Bodyshop Nightmare - where do I stand?
Discussion
I'm looking for some advice here with a Bodyshop who's owner is now trying to play silly buggers and refusing to fix the faulty work he did after agreeing to do so.
To make a long story not quite so long. I was rear ended last May, eventually getting the car into a garage in October. I got the car back in December.
The reapir was on my back bumper and rear 3/4 panel. While in I asked if they could reapir and paint my wheels for me, paying £170 to have all 4 repaired and painted Anthracite (from silver). Everything was not a problem, they'd paint the face and inside of the wheels but advised they don't take the tyre off. No problem with the tyre.
Fast forward to December, I picked the car up and all seemed fine. After about a months, I noticed the wheel paint starting the peel off, flake and there was corrosion bubbling up underneath the paint. Then the rust started on the 3/4 panel and the bumper "dropped" out of alignment along with the rear light starting to fall off. Not acceptable repairs in my book.
I took the car back to the garage a few weeks after that, puting us into Febuary. The owner and the assessor advised me the whole panel was repsrayed. As I loooked at it, the panel had been sprayed but not under the cusp of the wheel arch, where it was rusting. This area was deformed in the accident so I would have expected it painted too, like the other arches. The owner accused me of already having the rust there before they had it. I ask how they didn't notice it first time round if it was that rusty. By this point we had the pictures out to find, you guessed it, no rust!. There is also not another speck of rust on the car.
While speaking to the assessor we covered the damage and they agreed to repair the rust and remount all the panels etc. basically do what they should ahve done. For the wheels too, he said he would repaint them. They had also painted over the weights
which I had being going to let slide.
I noticed the day after I got the car back when I got new tyres and asked them to balance the 4 wheels only to find the weights were left on. Standard practise to take them off for a colour change and only an idiot wouldn't in my book. They haven't painted the whole wheel.
The assessor said no problem, we will paint the back of the wheels againt adnt ake the weights off for it if I was happy to get the balanced. No problem I said.
They have had the car for a month now by the time it got booked in. Now the garage owner is refusing to take the weights off, stating it's his policy they don't do it. The assessor thankfully phoned me last night to let me know in advance as I was meant to be picking the car up Wednesday morning. He advised me the owners word were "There's no money left in these wheels so you are not doing it for him!"
Where do I stand? I'm going in to kick up fuss today but from my angle:
Where do I stand? This is an apparently reputable garage in Edinburgh. I'll not name and shame until after I've spoken to them and got my car back with I will be leaving reviews of this. I'm now to the point, I don't trust them or their work. I just want the car to the condition that was promised with quality work as promised (for the prices the garage charges!) so whether or not it's take the car, refund me for the wheels and I go somewhere else. Or they fix it properly.
What does S,P&L think is my best course of action, if any? Am I right in saying I am entitled to a full refund? Any advise is welcome.
P.S. I'm still fuming at him repeated attitude towards me so the grammar may not be perfect!
To make a long story not quite so long. I was rear ended last May, eventually getting the car into a garage in October. I got the car back in December.
The reapir was on my back bumper and rear 3/4 panel. While in I asked if they could reapir and paint my wheels for me, paying £170 to have all 4 repaired and painted Anthracite (from silver). Everything was not a problem, they'd paint the face and inside of the wheels but advised they don't take the tyre off. No problem with the tyre.
Fast forward to December, I picked the car up and all seemed fine. After about a months, I noticed the wheel paint starting the peel off, flake and there was corrosion bubbling up underneath the paint. Then the rust started on the 3/4 panel and the bumper "dropped" out of alignment along with the rear light starting to fall off. Not acceptable repairs in my book.
I took the car back to the garage a few weeks after that, puting us into Febuary. The owner and the assessor advised me the whole panel was repsrayed. As I loooked at it, the panel had been sprayed but not under the cusp of the wheel arch, where it was rusting. This area was deformed in the accident so I would have expected it painted too, like the other arches. The owner accused me of already having the rust there before they had it. I ask how they didn't notice it first time round if it was that rusty. By this point we had the pictures out to find, you guessed it, no rust!. There is also not another speck of rust on the car.
While speaking to the assessor we covered the damage and they agreed to repair the rust and remount all the panels etc. basically do what they should ahve done. For the wheels too, he said he would repaint them. They had also painted over the weights
which I had being going to let slide. I noticed the day after I got the car back when I got new tyres and asked them to balance the 4 wheels only to find the weights were left on. Standard practise to take them off for a colour change and only an idiot wouldn't in my book. They haven't painted the whole wheel.
The assessor said no problem, we will paint the back of the wheels againt adnt ake the weights off for it if I was happy to get the balanced. No problem I said.
They have had the car for a month now by the time it got booked in. Now the garage owner is refusing to take the weights off, stating it's his policy they don't do it. The assessor thankfully phoned me last night to let me know in advance as I was meant to be picking the car up Wednesday morning. He advised me the owners word were "There's no money left in these wheels so you are not doing it for him!"
Where do I stand? I'm going in to kick up fuss today but from my angle:
- The assessor said no problem they'd take the weights off and redo the whole wheel like they should ahve first time round, this to me is a verbal contract.
- It's industy standard to take the weights off for a colour change. If he did not advise me of his policy to leave the weights on then his fault. If he leaves them on, there is an edge for paint to peel from and he hasn't painted the WHOLE wheel, only 95%. He arguses that because I never asked for weights off then they stay on. Well, I did, and the garage agreed before taking the car. They agreed it's stupid to leave the weights when going silver to black, leaving a silver unpainted sqaure.
Where do I stand? This is an apparently reputable garage in Edinburgh. I'll not name and shame until after I've spoken to them and got my car back with I will be leaving reviews of this. I'm now to the point, I don't trust them or their work. I just want the car to the condition that was promised with quality work as promised (for the prices the garage charges!) so whether or not it's take the car, refund me for the wheels and I go somewhere else. Or they fix it properly.
What does S,P&L think is my best course of action, if any? Am I right in saying I am entitled to a full refund? Any advise is welcome.
P.S. I'm still fuming at him repeated attitude towards me so the grammar may not be perfect!
Was this done through your insurers? (Not the wheels as I assume that was a separate issue)
You speak of an assessor. Is this an insurance assessor or someone to do with the garage?
In respect of your accident damage then if it is insurance your first action is to raise it with the insurance company.
In respect of the wheels if they refuse to play then you are likely to finish up chasing a refund of your money through the small claims - or whatever the equivalent is in Scotland.
You speak of an assessor. Is this an insurance assessor or someone to do with the garage?
In respect of your accident damage then if it is insurance your first action is to raise it with the insurance company.
In respect of the wheels if they refuse to play then you are likely to finish up chasing a refund of your money through the small claims - or whatever the equivalent is in Scotland.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 29th April 11:08
paintman said:
Was this done through your insurers? (Not the wheels as I assume that was a separate issue)
You speak of an assessor. Is this an insurance assessor or someone to do with the garage?
In respect of your accident damage then if it is insurance your first action is to raise it with the insurance company.
In respect of the wheels if they refuse to play then you are likely to finish up chasing a refund of your money through the small claims - or whatever the equivalent is in Scotland.
Cheers for the reply. Sorry yes, the wheels and bodywork are 2 seperate parts. The garage have actually fixed the rust or so they tell me without dealing with insurers. I added that in to paint a picture of the quality of their work.You speak of an assessor. Is this an insurance assessor or someone to do with the garage?
In respect of your accident damage then if it is insurance your first action is to raise it with the insurance company.
In respect of the wheels if they refuse to play then you are likely to finish up chasing a refund of your money through the small claims - or whatever the equivalent is in Scotland.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 29th April 11:08
The wheels are the issue. When I say assessor I don't mean the insurance chap but the guy working for the garage who gave me the quote etc.
I had hoped that there was another option than chasing a refund through small claims court but I suspected it would go this way. Hopefully the owner comes round a bit and accepts he should hold up his end of the bargain without having to go through that hassle. I may have to though depending on how our "chat" goes this afteroon.
Thanks
Editted to add: The garage was of my own selection not the insurers garage. The Ins Co were happy with that arrangement. I chose them due to a recommendation from PH! Clearly reputation is only worth so much
So all the insurance stuff is irrelevant.
So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
£170 seams cheap to repair and repaint 4 wheels, do they offer this as a service or was it done on the basis that they would paint them as a cheap job whilst the cars in?
They clearly don't have the equipment to take the tyres off, so won't have the equipment to re-balance the wheels either which is why they've left the weights on. If they explained this to you before hand, then I can see why the owner may be a little miffed.
If the insurance repair is now sorted satisfactorily, get the car back and take the wheels to a proper wheel re-furb outfit who will take the tyres off, strip and powder-coat the wheels properly, refit the tyres and rebalance. It may cost you a little more but it's a proper job.
Seek a refund from the paint-shop, but if he doesn't play ball you then have to ask yourself whether it's worth the hassle, time, and cost to pursue him over something that will ultimately be presented as a misunderstanding!
They clearly don't have the equipment to take the tyres off, so won't have the equipment to re-balance the wheels either which is why they've left the weights on. If they explained this to you before hand, then I can see why the owner may be a little miffed.
If the insurance repair is now sorted satisfactorily, get the car back and take the wheels to a proper wheel re-furb outfit who will take the tyres off, strip and powder-coat the wheels properly, refit the tyres and rebalance. It may cost you a little more but it's a proper job.
Seek a refund from the paint-shop, but if he doesn't play ball you then have to ask yourself whether it's worth the hassle, time, and cost to pursue him over something that will ultimately be presented as a misunderstanding!
Snowboy said:
So all the insurance stuff is irrelevant.
So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
/\/\/\ What he says.... but quicker than me!So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
The Surveyor said:
Snowboy said:
So all the insurance stuff is irrelevant.
So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
/\/\/\ What he says.... but quicker than me!So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
IanA2 said:
The Surveyor said:
Snowboy said:
So all the insurance stuff is irrelevant.
So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
/\/\/\ What he says.... but quicker than me!So's all the rust.
You paid a garage £170 to paint the wheels and they've done a poor job.
They told you they weren't taking the tyres off.
To me, that would mean they weren't taking the weights off either.
It would also mean it was going to be a crap job.
You can't properly paint wheels with the tyres on.
I have had wheels painted before, no tyres off just rolled back etc. but with weights off and it was a perfectly good job, lasted 3 years no chips, peeling etc. It's all in the prep work. That garage did weights off without any questions.
They are a "very ruputable" garage that does reapirs for the local Bently, Ferrari, Aston, Porshce and Audi garage for wheels and bodywork hence I thought it would at least be a good finish to them.
I have been in to speak to them and the assessor for the garage agreed with my points in that he thinks it madness to colour change with weights on for all the effort it takes. The silver squares will be patched which is perfectly fine.
In the process of checking the car though, the rear bumper has been damaged... they're going to "fix" it but I think this shall just have to be chalked up to one of lifes experiences.
In hind sight, I asked for the wheels to be done for convenience there. Sicne the car was off the road anyway and these guys do wheels I thought it would be sensible to kill 2 birds. Really should have gone to the usual garage for the work. Lessons learned and all that.
Oh man!
The minute the guy said to me "i'll be leaving the tyres on" i'd have been having serious doubts about his ability to repaint your wheels. I think i'd have just said, thanks, but no thanks...just repair the bumper etc and i'll take my wheels elsewhere. Hindsight's a wonderful thing though!
To try and claim that painting over weights is perfectly normal is ludicrous though. What happens if you get a puncture and need a new tyre? The tyre has to come off and it will need re-balancing....which will leave a large unpainted bit. Very odd practice.
Good luck!
The minute the guy said to me "i'll be leaving the tyres on" i'd have been having serious doubts about his ability to repaint your wheels. I think i'd have just said, thanks, but no thanks...just repair the bumper etc and i'll take my wheels elsewhere. Hindsight's a wonderful thing though!
To try and claim that painting over weights is perfectly normal is ludicrous though. What happens if you get a puncture and need a new tyre? The tyre has to come off and it will need re-balancing....which will leave a large unpainted bit. Very odd practice.
Good luck!
£170 isn't cheap for wheels to be repainted, how did they even redress the rim edge without taking the wheel off? seems like you got ripped off especially if they didn't take the tyre of the rim, they probably just give them a once over with a spray can.
I had all 4 of my 18" AMG wheels (the reason I mention it is that these things are huge), repaired (kerbing damage filled and ground), repainted to factory spec (baked in a kiln to harden the paint or enamel or whatever it is they use) by a Mercedes main dealer for £150, id only asked on the off chance while I was in there, its usually £50 a wheel, but the body shop guy was having a slow week.
I had all 4 of my 18" AMG wheels (the reason I mention it is that these things are huge), repaired (kerbing damage filled and ground), repainted to factory spec (baked in a kiln to harden the paint or enamel or whatever it is they use) by a Mercedes main dealer for £150, id only asked on the off chance while I was in there, its usually £50 a wheel, but the body shop guy was having a slow week.
king hell, I wouldn't give £50 for that level of refurbishment.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff