assisting me, said that 'he can't do anything without a sample'. To this I said: how am I supposed to give you a sample, if I physically need to drive the car (preferably with the ability to brake!). He rolled his eyes, and started searching in 'the system' for the relating parts. I got the parts, with the acknowledgement that I could take it back if it doesn't fit.

2. Thursday 12/03/2026, I took my car to a service center, who, on removing the wheels found that the brake pads were indeed incorrect. I collected my car, and the incorrect parts, after work, and rushed back to Midas Frontline. When I saw the representative again, and asked for the pads to be exchanged, he rolled his eyes again and said: where're the old ones..... And again I had to tell him that I can't drive the car without brakes = it is on the car! He got impatient, and searched 'the system' again. This time, I insisted he come and look at the car himself, which could possibly give him some guidance on which discs would be the correct ones.... to which he reluctantly agreed. I also called the service center, so that he can speak to the mechanic directly. From my side of the counter, I saw an irritated person, who even rolled his eyes at the mechanic. When he finished the call, he said that he 'can't work with people who don't know what they're doing'. I then sent pictures (screenshots) from 'the system' back and forth to the mechanic, and we ended up deciding on another shape of pad - for which an exchange transaction was done.

3. Calendar week 12 was a short week, and work-obligations didn't allow for me going back to the service center, for further work on my car.

4. Calendar week 13, arrangement was made with the service center for my car to go back Friday 27/03/2026. That afternoon, my car wouldn't start at work. With help, my car was jump-started and I was able to drive through to the closest mechanic. When I got there, my car refused to start again..... completely dead. And it being after 16:15 on a Friday afternoon, .... I hope you can appreciate my level of dismay.

5. Friday 27/03/2026, the mechanic said the alternator 'died', and because of the time, I should run over to Midas Frontline (the closest place with spares), and get an alternator = which he was willing to replace still that afternoon / evening. When I got to Midas, I dealt with another representative. The 2nd representative checked 'the system', and said they didn't have the specified alternator in stock. Full stop. That's all. Only when I asked if there isn't another 'make / type' that can be used, he said: he'll phone someone to hear if he has an alternative part, which can be available by Saturday. The alternative part was almost R1000 more expensive than the one on 'the system', which I didn't understand. The 2nd representative didn't explain the difference either, neither did he ask if I would be able to 'get around' until the 'system'-part could arrive. No communication / support of any kind.

As I was in a predicament, I had no other option but to agree to the alternative part. The 2nd representative transacted a deposit of R1000 for ordering of the alternator, and said the part would be there 'any time from 10:00.

I went back to the mechanic, relayed the info and made arrangements for Saturday 28/03/2026. THE MECHANIC then asked me if I would be able to / could make a plan to get home safely!

6. Saturday 28/03/2026, I got a missed-call from the 2nd representative, just before 10:00. A MISSED CALL. That's it. No message, no trying again! When I returned the phone call, he said: You can come, the alternator is here, and ended the call.

When I arrived at Midas, the 2nd representative transacted the full payment for the alternator, and I took it to the mechanic..... on foot.

On arriving at the mechanic: I was informed that the second set of brake pads, were ALSO wrong. As this time, the car was already dead and the wheels removed, so I was able to take an old pad back to Midas, to exchange the second set.

Back at Midas, I dealt with a 3rd guy (at the first station in the line), who's name I couldn't hear..... including anything else he said! I asked him to speak up and a little bit slower.... to which he reacted by NOT speaking at all! He got another set of brake pads from stock, compared it to the sample, and processed a slip for a credit on the difference.

7. Going back to the mechanic, I was informed that the 2 x brake light globes I was given by the 1st representative, were ALSO wrong!!!! Please take a moment to let the situation sink in.

There I was, without transport, every second spent at Midas Frontline so far, costing me more and more money and time, while having to deal with 'rolling eyes' and consistent incorrect parts!

8. Once the mechanic replaced the alternator, brake discs & pads, and globes from his own stock - there was yet another problem: The battery packed up.

9. So, on Saturday 28/03/2026, at 12:15, I had to drive from the mechanic (who assisted in getting my car running), back to Midas Frontline (again, only because they were the closest, and time was running out, again), for a new battery.

When I got to Midas, I immediately asked to deal with someone who specifically work with the batteries, and the 2nd representative confirmed that he will send the correct person: as 'he is the battery guy - I trust him!'..... I requested this person to come out to my car, to look at the old battery himself, to prevent any miscommunication of the detail / specifications of the battery. As he returned back to the counters, he stipulated the code of the battery, and added that the battery is the 'plat' version (flat / low). I clearly remember this, because it was unexpected to hear an Afrikaans word being given as description. Although I requested a Willard battery, some other make was given over the counter. The battery was handled and passed over the barrier by a 4th representative, who insisted it was the correct battery and I had to again 'pay first'.

The person at the door immediately engraved some number on the battery, and handed it to the person to install the battery, and do the testing required for the warranty.

When replacing this 'new' battery, it was clear that IT DIDN'T FIT..... as it turned out to be a HIGH battery!

AGAIN - the incorrect part issued!!!

The battery-installer wanted to adjust the brackets for the battery, but I stopped him.

10. At this point, I had enough of the blatant incompetence, and went back into the store. Encountering the 4th representative again, and getting a mouthful from him about 'they can only give what the system says' - I pointed to a man sitting behind the representatives, and asked if he was the manager. He said 'yes', and I asked him to come with me outside'.

At my car, I vented to him about all the issues I've been experiencing from the first moment I started dealing with the store, and pointed to the old / new batteries, which was placed next to each other on the ground = clearly showing the difference.

11. He apologized and sorted out getting the correct size battery (an Exide battery, not Willard as I requested - which he only explained once I noticed and asked 'WHY').

The battery-installer installed the new battery, and started with the alternator-test. When I asked him to explain what he was doing, and what his tester was going to show = he was not able to. He kept on saying 'he's checking the alternator'..... without being able to explain to me how the test actually works. The manager then stepped in and explained. The whole process getting done at 13:55! 1 & 3/4 HOUR TO CHANGE 1 X BATTERY ?!?!

**Nothing in this whole process was free. I didn't ask for any special discounts or 'plans' to be made. JUST PLAIN, STRAIGHT FORWARD, CORRECT PARTS AND SERVICE. Which I definitely did not get.

Every single person I dealt with in Midas Frontline Motor Spares R55 (except the manager), was acting as if they were doing the world a favor by being there, and if 'the system' didn't tell them what to do, well, too bad. There were 4 x things that needed attention on my car - and ALL FOUR (4) was a struggle to get sorted out / something wrong with.

And the cherry-on-the-cake: every person I tell these events to, reacts with: 'Oh no, Midas, they're sh*t, but unfortunately they were the closest place you could get to at the time!'.

So, now what? ...... I'll never get my peace, time, effort, having a traumatic weekend, etc. back...... but the people at Midas Frontline..... they just carry on rolling their eyes, talking back to customers about 'the system', and giving the WORST SERVICE and SUPPORT possible.

To Whomever read this: I hope you never have to end up in my situation, because it was pure torture.