Request for advice please: bodywork/paint damaged by garage

[mikeveal]

Londb9 said:

Hello,

I've been visiting PH since 2013 and the advice on these pages was very helpful for me when I bought my 2004 Aston Martin DB9 (which is great).

I've had a situation recently where a garage damaged the paintwork on the car and I'd be very grateful if anyone on this forum with some experience might be able to advise me on my best course of action.

Exactly 2 months ago, in February 2016, I took the car to a new garage for its service. On the driver side wing, just above the headlight, a thumb sized paint bubble has been present ever since I bought the car.

I picked up the car from the garage and drove it the short distance home. When I got out, I noticed that the rubber bonnet seal had erupted (because of not being closed properly) and that caused me to notice that the paint bubble had been cracked. I then discovered the garage hadn't put the service stamp in my logbook too.

I took the car back a couple of days later. They fixed the bonnet seal and stamped the book but refused to take responsibility for the paint bubble.

I asked to speak to the owner/manager. After a month's emailing and not receiving replies, I did receive a reply from the owner who asked me to explain the problem. I replied, with a photo. I have now not had a response despite sending two further emails asking for a reply.

Obviously it's upsetting when any damage happens to your car, but this is made more frustrating because the garage won't communicate with me. I fear the cost of getting this repaired will be very expensive because maybe the whole wing needs to be done.

A friend of mine suggested contacting Aston Martin directly for their advice.

I'd be grateful if anybody on this forum has any advice that might help me. Thanks for reading my post.

Edited by Londb9 on Thursday 28th April 13:59

Its obvious to me that any sane garage would have and should have applied a palm sized dollop of tar or underseal to the thumb sized blister to prevent it popping. OP clearly has a civic duty to bring this matter to the amusement attention of a small claims judge.

[Neil1300r]

TooMany2cvs said:

ColinM50 said:

More concerned that a 12 year old Aston has rust issues.

More likely to be a poor quality paint repair, perhaps after collision damage.

Anyway, they're ally, aren't they?
<quick google>
Yep, they are.

But... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=980...

Correct, its not rust. But paint bubbling, especially on the early Gaydon cars, its piss poor paint preparation. On an 04 its probably got them on the wing mirror mounts, and arond the door handles. They don't get better by ignoring them.

OP, the seals on the bonnet didn't 'errupt' its just someone not closing the bonnet properly. Open it up.lower to close, but gently, until its resting on the bonnet catch. the press gently down on the front of the bonnet. Rubber seals will all be in line.

[Londb9]

Londb9 said:

Hello,

I've been visiting PH since 2013 and the advice on these pages was very helpful for me when I bought my 2004 Aston Martin DB9 (which is great).

I've had a situation recently where a garage damaged the paintwork on the car and I'd be very grateful if anyone on this forum with some experience might be able to advise me on my best course of action.

Exactly 2 months ago, in February 2016, I took the car to a new garage for its service. On the driver side wing, just above the headlight, a thumb sized paint bubble has been present ever since I bought the car.

I picked up the car from the garage and drove it the short distance home. When I got out, I noticed that the rubber bonnet seal had erupted (because of not being closed properly) and that caused me to notice that the paint bubble had been cracked. I then discovered the garage hadn't put the service stamp in my logbook too.

I took the car back a couple of days later. They fixed the bonnet seal and stamped the book but refused to take responsibility for the paint bubble.

I asked to speak to the owner/manager. After a month's emailing and not receiving replies, I did receive a reply from the owner who asked me to explain the problem. I replied, with a photo. I have now not had a response despite sending two further emails asking for a reply.

Obviously it's upsetting when any damage happens to your car, but this is made more frustrating because the garage won't communicate with me. I fear the cost of getting this repaired will be very expensive because maybe the whole wing needs to be done.

A friend of mine suggested contacting Aston Martin directly for their advice.

I'd be grateful if anybody on this forum has any advice that might help me. Thanks for reading my post.

Edited by Londb9 on Thursday 28th April 13:59

Resolution

To all interested readers who might find it valuable for their reference, I'm pleased to report that I was able to resolve my issue and received compensation from the garage who paid for the repair of my vehicle.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond with constructive answers, I appreciate your time.

It took many weeks to get a result. I was able to eventually escalate my complaint by email to the owner of the garage (after the assistant manager and manager both ignored it). The owner also initially ignored my correspondence but eventually began replying after I made it clear that I would take the matter to court.

My emails to the owner offered to refer the issue to independent mediation and they did not accept this. I then sent a "Notice of Action" to make it clear that I would make an application to settle the matter in court if I did not receive a reply within 28 days. They replied within a week and finally started proper discussion and fact-finding.

Their first reply was a refusal, so I then took the car to be repaired at another garage.

Some of the quotes I received for the repair work were very expensive, but I was able to show the garage that I had made effort to find the cheapest quote.

I sent the garage the bill for the repair and informed them that if they didn't pay within a further 28 days that I would attempt to recover the cost in court and would also charge them interest for every day until the matter was settled.

I'm pleased to say that they then contacted me and agreed to reimburse me.

So 5 months after the damage happened, I'm pleased to say that the car now has great looking, repaired paintwork.

ps I'd also like to thank the moderators for moving my topic to the appropriate forum. I was unable to post here as a new registration, and was also unable to post replies.

[Trabi601]

[Butter Face]

I'm honestly shocked.

I would have let you take it to court TBH. Bonkers.

[fastbikes76]

Where is this garage ? I got a few marks I could blame them for and blag fixing it on the house

[anonymous-user]

Londb9 said:

Londb9 said:

Hello,

I've been visiting PH since 2013 and the advice on these pages was very helpful for me when I bought my 2004 Aston Martin DB9 (which is great).

I've had a situation recently where a garage damaged the paintwork on the car and I'd be very grateful if anyone on this forum with some experience might be able to advise me on my best course of action.

Exactly 2 months ago, in February 2016, I took the car to a new garage for its service. On the driver side wing, just above the headlight, a thumb sized paint bubble has been present ever since I bought the car.

I picked up the car from the garage and drove it the short distance home. When I got out, I noticed that the rubber bonnet seal had erupted (because of not being closed properly) and that caused me to notice that the paint bubble had been cracked. I then discovered the garage hadn't put the service stamp in my logbook too.

I took the car back a couple of days later. They fixed the bonnet seal and stamped the book but refused to take responsibility for the paint bubble.

I asked to speak to the owner/manager. After a month's emailing and not receiving replies, I did receive a reply from the owner who asked me to explain the problem. I replied, with a photo. I have now not had a response despite sending two further emails asking for a reply.

Obviously it's upsetting when any damage happens to your car, but this is made more frustrating because the garage won't communicate with me. I fear the cost of getting this repaired will be very expensive because maybe the whole wing needs to be done.

A friend of mine suggested contacting Aston Martin directly for their advice.

I'd be grateful if anybody on this forum has any advice that might help me. Thanks for reading my post.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 28th April 13:59

Resolution

To all interested readers who might find it valuable for their reference, I'm pleased to report that I was able to resolve my issue and received compensation from the garage who paid for the repair of my vehicle.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond with constructive answers, I appreciate your time.

It took many weeks to get a result. I was able to eventually escalate my complaint by email to the owner of the garage (after the assistant manager and manager both ignored it). The owner also initially ignored my correspondence but eventually began replying after I made it clear that I would take the matter to court.

My emails to the owner offered to refer the issue to independent mediation and they did not accept this. I then sent a "Notice of Action" to make it clear that I would make an application to settle the matter in court if I did not receive a reply within 28 days. They replied within a week and finally started proper discussion and fact-finding.

Their first reply was a refusal, so I then took the car to be repaired at another garage.

Some of the quotes I received for the repair work were very expensive, but I was able to show the garage that I had made effort to find the cheapest quote.

I sent the garage the bill for the repair and informed them that if they didn't pay within a further 28 days that I would attempt to recover the cost in court and would also charge them interest for every day until the matter was settled.

I'm pleased to say that they then contacted me and agreed to reimburse me.

So 5 months after the damage happened, I'm pleased to say that the car now has great looking, repaired paintwork.

ps I'd also like to thank the moderators for moving my topic to the appropriate forum. I was unable to post here as a new registration, and was also unable to post replies.

I do find it difficult to believe you but, if you really did bully the garage into paying to have your old banger repaired you should be ashamed of yourself. It's people like you who make things more difficult for all of us, please try to take responsibility for your own problems in future.

[Londb9]

REALIST123 said:

I do find it difficult to believe you but, if you really did bully the garage into paying to have your old banger repaired you should be ashamed of yourself. It's people like you who make things more difficult for all of us, please try to take responsibility for your own problems in future.

My "old banger" is actually in pretty good nick. When I take a car to a garage, if they damage it I expect them to take responsibility. I intended my posting for anyone who's unfortunate to be in a similar position, and for it to to be constructive and helpful, which is a lot more than can be said for your vacuous contribution.

[anonymous-user]

as this is ph post a picture of your car.

[rallycross]

This sounds like total made up nonsense - why would any garage repair a wing because a paint bubble (rust bubble?) had burst.

They can't put it back to how it was and the owner can't prove the garage damaged the (already damaged) paint.

If you really did threaten them with court action you are the sort of idiot that every garage hopes they never have to deal with.

[ZX10R NIN]

TooMany2cvs said:

More likely to be a poor quality paint repair, perhaps after collision damage.

Anyway, they're ally, aren't they?
<quick google>
Yep, they are.

But... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=980...

DB9's have Fibreglass/GRP wings the bubble was probably caused by the fibreglass breaking down with the heat coming from the engine which leads to blisters appearing on the wings the bonnets seem less affected.




OP I think you've chanced your arm & got a result well done.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 13th August 16:12

[rallycross]

Did that dog eat his DB7 wheel arch?

[TooMany2cvs]

rallycross said:

Did that dog eat his DB7 wheel arch?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2551545/Ca...

[fastbikes76]

Londb9 said:

When I take a car to a garage, if they damage it I expect them to take responsibility.

That's all fair and well....If they actually damaged your car. What did happen though was an already damaged part of your car failed while in their care, a bit of paint that you full well knew was bubbling before hand. You are a chancer and got away with it which really is a pity as the repair was probably cheaper and less hassle than any potential legal battle.

Hollow victory and not something I would be shouting about.

[Londb9]

The Spruce goose said:

as this is ph post a picture of your car.

(taken on Waterloo Bridge in London)

rallycross said:

This sounds like total made up nonsense - why would any garage repair a wing because a paint bubble (rust bubble?) had burst.

They can't put it back to how it was and the owner can't prove the garage damaged the (already damaged) paint.

If you really did threaten them with court action you are the sort of idiot that every garage hopes they never have to deal with.

They damaged my car, I had every right to expect it to come out in the condition that it went in. I also have every right to take it to court and to offer to abide by independent mediation (which they declined, by the way). If you are the kind of person that can call another an idiot, then you are the sort of person that most of mankind hopes they never have to deal with.

ZX10R NIN said:

OP I think you've chanced your arm & got a result well done.]

I'm aware that it could have gone either way, but I know I was right in principle to stick with it. Thanks for your message.

fastbikes76 said:

That's all fair and well....If they actually damaged your car. What did happen though was an already damaged part of your car failed while in their care, a bit of paint that you full well knew was bubbling before hand. You are a chancer and got away with it which really is a pity as the repair was probably cheaper and less hassle than any potential legal battle.

Hollow victory and not something I would be shouting about.

Nobody is shouting about anything. I have given my time to make a contribution to an internet forum in the hope that it might help others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Consider this; my car has been into garages for various work over the years, it has undergone dozens of hand washes and power washes, it's even been washed by a kid for some pocket money, and at no time ever did the paint bubble crack. Consider also that the garage didn't apologise for slamming the bonnet and rupturing the rubber seal, didn't apologise for not stamping the log book and didn't compensate my time and cost to drive it back to the garage to get them to stamp it.

Perhaps if we lived in your idealistic fantasy world, fastbikes, the person who cracked the paint would've reported it to their boss and they would've told me so that it could be discussed there and then. Perhaps they also would've responded to my calls, called me back when the promised they would, reply to my emails and resolve the matter fairly. The fact is, we don't live in your fastbikes fairy tale of an existence and this is how things played out. They damaged the car and they left me with no choice but to take them to court and in the end they did the right thing and paid for the repair. A more logical solution would've been for them to take responsibility and do the repair themselves. As it stands, I took it to someone else and they paid the bill. End of story and not a hollow victory, but a correct and proper outcome.

[hora]

They repaired a paint impereftcion that wasn't their fault? Do you feel happy about the result? I'd feel uncomfortable but that's me. If you took a car in with a slipping clutch and it failed whilst in there?..Ok Crap analogy/I'm out

[TooMany2cvs]

Londb9 said:

I had every right to expect it to come out in the condition that it went in.

With a wing needing paint problems sorting? That's OK, it did.

[subsea99]

Its caused by poor paint process at the factory,i had to get my wings done a few years ago as it was bubbling though i could only get aston to contribute 50% towards the cost,wished i had used your garage.&#128514;&#128514;

Keep an eye on the areas around the door handles and wing mirrors as they will be next along with the area where the silver coloured plastic straffes are.

[mikeveal]

Sometimes in business, you have to be pragmatic. It is often a better business decision to pay out on spurious claims from chancers and idiots than it is to defend the claim.

The business has to look at not only the direct cost of the defence, but also the opportunity cost. What profit could they have been chasing if they were not wasting time defending a spurious claim.

I think PH have been unanimous in condemning this claim as unwarranted. Yet still the OP persisted. Now that OP claims to have won because the business involved realisied they were liable. I don't believe this to be the case. I strongly suspect that, unpalatable as it was, they decided that is wasn't worth the effort of fighting this, even though they'd undoubtedly win. Easier to just make the OP go away.

Its a sentiment I share.
OP you are an idiot and you should be ashamed. I'm out.

[superlightr]

Londb9 said:

Nobody is shouting about anything. I have given my time to make a contribution to an internet forum in the hope that it might help others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Consider this; my car has been into garages for various work over the years, it has undergone dozens of hand washes and power washes, it's even been washed by a kid for some pocket money, and at no time ever did the paint bubble crack. Consider also that the garage didn't apologise for slamming the bonnet and rupturing the rubber seal, didn't apologise for not stamping the log book and didn't compensate my time and cost to drive it back to the garage to get them to stamp it.

Perhaps if we lived in your idealistic fantasy world, fastbikes, the person who cracked the paint would've reported it to their boss and they would've told me so that it could be discussed there and then. Perhaps they also would've responded to my calls, called me back when the promised they would, reply to my emails and resolve the matter fairly. The fact is, we don't live in your fastbikes fairy tale of an existence and this is how things played out. They damaged the car and they left me with no choice but to take them to court and in the end they did the right thing and paid for the repair. A more logical solution would've been for them to take responsibility and do the repair themselves. As it stands, I took it to someone else and they paid the bill. End of story and not a hollow victory, but a correct and proper outcome.

The car looks great.

What was the cost of the repair in the end?