AFTER more than a year-long wait, a civil servant decided to cancel her purchase of a new car from a dealership in Johor Baru, despite having paid a deposit and traded in her old vehicle.
Siti Norhaza Ismail, 42, from Kota Tinggi district, said she went to a car dealer at a hypermarket hoping to book a new vehicle.
“The car dealer had been having a road show at the hypermarket for many years,” she said when met outside the Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal at Menara Ansar in Johor Baru.
Siti Norhaza claimed the dealer said she would not have to wait long to get her new car.
The claimant then paid a RM100 booking fee in cash for the car on Sept 15, 2023, followed by a cash deposit of RM400 on Sept 23.
She further paid the dealer RM7,800 in cash on Jan 5 last year.
On the same day, the claimant traded in her 18-year-old car for a value of RM5,000.
“The dealer promised to deliver the new car to me by March last year.
“However, he failed to do so,” said Siti Norhaza.
She also pointed out that her car loan application had been approved by then.
“My sister booked a similar car with another dealer in August last year and received it in October,” she said.
Siti Norhaza then decided to give the dealer until October 2024 to deliver the car.
However, the dealer once again failed to meet the deadline.
Frustrated, Siti Norhaza then decided to cancel her car purchase and wanted the company to refund her.
Tribunal president Lee Chee Thim ordered the respondent to pay the claimant RM13,300 within two weeks.
This figure is to cover RM8,300 for the booking and deposit fees, and RM5,000 for the trade-in value of the old car.
Those who need assistance in regard to Tribunal matters can call 07-227 1755/1766.
