I contacted the driving school Honeybee Driving School via telecom on Friday 23rd August 2019 at 10h48. I found them on a website on google. They have branches in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and there is only one contact number 072 493 4906 and an email address honeybeedr***@gmail.com.
I spoke to Najeeb to book a 10 package with costs of R1800.00, I told him it is for my son who has obtained his learners license and I also gave him our home address. He sent me an invoice via WhatsApp. He asked when the lessons should commence and I confirmed for Monday 26th August at 11am. I transferred the money via internet banking -annex attached hereto – for the amount of R1800.00. I sent an email attaching the payment and details of my son -annex hereto – I did not receive a response on this email. I received a WhatsApp asking if aid and I responded yes via email, he then asked me to send a screen shot of payment via WhatsApp as they did not receive the email. Please not the email did go through as it did not ‘ bounce’ back.
Saturday morning 24th August I sent a WhatsApp that he must confirm receiving the funds, to which he answered Many thanks confirmed.
Monday 26th August before 11am morning I called my son to ask if the instructor arrived and he said no, I tried calling but I received no answer(I called from 3 different numbers still no answer). I wrote a message to let him know that the appointment time was not honoured and that he should contact me,I received a message at 15h31 -that the instructor’s wife passed away and I should reschedule.
Of course I was really taken by surprised as he did not contact me the morning to inform me. I then asked if he could refund me the money and I received a NO refunds given. I went to SATS Manenberg, Athlone to open a case but I was advised they cannot open case due to the NO refund – Bear in mind I was not communicated or signed a contract informing me of their terms.The police officer told me to go to small claims court -which I know can take forever.
I tried calling again after I left the police station and wrote another message asking for their location of offices so that I can go there, to which he responded he will call me but he did not and advised their offices is ion Darling street, yet the website says Doncaster Road, Kenilworth.
This person is giving me the run around as I though ok I will rebook the class, which I did for today 27th August at14h00, no response yet again.
To my amazement I went to read the reviews on the website, and I was appalled as quite a few people were commenting on their non delivery of service and yet taking their monies, which now also happened with me.
I feel that I have been scammed in this instance as I paid the money upfront and no services received. This raises a huge concern that there is only 1 contact number and how many people has he been scamming and getting away by making lots of money.
If this can be looked into as this person or persons is playing havoc with people making promises, taking the money and no services rendered.
I hereto attached the WhatsAPP messages between myself and the Company. And no response from received.