DISGUSTED! Zambezi Multi-franchise (Renault) STOLE from my vehicle during service

[Caracal]

I think the best is to get the names of people who worked on the vehicle, the names of the persons who washed it and any driver that moved it. Insist on their ID Numbers and a copy of their ID.

When you lay the charge, include these in your declaration. Cops will have a few leads to go talk mto.

Hopefully the threat of ones ID going to the cops under a theft charge could get the real thief to return the goods. And Im sure someone apart from the actual person that committed the crime knows who did it.

[Uys]

It is faster to remove a single bag of items than writing a fred about it.

[lizardalpha]

Thanks for all the responses and opinions thus far. It is always appreciated.

What is most shocking to me is the attitude and lack of any decent response from the manager.
I think it is shameful, and basically condones that sort of behavior from the staff (or other).

I have ZERO trust with this branch, and now the brand, as the tactic of getting the lawyer to email me is just a scare tactic in my opinion.

I don't want to see anyone arrested or lose their job, but I would like to see the person "responsible" for the branch, take some "responsibility".
If he had said he had asked the staff, checked CCTV, or even just walked around the workshop floor, I'd have taken it on the chin and moved on, but I got NONE of that.

I also know that constitutionally that sign holds no weight, and people too easily hide behind such disclaimers.

After a decade in management roles, I know this should have been handled VERY differently.

I agree with you here.

I've actually never had anything stolen from my vehicle before, suppose I have a good dealer, and I completely trust my indie on the landy, so no issues there either.

And, to a degree, I understand not leaving cellphones or cash or something of value in the car, but your spare wheel, or tow straps. Come on guys, this ### of "we live in SA", and nobody taking responsibility because of disclaimers must end. How the heck is it ok that someone in your employment stole. If they steal from customers, they steal from you too probably.

[Merwe Erasmus]

Earlier this year I booked a service for my Toyota bakkie at Cape Gate Toyota. They requested me to remove all valuables from the vehicle, which I duly did: GPS, battery charger, compressor etc. and dumped it in our garage at home.

On the day of the service the said items were stolen from my garage.

Two days later the service manager from Cape Gate Toyota phoned me and said during the service they found a bank bag under the seat containing R 400,00 and would I please collect the money.

[Graham]

I once discovered, the night before a 750km trip into the northern cape that the spare wheel was missing from the boot of my exHonda.
The only place I could think of that I left it unlocked and unattended was a car wash I went to like a month before (I was keeping the lighty entertained on the jungle gyms etc very far and occasionally out of sight of the wash place).
They took FOREVER to do the wash as well. Makes me wonder what else was removed that I didnt notice.

[Predator]

Once you hand over your keys to a car dealership, the Consumer Protection Act says that they are liable for anything that happens.
Car dealerships are not above the law.


The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) states that dealerships are liable for the damage or loss of property in their care.


The Act reads as follows:
In the handling, safeguarding and utilisation of that property, companies must exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that can reasonably be expected of a person responsible for managing any property belonging to another person; and is liable to the owner of the property for any loss resulting from a failure to do so.


Despite this, most dealerships are reluctant to take responsibility when vehicles are damaged or stuff stolen while in for services or repairs.


The dealerships usually expect their customers to shrug and claim on their own insurance policies, and offer to pay their excess amounts as a goodwill gesture.
But this is not enough.
Both the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud Magauta Mphahlele and Motor Industry Ombudsman Johan van Vreden agree that dealerships must be held liable according to the law.


Dealerships tend to rely on disclaimers displayed on their premises that cars are left at the consumer’s risk but the CPA’s Section 65 is very clear that the dealership must take reasonable due care in handling the car and ensuring its safety.


Magauta Mphahlele, Consumer Goods and Services Ombud
Attorney Trudie Broekmann, a consumer law specialist, says car dealerships must pay up when they have acted with negligence.


a case in which a man's new high-end bakkie was stolen at a dealership after its very first service. The keys were left in the ignition and the vehicle unattended.


The dealer principal argues that vehicles and their contents enter on the premises entirely at the owners or drivers risk.


However, Broekmann says the dealership must pay the consumer the current value of the car "along with interest if they don’t pay immediately, and any legal costs which the consumer may need to incur to obtain payment from them."


Broekmann adds that dealerships cannot use disclaimer of liability, such as a notice or contractual term which states that the cars are left on their premises at the customer’s risk, to get out of accountability.


Two ombudsmen agree that the dealerships are responsible, but the dealerships are doing their own thing.
Dealerships do know that this is a problem area. It's very rare that they take full responsibility. In most cases, there's a battle.


"Wendy Knowler", consumer journalist

[Groenman]

To the OP - thanks, you made me go and check that my spare is still there after handing in my car for a service last week.

[jelo]

I once discovered, the night before a 750km trip into the northern cape that the spare wheel was missing from the boot of my exHonda.
The only place I could think of that I left it unlocked and unattended was a car wash I went to like a month before (I was keeping the lighty entertained on the jungle gyms etc very far and occasionally out of sight of the wash place).
They took FOREVER to do the wash as well. Makes me wonder what else was removed that I didnt notice.

the place next to the driving range?

[grips]

Being on the other side of the industry (panelbeating / service & repair) I make my clients take out EVERYTHING. I also make them sign that they DID take out EVERYTHING.

Guys this is Africa. For some people it is acceptable for me to take your "ratchet strap" should I not have one or I can't afford one.

When there is nothing to go missing, nothing goes missing. I don't have an irate client, and I don't have to defend my businesses.

Yes, I do have CCTV. But a car that comes in for panelbeating is with me for ± 8 working days. I cannot afford to go through two weeks worth of CCTV footage because you lost a hair pin or a R100 pair of Clicks sunglasses.

For the rest, I take pictures of EVERYTHING. We take ± 50 pictures of each car (panelbeating side, not servicing) as you do get clients that take massive chances. "This is not my battery", or "this scratch was never here". It takes ages, and I basically employ someone that takes pictures for a living, but it has saved me thousands.

I once fixed the aircon system on a VW Microbus. The owner came back furious a few days later told me his spare wheel were gone. Well I handled the keys of the vehicle in person. It were a quick electrical fix. Cost me an very expensive Caravelle rim and a brand new tyre. Made a tick list after that incident which the owner need to sign off.

[Graham]

the place next to the driving range?

No, I like them.
The one a couple hundred metres further on towards pecanwood....

[Landy90fan]

Last month I had my Nissan serviced under warrantee at the dealer. (First time in 25 years I didn't service my vehicle myself )

I removed everything apart from the jack, wheel spanner and spare. Once booked in the friendly receptionist walked out with me... made a note of the items left in the car and off I went.

On collection she again walked out with me and physically checked herself that the items were still in place.

Well done to the dealer.

.

+100

This has been my experience at all the service centres I have used - Land Rover, VW (Baron), Ford/Mazda dealerships etc...

How difficult is it to point out to the service consultant what you're leaving in the car even if they don't inspect for themselves? Cannot believe one has to take out jacks, triangles, tools etc when there is an off-chance you'll need them travelling to and from the garage!

[jelo]

No, I like them.
The one a couple hundred metres further on towards pecanwood....

aha the dodgy new place at the Joint

[Nico H]

That will be the last time that I will make use of them. They demand full payment before you collect your car. If the personnel that work there do not respect your property then I have doubt of there honesty. I will send them (the dealership) a URL of this posting. Then they can see how wide spread this forum can be.

[tintin_85]

I have never had the privilege of having a car serviced under warranty by a dealer but I can add some value.

I have rented a few cars and trailers. Before I take delivery, I take a video with my phone, starting with the person I deal with. I then go into details like mileage, tyre make and condition, paint chips, bumps, spare wheel and tools, interior condition etc.

It has saved me a few thousand in bumps and tyres that they try to get back from me claiming I damaged that which was already there. I refer to the video and they become silent very quickly.

SCUM!

Marius has a valid point, in future have them sign a register on the items that you left in the car and make them liable.

[Wicd]

It is faster to remove a single bag of items than writing a fred about it.

Doesn't make it right. If more ppl acted on crap like this hopefully there will be less of it.

[MartinBravo]

I feel very lucky now.

I service at Mahindra Randfontein. I even leave small change in my car. Nothing goes missing...Nothing


The workshop manager does his job, He looks after his staff and ensures good service.


If you cant trust them to not steal, how can you trust them to service your car? who says they are then replacing brakes/oil/filters

[Toxxyc]

who says they are then replacing brakes/oil/filters

A good service centre I used to use many moons ago used to package the old brakes, filters and plugs, the empty oil bottle and all that stuff in a small box and leave it on the passenger footwell so you can see what was replaced.

[jelo]

A good service centre I used to use many moons ago used to package the old brakes, filters and plugs, the empty oil bottle and all that stuff in a small box and leave it on the passenger footwell so you can see what was replaced.

How many people would actually know whether those were even for their cars? They could just as well pull stuff out of the garbage skip.

[4ePajero]

A good service centre I used to use many moons ago used to package the old brakes, filters and plugs, the empty oil bottle and all that stuff in a small box and leave it on the passenger footwell so you can see what was replaced.

A friend received same service many years ago, after his car was serviced.
It included the 4 old spark plugs.
It was Peugeot 404 Diesel.

[mikeml]

How many people would actually know whether those were even for their cars? They could just as well pull stuff out of the garbage skip.

I used to mark my filters