Wrapped Car Woes - Opinions Please

[Onemcs]

So I'm after some advice.

I got my brand new Mercedes 3 weeks ago and had my car wrapped by what I thought was a reputable company. After getting the car back there were numerous problems.

Poor cuts
Bent chrome trim
Areas coming off
Black permanent marker used on black trim where cut short to conceal mistakes
Certain areas not finished properly.
Blistering forming
Blade marks in my grill from where they wrapped it without asking

I've taken it back twice since but still left with poor quality. I'm worried there could be more damage lurking under the wrap

He's taken liability for the above but I have no faith they can carry out the works properly. He's asked for it back a 3rd time...

Do I:

1. Take it back a 3rd time?
2. Take it elsewhere and ask for him to pay for it
3. Ask him to take the wrap off and have my money back (get it redone elsewhere)
4. ?
5?

[Onemcs]

HaylingJag said:

firstly my thoughts are "what does a good wrap cost?" and secondly "how much did you pay?"

if it was going rate i'd get them to remove it and have a refund. Then take it elsewhere and hopefully they can cover any damage that lurks below.

That does look a bit Ray Charles-Stevie Wonder

In all it cost £2000.00

It was actually one of the higher prices.. but based on other cars he's done I thought it was a safe bet. He's not as famous as the No1 UK but still known within industry If I were to mention ones name.

Here's a few more from the first time I got it back....

[Onemcs]

Stoatman said:

Thats a poor job , but why did you feel the need to wrap over brand new paint ?

Always wanted a Satin Grey car.

Good deal came up on the car but not in the colour I wanted. So in my eyes made perfect sense

[Onemcs]

I'm thinking ask for a refund and get someone else to remove it. Not sure I can trust them to remove it without bending or scratching anything further.

It's probably in his best interest as word in the pistonheads world gets around rather quickly!

[Onemcs]

As I do around 20,000 miles a year it's great for protecting the paint. A few of my friends have done the same and it's worked incredibly well.

Each to their own; The colour choice was to my taste and liking.

[Onemcs]

Would just like to say thank you for everyones input and advice.

Originally I thought it was potentially my high expectations, but following on the consensus I feel the only way forward is remove the wrap, asses the damage and receive a full refund. I put in my request yesterday so watch this space.

[Onemcs]

So it's a little under 2 weeks and I'm really no further. I gave a deadline of Friday just gone at 5pm to try and get things resolved but nothing. They're still commenting saying the wraps good, just the detailling that needs doing for a 3rd time..... I'm dreading the damage underneath as the more I look the more I see regardless of how good the panels may look.

I've been in contact with Yiannimize who have been more than helpful. They too recommended the car be stripped and damage assesed and a full refund be given.

Each time I wash the car I find more things that aren't right. It's taken the shine off getting a new car in a way. I've even found another bit they've patched on the bumper trim with a small bit hoping no one would see. I've provided a few photo's of the cuts out of the rubber trims which no doubt will be more prominent when the black is taken off.

At the weekend I posted my letter requesting the wrap removal, payment of damage and refund so will keep you all posted.

Edited by Onemcs on Tuesday 2nd December 14:03

[Onemcs]

jonm01 said:

Most of what you have posted is the trim wrap rather than the body wrap. To be honest you could strip that off yourself in no time and take it somewhere else.

I do take onboard your comments and yes the trim is easily fixed by someone that knows how.

My issue is with the the cuts in rubber, bent trim and cuts in the grille. Yes I could go elsewhere but then who pay's for the damage? In two years time say I take the wrap off and potentially discover what is more scapel marks in the paint/metal.

Surely better to know sooner, rather than later?

[Onemcs]

br d said:

I've read this several times and am no closer to understanding how that would work.

If he means did I know the paint underneath, yes I did as it wasn't wrapped when I got it. Paint was perfect like most cars from Mercedes with 100 miles on the clock

Didn't see that pun Butter Face

[Onemcs]

Thanks for your comments.

I'd rather leave the name absent as at this stage it wouldn't help anyone.

The car is off to Mercedes this week to quote the damage so far that's known. I've already got figures for stripping and rewrapping the car, however I'd rather resolve things amicably and get them to remove it, my money back and the damage paid for.

Wrap was invoiced and then I transferred the funds. With hindsight I should have tried to make payment on card.

Fortunately I have good legal advice on tap, although I'm sure no one enjoys that route.

Will keep you all up to date as it unfolds

[Onemcs]

derin100 said:

Genuinely sorry to hear about your troubles with this, OP...but in hindsight is that really all you've learnt from this?

You'd really do it again?!

I'd rather not list all my lessons learnt, might be here awhile

[Onemcs]

EskimoArapaho said:

I agree (although I made a joke about it above).

I went to a wrap place near Cambridge when thinking about a colour change. There were no customer cars to see, and the guy who owned the Lamborghini that was due in the following week (supposedly) did not want anyone seeing his car being wrapped.

But I'm still thinking about a wrap for the project car. Do they make RAL2005 as a vinyl?

If you head onto 3M's website along with people like Arlon and Hexis you may find one thats really close! I'm sure you could get real close to it

[Onemcs]

Car had a trip to Mercedes today.

The chrome trim they can't bend back, the rubbers need replacing where cut to prevent water ingress and the grill also needs replacing.

Including fitting it came to a £1,103.88

The wrapping company are still unresponsive but have until Friday to get back to me.

Will keep you posted

[Onemcs]

KTF said:

What happens after Friday? If you haven't heard from them by now then I doubt you will.

I have to go down the small claims route.

There's not a lot else left to do unless anyone has any ideas?

[Onemcs]

cirian75 said:

I'd be going with a letter before action making it plain if they don't cooperate the next letter with be from the Northampton court clearing centre for small claims.

I sent them a letter last week with two options.

1. Give me my refund and pay the damage
2. Court action

I've spelt it out so many times but hear nothing. Shame as it could be resolved so easy!

[Onemcs]

So after ignored phone calls, texts, emails and voicemails I've been left with no choice but to push the legal button today.

So frustrating as the wrap is coming away in various areas and finding it a bit embarassing! Where its peeling away on the chrome you can see the knife marks in that too!

The Pink G wagen is different, but there's no accouting for taste

[Onemcs]

epom said:

I agree, it's not actually naming and shaming. It's protecting your fellow pistonheaders from this company.

It wouldn't be viewed greatly upon, if I was to name and shame then pursuethem for money through the courts

If anyone is considering using a company, pass it by me first and I'll let you know.

[Onemcs]

saaby93 said:

Brilliant
How much does it affect your insurance
There can be benefits of a wrap.
If you go for a paint job instead it can start to show through after a couple of years of stone chips and there are usually a few bits of inadvertant overspray

Made no difference to me on Admiral! You have to declare it. But worth noting that they won't cover the cost of it should you be involved in a accident!

[Onemcs]

Al U said:

OP, can you tell me which county they are in? I have had some spray work done FOC through someone I know and the quality was quite appalling. The person I know reassured me that they work on a lot of high end cars and do wraps for celebrities etc. and I just want to know if it's the same person I'm dealing with.

PM Sent

[Onemcs]

Tomorrow will be 6 weeks since I first picked up my car and having been back twice since.

Letter 1 with 14 days notice was entirely ignored.

After some more legal advice I sent another letter on Monday with a final 7 days. (Letter #2)

Following the second letter on Monday, I received a response the next day from a business partner of the guy I've been dealing with. Starting "Without Prejudice" he promised to notify his insurance company of the claim, then advise me of who to contact so I can pursue them.

I put another letter back confirming I want contact before the final 7 days are up. Haven't heard anything since and doubt I'll ever get anything back. I've had the court forms drafted and literally just waiting for the time to expire.

Will keep you posted