far2000
AMG Aficionado
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This was from a Local TV SHOW called Carte Blanche That aired Last week, And just described the Bad Service from the Local Dealerships, but VW and Audi Dealer conducts were just shocking....:
In June this year Leslie Williams bought his wife a new Audi A4. But it started giving problems almost immediately.
Leslie Williams (Audi owner): "There was a sound coming out by the steering. So we returned the car to Audi."
Brett Hudson (Dealer Principal - Audi Braamfontein): "They had a problem with the distance park control sensor. And there was a problem with the steering rack - it made a noise intermittently."
The car went back to the dealership four times. Each time they gave Leslie a loan car according to dealer principal Brett Hudson. Eventually after four months Audi replaced the steering rack.
Leslie: "They claimed now the car was fixed - they did not say that I was awkward about things. But I said to him, 'Please put it in black and white that you will swop the car if there is a problem. Verbally is not going to suit me.'"
Derek: "Leslie why were you insisting on a swap?"
Leslie: "Because of my past experiences with a brand new vehicle."
In the last year Leslie has spent over R2.4-million with Audi. He also owns a Q7 and the new Audi R8 sports car.
Derek: "That wasn't good enough to stand you in good stead?"
Leslie: "No, it doesn't count for nothing - you are just a business like I said before. It doesn't help, ja."
Brett: "His car had been ready for two weeks and he was refusing to return the car to us."
So Audi sent some armed heavies to Leslie's house at half-past-ten one night to force him to hand over the loan car.
Leslie: "And it was a policeman, a constable, and he was accompanied by - I don't know who these guys are but they are two big guys that Audi hired. No warrants - I requested to see some documentation, nothing was shown to me. Just arrogance, 'Give us the car, give us the car. That's all we want, we are not here to talk. Give us the car, we need to go back with the car.'"
Derek: "Leslie, did they threaten you at all?"
Leslie: "They tried to threaten me. The one guy said, 'We have hit people before, we defend ourselves, and it will be nothing to hit you.' So I said, 'You are not going to lift your hands for me. While they were holding their guns, my little boy was standing right next to me at the gate as well."
Derek: "Would you agree it was heavy-handed?"
Brett: "I wouldn't agree it was heavy-handed. If somebody doesn't want to return something of yours, he point-blank refused - he said, 'I am keeping this car until you replace the car.'"
Leslie: "The worst part is that Audi handed out my address - which is supposed to be confidential. How do you give my address to people?"
But it's Audi Fourways that has really messed up in the customer relations department. In September Ted Patterson's Audi RS4 Limited Edition was taken in for the third time to have a door rattle fixed.
Ted Patterson (Ex-Audi owner): "It cost me R685 000. That was brand new. It was off the showroom floor. Nought to 100km in 5.3 seconds. Governed at 250. 390 kilowatts, 4.2 V8 Motor. A beautiful, beautiful vehicle - nicely finished, and a pleasure to drive."
That's exactly what the 22-year-old apprentice mechanic thought when he took it for a test drive.
Derek: "Two performance cars being serviced on the same day, one from Audi Fourways, one from Lindsay Saker. It's not impossible that the two mechanics arranged to have a little dice."
Ted: "Apparently they started dicing down Leslie Avenue. He overtook the Polo, came into the right lane, didn't stop for the T-Junction and went straight through the wall."
Derek: "Through the wall and into the yard of a house."
Ted: "Went through the wall and was stopped by a tree on the other side of the wall - thank God - and went through so quickly that the lintel of that wall actually came to rest on the roof of the vehicle."
The apprentice had less than two years driving experience and was travelling at 140km/h in a 60 zone. When Ted went to see Audi Fourways, the dealer principal, Greg Parfitt, dropped the bombshell - they weren't insured.
Ted: "I asked him three times I was so shocked. I couldn't believe it. And I said to him, 'If you are not insured, how do we deal with this?' And he said, 'This is the norm for the motor industry.'"
Derek: "Ted was eventually offered a second-hand RS4 same year, similar condition and mileage, but he decided to decline the offer."
Ted's insurance company have settled his claim, but because of the driver's age and his lack of driving experience, the excess is 15%.
Ted: "I'm probably looking at personal expenses in excess of about R100 000."
Derek: "We had an interview confirmed with the Greg Parfitt of Audi Centre Fourways. Then we were told that the only people that could speak to us was head office PR. That was changed when they said they don't want to speak to us and all we would get was a written statement."
In their statement Audi Fourways apologised for the incident. They have fired the apprentice and undertaken to pay Ted's excess and shortfall. But Ted is still unhappy.
Ted: "They are in the service industry. They do not sell motorcars - they sell service. When you buy a vehicle, they give you a service plan. And then they hide behind a little sign that they say is there and after the fact. Then, trash your car - negligently trash it. And then expect me to sit back and say, 'Great, no problem, I'll accept the second-hand vehicle. You know what, I'll accept that you are going to pay.' But it is Kippie here who has to run around and get their job done for them. And that's not what I paid for."
---And theres lots more concerning AUDI/VW ..:
In March Joy Brady took her Golf 4 to VW Joburg City to have new brakes fitted.
Derek: "Expecting her car to be ready later that afternoon Joy was shocked to get a call around midday, not from the dealership, but from the driver of a tow truck."
Joy Brady (Ex-Volkswagen owner): "He says, 'Can I tow your car?' (And I said), 'But why do you want to tow my car out of the garage?' He says, 'No, no, I'm looking at your car and I want to tow it.'"
The mechanic who took her Golf for a test drive had an accident two blocks away from the dealership, and the car was written off.
Joy: "First they told me I had to go to my insurers. I told them, 'I'm not going to my insurers, you smashed my car, I want my car."
Derek: "What would have happened if you had gone to your own insurance?"
Joy: "My insurance would probably have paid me out and given a hired car."
Derek: "So why didn't you go to them?"
Joy: "No. I don't see why my no claim bonus should be affected."
At first the dealer gave her a loan car, but after nine days he demanded she bring it back. She had to catch buses and taxis for four months while she waited for their insurance to pay out.
Derek: "Joy, eventually you did get a settlement from their insurers: retail value R77 000, excess R7700, basically you got about R69 000 back. Were you happy with this?"
Joy: "I wasn't very happy because I knew it couldn't buy me a car. I was really really annoyed, because all that I wanted was my car back."
The dealership has since been sold and the new owners Hatfield VW have turned the Braamfontein branch around.
Brad Kaftel (General Manager: Hatfield VW): "We've been here five months, the general customer service ratings were poor. And last month we got an 85% rating for September and that makes us one of the best in the country."
General Manager Brad Kaftel believes they would have handled Joy's case differently.
Brad: "You've got a duty to your customer - to see them right, absolutely."
Derek: "And you would give them a loan car?"
Brad: "No question. I mean you can't have a customer that brings their car in for service and be responsible for an accident and you leave them car-less. It's ridiculous. It's laughable!"
-----There were other Brands that were also Found to be Much less than good, but Ausdi and VW Dealerships truly stole the show...idefeinitely would not consider an Audi ever here in South Africa...
MNET - WHERE MAGIC LIVES
More Complaints in reply to the show, and sent through WWW.WHEELS24.CO.ZA :
- took my TT in for a service at Audi Fourways & nearly landed up having to make a court appearance for doing 156km in an 80 zone. They eventually paid the R4000 fine. Aside from that, they have never been able to fix my car without me having to take it back at lest once. I once took it back 7 times for a loud rattle in the engine bay that they could never fix and where I eventually gave up. The following month or so after, my cam belt tensioner broke. Fixing that fixed the rattle. Their service (or lack of) together with the incompetence of the mechanics has seriously put me off buying another Audi.
-I took my VW Touareg to McCarthy Menlyn for the 75000km service. Week later the brake lights lit up. Took it back. They never inspected the pads and replace them then. Now a screech on my brakes drives me up the wall. I do not have the energy or time to take it back again.
-VW Umhlanga, company VW Jetta bought & serviced with them. complained about noisey turbo on two occasions, booked the car in 118000 for 120 000 service, noted noisey turbo. By the time the car got in for service it was on 120 240 (240km out of waranty). They notified us Turbo needed replacing!!!!!! They refused to pay, after my calls to Dealer Principle (Emma) and threats of not servicing companies other 6 vw's there, they paid 50% for parts & no labour. What kind of Brand are they building here. Needles to say its the end of our VW fleet.(have had 3 1.9 TDI turbos go or various cars.)Surely after noting the problem and being within 240km of end of warranty, VW could have sorted the problem. 6 VW's will be replaced by something else over time.
-I took my A3 Audi to Tavcor Audi George 5 times for a water leak, which started after a service. After replacing all the parts relating to the water system,(needless to say it still leaked), they replaced the top which had a hairline crack, and now the Audi has an oil leak and a cracked windscreen!! I drove to Cape Town 1 day after a service and the gearbox packed up and another Audi garage found oil leaks to the value of R9000!! I have given up and am now in the process to buy a different car brand.
-bought an Audi A3 2.0 Fsi brand new in 2006. Gears have been grating and everytime i take it in, they "fix it" and tell me it won't happen again, It has happened 2 more times (clutch packed in too), had it fixed and is starting again. Recently learned that Audi is aware of the problems with this particular model but couldn't afford a mass recall of the cars. currently seeking legal advice on the matter
-In 2003 my Audi TT was with Audi Fourways for more than a week (problem never resolved, but that was another story!). I received a R900 speeding fine on Ontdekkers on the weekend that the car was left with the dealership. Glad I am no longer an Audi (especially Fourways) customer
-The story on Carte Blanche is so true, i have had endless hssles from audi umhlanga and similiar experiences, my audi TT has been to this dealer 5 times for the same steering problem(knocking noise when turning). every time i was told it was fixed and my car was ready i found the problem to still be there! noe the service department of audi says they DONT KNOW how to fix it! can u believe that-they also previously lost my lock nut key and i got stuck on the roadside with no key!..im still waiting for the service manager to call me back regarding this and its been 3 weeks. my car comes back every time with the petrol light on and i always leave it there with at least 1/4 tank.they replaced a hazard switch and now my dash keeps rattling, took it in twice for that - still rattles. they also tore my hood lining in the boot, they then fixed it and replaced it with a black cloth when the rest of the interior is grey!!when i asked why they say the trimmers olnly had black so nothing can be done.im actually scared to take it back as thy might break something else!..Nice cars but the service and quality of audi work is at best laughable.
---Thes are just a few, more on the News24 website.....This is currently the Motor talk in South Africa Right now, and this has tarnished Audis reputation heavily...How are the Services in other Countries..?
In June this year Leslie Williams bought his wife a new Audi A4. But it started giving problems almost immediately.
Leslie Williams (Audi owner): "There was a sound coming out by the steering. So we returned the car to Audi."
Brett Hudson (Dealer Principal - Audi Braamfontein): "They had a problem with the distance park control sensor. And there was a problem with the steering rack - it made a noise intermittently."
The car went back to the dealership four times. Each time they gave Leslie a loan car according to dealer principal Brett Hudson. Eventually after four months Audi replaced the steering rack.
Leslie: "They claimed now the car was fixed - they did not say that I was awkward about things. But I said to him, 'Please put it in black and white that you will swop the car if there is a problem. Verbally is not going to suit me.'"
Derek: "Leslie why were you insisting on a swap?"
Leslie: "Because of my past experiences with a brand new vehicle."
In the last year Leslie has spent over R2.4-million with Audi. He also owns a Q7 and the new Audi R8 sports car.
Derek: "That wasn't good enough to stand you in good stead?"
Leslie: "No, it doesn't count for nothing - you are just a business like I said before. It doesn't help, ja."
Brett: "His car had been ready for two weeks and he was refusing to return the car to us."
So Audi sent some armed heavies to Leslie's house at half-past-ten one night to force him to hand over the loan car.
Leslie: "And it was a policeman, a constable, and he was accompanied by - I don't know who these guys are but they are two big guys that Audi hired. No warrants - I requested to see some documentation, nothing was shown to me. Just arrogance, 'Give us the car, give us the car. That's all we want, we are not here to talk. Give us the car, we need to go back with the car.'"
Derek: "Leslie, did they threaten you at all?"
Leslie: "They tried to threaten me. The one guy said, 'We have hit people before, we defend ourselves, and it will be nothing to hit you.' So I said, 'You are not going to lift your hands for me. While they were holding their guns, my little boy was standing right next to me at the gate as well."
Derek: "Would you agree it was heavy-handed?"
Brett: "I wouldn't agree it was heavy-handed. If somebody doesn't want to return something of yours, he point-blank refused - he said, 'I am keeping this car until you replace the car.'"
Leslie: "The worst part is that Audi handed out my address - which is supposed to be confidential. How do you give my address to people?"
But it's Audi Fourways that has really messed up in the customer relations department. In September Ted Patterson's Audi RS4 Limited Edition was taken in for the third time to have a door rattle fixed.
Ted Patterson (Ex-Audi owner): "It cost me R685 000. That was brand new. It was off the showroom floor. Nought to 100km in 5.3 seconds. Governed at 250. 390 kilowatts, 4.2 V8 Motor. A beautiful, beautiful vehicle - nicely finished, and a pleasure to drive."
That's exactly what the 22-year-old apprentice mechanic thought when he took it for a test drive.
Derek: "Two performance cars being serviced on the same day, one from Audi Fourways, one from Lindsay Saker. It's not impossible that the two mechanics arranged to have a little dice."
Ted: "Apparently they started dicing down Leslie Avenue. He overtook the Polo, came into the right lane, didn't stop for the T-Junction and went straight through the wall."
Derek: "Through the wall and into the yard of a house."
Ted: "Went through the wall and was stopped by a tree on the other side of the wall - thank God - and went through so quickly that the lintel of that wall actually came to rest on the roof of the vehicle."
The apprentice had less than two years driving experience and was travelling at 140km/h in a 60 zone. When Ted went to see Audi Fourways, the dealer principal, Greg Parfitt, dropped the bombshell - they weren't insured.
Ted: "I asked him three times I was so shocked. I couldn't believe it. And I said to him, 'If you are not insured, how do we deal with this?' And he said, 'This is the norm for the motor industry.'"
Derek: "Ted was eventually offered a second-hand RS4 same year, similar condition and mileage, but he decided to decline the offer."
Ted's insurance company have settled his claim, but because of the driver's age and his lack of driving experience, the excess is 15%.
Ted: "I'm probably looking at personal expenses in excess of about R100 000."
Derek: "We had an interview confirmed with the Greg Parfitt of Audi Centre Fourways. Then we were told that the only people that could speak to us was head office PR. That was changed when they said they don't want to speak to us and all we would get was a written statement."
In their statement Audi Fourways apologised for the incident. They have fired the apprentice and undertaken to pay Ted's excess and shortfall. But Ted is still unhappy.
Ted: "They are in the service industry. They do not sell motorcars - they sell service. When you buy a vehicle, they give you a service plan. And then they hide behind a little sign that they say is there and after the fact. Then, trash your car - negligently trash it. And then expect me to sit back and say, 'Great, no problem, I'll accept the second-hand vehicle. You know what, I'll accept that you are going to pay.' But it is Kippie here who has to run around and get their job done for them. And that's not what I paid for."
---And theres lots more concerning AUDI/VW ..:
In March Joy Brady took her Golf 4 to VW Joburg City to have new brakes fitted.
Derek: "Expecting her car to be ready later that afternoon Joy was shocked to get a call around midday, not from the dealership, but from the driver of a tow truck."
Joy Brady (Ex-Volkswagen owner): "He says, 'Can I tow your car?' (And I said), 'But why do you want to tow my car out of the garage?' He says, 'No, no, I'm looking at your car and I want to tow it.'"
The mechanic who took her Golf for a test drive had an accident two blocks away from the dealership, and the car was written off.
Joy: "First they told me I had to go to my insurers. I told them, 'I'm not going to my insurers, you smashed my car, I want my car."
Derek: "What would have happened if you had gone to your own insurance?"
Joy: "My insurance would probably have paid me out and given a hired car."
Derek: "So why didn't you go to them?"
Joy: "No. I don't see why my no claim bonus should be affected."
At first the dealer gave her a loan car, but after nine days he demanded she bring it back. She had to catch buses and taxis for four months while she waited for their insurance to pay out.
Derek: "Joy, eventually you did get a settlement from their insurers: retail value R77 000, excess R7700, basically you got about R69 000 back. Were you happy with this?"
Joy: "I wasn't very happy because I knew it couldn't buy me a car. I was really really annoyed, because all that I wanted was my car back."
The dealership has since been sold and the new owners Hatfield VW have turned the Braamfontein branch around.
Brad Kaftel (General Manager: Hatfield VW): "We've been here five months, the general customer service ratings were poor. And last month we got an 85% rating for September and that makes us one of the best in the country."
General Manager Brad Kaftel believes they would have handled Joy's case differently.
Brad: "You've got a duty to your customer - to see them right, absolutely."
Derek: "And you would give them a loan car?"
Brad: "No question. I mean you can't have a customer that brings their car in for service and be responsible for an accident and you leave them car-less. It's ridiculous. It's laughable!"
-----There were other Brands that were also Found to be Much less than good, but Ausdi and VW Dealerships truly stole the show...idefeinitely would not consider an Audi ever here in South Africa...
MNET - WHERE MAGIC LIVES
More Complaints in reply to the show, and sent through WWW.WHEELS24.CO.ZA :
- took my TT in for a service at Audi Fourways & nearly landed up having to make a court appearance for doing 156km in an 80 zone. They eventually paid the R4000 fine. Aside from that, they have never been able to fix my car without me having to take it back at lest once. I once took it back 7 times for a loud rattle in the engine bay that they could never fix and where I eventually gave up. The following month or so after, my cam belt tensioner broke. Fixing that fixed the rattle. Their service (or lack of) together with the incompetence of the mechanics has seriously put me off buying another Audi.
-I took my VW Touareg to McCarthy Menlyn for the 75000km service. Week later the brake lights lit up. Took it back. They never inspected the pads and replace them then. Now a screech on my brakes drives me up the wall. I do not have the energy or time to take it back again.
-VW Umhlanga, company VW Jetta bought & serviced with them. complained about noisey turbo on two occasions, booked the car in 118000 for 120 000 service, noted noisey turbo. By the time the car got in for service it was on 120 240 (240km out of waranty). They notified us Turbo needed replacing!!!!!! They refused to pay, after my calls to Dealer Principle (Emma) and threats of not servicing companies other 6 vw's there, they paid 50% for parts & no labour. What kind of Brand are they building here. Needles to say its the end of our VW fleet.(have had 3 1.9 TDI turbos go or various cars.)Surely after noting the problem and being within 240km of end of warranty, VW could have sorted the problem. 6 VW's will be replaced by something else over time.
-I took my A3 Audi to Tavcor Audi George 5 times for a water leak, which started after a service. After replacing all the parts relating to the water system,(needless to say it still leaked), they replaced the top which had a hairline crack, and now the Audi has an oil leak and a cracked windscreen!! I drove to Cape Town 1 day after a service and the gearbox packed up and another Audi garage found oil leaks to the value of R9000!! I have given up and am now in the process to buy a different car brand.
-bought an Audi A3 2.0 Fsi brand new in 2006. Gears have been grating and everytime i take it in, they "fix it" and tell me it won't happen again, It has happened 2 more times (clutch packed in too), had it fixed and is starting again. Recently learned that Audi is aware of the problems with this particular model but couldn't afford a mass recall of the cars. currently seeking legal advice on the matter
-In 2003 my Audi TT was with Audi Fourways for more than a week (problem never resolved, but that was another story!). I received a R900 speeding fine on Ontdekkers on the weekend that the car was left with the dealership. Glad I am no longer an Audi (especially Fourways) customer
-The story on Carte Blanche is so true, i have had endless hssles from audi umhlanga and similiar experiences, my audi TT has been to this dealer 5 times for the same steering problem(knocking noise when turning). every time i was told it was fixed and my car was ready i found the problem to still be there! noe the service department of audi says they DONT KNOW how to fix it! can u believe that-they also previously lost my lock nut key and i got stuck on the roadside with no key!..im still waiting for the service manager to call me back regarding this and its been 3 weeks. my car comes back every time with the petrol light on and i always leave it there with at least 1/4 tank.they replaced a hazard switch and now my dash keeps rattling, took it in twice for that - still rattles. they also tore my hood lining in the boot, they then fixed it and replaced it with a black cloth when the rest of the interior is grey!!when i asked why they say the trimmers olnly had black so nothing can be done.im actually scared to take it back as thy might break something else!..Nice cars but the service and quality of audi work is at best laughable.
---Thes are just a few, more on the News24 website.....This is currently the Motor talk in South Africa Right now, and this has tarnished Audis reputation heavily...How are the Services in other Countries..?
