An Ethical and Inefficiency problem with Turbo Repair Master

An Ethical Problem with Turbo Repair Master. 021 511 8641 or 082 899 6930. 23 Cannon St, Maitland, Cape Town.

Beware. Don’t take your car there.

For a number of years I have entrusted the mechanical maintenance and repairs of my turbo-diesel bakkie to a nearby workshop. They are good at what they do and well-priced.

Last week I discovered a leak, took it to them and was told that it was a seal on the turbo that need attention. They informed me that they would remove the turbo unit and send it to a specialist for fixing and then suggested that I go there direct and say that they had sent me to have the turbo repaired and even at their trade price.

They, Turbo Repair Master, informed me that they would check the turbo the following day and call with a quote – this took two days. The quote was R2000 to R4500. But they didn’t specify a problem. Another two days passed and I was told I could collect - COD. I duly paid the amount of R3 500 as stipulated on the invoice. It was also noted that there was a three-month warranty! I asked what the problem had been and no-one seemed able to answer. I called for the mechanic who informed me that the turbo was not touched but couldn’t tell me what he had done – bear in mind that, ethically, if it was anything other than the turbo, the vehicle should have been sent back to my mechanic’s workshop. I was informed that I should watch out for the oil light on the dashboard. If it lit up, I should stop immediately! Why? No-one could tell me. I asked the owner of the workshop that sent me there to call them, he can’t seem to get an answer either. I have written asking for an explanation or a refund – even asked what is covered by warranty, and got no answer.

When I walked in to their reception, if was a typical greasy-looking garage-type room. With extremely dirty chairs and counter-tops and desks. There was a stark contrast on a couple of shelves where a variety of Muslim religious books were on display for sale. Perhaps this should have been a warning – single-mindedness wasn’t part of the offering and if they actually DID repair something, ethics flew out the window too. An honest dealer would have returned the job to be done by the original workshop if there was no problem with the turbo - that's all they were asked to look at. I suggest thinking twice about leaving a vehicle in their care!

Basically I paid R3750 for a “repair” but they can't tell me what they repaired. I was however told to be on the look-out for my oil light but they couldn't tell me why! These guys shouldn't be in business.

Rodger ****am.