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Important notice:
The views expressed by readers in this section do not in any way represent the views of Assist247’s management, staff, business partners and/or affiliated organisations. The Reader’s Forum attempts to give all interested parties the opportunity to express themselves freely, and without bias or unnecessary intervention. Should any party however find any of these comments or communications offensive, please contact us and we will remove the offending section immediately and without argument.
Please note that letters are placed in the order that we receive them (latest letters at the top of this page).
Message from Peter Mey (17.11.09) Subject: Kenrich Motors, Port Alfred
On Sunday evening I was left stranded outside Port Alfred with broken fan belts. Bronick Urban put me into contact with Kenrich Motors and I was promptly helped by a gentleman named Lenny. Thank you Bronick for your friendly, professional assistance. I appreciate it very much.
Peter May Contact No: 043 7482427
Subject: Why 0861 Crimestop? (02.08.09)
The Local Community Police Forums will become more effective by the 0861-CRIME STOP campaign, because the public will take a more serious approach to crime in their own environment. Mobilize entire communities, as they will become more aware of what is happening in their areas and when. We must all continue to work in such partnership to prevent and detect crime, for crime prevention is really everyone's business. We have nothing to lose and much to gain.
Eddie van Schalkwyk
Message from Frans Bronkhorst (01.07.09) Subject: CWM Motors Rustenburg
I would like to compliment CWM Motors Rustenburg and especially your lady at the service counter and your mechanic for service that you won't find any where else. I needed a new switch for my lights and in no time the Mechanic fixed my switch by using an spare vehicles switch and install it in my car as i was under pressure as my job consist of travelling in the night time. Well done you guys and you will always see me if i needed a service or anything else. Thank you, your dedication is noticed. Have a great day.
Frans Bronkhorst
Contact No: 0822224089
Subject: Assist247 Mobile - Feedback (31.03.09)
Great Service! Thanks.
Kobus Smit
Message from Jaques Marias (05.03.09)
Thank you very much for all the effort you guys make in securing the towing work for me through EuropAssist. I think you guys are the best, and I hope we will still work together for a long time.
Regards, J. Marias Marias Bakwerke Worcester
Email: maraisbakwerke@telkomsa.net Contact No: 0823315903
Message from Kayle (17.07.08)
I'm a owner of a panelbeating shop based in Edenvale, JHB. My shop is on most major insurance panels yet I have no work. I am the only 100% black (coloured) owned and female (coloured) managed shop on the East Rand yet I can't get work. My competition across the road has enough work to last him until the end of 2008, I on the other hand don't know how I'll pay wages this week. The tow truck drivers keep filling this ou's shop with vehicles and when I tried phoning around to tow operators I get the cold shoulder - is this because I'm not white? I did have associations to a association called SAARSA who are connected to UTASA but I tell you what I can see that it's each one for his own. Nobody gives a s... about the smaller shops, instead of the associations supporting each other until we are all able to compete with these bigger shops equipmentwise. I don't have any money to pay any tow operator at this point in time to get any work so I guess I won't get any work. It's BS but I guess that's SA and that's the motor industry for you.
Email: kayle.alley@telkomsa.net Contact No: 0765871054
Message from Dineo (24.06.08)
This is a great site by the way!
A friend of mine was involved in a car accident recently. The guys that went through a red robot and hit them fled the scene of accident on foot (probably drunk or in shock!). The towing company towed the car to their place. We however realised 2 days later that some of his belongings were in the car. A friend who resides nearby was sent to collect the stuff and they were not in the car. Some of the sellable goods were removed from the car too. The company claims that these things were not present.
UNFORTUNATELY NO PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE CAR BEFORE IT WAS TOWED. When you are in shock you don’t think of such things. What is more frustrating is how unfriendly the providers are and how they make one go round in circles to get simple information. It is sad that we can’t even trust our road side helpers. So my friend’s belongings are gone - and it is his word against theirs.
Message from Ettienne Pel at UTASA (12.09.07)
This is an invite to ALL towing operators, as well as any member of the public who wish to know what is currently happening in the Towing Industry, to visit the United Towing Association of South Africa web site.
The web address is www.utasa.org.
We would also like to thank Assist 247 for all the support they have given to our industry by educating the consumer too. There is more a powerful mechanism like an Educating Tool, as this web site and the web site of UTASA demonstrates.
We look forward to seeing more participation from our industry as well as members of the public and insurers.
Email: saamtta@yebo.co.za Contact No: 082 606 1029
Here’s a request from Marcus Naidoo who needs a sponsor for tyres (05.08.07)
African Overlanders United are going along the West coast of Africa from Durban to Morrocco with two Isuzu bakkies, this is to promote aids awareness and good friendship. If your readers are interested in assisting us in anyway possible we can supply you with more info regarding the countries we are going to visit and the duration thereof. Thank you Marcus Naidoo Email: marcusn@foskor.co.za Contact No: 0837872006
Subject: Towing Incident Follow up (26.07.07)
Message from Ettienne I, as an Interim Director to UTASA (United Towing Association of SA), would like to express a sincere thank you to Phillip from the company concerned with Me K. Anderson. He was prepared to lower his price to assist the consumer. Unfortunately, the vehicle was such a wreck, that the consumer chose to give the vehicle to the company in lieu of payment. If ALL tow operators are prepared to assist in the manner that Phillip did, I am sure we will make a huge difference regarding our image to the consumer. Please note that Phillip is not a member of UTASA, but was nevertheless prepared to negotiate in good faith. Thank you to Assist247 for the wonderful site and the opportunity to respond freely on their site too. Kind Regards, Ettienne Pel (Interim Ex-co UTASA) www.utasa.org 082 606 1029
Message from Malcolm Stevenson (24.07.07)
I have been trying to locate a CV Joint dealer. Search engines I hear you ask - I tried all of them for the last 10 days or so. Took me 1 minute on your website. Awesome Website - if only I had known about it sooner.
Email: malcolm@capeunionmart.co.za Contact No: 0214645849
Follow-up to ‘Towing from the scene of an accident’ (20.07.07)
The incident reported below resulted in the interim director of UTASA contacting Ms Anderson to help resolve the matter: Our thanks to him for his assistance!
Good morning Karin, I have just read your mail on the Assist 247. It is so sad to see that tow operators do this to the consumer. If you do not mind, I would appreciate if you could either mail me the invoice or give me more details regarding this incident and also, who the company is. UTASA, United Towing Association of South Africa, is a newly formed association, aimed at looking after the interests of the Road user (consumer), Insurance companies and of course the tow operator too. I would like to see if this member is one of our members, and if so, try to see if we cannot attempt to get this individual into keeping to his word on the scene. I trust that this will to some extent, help you. You can also contact me on my cell at 082 606 1029. Kind Regards, Ettienne Pel
Hi Ettienne, Thank you for your interest. I will check from my foster son the details of the name of the towing service. He told me it was ………. in Paarden Eilend, but he is dyslexic and might not have read the calling card correctly, which is another reason why I was concerned, because if someone flashed paperwork before him and asked him to sign while he was under shock at the scene of the accident, he would not have a hope of understanding the document. I really appreciate the interest. It seems to me that Assist 247 is a very useful website. Very well presented too. I'll let you know ASAP the exact name and details of the towing service. Blessings, Karen.
Hi Karen, It will be greatly appreciated if I can get those details ASAP. Is the vehicle currently still with this tow company? Yes, the Assist247 is a wonderful site and we have a close relationship with the owner of the company. You can also visit our website, www.utasa.org. It is still under construction, but one can already use the site and interact. Kind regards, Ettienne
Hi Etienne, The vehicle is currently at the storage area of the towing company. My foster son says that the name given him on a card was M&D Storage, previously of Koala Street in Brooklyn, but now located in Hermes Street in Paarden Eiland. The contact person is Nellie at 0846550906. He says that he did sign something at the scene of the accident, but that was his statement reporting the accident, because the police were there at the scene of the accident. The verbal quote given was "about R1800". He has not been given an invoice but has been told verbally that it will cost about R3600 to release his car. However each time he has been there to see the car, the relevant people to see have been out. Even if this comes to nothing, perhaps it will help other people to be more aware of the dangers of agreeing to towing by anybody. As my foster son is young and inexperienced he did not realise the implications of what he was doing. Thanks again, Karen.
Hallo Karen, I refer to our telephonic conversation a few minutes ago. As I said, this is not a member of UTASA, but I was successful in negotiating a better rate with Phillip. He is prepared to accept R2500 as full and final settlement, as long as the vehicle is collected from him by no later than close of business on 20 July 2007. Failure to this, he will revert to the original costs plus further storage costs. Should you require assistance with a tow company, one of our UTASA members who is also a director of UTASA, will be able to assist you at a fair rate. You can contact Ashleen Smith at 082 655 0382. Her company is Smith Salvage. I understand the sentiments to the funds, but would suggest you contact Phillip personally and see what arrangements you can make regarding the payment, alternatively, getting a fair and reasonable offer from him for the vehicle. Please keep us updated of progress. I trust this will help you somewhat. UTASA is a newly formed association as of last year, and we certainly want to make a serious difference in our industry and attempt to get our industry to become more professional. You can also visit our web site at www.utasa.org Kind regards, Ettienne Pel
Message from Karen Anderson (16.07.07)
Subject: Towing of a car from the scene of an accident
My foster son was involved in an accident in the early hours of Friday morning 13 July 2007. Fortunately no other cars were involved but he hit a kerb, over-reacted when turning his steering wheel and rolled his car, with it landing on its roof off the road. He was in shock and was asked by a towtruck driver (no names mentioned here) if they could tow his car. The amount quoted was R1800. He did not know what to do so he said yes. On phoning them the next day they said no it was impossible to give an onsite quote and that the amount he owed them was over R3000 and would go up every day, due to storage. The distance towed was definitely not more than 30km. This in fact makes it impossible for him to retrieve his car. Surely there should be a law against going against a verbal quote, and in fact extracting an answer out of someone who is in shock at the scene of an accident? I would appreciate any advice in this regard.
Email: kanderson@escs.org.za Contact No: 0836983236
Reply from the editor: We receive so many of these complaints and the answer is always the same: In this industry you have to be very careful who you do business with! Always let you insurance company or emergency assistance company handle the towing and storage on your behalf. Alternatively deal with an association member (SATRA or UTASA); at least you will have recourse through them.
Message received from Charmaine (04.07.07)
To whom it may concern,
This is a letter received from Mrs. Fay Block who has been having problems with her Renault 5 for many years. Mrs. Block is a dear old lady who goes out of her way to help everyone and asks nothing in return. She lives alone and has no one to help her with her car or with transport.
Quote: Dear Charmaine, I hope that I am not imposing on your kindness, but I have reached a very difficult time in my life where everything is going on at the same time. The most important matter is that I am without TRANSPORT. If it were not for Robbie and the staff at Design Hardware, I would be stranded. Everybody has advised me to email Renault Northcliff and try and get some assistance in this matter, referring to my OLD Renault. It is a 1983 Renault 5 TS. The engine is perfect but the car is continually cutting out and there are some parts that my mechanic couldn’t find, no matter how much research he did. They seem to be difficult or impossible to obtain. I have spent a lot of money to no avail. As I am 84 years old and work a full week from 8am to 5pm at Design Hardware, Strijdom Park. I need transport desperately. Can you please help me as I am not able to retire at present due to the fact that I am self supporting. Unquote.
Can you please, please have someone look at her car, or advise her what to do? She is at her wits end and she cannot afford to replace it. I would be most grateful with any help you could afford her. Yours sincerely, Charmaine Email: charmaine@westplex.co.za Contact No: 011 787-0473
Editor: We would really appreciate anyone’s help with this, and to start the ball rolling we contacted Luke Borg at Part Source, who replied as follows:
Dear Paul and Charmaine - Thank your for the email and you can rest assured we will do everything we can to assist. It is obvious that the 1983 Renaults are now in a stage where they are no longer supported by the factory and parts are therefore at a premium. It is possible to find secondhand parts but they also come out of old and well used vehicles and may therefore not do the job as required. However, having said all this, why not let me know what parts are required and I will do my best to try and obtain good workable replacement parts. Look forward to hearing from you Kind regards Luke tel: 086 110 0202
Letter from LOUIS HARRIS regarding and insurance claim (29.06.07)
DEAR EDITOR
PLEASE LET ME EXPLAIN FIRST: IN NOV'06 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I THEN PUT FORWARD A CLAIM TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY, UNDERSTANDABLY BECAUSE I WAS TESTED FOR ALCHOHOL. UNTIL NOW WE HAVE RECEIVED NO RESULTS AND I CANCELLED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE MY CAR IS STILL STANDING AFTER SEVEN MONTHS. MY QUESTION IS THIS: CAN I STILL CLAIM FROM THEM FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS INSURED WITH THEM AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT IF THERE IS NO CASE OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE?
Our expert replies:
Yes, provided a claim was reported at the time of loss.
The policy can only reject claims if it can be proven the driver was over the limit.
If the case has been thrown out and there is no other evidence ie a breathalyzer test he must approach the insurer for compensation and if they decline lodge a formal complaint with the ombudsman.
Reader’s letter regarding car survey published on Wheels24 (21.06.07):
Wheels 24 recently published "the shock results" of SA car survey 2007 and opened a readers’ comments section. They were so inundated with responses that they closed the comment section down! Shock results in SA car survey 02/04/2007 19:05 Mini and Mitsubishi may have been voted the top buys in the latest Synovate study, but a few local manufacturers experienced a dramatic fall from grace. The study measures customer satisfaction in four categories, including purchasing of a passenger vehicle and light commercial vehicle, and the servicing of a passenger vehicle and light commercial. Synovate surveys have been conducted for the last 16 years. The latest findings are for the period January to December 2006. The Mini Cooper was the top Gold performer when purchasing a passenger vehicle. The little car moved up to the top of the rank following Mercedes-Benz's virtual dominance at the top of the chart for the past three years. Mercedes-Benz moved down to number four behind Mini, Volvo and Chevrolet. In the previous study, covering January to December 2005, Mini received a silver award and was ranked 12th. Gold winners in this category all scored above 91.5 %. Former Gold winner, Volkswagen, slumped from ninth to 12th, and shares its score of 91.3 % with Land Rover, which scored its highest result in three years. After bubbling under for a few years, Toyota was voted best when it comes to servicing a passenger car. After leading the group for two years, and finishing second behind Nissan in last year's study, BMW is now listed at seven on the table. There have been significant shifts in the LCV segment, with Mitsubishi at the top in the purchasing stakes, while Toyota and Nissan were the only manufacturers to score above the industry average of 80.8 %. Results are endorsed by the Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI) and reflect their intention to encourage competitive performance in the South African automotive market. "We can look forward to even higher levels of satisfaction into the future as the traditional players as well as the newer entrants consolidate their infrastructure and capacity to deliver ever-improving levels of satisfaction", said Richard Rice, automotive client services director.
Warning from Ettienne at SAAMMTA (10.06.07)
Please be very careful when traveling
alone. A woman had been pushed off the road on Saturday at 10:00 on Parkland drive Esther Park road. A white taxi
full of men followed her for about 5 minutes and then moved in next to her car
and slowly pushed her towards the pavement. They kept on until a couple of
other cars started to drive around her, and then left.
Message from Ettienne (04.06.07)
United Towing Association website up and running
The UTASA website, www.utasa.org, is up and running. The forum is open to all. Register on the site and express your views, suggestions and requests. This site is also available for the public to use and to raise concerns they may have or compliments, with regards to the towing industry in South Africa.
Email: saamtta@yebo.co.za Contact No: 0826061029
Message from Ranjee Branscombe (24.05.07)
Subject: stolen electric cables
Can somebody tell me who to contact about doing something about cable theft? Surely if the scrap dealers are properly monitored there will be no one to buy the cable? There seems to be no will from the government to do anything about this serious problem! Maybe if some of us got together & worked out a workable solution we could STOP this rot!
Ranjee Email: ranjee@consigncentral.net Contact No: 011-8033963
Message from Ettienne at UTASA (24.05.07)
OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS FROM AFFINITY PRODUCTS
We, at UTASA (United Towing Association of South Africa) would like to make use of this opportunity to ask ALL towing companies throughout SA, that are still being owed monies from the abovementioned company, to please forward their details and outstanding amount, to Ettienne Pel at saamtta@yebo.co.za. This company is now operating their business from Cape Town under the name Affinity Roadside Assistance. The more information I have, the easier it is to sort out this problem. I have been in contact with one of the MD's of African Independent Brokers and they requested these details. My telephone number is 082 606 1029 should there be operators without e-mail. Please inform your friends. Email: saamtta@yebo.co.za Contact No: 082 606 1029
New way of hi-jacking from Amelia (20.04.07)
Hi Everyone,
Message received from Ettienne at UTASA (01.03.07)
Ons, UTASA, het gister 'n vergadering in Kaapstad gehad met ons lede. Daar is genoem dat baie van hulle nie werk kry by Europ Assist as hulle nie maandelikse fooie betaal nie. Kan jy my laat weet of dit waar is en indien so, wat die rede daarvoor is?
Kommentaar deur die redakteur: Die persepsie dat die informasie wat aan Europ Assistance gestuur word afhang van die subskripsie aan Assist247, is totaal en al vals. Ons verantwoordelikheid aan Europ Asistance is om ‘n databasis van kontrakteurs saam te stel, namens hulle aan te stel, die inligting op datum te hou, en weekliks die databasis aan hulle te stuur sodat hulle die informasie in hulle sisteem kan intrek. Hulle werk dus direk van hulle eie sisteem af en nie van die Assist247 webtuiste nie.
Terselftertyd publiseer ons die statistieke van mense wat na insleep kontrakteurs se inligting kyk op die tuisblad van die webtuiste, en duidelik verkry kontrakteurs wat wel gelys is noemenswaardige dekking – gemiddeld oor die 3000 verwysings elke maand, Europ Assistance en Look4it uitgesluit!
Travis Dent writes (05.02.07)
The so-called article from the AA. This is a hoax, it is an email that was copied from an American news page: http://november04.thesun-news.com/page12-13.htm
Possibly a clever way of hijacking but it was written as applicable to the US and some dumbass adjusted it for SA. Tsk tsk.
SAIA notice to industry suppliers (05.02.07)
South African Insurance Association - Appeal to suppliers to come forward to be rated
It has been established that suppliers to the industry are generally not rated and that very few would meet either the Charter Council or Government approval. The South African Insurance industry has therefore approached SAIA Approved, who enlisted the help of TU ITC (Trans Union) and Empowerdex, to draw up a project plan to get these ratings in place in as short a period as possible. SAIA Approved has requested that insurers provide them with lists of their suppliers in order for them to approach them for rating purposes. They are also looking to suppliers to be proactive and to come forward themselves to be rated as soon as possible. There are only a few months for SAIA Approved to complete this mammoth task but they are confident that they can meet their deadline with everyone's co-operation.
P. du Plessis writes (01.02.07)
I recently read an article in an industry mag begging the question: "How safe is a collision repaired vehicle?" Interesting question since much of the population is on our roads in a, shall we say, "previously pranged" vehicle repaired by back-yard mechanics and chop shops.
The Allianz Centre for Technology subjected a new car to a "slow speed" frontal impact against a fixed barrier. After the simulated accident the vehicle was repaired in accordance with the quidelines of the manufacturer and using genuine replacement parts. A new frontal impact was then carried out on the vehicle. The results of both impacts were exactly the same. The same test was done to determine the results of a "high speed frontal impact" on passenger safety and once again, the test results were the same in both instances.
These tests prove that a CORRECTLY repaired vehicle - ADHERING STRICTLY TO MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS and USING GENUINE PARTS - offers the same level of safety as a new one! Great news and just one more reason for us, the consumer, to demand (and expect) service excellence from repairers.
Obviously, it can be done...
Peter Bestbier writes (19.12.06)
May I suggest that suppliers of domestic solar water heaters are evaluated & listed as power shortages and the escalating cost of energy are going to make these units much more sought after.
Thank you for an excellent website. Kind regards Peter Bestbier
More humour (23.11.06)
This is allegedly an actual job application that a 75-year-old pensioner submitted to B&Q in Tunbridge Wells. They hired him because he was so funny.....
NAME: Kenneth Way (Grumpy old codger)
SEX: Not lately, but I am looking for the right woman (or at least one who will cooperate)
DESIRED POSITION: Company's Chief Executive or Managing Director. But seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying in the first place would I?
DESIRED SALARY: £150,000 a year plus share options and a Tony Blair style redundancy package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.
EDUCATION: Yes.
LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.
PREVIOUS SALARY: A lot less than I'm worth.
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.
REASON FOR LEAVING: It was a terrible job.
HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.
PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a more intimate environment.
MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 lbs.?: Of what?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"
HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Reader's Digest Timeshare Free Holiday Offer, so they tell me.
DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job - no! On my breaks - yes!
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy Swedish supermodel who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.
NEAREST RELATIVE....7 miles
DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE? Oh yes, absolutely.
A humorous contribution from an ex Capetonian living in Australia (15.11.06)
This is from Uncyclopedia, the content free encyclopaedia.
Cape Town is a city on the coast of South Africa so called because the wearing of capes or cloaks is compulsory within the city limits. It was founded by Batman on his way to Melbourne from Holland in 1652.
Cape Town is also called the “Mother City”, believed to be due to the highly expressive vocabulary of the local dialect (in which the words “your mother” feature regularly) and the cheap and nasty (but potent) local wine. A different school of thought believes the origin of the name lies in the fact that it takes 9 months to do anything in this sleepy hollow.
Cape Town is situated on a sandbar under Table Mountain (so called because unlike most mountains it is flat). Cape Town became famous for the first successful heart transplant operation at its “Great Skewer” Hospital by Christian Barnard.
Cape Town is neither as wealthy nor as large as Johannesburg, so the inhabitants compensate with a superior attitude based on the claim that they were there first. Which none of them were, unless they are over 300 years old.
It is socially unacceptable for a Capetonian to talk to people that they have not previously talked to, which severely limits social interactions. If the opportunity should somehow present itself, a traditional Cape Town greeting is “Jou ma se *%#@”, often abbreviated to “Jou ma”, which means, roughly “Good day and good health to you and your good mother, sir!”
Robin Island was named after Batman’s faithful sidekick. Later it was renamed Robbin’ Island and used as a jail, like Alcatraz but with colder water around it and more sharks in it.
Popular sports are pretentiousness, drunk driving, pole vaulting, homosexuality, French dressing and Mexican standoffs. The summer sport of setting fire to the mountainside is more popular with tourists than locals, though all enjoy the cheerful spectacle of the flames and smoke.
Cape Town is the first place to boast the Invisible Bridge. However, the bridge is currently not in use as the city council refused to believe the construction company when they informed the council that they had developed a material that was stronger that steel but could not be seen by the human eye.
Bergies are Cape Town’s world famous mountaineers who live on Table Mountain and often come down into the city to welcome foreigners with the traditional Capetonian greeting of “Jou ma se *%#@!”
Ms van der Berg from the AA responds (13.11.06)
John writes about the AA towing allowance being (seemingly) used by a clerk (10.11.06): This sounds like a serious offense. I would like to opportunity to investigate and pursue this matter on your behalf. John, kindly send me your membership number and contact details.
Ms Y van der Berg email Address: aasa@aasa.co.za contact no: 011 799 1000
John writes about the their AA towing allowance being (seemingly) used by a clerk (10.11.06)
We joined the AA about three years ago. I have forgotten the name of the scheme but it is the most expensive option whereby they give free tow-in services up to a certain value. During last year we needed to use the tow-in service but were informed that there was only a certain amount left on our membership allowance as we had already used the service earlier in the year. We were surprised as we had not used it and asked for details. The details of the vehicle that was towed was supplied to us and neither the vehicle nor the registration number was familiar to us.
It seems, from the fact that my wife had an alteration with an AA clerk a few weeks before this event, around the same time as the other vehicle was towed, that some of the clerks use the allowances on member's card for their own purposes. Obviously they have access to the computerized information to see which customers had not used their allowances.
My complaints to AA management were met with lukewarm responses and no action was taken.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Thought of the week from Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes (23.10.06) Did you know that… A minor may not freely sell or mortgage immovable
property. The consent of the Master of the High Court is required where the
purchase price of the property or the amount of the bond is less than R100 000.
Where the purchase price or bond amount exceeds R100 000 a court order, issued
by the High Court, must be obtained. Etienne Pel replies to Jan Scherman's note (21.10.07)
Good day ALL South African Tow companies and operators.
Is it not strange that the issue Jan has raised is being brought into the open more and more by operators in OUR industry? It shows that there are some serious concerns in the industry which need to be addressed.
I would like to make use of this opportunity and inform everybody in the towing industry that a NEW and sustainable association for the towing industry was formed in Cape Town on 22 JUly 2006.
Many members from another association in SA, are disgruntled with the current state of affairs. This is why this ALTERNATIVE association was formed. It is a Towing association FOR THE MEMBERS BY THE MEMBERS!!!!!
This is an association which believes in TRANSPARENCY, DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY and GENDER.
The name of this association, registered with the Dept of Trade and Industry as a section 21 association, is UTASA (United Towing Association of South Africa).
Any person/s wishing to get more info or wanting to belong to this association, is welcome to contact 0861 1 UTASA(88272).
This is an association which allows FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION to its members. In other words, should you be a member to UTASA and wish to belong to another association, it will be your democratic right to do so.
We would at the same time bring the industry up to date what is happening at Government level. The first Towing Cluster Forum meeting took place in Pretoria on 11 October at the offices of the Dept Of Trade and Industry. Parties that were present were UTASA, SAARSA, AA, TAG, PTA and SATRA. This meeting took place in the presence of DTi officials who chaired the meeeting. The following Towing Cluster meeting will be held on the 22 November 2006. These meetings are to be held throughout the country as decided upon in the DTi meetings.
A national UTASA/SAARSA seminar is to be held in PE early in November 2006. For details concerning this seminar, please feel free to contact UTASA at 0861 1 88272. E-mails can also be mailed to UTASA at info@utasa.org. Please feel free to mail UTASA any suggestions or concerns which you feel need to be raised in the Towing cluster meetings at DTI level. UTASA is there to do what their members request!
We trust that many towing operators in South Africa will be happy that this alternative option has evolved.
Kind greetings, Ettienne Pel
Interim Ex-Com(UTASA)
Warning to all female drivers received from Ettienne (17.10.06)
Please be very careful when travelling alone. A woman had been pushed off the road on Saturday at 10:00 on Parkland drive Esther Park road. A white taxi full of men followed her for about 5 minutes and then moved in next to her car and slowly pushed her towards the pavement. They kept on until a couple of other cars started to drive around her, and then left. This morning another lady stopped at a traffic light on Jan Smuts Avenue, Kempton Park. A taxi stopped next to her and five guys jumped out of the taxi. One banged on the roof of her car, two tried to open the front doors, a third jumped onto the bonnet of her car and a fourth stood in front of her car. She got such a fright that she pulled away knocking the chap in front of her down and crossed the red robot. It seems that this is a new type of intimidation, victimizing mainly women drivers. Please be very careful when driving on your own. This is the 11th case we've heard of since last week. A single woman travelling from Boksburg stopped at a robot and was pulled from her car and raped repeatedly by 4 men in a taxi and another 2 at the Modderfontein intersection. Please
pass this on - not only to females, but to everyone - be alert.
Newsflash from Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes (15.10.06) LANDLORD AND TENANT / IMPROVEMENT LIEN JUDGMENT IN THE MATTER BETWEEN BUSINESS AVIATION CORPORATION (PTY) LTD (1ST APPELLANT) / ORPHEUS PANAYIOTOU (2ND APPELLANT) AND RAND AIRPORT HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD (RESPONDENT) 1. The Plaintiff (landlord) initiated proceedings in the Germiston Magistrate's Court for an eviction order against the Defendant (tenant) on the basis that the lease, which was a monthly tenancy was terminable on one month's notice and that the tenant had failed to vacate the property despite notice having been given. 2. The tenant raised two defences, the second of which was that the tenant had expended a considerable amount of useful improvements on the property for which they had not been compensated and that they were accordingly entitled to remain in occupation of the property in terms of an enrichment lien. The Magistrate found in favour of the Plaintiff (landord). 3. On appeal the Court found that in urban and agricultural leases, if a tenant makes improvements to the property, he has an enrichment lien entitling him to remain in occupation of the leased property until the amount of his claim for improvements has been determined and paid. 4. It is accordingly essential that landlords now insert a provision in their leases in terms whereof the tenant expressly waives any right that he may have had to bring any claim whatsoever for compensation for improvements effected before he has vacated the leased premises. Furthermore, landlords must clearly not enter into oral leases nor allow tenants to remain in occupation after the initial written lease period has expired as this may prejudice landlords by virtue of the waiver clause. 5. It is suggested that the following wording be inserted into all lease agreements: "The lessee shall not make any alterations or additions whatsoever to the premises without the prior written consent of the lessor. In the event of the lessor consenting in writing to any such alteration or addition to the premises, the lessor shall be entitled, at its sole and absolute discretion, on termination of this lease agreement to require the lessee to restore the premises, at the lessee's expense, to the same condition as they were in prior to such alteration or addition. It is expressly recorded that the lessee shall have no claim of whatsoever nature for any improvements or alterations effected by the lessee to the premises, whether such improvements were effected with or without the lessor's consent. The lessee furthermore hereby expressly waives and abandons any improvement lien that it may have in respect of any alterations or additions made to the premises and expressly acknowledges that it shall have no right to occupy the property pending the outcome of any legal or other dispute that may arise between the parties in respect of any alleged improvement lien".
Thought of the week from Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes (13.10.06)
Did you know that… When one Company stands Surety for another Company, normally the Shareholders of the Surety Company are required to give their consent to the Suretyship in advance. This however does not apply when the two Companies stand in a holding/subsidiary relationship to each other Speak to one of our Conveyancers for Specialist advice in Property Law
Contribution from Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes regarding BEE (10.10.06) BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Don't lose business because of BEE The Black Economic Empowerment Act presents South African business with a unique and remarkable opportunity to assist in the transformation of the South African economy. It should not therefore be seen as a threat but rather as a potentially integrated benefit to your organization/business and as an opportunity. The second phase draft codes (although not yet finalized) certainly set out the principles upon which the status of your business will be assessed and now is probably the most opportune time to gain a competitive edge by developing a proactive BEE strategy. At Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes we have a specialised team of professionals who will advise and assist you with all your BEE requirements including advice on how to become BEE compliant as well as structuring and attending to transactions which will be of benefit to your business both now and in the future. For professional advice and assistance in this often complex subject contact Tracy Reiff or Rushdie Lagardien Tel No: 021 406 9100 E Mail: info@strb.com
Jan Scherman writes from Cape Town (06.10.06):
As I sit and look at the site, wondering what to do next, it suddenly came to me: How many of you out there (breakdown companies and towing operaters) are willing to give up standing on the street corner? How many of you are confident enough to say: "I don't stand on a street corner, I'm not a vulture"! Is there anyone that can do this?
Maybe if we all start working as professional people and respect each other it might be worthwhile for everybody to do business. The big companies must also start to think of others. They own towing companies and panelshops and mechanicals workshops, which is fine by me, but please pay your staff enough so that they don't have to act like gansters at accident scenes!
We as towtruck operators don’t need to fight at accident scenes in front of the public, we are trying to provide a service!
Maybe SATRA must look at a system where there are no towtrucks on street corners, all calls come from call centres, and the closest service provider gets the call. I would like to hear from you what you think - in this way everybody gets a fair share of the pie.
Dean Scheffer writes on the subject of Roadside Assistance (04.10.06):
Like what you did with the site, now all I'd like to know is if you have a department or site like this for trucks and trailers? My trucks do tend to leave me all over the country. It would be very helpfull if you could point me in any direction?
Editor: Very much the same subject as the insert below, there obviously seems to be a need for heavy vehicle (truck) assistance. Of course we obliged Dean by sending him the same list of service providers, and will add a new section to the site shortly.
Wilma Roux contacted us from Value Logistics (21.09.06):
They have a fleet of over 4000 vehicles
and prefer to arrange for emergency assistance themselves. Also the person
responsible for this function doesn’t always have access to the internet (after
hours), and she needs information about towing companies that have vehicles
that can handle loads of 25 tons and more (information that we have on the
database but don’t publish on Assist24).
Anonymous sent this letter to the Herald and a copy to us (31.07.06):
On Saturday, my wife and daughter were almost involved in an accident. One tow truck was racing another down 3rd Ave, Newton Park toward the dip. A hundred metres before Continental Butchery, the driver coming 2nd decided to overtake on a blind corner and on a solid white line. The tow truck skidded some 60 metres and ramped the pavement on the opposite side of the road, narrowly avoiding my wife's car. She then stopped to see if the driver needed any assistance, to which she was verbally abused by him. He actually accused her of nearly killing him, in not-so-nice-a-tone and foul language describing parts of a woman's anatomy.
To the driver, (if you can actually read), a solid white line means "no over-taking", a striped line means you may, so long as the road ahead is clear.
The round blue signs with a red border and a white 6 and a 0 in the middle, means you can only drive 60Km/h.
In case no one taught you any manners, to speak to a lady in that way and in front of an 8 year old, is unacceptable. In future, instead of cleaning your car with soap, maybe try a little in your mouth too!
To the owner of Jeno's Auto, my wife did phone your company to complain, however, this seems to have fallen on deaf ears as she was promised a return call confirming if the truck was part of your organisation. The picture I took of the truck, clearly displays your company name. For your records, the number plate is BGZ 473 EC and the driver looks like a Johnny Bravo wannabe. I sincerely hope all you insurances are up-to-date, as you may need to claim in the near future should your employees continue driving in this manner, but next time for a whole lot more than a few burst tyres and damaged rims!
To www.assist24.co.za , I trust that a review of your "Approved Service Providers" will be carried out, especially being part of the Media24 group of companies. This truck had one of your stickers on it! I am sure that you would not want your name associated with a company that employs ruthless, road hog thugs.
Besides a few tears from my daughter and a shaken up wife, my family drove away unhurt. Thank goodness no contact was made.
South Africans say life is cheap in our country. For a R250 call out fee that the driver/company may have earned while endangering other road users lives, maybe life really is cheap!
Editor’s note: Terrible incidents like these are part of the reason why tow truck operators have such a bad name in this country. Even though many players in the industry have been trying for years to change operator behaviour, the competive nature of the business ensures survival of the fastest!
As far as Assist24 approval is concerned, it is based solely on factors such as the capabilities, equipment, attitude and response times of the company (evaluation forms are available on the site). Obviously it is impossible for us to gaurantee responsible road behaviour of their employees at all times, however we regard such incidents as extremely disturbing and follow up on them immediately. As such we approached the owner of Jeno’s Auto regarding this incident. He was extremely apologetic and polite, and promised that the operator would be severely repremanded, and that any further complaints would lead to instant dismissal. He also offered to personally apologise to the writer and his wife, which offer was conveyed to them by myself. They declined, accepting the apology offered by the owner, wishing to take no further action.
Julie Nunes writes (28.07.06):
After 22 years in the industry it is my opinion that:
A National Towing Regulator should be established under a National Towing Act.
Their responsibilities should be:
Regulation of the industry as well as research,policy development, registration of all participants, training and investigation of complaints and ensuring the enforcement of the act along with government.
AS SA CITIZENS IT IS OUR DUTY TO CARE!
This would promote the development of the towing fraternity as well as address the needs of the public consumer who has no recourse left to him after exhorbitant fees have been charged.
There are towers out there who won't agree with this and will say "self regulation" is the answer.
Well, "been there, done that" and look at the mess:
Dominant Firms, Overcharging, Spotters fees, no respect for the law and other road users, but to mention a few.
I dream about the day that I can stand proud and say I'm in the towing business when asked about my profession!
Schoolyard Nerd writes:
I am one of the smaller guys and write on behalf of (hopefully) all the other little guys out there.
For some time now large, established and financially resourceful Towing Companies (you know who you are) have by virtue of their "huge" status dominated the industry - particularly in the greater Johannesburg area.
It begins like this: A number of small greedy towing companies get together and pool their resources and equipment. They then come up with a plan to convince call centres to use them exclusively in return for lower rates (which they can obviously charge because of their pooled resources) and the like. They therefor get more work... make more money.... buy out more small companies (who have no choice but to sell)... procure more call-centre business.... get more work... make more money - well, you get the picture!
Now, I fear, the same is about to happen in Durban. This is my playground - and my continued existance is in jeopardy! I'm all for free enterprise, but at the risk of sounding like a spoiled brat, I'm not about to give in to a playground bully and sell-out or get-out! Though it will be "business as usual" for me as long as I can stay standing against these giants, I fear it may not be for long. One voice in the wilderness will do nothing more than rouse the birds in my tree and flying below the radar may help for a short while. What I'm hoping for is that there are other like-minded "small guys" out there who would like the buck to stop somewhere - in the TRUE spirit of free enterprise! Free enterprise that will offer ALL out there EQUAL opportunities. As I see it, the only place the buck can stop, is at the call-centres who indirectly have it within their power to control the continued existance or demise of the smaller towing companies trying to survive against all odds. One of my friends voiced a question I had been pondering for some time when he asked "what must we do, who must we list with, pay, beg - in order to get work"? If they devised a fair method of job allocation (without falling prey to the domineering tactics of the schoolyard bullies), then small towing contractors may be granted a small reprise and a few extra years in a fiercely competitive industry.
Now I'm not sure about the other guys, but I for one, would be happy to compete fairly in a market where ethics and standards of service are maintained and realistic rate structures are upheld and adhered to..... Yeah, good old-fashioned quality service where the customer still comes first!
Well, I can dream, can't I?
Lola writes:EK HET EEN KIND HY IS BLIND EN VERLAM, EN EK DINK DAT AL DIE SKYNHEILIGE SKRYWERS MOET GAAN SIT EN MOOI DINK. AL DIE BREAKDOWNS LEWER DIESELFDE DIENS, DIE EEN SE PRYS VERSKIL NET VAN DIE ANDER.
EK HET TWEE NISSANS EN DIT KOS GELD OM HULLE REG EN OP DIE PAD TE HOU. EK IS TEN VOLLE VERSEKER TEEN N BILIKKE PREMIE EN BEHOORT AAN SATRA EN IS OOK OP AL DIE VERSEKERINGS MAATSKAPPYE SE BOEKE.
HULLE GEE MY NIE WERK NIE MAAR HULLE IS DAAR AS EK HULLE NODIG HET VIR N REF: NO:.
EK VERKIES DIT SO WANT EK DOEN MY WERK REG EN AS EK BV. N KAR OPTEL VAN AUTO & GENERAL EN HULLE SE DAT HULLE BETAAL NET R750.00 DAN IS WAT EK HULLE VRA. HOEVEEL KAN SE HULLE DOEN DIESELFDE? MOET MY NIE VERKEERD VERSTAAN NIE: EK HAAT DIT OOK AS DIE PUBLIEK ONS ALMAL ONDER DIESELFDE KAM SKEER, WANT EK WEET DAAR IS NOG VAN JULLE WAT EERLIK EN OPREG TEENOOR DIE PUBLIEK OPTREE. MAAR WAT MY NOU REGTIG KWAAD MAAK IS DIE BIG 5 WAT DIT MOEILIK MAAK VIR ONS KLEIN BROODLYN OPERATEURS.
BV. AS DIE VERSEKERING SE HULLE BETAAL NET R1250.00 DAN VRA HULLE SOMMER R2750.00, EN DIT IS HOEKOM DIE CALL CENTRES VANDAG BESTAAN. JULLE KAN NIE DIE CALL CENTRES KWALIK NEEM NIE WANT HULLE PROBEER HULLE KLIENTE BESKERM. WAAR SY BYBETALING R500.00 SOU WEES IS DIT SOMMER NOU R1750.00, WANT HY MOET NOU DIE R1250.00 TERUGBETAAL WAT DIE DIENSVERSKAFFER TE VEEL GEVRA HET.
DIT IS NET N VOORBEELD MAAR DIT GEBEUR DIKWELS.
DANKIE VIR ASSIST24 WANT HULLE GEE NIE OM OF EK NIE 20 ROLLBACKS HET NIE. MY TWEE NISSANS IS GENOEG EN EK VRA PRYSE WAT DIE VERSEKERING BEREID IS OM TE BETAAL. THE BEE FUTURIST (on behalf of the editor)
The Department of Trade and Industry has introduced the concept of a BBBEE (broad based black economic empowerment) scorecard in order to measure a company's progress in developing BBBEE programs for their companies.
A BBBEE rating will reflect all seven pillars of the s/card including ownership, management control, employment equity, skills development, enterprise development, CSI, (corporate social investment) and preferential procurement (procurement with other BEE companies)
It is the DTI’s intention that all levels of government, parastatals, would use balanced s/cards in awarding tenders and contracts. Through this Balanced s/card, the DTI aims to reverse the current practice of awarding contracts largely or solely based on the degree of black ownership of the companies submitting tenders.
Companies are actively aligning themselves to develop BBBEE plans, which will be effective and achievable, in order to give equal opportunity to all and help stamp out fronting and fraud.
Why Go BEE
Black owned companies may ask why should they obtain a rating seeing that they are black owned and everybody they deal with knows that. (If a company is 100%, black owned they are sure of only 20% out of 100% on the generic scorecard)
A BBBEE rating will also measure a company's contribution towards the other pillars of the s/card other than ownership and management, they want to see what a company's contribution is towards skills development, enterprise development, CSI, (corporate social investment) and preferential procurement (Procurement with other BEE companies, would in other words be transparent.) The only way to do that is to obtain a rating done by a rating agent, which will be accredited by SANAS.
Companies are advised by sector charters to familiarise themselves with the DTI’s draft policy strategy on BBBEE and to examine the Codes of Good Practise.
How to Go About it
This is a process, and all parties concerned are encouraged to be patient, as different charters for industries will be implemented over a period of time. This will give everybody including government entities, so-called organs of state and parastatals as well as the private sector, enough time to align themselves according to DTI’s requirements, on all sectors of the s/card.
Many companies have already obtained a rating and are constantly advised by DTI and charters on how to go about the whole process of becoming Black Empowered. This is admittedly a slow process but most companies are aware that this is the way forward and that government is putting structures in place to ensure equal opportunity for all.
The SA Motor industry and BEE
The Retail Motor Industry has established a BBBEE work group that is formulating the criteria that will eventually become the Automotive Sector scorecard\charter, however this process is being delayed by the relatively slow progress in publication, by the DTI, of the code 1000, which determines the 'rules of the game' for all qualifying small enterprises. As the RMI membership of 7500 consists of 93.8% SME businesses, it is pointless continuing the process until there is some sign of Code 1000. Mr. Jeffrey Ndomu of DTI has assured the Retail Motor Industry that they are expediting the publication of the SME code 1000 and hope to have it up and running before Christmas. If this is indeed the case, the RMI working group will immediately re-commence with the process of drawing the Automotive sector scorecard and will publish same as soon as possible.
Hilton Hedley sent in the following report from the AA: Be aware of
the new hi-jacking scheme. Here's how it works: You walk across the parking
lot, unlock your car and get inside.
Anonymous panel beater writes:
I attended a sambra meeting the other day and to my suprise 90 people registered at the meeting: 85 white and five black. Yet the chairperson commented about THE COLORED PEOPLE IN THE WESTERN CAPE that their shops are not adequate or they don’t want to belong to SAMBRA. I AM A COLORED OWNER and I am supposed to march with my staff and SAMBRA in early JANUARY 2006 for who's benefit, THE 85 WHITE SHOPS?
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE BLACK STAFF WILL BENEFIT FROM THE INCREASED RATES!
Hello - who is pulling the wool over who's eyes?
I encourage all non white shops to join SAARSA so that we can achieve what is right in the panel beating industry - we have the RIGHT to work!
When I asked why is it that the RMI has got a black wing called NAASP that is recruiting shops from the informal sector "garage and pavement panel beaters", they could or did not want to answer. WHAT ABOUT THE SHOPS IN THE FORMAL SECTOR THAT BATTLE TO DO INSURANCE WORK BECAUSE OF A PANEL SYSTEM? YET IN DECEMBER THEY DON’T CARE WHO THEY GIVE THE WORK TO!
Jozua Joubert writes (to Europ Assistance):
Hi Alta Met verwysing na ons telefoongesprek vandag 22 November 2005, wil ek graag net die volgende onder jou aandag bring. Om 11H00 gesels ek met Serina en verduidelik ek my probleem dat my motor se radiater gekraak het en dat ek 'n insleep voertuig benodig om my motor by die handelaar te kry. Sy reël met Platinum Roadside Assist en om ongeveer 12h00 arriveer die insleepvoertuig. Die bestuurder, Pieter, was baie hulpvaardig, vriendelik en het die werk gemaklik hanteer. Om ongeveer 12H30 word my motor afgelaai by die handelaar. In hierdie tyd het Serina 2 keer telefonies met my kontak gemaak om te verneem of alles in orde is. Ek wil jou en jou personeel, by name Serina en Pieter hartlik bedank vir hul uitstekende dienslewering. Hierdie tipe belangstelling en werkwyse veroorsaak dat mens weer met groot entoesiasme aanbevelings kan doen.
Baie dankie dat julle Assistron so komplimenteer. Met groete Jozua Joubert
Received from AllCall Afrika
WE NEED YOUR HELP...
AllCall Afrika takes disadvantaged people out of the townships and we equip them with technical & trade skills. Our partners in the business have a successful track record spreading back over many years and as a result of their efforts we have access to a large pool of trained and skilled technicians and artisans with a broad range of skills.
AllCall Afrika is the culmination and coming together of many years of work, effort and experience by a variety of organizations to create a one stop shop offering a variety of technical and trade skills under one roof.
We offer the following services - plumbing, electrical, building, painting, tiling, gardening, cleaning, landscaping, etc. I am confident when I say that we have the resources and expertise to solve almost any problem you care to think of in a professional and effective manner. We also offer emergency assistance.
AllCall Afrika is also the only national black owned home assistance company in South Africa today. We also specialise in facility management and retail and commercial projects.
Our partners in AllCall Afrika include (1) a property management company (2) labour federations, charities and churches (3) a high profile financial services organisation (4) two medium sized black owned enterprises with experience in the building, plumbing and electrical and (5) a number of leading black entrepreneurs. A full company profile is available on request.
PM:
During a recent visit to Johannesburg (from Cape Town) I was pushing my little rented car to the limit on the freeway to keep up with the middle lane of traffic at 140kph, while faster cars were passing on the right at 160 plus and slower cars moved respectfully to the left. It put a huge grin on my face to once again be amongst drivers who understand and apply the "keep left pass right" rule, courteously allow other vehicles to join the traffic mainstream, and who are just generally aware of the importance of being a considerate road user. Strange how this little scenario seems to typify Jo'burgers attitude to life: Some move in the fast lane, some in the slow lane, but there's a place for everyone to operate at the speed they are comfortable with! It seems that the KZN traffic authorities have also been visiting Gauteng lately, and they certainly deserve praise for their recent drive to stamp out slow driving in the fast lane. Capetonians, however, have always been different. Stubbornly/ignorantly hugging the right hand side of the road is practised and accepted by most, even the authorities! As proof of this I would like to relate what happened to me a couple of months ago: Driving to Cape Town from Somerset West on the N2 I got stuck behind a traffic policeman travelling in the right hand lane at 110 kph. By the end of the trip I was livid and decided to call the Helderberg traffic department to complain about his lack of awareness/consideration. The PR person was unfortunately busy but called back the next day, all friendly and chatty as is his responsibility. After relating the incident to him, I asked him if the "keep left pass right" law still existed. "Yes", was his response, "but it is not very important". "Why not?" I asked. "Because nobody really applies it", was his response. I asked him if he was going to do anything about it, and he promised to ask old Sakkie (the name of the offending cop) to move up next time and give other people a chance to pass. I kid you not! Rather than going the KZN way and focussing on the problem, which in my humble opinion is not only ignorant drivers but drunk/sleepy/arrogant pedestrians, it seems that Western Cape authorities have conveniently decided to latch onto speeding drivers. In fact it seems they have gone berserk installing speed trap cameras, at every possible intersection and more. Conveniently, I say, because policing ignorant drivers and drunken pedestrians is far more confrontational and far less rewarding than targeting (even slightly) speeding motorists. Let's face it: Speed trapping's primary concern is not safety - it's to collect money to fill the city's coffers. Even the police will tell you so (off the record of course). It seems that the age old saying about nothing being certain but death and taxes certainly holds true on the roads of the fairest Cape: Death to the jaywalker, and taxes to the motorist.
Carl:
You should ask the companies that list with you to add their e-mail address - this is the Internet!! It makes requesting a quote easier!
Editor: In fact we do - unfortunately the information sometimes is supplied by a third party (sponsor or association) in which case we don't deal with the SP directly. Thanks for the feedback anyway, your suggestions are always welcome.
A Nel:
I recently had the privilege of buying a new car, which had automatic roadside cover attached to the vehicle’s warranty period. I was forced to cancel the roadside cover I had with you due to the overlap. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding service. It was a privilege being one of your customers. I would refer any one to you. Thank you for excellent service. Keep it up!
Does Size Really Count:
I recently started a towing company in one of our bigger cities and find it increasingly difficult to compete work wise. I don't have the variety and number of vehicles that some of the bigger companies have who have been around forever, but I'm quick, my vehicle and I are presentable, my premises are tidy and I want to make this work! Perhaps you could suggest things I should be paying special attention to that may in future bring me more work and a respectable reputation?
Editor: As long as your rates are reasonable and you provide an efficient, honest service, just hang in there – people will notice! Of course it helps to be listed on Assist24 as well – it’s where most reputable assistance companies get their information.
Urban Towing, Cape Town:
We just want to thank you personally for putting us on Assist24’s website, and putting us on your panel. As you know we are a new company, and this has really helped us so much. We do appreciate it and hopefully we can work together in the future. To tow a vehicle from the scene of an accident is no easy job. Customers are rude sometimes and they think we are going to take their car to some scrap yard somewhere, and charge them the earth to get their car back. But thanks to people like you who give us a chance to make a good name for ourselves, and putting our name out there so people can see we are the real deal, and not some backstreet towing company. We try to offer the best service possible, and through your website people can see that we are a reputable company. Thanking you again for all your help, if you ever need anything from us please give us a call. Kerry and Chris.
Disgruntled:
I listed with your site some time ago and though the fee is nominal, I have had no work from Assist 24 since! I thought at the very least that I would be too busy to write nonsense letters to an invisible editor?
Editor: Please note that we do not operate a call centre, therefore you will never get work directly from Assist24. However, being a specialised directory, the site is used by many call centres as a source of information. In this regard you should be getting enquiries from people that have not dealt with you before, and if you use your allocated ID number and password you will be able to check exactly when and by whom (even though it is only an IP address) your information was accessed. Now which other directory is prepared to (and able to) divulge that information to you?
Anon:
Your Forum encourages feedback or suggestions: I have invested huge effort and finance in ensuring my premises and vehicles are in tip-top shape. At the risk of sounding like a pompous ass, I would like to show the world! I don't have the need for my own website (it's too costly anyhow), but would certainly appreciate some way in which to showcase digital images that are representative of my approach to business. Do you offer such a service? Perhaps your web-master could (at a special rate) set up a page or two that can be linked to our info on your site in some way...What do you think?
Editor: We are considering the option as many Service Providers have expressed the need – please watch this space.Reader's Comments on: New kid on the block:It is great to see that there are so many tow operators beginning to come out of the closets and express their feelings. We at saamtta, would also like to be of assistance where possible, so you are welcome to contact us at saamtta@yebo.co.za. Assist 24 is certainly a website that is worthy of its reputation by assisting all in the motoring industry, whether you are a private individual or a business. This website is certainly going to be a great educational tool in the future. Perhaps a section on bad experiences should be added where the supplier can respond to complaints?
New Kid on the Block:
As a new business starting out (more specifically breakdown service), it would appear that in order to get any work from bigger RA companies and get your name on the Metro rosters, you have to have years in the trade and/or connections (if I may call them that). Everyone has a so-called "panel" or "data-base" and their own listing fee. Even industry organisations have jumped the bandwagon and charge huge registration fees. I'm a small company already labouring under the usual start-up cost of any business. Indemnity Insurance or Public Liability cover (essential I'm told) is extremely costly also. Please suggest one overall panel or place to list where my company will enjoy maximum exposure to all the right people. Should I still register with local towing associations/organisations? How does one go about negotiating contracts? Are contracts still respected in the trade and do they carry any weight at all with local traffic police? Might there be an Insurance Company out there that concentrates on our type of cover at a more competitive rate? Please reply in the forum - I'm sure there are many out there like me who use your site as a point of reference and I often look to this section for info.
Editor: Thank you for the e-mail, and addressing some topics that concern all of us: 1. Metro rosters I cannot speak for, but most RA companies do not charge a listing fee and are only too happy to deal with Service Providers that are willing to provide a reliable service, no matter the size of the business. The bigger ones obviously have access to more equipment, and therefore seem to be able to respond to calls more reliably and swiftly, time always being a factor. 2. As far as Industry Organisations and Towing Associations are concerned I would first check whether they really represent your industry, and from fellow members whether they are happy with their registrations. Of course added benefits such as medical schemes etc are also important, so check those too. 3. Indemnity Insurance remains important, and the smaller your company the more important it becomes. Shop around as much as possible, and if you don’t come right contact us on the office hours number 0861 24INFO, we may be able to refer you to someone who specialises in this field. 4. As a Motoring Service Provider we believe listing on Assist24 will provide you with more exposure than any other business listing. In fact we are so confident that we give you direct access to your own webstats, so that you can check for yourself. 5. Contracts with RA companies are extremely valuable (if you can get them), and traffic police have to respect stickers on vehicles and owners instructions. To help you negotiate the terms of these contracts we are always willing to assist - please contact us and we will ask our legal department to help.
One of the Good Guys:
Dear Sir/s, there has been much press regarding the antics of unscrupulous Tow Truck Operators! Bad news travels, we know, but these incidents threaten to single-handedly destroy the reputation of our industry.
I have worked long, hard hours building a business and a reputation worthy of defending. I have always thought that healthy competition is what good business is made of. Surely a little competition will test my strengths and encourage greater versatility with improved standards of expertise and professionalism? When I encounter articles about the dastardly (even if only alleged) methods employed by some of the Operators in our trade, I have full appreciation for the sentiments of one of your earlier readers when we were so aptly named Cowboys! Manipulating Traffic Lights - come on! Give this guy a cap gun and a horse! All of the progress that has been made toward improving the image of our industry is undone by the greedy, selfish and underhanded acts of singular service providers. I, for one, refuse to settle to his level and wallow in his muck. What assurance do I have as a respected Service Provider that I will be surrounded by like-minded people that pride themselves upon service excellence and their good reputations when I list on your site. Or will I be the only Indian? Do you set standards of service and do you have means of enforcing these? Though most approval program are good and add to our credibility, many prove superficial and elementary. How much does my approval by Assist 24 say about my business to the consumer?
Browsing your site has suggested that finally we may have a place where we all who have the industries best interests at heart, can present a united front for improved public sentiment based on the good fundamental business principles of service excellence. I hope I won't be disappointed!
Anonymous: I recently came across your site while browsing. Let me first say that I was indeed impressed by the comprehensive nature of the site and its overall “look”. Curiosity forces my following enquiry though: Local papers highlighted a problem concerning breakdown services and the tactics they use to secure trade. You may recall similar incidences on the N1 last year in which several tow-truck operators and others that were involved were apprehended, but apparently not prosecuted? It stands to reason that there are in every industry, the supposed bad apples. It also makes sense that their conduct will eventually mean that they will hasten their own demise, but the following question comes to mind: How do you go about ensuring that these operators of ill-repute don’t somehow work their way onto your site? Are the identities of these businesses revealed to people like yourselves in order to protect the unsuspecting public? (Editor: We have been involved in the emergency assistance industry for many years and have managed to sort out most of the bad apples along the way. Unfortunately they keep on coming back under different names, but we are very strict in terms of Assist24 approval – to find them look under Towing Services and the Assist24 section. In fact this is the whole rationale behind the site: to offer the public peace of mind in dealing with service providers that have been approved by major companies.)
Tina Louw from Pretoria: As I am interested in purchasing a Nissan 1400 LDV, I made enquiries about finance plans and payment options available. A dealership in Pretoria have a staggered payment plan that begins with 12 payments at R650, followed by the balance of the 60 month term in payments of R1 700.00. At the end of the five-year payment plan, there appears to be a residual of 35%. Is this method of financing advisable? The R650 payment is really affordable and very appealing to someone like me who can't afford a huge repayment but needs a reliable vehicle. (Editor: If you leased the vehicle over 60 months it would cost you just over R1000 per month, let’s say R1100 to be conservative. The eventual difference in what you pay for the vehicle would then be 48 x R600 less 12 x R450, plus the 35% residual which is R24000 = R47400. In other words as attractive as the option may seem now you will pay R47000 more for the vehicle eventually!)
Andrew McCall from EPC Underwriters: Your website has helped me out like you won’t believe. Thanks!
Philip Vorster from Luckhoff: On Sunday the 2nd of January we were returning home from holiday when my car’s radiator hose developed a leak 20 km from Beaufort West and we needed roadside assistance. I called Vodacom’s 147 emergency number and they referred me to a towing service provider in Beaufort West, who it turned out had stopped towing 5 years ago! Don’t these people maintain their information? Fortunately Look4it referred me to another company that provided us with assistance, and we were on our way shortly after.
John de Beer from Rustenburg: Recently my Toyota Camry automatic started overheating on the R22 near Delmas and Motorite Assist sent a tow truck to help, but the operator towed the vehicle the wrong way around and caused R18 000 damage to the gearbox. Fortunately Motorite Assist offered to pay for the repairs but what would have happened if they had refused? (Editor: According to our insurance advisor you would have been able to claim on your own policy but that would have affected your no-claim bonus. Towing Service Providers approved by Assist24 generally carry full Professional Indemnity insurance, which is why it is much better to deal with them).
Lex Henning from Johannesburg: Some time ago my wife called me while I was on my way to work to tell me that our geyser had packed up. I told her to have our plumber fix it, which he did, at a cost of R3500. When I submitted my claim to Stanbic they only refunded R2000, stating that I should have used their approved plumber. How was I supposed to know?
Gerrie de Bruin van Welkom: Dankie vir die vriendelike inligting van 0861 24HOUR – ten minste het my kar by ‘n VW goedgekeurde paneelklopper geeindig (ek het nie eers geweet daar is sulke goed nie!).
Linda from Pretoria: Recently my car’s radiator was damaged in an accident. The insurance company appointed panel beater cannot source a new radiator and wants to have one made up, should I agree? (Reply: Only with the written approval of the vehicle’s manufacturer, otherwise the warrantee will be affected!) We would like to hear your comments. Please email us any feedback or suggestions you may have. |
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