Advice re: Warranty & Dealer issues on DB7 Volante
Discussion
yeti said:
There are 
'MARCUS FOTHERGILL SPECIALIST CARS LIMITED today announced Resolutions for Winding-up'. So they went bankrupt, I assume I am therefore allowed to mention them as they aren't trading anymore?
I won't mention that they've reopened and are trading under another name says a quick Google - haven't even changed the mobile phone number, it's burned into my retinas having called it 50 times a day only to be ignored
Offering a "bespoke" service these day's lewis!'MARCUS FOTHERGILL SPECIALIST CARS LIMITED today announced Resolutions for Winding-up'. So they went bankrupt, I assume I am therefore allowed to mention them as they aren't trading anymore?
I won't mention that they've reopened and are trading under another name says a quick Google - haven't even changed the mobile phone number, it's burned into my retinas having called it 50 times a day only to be ignored
GTDB7 said:
I might be missing the obvious here but is not illegal for a dealer to sell a car that is unfit for the road? Knowing full well people will be driving it home and using it etc..
IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
This is my stance, and that of my fathers.IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
NotDave said:
GTDB7 said:
I might be missing the obvious here but is not illegal for a dealer to sell a car that is unfit for the road? Knowing full well people will be driving it home and using it etc..
IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
This is my stance, and that of my fathers.IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
NotDave said:
This is my stance, and that of my fathers.
The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
Tell him to come and get them...... And while he's there, he can take the car back and fix it...The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
NotDave said:
The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
That's good, at least there is still some dialogue.Obviously he will send them back by return post when you have the correct books.
GTDB7 said:
I might be missing the obvious here but is not illegal for a dealer to sell a car that is unfit for the road? Knowing full well people will be driving it home and using it etc..
IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
It was fit for the road when it was sold - I assume it was bought with an MOT? They obviously moved enough to retract when it was tested. TBH it's pretty easy to get any car through when you're friendly with a test station...IE: Seat Belts being an MOT failure?
Therefore not a leg to stand on here. The only chance you have is there is some decency in them, and they care about their reputation. Without naming and shaming, we'll be able to work out who it is and open that to discussion without naming names. Hopefully they'll rectify this before it moves further...
NotDave said:
This is my stance, and that of my fathers.
The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
This is great news, you have some bargaining power. Remember to only recipricate with anything after you have got what you want!The dealer has had the cheek to ring my father and ask him to post back the service book etc that are for the wrong car as he needs them to sell the blue one they should be with
Bridge Mill do seem to get excellent feedback and a number of AMOC members seem to rate them. An alternative might be to chat to Aston Engineering in Derby (one of our DB7 owners swears by them).
Probably worth popping on to the AMOC forum too as it has a very active and (mostly!) friendly DB7 community... (I might be biased though, I'm AMOC Area Rep for the East Midlands incl Lincs!)
Probably worth popping on to the AMOC forum too as it has a very active and (mostly!) friendly DB7 community... (I might be biased though, I'm AMOC Area Rep for the East Midlands incl Lincs!)
StephenP said:
Bridge Mill do seem to get excellent feedback and a number of AMOC members seem to rate them. An alternative might be to chat to Aston Engineering in Derby (one of our DB7 owners swears by them).
Probably worth popping on to the AMOC forum too as it has a very active and (mostly!) friendly DB7 community... (I might be biased though, I'm AMOC Area Rep for the East Midlands incl Lincs!)
Thanks, one assumes thats:Probably worth popping on to the AMOC forum too as it has a very active and (mostly!) friendly DB7 community... (I might be biased though, I'm AMOC Area Rep for the East Midlands incl Lincs!)
Aston Martin Owners Club forum?
With regards the service pack etc, they've been told to figure out what they're doing regarding all the issues mentioned by the end of today.
Sensible question father asked, do DB7 always need specialists or for simple things like seat belts & windows, is it worth considering local places that he trusts?
I.e. local garage who's worked on his '64 pagoda, xk8, explorer and then my 200sx etc when heavily modified.
In essence, if he trusts them to do it, and the dealer will supply parts FOC is it worth using someone he knows for 20 years and trusts fully to do it even if they've limited AML experience?
I don't think you should give up so easily. You are certainly not powerless and there are a couple of things you can try very easily (and should) before bending over and dropping your trousers.
This is something that has worked for me in the past: Send a recorded delivery letter stating (politely) the facts and how you propose they should be resolved. Make sure that each of the problems has a monetary value attributed to it. Fill in a N1 claim form but don't sign it. Send them a copy of it unsigned and say that all you have to do is sign it and can they give you a reason not to do so.
You don't need a solicitor and you don't have to pursue the case if you don't want to, but at least show a hint of tooth before giving up.
If you do decide to pursue then you can file the N1 online for £10 and you will have the advantage of jurisdiction.
This is something that has worked for me in the past: Send a recorded delivery letter stating (politely) the facts and how you propose they should be resolved. Make sure that each of the problems has a monetary value attributed to it. Fill in a N1 claim form but don't sign it. Send them a copy of it unsigned and say that all you have to do is sign it and can they give you a reason not to do so.
You don't need a solicitor and you don't have to pursue the case if you don't want to, but at least show a hint of tooth before giving up.
If you do decide to pursue then you can file the N1 online for £10 and you will have the advantage of jurisdiction.
BingoBob said:
I don't think you should give up so easily. You are certainly not powerless and there are a couple of things you can try very easily (and should) before bending over and dropping your trousers.
This is something that has worked for me in the past: Send a recorded delivery letter stating (politely) the facts and how you propose they should be resolved. Make sure that each of the problems has a monetary value attributed to it. Fill in a N1 claim form but don't sign it. Send them a copy of it unsigned and say that all you have to do is sign it and can they give you a reason not to do so.
You don't need a solicitor and you don't have to pursue the case if you don't want to, but at least show a hint of tooth before giving up.
If you do decide to pursue then you can file the N1 online for £10 and you will have the advantage of jurisdiction.
Thanks, so you'd advise to do this for all associated costs?This is something that has worked for me in the past: Send a recorded delivery letter stating (politely) the facts and how you propose they should be resolved. Make sure that each of the problems has a monetary value attributed to it. Fill in a N1 claim form but don't sign it. Send them a copy of it unsigned and say that all you have to do is sign it and can they give you a reason not to do so.
You don't need a solicitor and you don't have to pursue the case if you don't want to, but at least show a hint of tooth before giving up.
If you do decide to pursue then you can file the N1 online for £10 and you will have the advantage of jurisdiction.
FYI All: both windows have same issue, rubber seal on roof isn't letting them seal
NotDave said:
Sensible question father asked, do DB7 always need specialists or for simple things like seat belts & windows, is it worth considering local places that he trusts?
I.e. local garage who's worked on his '64 pagoda, xk8, explorer and then my 200sx etc when heavily modified.
In essence, if he trusts them to do it, and the dealer will supply parts FOC is it worth using someone he knows for 20 years and trusts fully to do it even if they've limited AML experience?
Depends on the issue... generic car stuff (like the seat belts), I used to take my DB7 to the local Jag specialist, but for DB7 specific problems (like the windows might be) I used to go to Chiltern Aston.I.e. local garage who's worked on his '64 pagoda, xk8, explorer and then my 200sx etc when heavily modified.
In essence, if he trusts them to do it, and the dealer will supply parts FOC is it worth using someone he knows for 20 years and trusts fully to do it even if they've limited AML experience?
Without wishing to open a can of worms, if they have XJS (and even XK8) experience, a lot of it will transfer to the DB7. Sure, the engines and electrics are different but lot is the same as you'd expect - they were all under the Ford umbrella at the time.
yeti said:
Depends on the issue... generic car stuff (like the seat belts), I used to take my DB7 to the local Jag specialist, but for DB7 specific problems (like the windows might be) I used to go to Chiltern Aston.
Without wishing to open a can of worms, if they have XJS (and even XK8) experience, a lot of it will transfer to the DB7. Sure, the engines and electrics are different but lot is the same as you'd expect - they were all under the Ford umbrella at the time.
They maintained all aspects of my fathers 96 plate XK8 (concourse condition with 19k on clock) for nearly 4 years and never failed once.Without wishing to open a can of worms, if they have XJS (and even XK8) experience, a lot of it will transfer to the DB7. Sure, the engines and electrics are different but lot is the same as you'd expect - they were all under the Ford umbrella at the time.
And they're doing all the mech work on his 1964 Merc 230SL which is of similar value to DB7 so I'd say that they're trust worthy.
Whilst only a small local garage, the owner is a time served car geek and his apprentice/understudy has a degree in motorsport engineering and adores high value and modified stuff for the challenge....... So I'm a firm believer in giving a chance.
The windows, on inspection by yours truly... Appear to be getting pushed out of line by the rubber seal that is attached to the folding roof
Small update as the story from the specialist dealer is changing by the hour.
Now they're saying:
1) they want the paperwork for the other aston posting back ASAP
2) There is no red key as they don't have it
3) they no longer have the service book and associated pack that was with the car
4) my father should contact the previous dealership who supplied it new, based in Kensington some 4hours from us as they can possibly provide a letter vouching for the car
5) they need time to look into the seat belt issue as it is "complex". Funny that the local prestige car specialist made one phone call whilst my father stood waiting, gained a price for both belts and quoted for the full job to be done.
No mention of the window issue.
Now they're saying:
1) they want the paperwork for the other aston posting back ASAP
2) There is no red key as they don't have it
3) they no longer have the service book and associated pack that was with the car
4) my father should contact the previous dealership who supplied it new, based in Kensington some 4hours from us as they can possibly provide a letter vouching for the car
5) they need time to look into the seat belt issue as it is "complex". Funny that the local prestige car specialist made one phone call whilst my father stood waiting, gained a price for both belts and quoted for the full job to be done.
No mention of the window issue.
Bearing in mind this outfit are supposed to be one of the largest and best reputation around...... The company owner has emailed my father basically saying:
"f
k off not my problem" (but in super smooth salemens speak) and his gofer has said it'll take a week to get a price on 2x seatbelts..... Funny how a local Jag specialist made 1 phone call to JCT600 at Leeds who are the AM part supplier they use, and within 5 mins knew they were £147.50 each and 2hours to fit properly.
My father is now at the point of booking a day off work at personal expence, and the pair of us doing the 6 hour drive south.
It saddens me immensley that earlier on the phone he ended with:
"My xk8 is still sat there for sale, I just want it back"
That was supplied by a a specialist whom had it on sale at the NEC Classic show circa 4years ago, he was nothing other than a pleasure to deal with.
Shame can't say the same about the outfit whom the DB7 was supplied by.
"f
k off not my problem" (but in super smooth salemens speak) and his gofer has said it'll take a week to get a price on 2x seatbelts..... Funny how a local Jag specialist made 1 phone call to JCT600 at Leeds who are the AM part supplier they use, and within 5 mins knew they were £147.50 each and 2hours to fit properly.My father is now at the point of booking a day off work at personal expence, and the pair of us doing the 6 hour drive south.
It saddens me immensley that earlier on the phone he ended with:
"My xk8 is still sat there for sale, I just want it back"
That was supplied by a a specialist whom had it on sale at the NEC Classic show circa 4years ago, he was nothing other than a pleasure to deal with.
Shame can't say the same about the outfit whom the DB7 was supplied by.
NotDave said:
Small update as the story from the specialist dealer is changing by the hour.
Now they're saying:
1) they want the paperwork for the other aston posting back ASAP
2) There is no red key as they don't have it
3) they no longer have the service book and associated pack that was with the car
4) my father should contact the previous dealership who supplied it new, based in Kensington some 4hours from us as they can possibly provide a letter vouching for the car
5) they need time to look into the seat belt issue as it is "complex". Funny that the local prestige car specialist made one phone call whilst my father stood waiting, gained a price for both belts and quoted for the full job to be done.
No mention of the window issue.
This message is just shouting out loud " once we have the paperwork back from you, we will not bother to answer or do anything for you". Get what you want first. I would not trust the dealer one inch!Now they're saying:
1) they want the paperwork for the other aston posting back ASAP
2) There is no red key as they don't have it
3) they no longer have the service book and associated pack that was with the car
4) my father should contact the previous dealership who supplied it new, based in Kensington some 4hours from us as they can possibly provide a letter vouching for the car
5) they need time to look into the seat belt issue as it is "complex". Funny that the local prestige car specialist made one phone call whilst my father stood waiting, gained a price for both belts and quoted for the full job to be done.
No mention of the window issue.
F1 NDW said:
This message is just shouting out loud " once we have the paperwork back from you, we will not bother to answer or do anything for you". Get what you want first. I would not trust the dealer one inch!
Ditto!I've been on there website, appears they make bold claims and "love feedback via twitter or Facebook"
Yet treat customers like this?
Mini update:
Now being told that paperwork is AWOL
With regards the rest they ain't interested
Genuinely fuming that someone spends £30,000 and gets worse service than they do 10 days later off a small trader when they buy a £750 snotter.
The specialist are now avoiding calls, fobbing us off with receptionist and "oh he's busy"
Now being told that paperwork is AWOL
With regards the rest they ain't interested
Genuinely fuming that someone spends £30,000 and gets worse service than they do 10 days later off a small trader when they buy a £750 snotter.
The specialist are now avoiding calls, fobbing us off with receptionist and "oh he's busy"
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