Post settlement disappointment

Ford Credit and their partner ABSA (FC/ABSA) should be avoided as far as possible if you are in the market for vehicle finance. Especially if you plan on settling the account and keeping the vehicle.

After 6 long years (72 months) of paying the installments diligently every single month, without missing a deadline, over R70k in interest and proudly settling the account at full term. I requested the natis certificate or vehicle title deed.

If you want your natis certificate from FC/ABSA, you will have to work a little harder and pay extra to get it. Upon my request I received 3 options, collect from my nearest ABSA branch or their office in Auckland Park - at my expense and time wasted. OR I can have it couriered to my address at a further cost of R170.

Can you imagine after paying several 10s of 1000s of R in interest they will expect you to pay even more and take a day of leave to go an sort your vehicle ownership out yourself at a licensing office, you are not their problem any more your account is settled.

We have settled vehicle finance loans in the past with MFC and the post settlement service was great. MFC/Nedbank promptly transferred ownership and sent all relevant documents via courier to our address all for free.

But upon settling with FC/ABSA it becomes clear they have extracted every R & cent possible from you and you are now worthless to them thus no further effort will be going into any request you may have.

Corporates love their hashtags and slogans UX, customer is key, all empty words. ABSA says “Your story matters”, well you read mine and I hope it can help you make an informed decision when you find yourself looking for vehicle finance. It’s not always the financing itself, but the post settlement treatment you receive counts as well.