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recently I sent my 65 plate car back to the dealer for some warranty work (dealer fitted spoiler which was painted poorly first time around). 3 weeks later I collect the car (yesterday), I gave it a quick inspection (on a tight dealer forecourt) and the spoiler still has runs but better than before - I figured how long would it take them to get right and I just wanted my car back so settled for it.
I drive it straight home and being the kind of person I am I took another good look around the car, I quickly spotted this:
Door Damage (2) by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
Door Damage (5) by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
Door Damage (4) by Rich Perkins, on Flickr
I immediately called the dealer, the Showroom Manager answered and I explained what I found, I then took the car straight back. Long story short the dealer is not accepting liability and implied it was either there before or I had just done it within the 30 mins of collecting the car. He said he'll meet me half way on the cost.
He's getting a quote and getting back to me, I said 24 hours. I've had a run in with the dealer before and in hindsight should have settled for the spoiler first time around - I should have never trusted them with the car, but there you go.
BUT... Now I've slept on it I've decided they aren't having the car back, even if they offer to repair in full. The spoiler was poor first time around, after 3 weeks and a rectification the spoiler still has runs and they also managed to damage my door in the process - it's not a small bash, they've seriously whacked it. I'd be insane to let them loose a third time and it'll be more hassle than worth.
I'm going to get x3 quotes today including another dealer, go with the one I feel most comfortable with and send them the bill. I'll settle for half/half settlement as a quick way of putting it to bed and never going near these chumps again, if not I'll just open a small claims. I'm not messing about with them, but out of principle I can't let this lay. They have really pissed me off.
I'm also considering putting my efforts into a website highlighting informative facts so when people Google the dealer they'll come across my site. It won't take me long but it'll hopefully cause them enough grief to think twice about pulling this stunt on someone else again. Consumers need to know this dealers practises.
It honestly blows my mind that a large, professional company such as this are happy to point the finger at a customer. I could understand if it was obviously not them, but surely it's in their interest to sort this quickly and professionally when there is doubt either way. When our company/our contractors make blunders at work but there is no proof it's so easy to speak to all involved and rectify (and do it cheaply at cost too!) - I'm sure they send so many cars to their bodyshop they'll be able to negotiate a favour of some sorts so it'll cost them next to nothing. I've never come across an industry which is as unprofessional as new cars.
I drive it straight home and being the kind of person I am I took another good look around the car, I quickly spotted this:
Door Damage (2) by Rich Perkins, on FlickrDoor Damage (5) by Rich Perkins, on FlickrDoor Damage (4) by Rich Perkins, on FlickrI immediately called the dealer, the Showroom Manager answered and I explained what I found, I then took the car straight back. Long story short the dealer is not accepting liability and implied it was either there before or I had just done it within the 30 mins of collecting the car. He said he'll meet me half way on the cost.
He's getting a quote and getting back to me, I said 24 hours. I've had a run in with the dealer before and in hindsight should have settled for the spoiler first time around - I should have never trusted them with the car, but there you go.
BUT... Now I've slept on it I've decided they aren't having the car back, even if they offer to repair in full. The spoiler was poor first time around, after 3 weeks and a rectification the spoiler still has runs and they also managed to damage my door in the process - it's not a small bash, they've seriously whacked it. I'd be insane to let them loose a third time and it'll be more hassle than worth.
I'm going to get x3 quotes today including another dealer, go with the one I feel most comfortable with and send them the bill. I'll settle for half/half settlement as a quick way of putting it to bed and never going near these chumps again, if not I'll just open a small claims. I'm not messing about with them, but out of principle I can't let this lay. They have really pissed me off.
I'm also considering putting my efforts into a website highlighting informative facts so when people Google the dealer they'll come across my site. It won't take me long but it'll hopefully cause them enough grief to think twice about pulling this stunt on someone else again. Consumers need to know this dealers practises.
It honestly blows my mind that a large, professional company such as this are happy to point the finger at a customer. I could understand if it was obviously not them, but surely it's in their interest to sort this quickly and professionally when there is doubt either way. When our company/our contractors make blunders at work but there is no proof it's so easy to speak to all involved and rectify (and do it cheaply at cost too!) - I'm sure they send so many cars to their bodyshop they'll be able to negotiate a favour of some sorts so it'll cost them next to nothing. I've never come across an industry which is as unprofessional as new cars.
