MOTORING NEWS - The Motor Industry Workshop Association (Miwa) recently took an issue regarding over-counter parts to the office of the Motor Industry Ombudsman and, according to Miwa chairman Les McMaster, the response sets the record straight for dealerships looking to hold their customers to ransom when it comes to replacing parts.
McMaster said a member in Kwa-Zulu Natal recently forwarded him this notification sent out by a motor dealership in the area. "Parts supplied over the counter can only be returned for claims via our workshop. The vehicle has to come to the selling dealer and the customer must pay for diagnostic [attention] and also pay for a new part.
"Only once the claim is processed and approved by [dealer name] South Africa, will the selling dealer reimburse the customer for a part supplied."
Consumer Act contravention
McMaster said in response: "Our immediate concern was that this practice is in breach of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and, if allowed, will affect all independent workshops. Miwa represents the interests of some 2,500 independent workshops in South Africa and this is a good example of the concerns we address to protect those interests."
He said Miwa was elated to have its suspicions confirmed when the Deputy Motor Industry Ombudsman responded by saying that the particular supplier was indeed contravening several sections and sub-sections of the CPA.
"Only once the claim is processed and approved by [dealer name] South Africa, will the selling dealer reimburse the customer for a part supplied."
Consumer Act contravention
McMaster said in response: "Our immediate concern was that this practice is in breach of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and, if allowed, will affect all independent workshops. Miwa represents the interests of some 2,500 independent workshops in South Africa and this is a good example of the concerns we address to protect those interests."
He said Miwa was elated to have its suspicions confirmed when the Deputy Motor Industry Ombudsman responded by saying that the particular supplier was indeed contravening several sections and sub-sections of the CPA.
