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Hi everyone.
This is my first posting and I need some advice regarding my problem with a local independent garage. apologies if its a bit long winded...
I have used the garage before without any issues but this year unfortunately turned out to be different.
I have been unwell for the past year being off work and noticed my MOT was overdue, I rang up the local garage and booked my car in for its teat having an issue with a warning light addressed as well.
I Phoned the garage to see if the car was ready only to be told there was a delay at the testing station, I waited and was called late the following day saying it had failed due to brake pad and disc wear, bit strange as I had not done more than 60 miles since its last MOT (having been housebound).
I asked the garage owner how much he thought it would cost a "ball park figure" and he said "oh umm about £310 all in" as the parts for my car were not stocked by most factors due to age (2001 Merc Aclass) He said he understood my situation and would try to get the parts from Euro Parts and get them for a "sensible price".
A called them a day later asking if the car was ready, I was told the parts had not come in yet and they would call me when it was ready I was called on the Friday and told my car wouldn't be ready until Monday. I picked up the Car on the Wednesday when they finally called to say it was ready.
I was under the impression that the bill would be less than the £310 he had said but got the impression that they wanted to add more to it. They said the MOT tester hadn't noticed one of my front springs was broken and they had only noticed it when fitting the brake parts. They said it had passed the MOT though.
Due to my illness I paid and got home fast, all I had was a card receipt and was told I would get the invoice through the post along with the MOT papers.
I got the invoice but no MOT paperwork. I looked at the bill and was a little shocked at being charged £140 just for parts inc VAT.
I went out to my car and found they had fitted OE parts which I found on Ebay for £47.05 including VAT and delivery, Quite a mark up!
The delay in the parts arriving give me the suspicion he purchased them from there and not Euro Parts which he originally mentioned. Can I ask them where they sourced the parts from and what make were fitted to my car?
I was a little confused as to if his initial estimate could be counted as a Quote or if it was an estimate as when I went in to pay he asked how much he had quoted me over the phone (There was nothing in writing).
I know he told me a little lie about the parts not being used as much due to the age of the car but I have found out they are still current parts used in a number of Merc vehicles and are in stock with a wide range of dealers for significantly less than he said they cost.
Do I have any options with this or should I just put it down to experience and not use them again?
This is my first posting and I need some advice regarding my problem with a local independent garage. apologies if its a bit long winded...
I have used the garage before without any issues but this year unfortunately turned out to be different.
I have been unwell for the past year being off work and noticed my MOT was overdue, I rang up the local garage and booked my car in for its teat having an issue with a warning light addressed as well.
I Phoned the garage to see if the car was ready only to be told there was a delay at the testing station, I waited and was called late the following day saying it had failed due to brake pad and disc wear, bit strange as I had not done more than 60 miles since its last MOT (having been housebound).
I asked the garage owner how much he thought it would cost a "ball park figure" and he said "oh umm about £310 all in" as the parts for my car were not stocked by most factors due to age (2001 Merc Aclass) He said he understood my situation and would try to get the parts from Euro Parts and get them for a "sensible price".
A called them a day later asking if the car was ready, I was told the parts had not come in yet and they would call me when it was ready I was called on the Friday and told my car wouldn't be ready until Monday. I picked up the Car on the Wednesday when they finally called to say it was ready.
I was under the impression that the bill would be less than the £310 he had said but got the impression that they wanted to add more to it. They said the MOT tester hadn't noticed one of my front springs was broken and they had only noticed it when fitting the brake parts. They said it had passed the MOT though.
Due to my illness I paid and got home fast, all I had was a card receipt and was told I would get the invoice through the post along with the MOT papers.
I got the invoice but no MOT paperwork. I looked at the bill and was a little shocked at being charged £140 just for parts inc VAT.
I went out to my car and found they had fitted OE parts which I found on Ebay for £47.05 including VAT and delivery, Quite a mark up!
The delay in the parts arriving give me the suspicion he purchased them from there and not Euro Parts which he originally mentioned. Can I ask them where they sourced the parts from and what make were fitted to my car?
I was a little confused as to if his initial estimate could be counted as a Quote or if it was an estimate as when I went in to pay he asked how much he had quoted me over the phone (There was nothing in writing).
I know he told me a little lie about the parts not being used as much due to the age of the car but I have found out they are still current parts used in a number of Merc vehicles and are in stock with a wide range of dealers for significantly less than he said they cost.
Do I have any options with this or should I just put it down to experience and not use them again?
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