Advice needed please (car garage related)
Advice needed please (car garage related)
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baz1985

Original Poster:

3,685 posts

275 months

Saturday 23rd April 2005
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Hi,

(Apologies for the length and incoherence)!

Right here is the story. My father and I purchased a mildly damaged 53 plate CAT D Toyota Avensis T3-S Estate from a motor salvage agent on 22nd November 2004, stupidly thinking that it would work out cheaper in the long run (we were going to keep it till it went no further). The agent arranged for the car to repaired at his nominated garage (however the contract for the repair was between us and the repair garage- the agent has no role). The repair was due to begin upon receipt of £1500 deposit, when the garage was ready to start work, this was paid and I have a signed receipt for this on the 21st January 2005. The estimated balance (verbal) payable on completion of the repair was £1000 (total £2500) and the time scale was 6-8 weeks. We stated that we must be informed of any potential increase in the repair price prior to the increase taking place (verbal). Eight weeks later we phoned up and he said that some parts were still needed and the cost would rise by £200 and that there would be no further increase whatsoever (balance now £1200- total £2700). Fair enough and the car was due to be ready for end of March. Cometh the end of March, car still nowhere near being ready. In the whole time period I was making contact every week or so for an update -usually just fobbed off. Finally this Thursday 21st April car is ready and the balance demanded is £2800 (total £4300) i.e. £1600 more than agreed over verbal estimate despite us stating that if the cost was going to cahnge we should be informed prior to such circumstances (the excuse; we had to buy new parts as used were not available- doh you don't say its a relatively new car and they knew that when the estimate was made). Where do we stand? (with only a verbal agreement- naive I accept). Can we contest the un-notified / unexplained balance payable.

any advice would be really appreciated

Regards

Baz

>>> Edited by baz1985 on Saturday 23 April 19:36

Dwight VanDriver

6,583 posts

274 months

Monday 25th April 2005
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You highlight the problems on verbals Baz when you really should have had something in writing. Whilst a contract can be made verbally it does not have the same clout as written and is your word against the other.

Off to Citizens Advive B and have a natter with one of their solicitors.

DVD