Forced Sale and Misrepresentation

Review for Sentracor BAIC Ladysmith

I am writing to express my severe dissatisfaction with Sentracor BAIC Ladysmith, Sabena Motors (Pty) Ltd. On May 11, 2024, I purchased a new 2024 BAIC X55 1.5T Dynamic from this dealership. The entire process was ***** with misrepresentation and deceit.

Before the agreement, I received a call from the salesman, who informed me that I qualified to buy a new vehicle since I was nearly done paying for my current Mazda CX5. He assured me that I could continue paying the same instalment amount if I traded in my Mazda CX5 for a new 2024 BAIC X55 1.5T Dynamic. Despite my initial hesitation and intention to purchase the latest Mazda CX5, I was persuaded to consider the BAIC due to my budget constraints.

I requested time to think about the offer and consult with my family, but the salesman insisted on collecting my personal information to prepare the deal. The next day, I was pressured into visiting the dealership to finalize the agreement, despite expressing that I was not ready. Upon my arrival, I was told that I could leave with the new car that day if I traded in my Mazda CX5.

When I inquired about the trade-in value and the new instalment amount, I was assured that the instalment would remain the same and that the trade-in value would be reflected in the contract. However, after signing the contract, I discovered that the instalment amount was higher than agreed upon. I was told this was due to the color of the vehicle I chose, a detail that was never communicated to me prior.

Moreover, the vehicle I received was defective. The engine failed to start the next day, and the car had interior stains and non-matching seats, indicating it had been used. Despite my numerous attempts to cancel the agreement and return the car, the dealership has refused to honor my request. Instead, they have made minimal efforts to rectify the issues, such as changing the battery and cleaning the car, but the problems persist.

On June 18, 2024, We visited the dealership to demand they rectify the issue. Instead, the salesman's supervisor dismissed us and called security to remove us from the premises. We screamed until other managers came down to listen to us. During a subsequent meeting with the manager, the resigned salesman who handled my case was called to attest to the allegations of misrepresentation. His version supported our claims. The manager questioned the salesman about allowing such misrepresentations, to which he responded that his line manager was aware of everything that transpired. The manager remarked that it was good the salesman was no longer employed there because he would have been dismissed that day.

The manager then offered to resolve the issue by suggesting I settle the BAIC car and apply for a new finance deal for the Mazda CX5 that I traded in. This offer was not helpful to my situation and did not address my problems, as I would have to repurchase my old car at the current rate, even though I had only three instalments left to complete the payment.

I have repeatedly demanded that Sentracor BAIC Ladysmith cancel the deal and return my Mazda CX5, but they continue to refuse. This situation has caused me significant distress and financial loss.

I am calling upon all relevant stakeholders to intervene and protect me from this ongoing injustice. I urge consumer protection agencies and legal authorities to take action against Sentracor BAIC Ladysmith to prevent them from further exploiting customers through misrepresentation and ********* practices.