My vehicle was given to Mark from Marks' Auto (021 762 8598 / 083 896 0005) in February 2009 to have the gearbox replaced at a quoted cost of R3, 500.00 as well as, follow up work on a previous service. The explicitly and agreed terms of this order was that Mark would have the car for 2-days and would carry out the work required himself. After 2-days we started following up on the vehicle and Mark was not returning calls nor available.

After about a week we got Mark to admit that the vehicle had been taken to Gearbox Exchange in Parow for the linkage of the gearbox to be repaired, which was not the reason the vehicle was in his possession in the first place. Mark had already attempted to repair the linkage without success, hence the decision to replace the gearbox.

On the following Monday, after finding the address in the phonebook we went to Gearbox Exchange only to discover that the owner Jooste van der Ploeg, had instructed the linkage to be repaired which resulted in a hole been blow torched through the back seat, floor and crossmember beneath it. And the drivers’ door was damaged. (Porsche Speedster '55 Replica).

The owner was instructed to not carry out any further work until this matter could be resolved with Mark and the attorney advised him of this instruction in writing. Mark was contacted by our attorney and he advised he would take full responsibility and risk for the vehicle as the work carried out was not as per the instruction received.

However, he subsequently went missing in action and Gearbox Exchange proceeded to strip the entire vehicle. The engine, wheels, gearbox, ect is now all packed around the exterior of the vehicle.

In April 2009 Mark delivered a letter advising that he is fully accountable and would set the matter straight and carry out repairs to reinstate the vehicle. However, two day later he called to advice that Gearbox Exchange has quoted R10, 000.00 to put the vehicle back together, to which he was advised that this is unacceptable and he then disappeared.

In the interim Jooste from Gearbox Exchange has got his attorney to advise that should the vehicle not be paid for within 3-months they will exercise liem on the vehicle. He also advised that he would not be pursuing Mark as Mark does not have money and will be charging R150.00 per day for storage.

Jooste from Gearbox Exchange has never provided us with a quotation or an invoice for the work he has "carried" out and the only document is an unsigned quotation for the initial R3, 500.00 addressed to Marks Auto.

We have been to the police but they advise it is a civil matter, so we went to an attorney who then advised it is a criminal matter - so we are being bounced from one person to the next and each day is costing an additional R150.00 for storage.

It is now July 2009 and this matter has been going on since February 2009 without any resolution in sight. Please could you assist us - a full report and back up documents including photographs is available should it be required, as this is a brief summary of the matter.

My contact information is: Arryn Eldon ([email protected]) or you can contact my assistant at [email protected]