And I want my documents. But they usually pay attention when you say you’re a journalist. Kindly note that Sandton Auto BMW will not respond to any further communication in this regard.”, Perhaps you should seek independent adjudication through MIOSA. Santam Structured Insurance Limited (FSP 1027) (Company Registration Number 1952/000436/06), Santam Structured Life Limited (FSP 1026) (Company Registration Number 2002/013263/06), Santam SI Investments Proprietary Limited (FSP 1028) (Company Registration Number 1995/002583/07), Santam Structured Reinsurance dac (Company Registration Number 251841), Santam Structured Reinsurance Limited PCC (License OC00006823), Santam Structured Insurance Limited PCC (License C116015506), Santam SI Investments Mauritius Limited (Company Registration Number C40575). My car happened to be a BMW. Standard Bank Anti-Fraud Centre - WINS. OUTsurance and Santam had the fewest complaints referred to the ombud. What else wasn’t disclosed about my car? ... Hello! It’s been six months since that first call from Danica. How is anyone going to know the difference?”. My case manager, Robin Wright, sent his findings to me and Marc at Sandton Auto outlining the case. My friend Laura, a fellow journalist, squashed up her face when I told her over coffee that I was going to write a story. Removing advertising from your browsing experience is one of them - we don't just block ads, we redesign our pages to look smarter and load faster. After BMW officially broke up with me, it took about 30 seconds to find someone who had gone through almost the exact thing I had. “But I realised no one was going to help me. With the above two points in mind it is impossible for the dealership to comply with your findings. That’s just not in the manual. Give Feedback. Neither Jan or Gary emailed me back. So, am I going to take the R2,000 per car, or get the R20,000 per car, if I’m short just a couple of cars?”. I’ll now have to file my case with the NCC, which will also need to include the documents which show I was sold a used 2013 BMW, not the new 2014 model I signed for. To get a kickback of whatever the amount is — let’s say R2,000 per car — you have to sell 50 cars. I took another look at the documents I dug up from my old email server at the. — as each case is different. Together, MIOSA and the NCC are the agencies which protect the consumer when dealing with the motor industry, which a 2018 Econometrix report says makes up a whopping 7.7 percent of South Africa’s GDP. R180. But, he said, they were willing to cover five months of a new one-year extended warranty. The Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance in South Africa (OSTI) has published its annual report for 2018, highlighting the most complained about insurance companies in the country. With over two decades of experience, we have established ourselves as adept leaders in the insurance industry. BMW is fancy. “Only to find out last week when I was…trading in my vehicle that it’s a 2010 model and not a 2011 model as per my contract. I purchased a Bmw 330i (E93) from BMW Sandton Auto in 2014,” Shikar wrote in April of 2016. ~ André Breton, Please sign in or register to enable this feature. How is anyone going to know the difference?”. How many miles do you have on your car, she asked pleasantly. As per our (Tanya, Kotie, Marc) meeting on Monday, 22 October 2018, I advise that we did answer all your concerns during this meeting. Nothing touched them. I mailed NADA to ask about the practice of pre-reports to find out if it was an accepted industry practice. Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer recently announced the 100% acquisition of the issued share capital of Brolink, a leading insurance administration provider. This was where things started to get interesting. But, despite dragging BMW’s name through the investigative mud, it is business as usual in Sandton. If that’s impossible, they refer for prosecution or settlement. He lined up the three elements of fraud. Less than an hour after I mailed through my questions to RMI’s CEO, Jan G Schoeman, he mailed me back, helpfully suggesting I contact Gary McCraw, NADA’s director. Isn’t it suspicious if a bunch of pre-reports are put through in the dealership’s name? Santam has now used this acquisition as an opportunity to consolidate the operations of various administration businesses within the Santam stable. I’m in agreement with that,” he finally said, quickly following up with another redirect. In only 6% of OUTsurance complaints did the ombud find in favour of the client - compared to 24% in the case of Hollard complaints. Now I know more about the unsavoury parts of South Africa’s motor industry than I ever wanted to. Marc did not care. “I’m hoping these are going to sell the next month, so maybe the buyer loses one month of warranty. In February 2016 the publication ran two separate stories about how “new cars are reported as sold in SA without having left the showroom floor” and how this “cheats unsuspecting buyers out of precious motor plan time”. Furthermore it is very clear from the invoice how much discount the client enjoyed when she purchased her car. “I’m not going to comment,” she told me. “This is not a term that I am familiar with,” he said. 17 hours ago. Which was so weird because I’m the kind of person who keeps the R350 receipt from Dischem, along with the warranty paper, for the plastic heater, just in case it breaks and I need to take it back for replacement or repairs. Non-compliance with the act does not necessarily imply fraud, although, based on the specific set of facts, it may, Just as I was preparing to hit send on this piece, MIOSA sent me an email. After all this, I’m a much wiser consumer. The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance has released its report for the 2014 calendar year, revealing South Africa’s best and worst short-term insurers. Mr. Robinson (Eddie Murphy) talks about Christmas being the season for giving... and taking. “Well, that’s what we’re doing with all our demos as well,” he tells me. It had been six weeks since I first filed my complaint. Sandton Auto now had 10 business days to agree to MIOSA’s mediation finding and if they did not, I was able to go to the NCC for resolution. How do I get my documents? You can’t sell me a 2010 car and tell me it was a 2011! It’s me, Tanya Pampalone. “But they are still brand new cars,” he says. The Daytona cowboys had seen far worse than me. “I didn’t want to let go,” he told me. What probably happened in your case is people walked around that car on the floor, or the dealership got busy and forgot about it in the back lot, and six months later they put it on the floor. Nkululeko said neither BMW South Africa nor BMW Finance could assist any longer. “Each month, I get new demos. Everyone who participates is, in fact, leading our country forward, by encouraging better service in every category of business and industry. Yesterday at 1:08 PM. “When I buy a car, what about the time that has expired on the plan? They deal with angry customers all day long, some justified, others not. Shikar went further up the BMW food chain. Basically, it boils down to this: If you’re buying a car and something goes seriously wrong — possibly even illegal — don’t expect your dealership or the manufacturer to own up. “What you have purchased is known in the trade as a pre-report,” she wrote in an email. PETER BRUCE: Hello, useless ANC. I tracked down Shikar. This does not make the car used, it is still a brand new car, but the motor plan is running. We all dread car trouble. Owned by Bluespec, a holding company which is a major player in the motor industry repair and recovery industry, they own a span of companies including FirstGroup, the Renew-it Group and Auction Nation, as well as Daytona and a few others. Get a quote today! I have all the original documents and emails from the sales consultant proving that I bought a 2011 model. That’s what people do, they just get fed up and agree.”. “Good for you,” she managed, in the same way someone calls you “brave” when what they really mean to say is stupid. My source contacted a BMW dealership as well as BMW South Africa, requesting to buy my car. I was tired. If other party refuses or neglects to respond, matter is referred to NCC. Careers. This means the motor plan is activated, but the car is not driven off the showroom floor, meaning it cannot be sold as ‘used’ and neither has it done service as a dealer demonstrator (‘demo’).”, No, she could not do that. However, other consumers are able to comment on reviews. Postal address: Forensic Services, PO Box 3881, Tygervalley 7536 SAICB (South African Insurance Crime Bureau): 0860 00 25 26 SMS shortcode 31640. But is it illegal? Marc told me I had no proof I wasn’t told about the warranty — that salesman was long gone so we can’t ask him, he said. Explosive case against Santam: Here’s why it MUST pay for Covid-19 business claims. And that’s where things get complicated. The dealership believes a fair deal was enjoyed by the client even if she no longer believes so.”. “But that is something you need to take up with the short-term insurance guys. Guys like Marc are Teflon-like with complaining clients. And the salesman was too scared to be honest because he needed the deal.”, Well, that’s what we’re doing with all our demos as well,” he tells me. (, While I suspect my ongoing prodding as a journalist ensured the prompt delivery of my case findings, I can’t be sure.). The trick, though, is that these cars have to be reported as sold. For all your Autobody Services. You might have heard about them. Customers are usually very happy with deals like this as they enjoy a great discount on a brand new car. I was going to have to take this on. If you need four more reasons to choose Insurance good and proper. “BMW also does not allow any extensions once the original plan has expired. They lost my documents? “Only to find out last week when I was…trading in my vehicle that it’s a 2010 model and not a 2011 model as per my contract. The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance has released its report for the 2014 calendar year, revealing South Africa’s best and worst short-term insurers. Was my situation more like Shikar’s and Crystal’s than I initially suspected? They took centre stage in a Carte Blanche investigation which aired in July, showing how the dealership scammed a whole lot of people with a fake cash-back dealer-assist investment scheme linked to a non-existent oil company in Dubai. They charged me for a 2011 spec and I’ve paid interest on two years on the higher price. She said she’d see what she could find out. If the investigation recommends settlement, and the supplier is willing, the offer will be considered by NCC. So, in August, I called BMW South Africa. I phoned Moderna and they have vaccines for us . She said she had. Online options. But, she explained, it was all a mere matter of a “pre-report”. Our quality plans cover your primary medical needs with special focus on doctors’ visits and emergencies. It is all German and orderly and proper and correct. Besides, BMW South Africa has bigger problems than cowboys and pre-reports and silly Carte Blanche exposés. Structured They were also the owners of the BMW dealership in Melrose Arch. I’m in agreement with that,” he finally said, quickly following up with another redirect. And if you aren’t willing to put up a fight, you are going to have to take whatever they give you, no matter how egregious the practice. Santam is an authorised financial services provider (3416) l All Rights Reserved, Santam uses cookies to optimise the design of its website and provide you with the best possible online experience. I told her I’d need that refusal to comment in writing. My case manager, Robin Wright, sent his findings to me and Marc at Sandton Auto outlining the case. Which got me thinking. The Sanlam Cumulus Investment Plan is an endowment that’s designed to give you the flexibility to choose how and where you want to invest your money. forensic.services@santam.co.za Fraudline (SA): 0860 600 767 Fraudline (Namibia) +27 (0) 800 002 020 WhatsApp: 076 921 3347. Peter Brown bridge is safe for use 2 years ago 0 11684 Road Safety Kimberley Traffic Circles – road safety meets economic development 2 years ago 0 10184 With the above two points in mind it is impossible for the dealership to comply with your findings. Those in the motor industry are required to register with MIOSA and pay a monthly levy to help support its work, but it reports to government. I liked Danica. Please consider this to be our final position on this matter.”. Welcome to HiHelen. Our team is uniquely positioned to assist clients in the rapidly changing insurance regulatory environment. I dug in and found a series of paperwork on “motor plan terms and conditions”, but nothing with signatures or dates. I needed to gauge the situation in precise legal terms, so I contacted Bartho van Tonder, a young attorney with Thomson Wilks who works in consumer law. “It would not be fair to the consumer. “The client also received the car at a discount much greater than the cost of an entire year’s motor plan never mind five months’ prorate. Why is the service so poor?.Ive seen all the complains on hello Peter and im just shocked that people are paying for such a pathetic service Santam offers!. Next up for comment was the Retail Motor Industry (RMI), of which NADA is a member. According to the NCR’s annual report, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz and BMW have all been charging what’s called “on the road” fees — basically padding your sales costs with various and sundry amounts which are unlawful in terms of the NCA. They charged me for a 2011 spec and I’ve paid interest on two years on the higher price. Sandton Auto responds: ‘I am sure our side of the story doesn’t suit the client’s narrative’. Pragasi got on the phone. “I am sure our side of the story doesn’t suit the client’s narrative.”. Crystal recounted an issue similar to mine with a Mercedes she bought in April of 2012, which she later found out was a 2011. Who was responsible for oversight of the industry? In an effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 to ensure that you are #RiskReady we have have created an information hub.. For detailed and regularly updated information, click here. Complaint is forwarded to other party for comment. There’s a warranty for everyone with Warranty Extender’s products. “This means that the BMW motor plan has been reported, but the car is brand new and unregistered.”. Switch to Budget and save! So, I asked, isn’t the manufacturer culpable? My husband told me it wasn’t worth the stress. Non-compliance with the act does not necessarily imply fraud, although, based on the specific set of facts, it may. Not only that, despite the fact that I am, right now, holding in my hand the original “quotation and pre-agreement statement”, including my signature and that of Sandton Auto’s business manager at the time, Adri Boeije, which states that in April 2014 I was buying a new, 2014 model, my car was actually a used, 2013 model. Contact us on +27 86 144 0044.. But you lost my paperwork, I told him. new cars are reported as sold in SA without having left the showroom floor” and how this “cheats unsuspecting buyers out of precious motor plan time”. Illustrative image courtesy of Taneli Lahtinen/Unsplash. I was starting to better understand why BMW had “lost” my documents. Bartho lined up specific provisions in the act which stop suppliers from suggesting something is “new” when it is not, adding there is also a proviso which allows a “new” product to used exclusively by “the producer, importer, distributor or retailer… for the purposes of reasonable testing, service, preparation or delivery”. 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