GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => General discussion => Topic started by: GemGTI on 25 August 2006, 20:14
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Just after some opinions or advice (as usual).
Am I in the wrong?
After waiting 8 weeks I finally got my car back after the full engine re build. I was told I would get an invoice through the post. (Had already paid in full). The next day I noticed a bad scratch on the drivers door, and when I took it for a test drive, the horn sounded when I braked slowly (they did the brakes as well as the engine). Called them and they said they would come and sort it. Waited around for them the day they were meant to come round and they never turned up. No phone call either. Then, on way back from harewood house, car broke down. the AA guy sorted it (so I could get home) but said it was misfiring and that if it had just had a rebuild the spark plugs should have been replaced (apparently they were very old) is this usually the case with rebuilds? I have also been told that the distributer, air filter and fuel filter should also have been replaced - is this correct too? I still havent received my invoice and they still havent got back to me regarding the scratch/horn/brakes. So I called them tonight and said that I was a bit annoyed (mainly as they havent contacted me at all in 2 weeks) and he started acting as if I was in the wrong and that I was being 'funny' with them???? So do I not have cause to be annoyed? I havent had my car for 8 weeks, I finally get it back, its got a scratch in the door, a horn thats linked to the breaks and then it breaks down so I still f*cking can't drive it. Oh yes and I still don't have an invoice like I was promised so I don't know whats been replaced on the car and what hasnt.
Opinions please. Oh yes and its not like me to get angry! :angry:
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i think you need to speak to them a.s.a.p dalr. be firm yet fair, do nt get angry with them, tell them that its unsatisfctory and ask them wha they are going to do to rectify the problems tha have occurred since the rebuild.
have u replaced the plugs?
as for the invoice u'll need one a.s.a.p, better get that before information is removed from their system! :smiley:
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Yes those parts should have been replaced with an engine rebuild. However did you get a written quote from them? Or if verbal did they say those parts would be replaced?
Personally I would put it in writing to them and explain why you are not happy and list the points where you think they are wrong.
After that its Trading Standards then Court.
Try getting some sense out of them one more time and tell them what you intend to do.
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Citizens advice, Trading standards and see how you get along. Without some solid legal advice, there isn't really much we can say. :smiley:
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I don't really want it to go that far tbh, just wanted to know what people thought. If I was right to be annoyed and mainly if people think those parts should have been replaced. He told me they have nothing to do with an engine rebuild??
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Yeh you are always better keeping it cordial, just explain to them your thoughts and see what they have to say...
Brakes/Horn - This could have happened afterward. Get them to have a look, if they are reputable then they will own up and sort it or explain why it couldn't have happened on their watch.....
Scratch - If it happened in their care then yep they should sort it, although proving it is another matter.
Engine rebuild - It all depends on what was agreed in the first place. Engine rebuild is a massively open ended term and could include lots or few components. Spark plugs/Air filter would be replaced as part of a service rather than a rebuild although it makes sense to change them. Fuel filter has nothing to do with an engine rebuild and the Dizzy wouldn't be replaced. As long as you didn't pay for these bits then you have not been diddled.
With regards to the invoice most places invoice monthly although i have had them 6 months after the work was done. I'm not sure if there is a legal time frame they are supposed to supply you with one in.
Sounds like more a case of the garage not knowing what you were expecting and you not knowing what to expect. I wouldn't get angry just talk to the people and get it sorted.
:smiley:
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if you dont mind me asking how much did you pay for the rebuild? only asking as mine could do with the same :smiley:
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I paid £1492 total but about £250 of that was for the brakes so for engine rebuild about £1250 ish. Its hard to say without my invoice.
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Not surprised you are annoyed! That is a serious amount of money to have spent and received very poor service. You could do with the invoice asap to work out what the hell they have done to have charged so much. :angry:
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yeah its a tricky one but the invoice should detail what money was spent and where.
for example bigboys toys supply their re-con engines as a bare block for you to swap all your bits over so things like spark plugs etc wouldn't be included.
does sound bad though that you questioned them and they made out you were beingsh!tty about it!
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well gem from what i saw when i had a look at it at harewood house i was surprised the plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, and fuel filter had not been replaced, and some wires were loose, to me it didn`t look like a £1250 pound job,hope you get it sorted and sorry you broke down again. my advice would be to take the car back to the garage ask them to replace all the bits listed above pay by cheque then cancel it so they don`t get paid :wink:. at least you will have got some of the job done right.
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Sorry I forgot, £100 of that was for the engine bay sealing and painting, so £1150 for engine rebuild.
Thanks for advice guys.
I have bought new spark plugs, leads, rotar arm, dist cap, fuel filter and air filter. oh and a haynes manual. I plan to change all these parts myself tomorrow (with a little help). Then I have arranged to take my car back to them for them to sort the horn and scratch out. I will hopefully get the invoice then too. When I questioned why they didn't change the spark plugs, he said 'you aked for a rebuild, not a rebuild and service' then I felt really stupid :embarassed:
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well he`s obviously not a mechanic then, as everyone who know`s there stuff will know that if you do an engine rebuild, the least you have to do is oil+filter,plugs and cambelt or chain depending on the car. and every mechanic i know would have changed the dizzy cap, rotor arm and leads. i just hope you get it all sorted gem and good luck doing your service