A Capricorn woman says she is at her wits’ end after a car dealership allegedly refused to refund the R25 000 deposit she paid for a car she NEVER received.
Jessica Makaleng, 35, says they desperately needed a car as the company her husband works for relocated to the northern suburbs.
“We were looking for a silver VW Polo sedan and we saw one on Facebook that Mel’s Motors was advertising for R130 000 in September, and my husband immediately went,” Jessica explains.
She says the staff were very accommodating and her husband made a loan to get the car.
“They helped with everything. On 17 September the R25 000 was paid and they assured us we’d get the car within three to four days.
“Then the excuses started piling up. First they told us they were waiting for their accountants as something was wrong but they could, not tell us what was wrong.
“Every time my husband also had to fill in the same paperwork because they never knew where the documents were,” she says.
Now, after almost two months of waiting they just want their money back.
“I trusted the salesman and told him this had better not be a scam. Now it turns out to really be a scam. We’ve asked for a cancellation many times and now I just want my money back,” Jessica says.
The owner of Mel’s Motors, Melanie Koen, responded to Daily Voice queries via email saying she was not aware of the matter.
“I cannot tell you what it was for as I have not been at the office for a while.
“I will investigate the matter and find out what arrangements were made for Mr. Makaleng.
“If the customer wants a cheaper vehicle, then he is welcome to see Riaan tomorrow (last Friday) at 12pm.
“If the customer chooses to cancel, then all he needs to do is supply us with an email address so we can send him a cancellation form to complete,” Koen said.
However, Jessica says they have filled in several cancellations forms to no effect.
KWAAD: Jessica Makaleng, 31.
In June, a Delft man paid Mel’s Motors
R22 000 deposit for a car, but after cancelling the deal had to wait months to be reimbursed.
In February 2018, Mel’s Motors refused to refund a Blue Downs couple to whom they sold a dud car for R130 000.
The couple spent an extra R10 000 to fix the red VW Golf GTi 2007 model which they said was “falling apart”.