Where’s my car?

On June 15, I paid P68,000 to a South African car dealer through their agent in Botswana. I wanted a Nissan Dualis, which they promised to deliver that same week. On the day when I was expecting to receive the car (20 June), they informed me that the truck that was carrying the cars to Botswana had had a slight accident and, unfortunately, my car got damaged (they sent me photos of the damaged car). I then told them that I could not take a car that had had an accident, so they promised that they would sort me out with another Dualis soon.

Days and weeks passed without any communication from them, unless if I am the one who questions on the progress. I am still waiting even now, and they are taking me from pillar to post. Every day is a new story. I have asked them for a refund since they cannot give me a new car, and still they are not helping.

None of them, the car dealer and the carrier company, wants to take responsibility. Please help.

I’m sure there are some honest people in the car import business but sometimes it’s hard to find them.

I understand that when importing cars there are occasional accidents like the one that happened to your car. I also understand that in a situation like this, it’s the job of the importer to find you a new vehicle. So far, so good.

But something doesn’t add up. If it only took 5 days last time, from the 15th to the 20th of June, to ship your vehicle, why is it taking so long this time? Why has it been two months? Perhaps they don’t have the right vehicle available? If that’s the case, why can’t they just tell you and let you decide what to do? Whatever the reason, I think it’s time for a refund.

I suggest you contact them and give them a deadline. Tell them that, if they don’t refund you within a week, you’ll take legal action against them to recover your money. Tell them you’ll also be contacting the Competition and Consumer Authority, Consumer Watchdog and The Voice. Between us, we should have enough muscle.