Name and Shame ? you all should know....
Discussion
Whilst tiptoeing around Ted's Name and Shame policy, I'd just like to tell a tale about a certain Independant Dealer, who we all know and recommend, who I will no longer be reccommending:
A certain PH'er buys an S having had a themselves and a fellow Car entusiast have a good look at it at time of purchase. After a bit of motoring, the PH'er takes it for a general checkup and look over at "Said Garage" who compile a long list of faults, and then fix them without request, authorisation or explanation, this was despite the fact they promised to provide an estimate first. On returning to the "Said Garage" the PH'er is then forced to pay a 2 grand bill or not get their car back.
One of these jobs that "needed doing" was to replace the exhaust with a new one at £420 for exhaust plus labour (Blimey!) which then fell off the car two weeks later. Now I've had my exhaust off more than once and know for a fact that even if you whack them about, they don't physically fall off the car as they have 3 mounts apart from clamps to the manifolds.
When the exhaust dropped off, "Said Garage" picked up the car and exhaust, and the mechanic just said he needed to take it back to the garage. On phoning to say it was ready for collection, "Said Garage" stated that our PH'er must have hit the exhaust at some time for it to drop off (not that there are any significant marks on the exhaust) The owner of "Said Garage" then asked PH'er for their credit card number and insisted "you owe me £240 for the repair and cost of petrol to pick it up on Saturday and mechanics time on Saturday". PH'er refused to pay as it had only been fitted by them two weeks ago and had paid the £420 for the pleasure. "Said Garage" owner simply said then that he would keep PH'ers car until they paid over the phone by credit card.
PH'er duly paid up as otherwise no car
Quite franky I'm so cross
at this kind of thing, I had to share it with all of you..
Cheers
Matt
TED.. let me know if I can disclose the Garage Name.
A certain PH'er buys an S having had a themselves and a fellow Car entusiast have a good look at it at time of purchase. After a bit of motoring, the PH'er takes it for a general checkup and look over at "Said Garage" who compile a long list of faults, and then fix them without request, authorisation or explanation, this was despite the fact they promised to provide an estimate first. On returning to the "Said Garage" the PH'er is then forced to pay a 2 grand bill or not get their car back.
One of these jobs that "needed doing" was to replace the exhaust with a new one at £420 for exhaust plus labour (Blimey!) which then fell off the car two weeks later. Now I've had my exhaust off more than once and know for a fact that even if you whack them about, they don't physically fall off the car as they have 3 mounts apart from clamps to the manifolds.
When the exhaust dropped off, "Said Garage" picked up the car and exhaust, and the mechanic just said he needed to take it back to the garage. On phoning to say it was ready for collection, "Said Garage" stated that our PH'er must have hit the exhaust at some time for it to drop off (not that there are any significant marks on the exhaust) The owner of "Said Garage" then asked PH'er for their credit card number and insisted "you owe me £240 for the repair and cost of petrol to pick it up on Saturday and mechanics time on Saturday". PH'er refused to pay as it had only been fitted by them two weeks ago and had paid the £420 for the pleasure. "Said Garage" owner simply said then that he would keep PH'ers car until they paid over the phone by credit card.
PH'er duly paid up as otherwise no car
Quite franky I'm so cross
at this kind of thing, I had to share it with all of you.. Cheers
Matt
TED.. let me know if I can disclose the Garage Name.
I'd suggest not naming as although it sounds steep, the other party would prob not get 'right to reply' etc and would have a different view on the matter. I'm not biased in their favour - I've had my own issues with them as well.
Its getting to the stage where we almost need a PH consumer rights team who could interogate dealers on behalf of the members (and then ask for another years advertising commitment on the way out).
Cheers,
JSG.
>> Edited by JSG (moderator) on Tuesday 16th July 14:50
Its getting to the stage where we almost need a PH consumer rights team who could interogate dealers on behalf of the members (and then ask for another years advertising commitment on the way out).
Cheers,
JSG.
>> Edited by JSG (moderator) on Tuesday 16th July 14:50
quote:
I'd suggest not naming as although it sounds steep, the other party would prob not get 'right to reply' etc and would have a different view on the matter. Cheers,
JSG.
Fair Point, but despite the fact they're obviously talking Boll()x..? I mean.. how does an exhaust physically fall off an S unless all the mounting bolts weren't nylocks and/or tightened up...
Cheers
Matt.
quote:
Sounds like a case for the local Trading Standards Office.
There must be some law / guidelines as to how much work (If any) a garage can perform on your car without your express consent.
Yes but in any dispute with a garage they have the right to hold your vehicle until the dispute is settled don't they...? Anyway.. our PH'er felt pressured enough to pay up so the contract is completed...
Ring any bells people ?
This is just disgusting and as far as I'm concerned this is a legitimate name and shame as the garage has given its response when quizzed about their actions. They have had their opportunity.
I have a similar scenario at the moment, yet in my case I have been promised that it will be sorted and have faith it will be at no extra cost to myself plus a small bonus to say sorry. This is not a garage so don't start guessing. The customer service I have received is far better than this.
It is abhorent that a new owner should have been treated like this and I'm sure they are now questioning why they forked out for a TVR if this is the kind of treatment they receive. I am confident in saying there are better dealers/specialists out there and please don't be put off ownership by this waste of space.
Personally I would claim my money back from my credit card and let them scrap it out with the garage.
If I'm in trouble Ted I'm sorry, but as this has already been posted on this site as quoted ver batum above I don't feel I'm telling anyone aomething they couldn't have found out for themselves.
Cheers
Mark
>> Edited by johno on Tuesday 16th July 12:34
No, do not name the garage for the reasons outlined previously. Apart from anything else it can jeopardise any legal action you take if the issue is discussed in an open forum.
Yes, you are forced to pay the bill in these situations - I've been there myself. I think legally you scribble something on the bill like 'paid under protest' and then you instigate legal action.
If the owner is a member of the AA then talk to their legal/technical people as they can provide extremely helpful advice regarding how to proceed.
Yes, you are forced to pay the bill in these situations - I've been there myself. I think legally you scribble something on the bill like 'paid under protest' and then you instigate legal action.
If the owner is a member of the AA then talk to their legal/technical people as they can provide extremely helpful advice regarding how to proceed.
Sorry guys, but you all know the rule:
quote:
'Naming and shaming' - whilst it's an admirable idea it doesn't work in practice. It's too complex an issue for us to deal with and can cause legal difficulties. All threads or comments falling into this category will be removed (even if we agree with the content!).
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