Reply to: This Can't End Well

[Epiphone]

Car back, no bill. All went as smooth as could be expected.

Then some scrotes broke into my new shed last night and nicked all my car stuff. Toolbox, jack, axle stands, some decent oil I was going to put in. mad:

I'm buying a bike.

[Epiphone]

I doubt very much if you needed new springs, that sort of thing is usually a scam (typical of Kwikfit). What was allegedly wrong with it? My last Ford did over 300k miles which included a lot of heavy driving in Europe. The springs were perfect even after ten years.

It was the coil spring. It snapped, I heard it then it made noises turning round a corner.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

I doubt very much if you needed new springs, that sort of thing is usually a scam (typical of Kwikfit). What was allegedly wrong with it? My last Ford did over 300k miles which included a lot of heavy driving in Europe. The springs were perfect even after ten years.

My last Ford broke a front road spring at 15K - I know, because I heard it go, and I changed it myself. If you spend five minutes on any car forum, you'll find plenty of bona fide failures reported. It's because they are only (barely) built to last until the warranty ends, and our roads are shocking cart tracks these days.

[Paddy]

In April I had a coil spring replaced in my car at garage A.

It's having some more work done today in garage B.

Garage B reckon the coil spring is either the wrong one or has been fitted wrong and will write a report for me.

So one of two things will happen. Garage A will say "garage B are right. We'll put that right straight away". Or they'll say "garage B is talking a load of rubbish. We're doing nowt". And I'm left with either a wrong/poorly fitted part or a niggling doubt.

What do the panel think will happen? Place your bets.

I doubt very much if you needed new springs, that sort of thing is usually a scam (typical of Kwikfit). What was allegedly wrong with it? My last Ford did over 300k miles which included a lot of heavy driving in Europe. The springs were perfect even after ten years.

[Halo Jones]

[Epiphone]

I may have to edit this to "This May End Well After All"

Just had a call from the place that did the original work. They've accepted the part was on wrong and have repaired it (so they say ).

Get it back tomorrow. I'm not expecting a bill.

[Epiphone]

Get garage B to do the report but not to do any work

Then write to Garage A including the report & ask for their response

Contractually you have to offer Garage A the opportunity to put right at their cost or prove otherwise.

If they say no (in writing) then take to garage B get the work done & take Garage A to the small claims court.

Good advice. They're not too far away so if I get it back before 6pm I'll have a walk in and a chat. Better to start off by me being nice.

[Epiphone]

If Garage A kicks up a fuss get an independent report from the AA or RAC if you are a member to remove all doubt

Good idea, I thought of taking it to another (3rd) garage if garage A kicks up a fuss. Used to be in the RAC but Ford give you breakdown cover now with a service so haven't needed to be a member for a few years.

Put it this way, if I end up having two main dealer reports saying the same thing garage A can pay for it fixing or I reckon the small claims court wouldn't take too long to rule in my favour

[Halo Jones]

Get garage B to do the report but not to do any work

Then write to Garage A including the report & ask for their response

Contractually you have to offer Garage A the opportunity to put right at their cost or prove otherwise.

If they say no (in writing) then take to garage B get the work done & take Garage A to the small claims court.

[Epiphone]

I would have thought it was pretty obvious if this was wrong or right and won't leave garage A with a leg to stand on. I think if you stick to your guns and be happy to threaten them with legal action (after researching it so you don't sound like you don't know what you are talking about) then you should get it sorted.

I know bit about cars and what the spring does etc. Haven't been able to get photos 'cause I haven't got courtesy car today to get back down there. I'll have to make sure the report spells out exactly what's wrong with it.

Question I would have is do you want garage A doing the work bearing in mind they are pissed off with you. Depends on if garage A is bit set up or a dealer. if it is a one man band I would be worried they don't get their revenge somehow. Might get the spring sorted and find your sump plug drops out a few miles later.

It's franchised dealer so not massive but not a back street one-man band. Sump plug better not drop out. It's the sump that's getting replaced!

[SimonMac]

If Garage A kicks up a fuss get an independent report from the AA or RAC if you are a member to remove all doubt

[CoolCat]

One thing which does amuse me about modern life is how it tends to be the places with the worst customer service who have all the "please don't abuse the staff" posters

yep like the nhs

[Spacecadet]

You just need to let them know who's boss.

One thing which does amuse me about modern life is how it tends to be the places with the worst customer service who have all the "please don't abuse the staff" posters

[MarillionFan]

In April I had a coil spring replaced in my car at garage A.

It's having some more work done today in garage B.

Garage B reckon the coil spring is either the wrong one or has been fitted wrong and will write a report for me.

So one of two things will happen. Garage A will say "garage B are right. We'll put that right straight away". Or they'll say "garage B is talking a load of rubbish. We're doing nowt". And I'm left with either a wrong/poorly fitted part or a niggling doubt.

What do the panel think will happen? Place your bets.

You just need to let them know who's boss.

[northernladuk]

I would have thought it was pretty obvious if this was wrong or right and won't leave garage A with a leg to stand on. I think if you stick to your guns and be happy to threaten them with legal action (after researching it so you don't sound like you don't know what you are talking about) then you should get it sorted.

Question I would have is do you want garage A doing the work bearing in mind they are pissed off with you. Depends on if garage A is bit set up or a dealer. if it is a one man band I would be worried they don't get their revenge somehow. Might get the spring sorted and find your sump plug drops out a few miles later.