Combined Motor Holdings Group / CMH Group review: Toyota Corolla Cross purchased at CMH Toyota Umhlanga

I recently contacted CMH Toyota Umhlanga in KwaZulu Natal in September 2024, regarding my interest in purchasing a new Toyota corolla cross GR.

Everything was going well with the deal and the negotiations, however at the time of getting all the paperwork in order I mentioned to the salesperson that I was in the process of selling my car in Mpumalanga and will need to wait for my personalized registration to fall off from that vehicle and I was clear to her that I wanted it attached to the new corolla cross. I even sent her the personalized registration documents.

Since I wanted to take delivery of the vehicle on the 24th September the salesperson said we have to do the registration for the vehicle in order for you to take delivery of it, to which I agreed. The salesperson did not mention to me that she will be doing a full registration on the vehicle, neither did she ask me if this is okay.

According to the invoice, the dealership charged me R1200 for license and registration and R500 for number plates. The total of which was R1700.

Upon the release of the personalised registration from the previous vehicle I sold, I contacted the dealership. The salesperson said I would have to sort this out on my own.

My question is, firstly, if the customer is telling you that that they want to attach a personalized registration onto the new vehicle, wouldn't you as a dealership execute this on the customers behalf?

Secondly, why didn't the dealership apply for a temporary license, knowing that I wanted to have a personalized registration on the vehicle.

Thirdly, if you are charging the customer a sum of R1700 for license and registration, and the customer tells you how they want the registration done, but you as the dealership just do as you please without consulting the customer, knowing the customer is paying for it, how is this working?

Had the salesperson mentioned to me that they were going to do a full registration on the vehicle and that thereafter I will have to pay again for licensing and registration, I would have said apply for a temporary registration or lets hold on til I get my personalized registration released.

After getting no joy regarding the above matter I contacted the dealer principle who called me telephonically. He was adamant that they did everything correctly and they were in no way at fault. After questioning him about why didn't you'rl apply for a temporary license, He mentioned that a temporary license is only for 3 weeks and non renewable, to which I responded but then its my decision to make if it came to that the personalized registration wasn't released within the 3 weeks of the temporary license, as it was me who was paying for it.

I expect a full refund pf R1700 from CMH Toyota Umhlanga. as I have now paid twice for licensing and registration.