Nick E

UTTERLY USELESS dealings with BAW Durban vehicle dealership. Please help!

<p>Hi, I hope someone can help me.</p> <p> </p> <p>I bought a Nissan NP200 from BAW vehicle dealership in Springfield, Durban on the 24th of June. I was told the car had never been in an accident. There was also no service history for it. This was suspicious, but I was told I would have it soon after buying it. After constant nagging to Magda (saleswoman) and Mark(manager, I never received it. I wanted the car, as the mileage was only 53 000km, apparently.</p> <p>I had on going issues, petrol light going on and off, driver's door wouldn't close at all (the following weekend after purchase, locks were loose, right head light was faulty, and there were suspicious scratches and bumps in the engine compartment etc. Mark had a look, and said it looked like the previous owner had mounted a pavement. I believed him. However, I was slightly concerned at the size of this mounted pavement. There were scratches and bumps high up in the engine compartment. I asked two friends who service their own cars, both said straight away that its definitely been in an accident. I wanted a professional view though.</p> <p><br />I had threatened to return the car. Magda said it's not that easy, and it may have to go to court. But to the dealership's credit, they offered, and got everything sorted by  Mark, albeit sometimes delayed. I had a new head light fitted free of charge, and I was happy. I fitted two new tyres, and installed an alarm and anti-hijack system.</p> <p><br /> But then the problems persisted. I found more suspicious bumps and scratches, the petrol light was still faulty, my drivers windscreen wiper stopped working during the heavy recent rains in Durban, and the new head light rattled to a point where it would go from bright to dim. Mark had sent out an electrician to me, who knew what he was talking about, but wasn't equipped to fix the problems I had, apart from the windscreen wiper which just needed tightening.</p> <p><br />Since I bought the car, I've been nagging for the service history. The answer's have always been the same. "Tomorrow", "Monday", "Next week"- always some delay.</p> <p><br />So I had had enough. I phoned the AA (I'm a member), as I wanted an inspection done. They recommended Dekra. I took it to them, and they found evidence that the car had in fact been in an accident. I took it back to Mark on Tuesday, who tried persuading me to keep it, and who disagreed with Dekra's statement. He said that Dekra owned AA, that's why they were referred? He also said he would take me to a panel beater who actually knew what they were talking about. Anyway, Mark agreed to me handing the car back, as it was my right. I left the car with him. I said please may I have the money back for the tyres and alarm system- I wouldn't have had them fitted if I knew it was in an accident. He made copies of my receipts and said he would as, but he didn't think it would be possible. I'm actually not settled to see if I'll get that money back, I demand that I get that money back. It was between R3000-R4000.</p> <p><br />I thought I would have heard something back from BAW, about when I will be refunded. As Mark kept assuring me, this is their first return. I thought this matter would be taken seriously. After having heard nothing by Thursday afternoon, I have been trying to contact whoever is in charge, after not being able to get answers from anyone. I know it hasn't been long. But surely I would have been contacted ASAP about this serious matter. I'm without a car, and without my deposit.</p> <p><br />I messaged Mark, who said the owner would be in touch. I have heard that saying enough now from the dealership. I phoned the dealership to get answers. The finance manager said you weren't in and you'll call when you're back. Well I wasn't prepared to wait, as this seems to all be very laid back.</p> <p><br />I Googled BAW, to speak to the head office to report my frustrations. That was pointless, I got no information or anything from them. So I phoned the finance manager back, and she snapped at me. I had apparently insulted her, as she felt like I didn't believe her when she said the owner wasn't in. I never doubted that, I just wasn't prepared to wait. Also, she told me that the BAW dealership is unrelated to BAW South Africa? That's who I was apparently contacting at the head office. On the website, in which you can find the Durban dealerships details, it doesn't say BAW South Africa in the website name.  They have the same company name and logo, I still don't see how they're not related?</p> <p>I've absolutely had it. I'm without a car, and without my deposit. It's not that the money isn't back in my account yet that infuritates me so much. It's the fact that no one bothered to contact me, and that everyone seems very laid back. I just want some form of indication as to when the money may be transferred. To add to my fury, the manager, Mark has blocked me on WhatsApp, upon demaning answers of when Bradley the owner was in. I have attached a screenshot of our conversation.</p> <p> </p> <p>What can I do from here?</p>