First experience with a garage.. Maybe my last? rant
Discussion
Recently purchased my first car (306 gti-6)
I then noticed a knocking noise developed at low speed turns & full lock, decided to investigate and found one of the front springs had snapped into 3 :O I jacked the car up, placed it on axel stands and began removing the springs/went to order new parts, but was encouraged to just use a local garage (supposedly a good independent) to make it easier when I encountered problems with lack of tools and clamping the springs with the crappy tools I had..Dropped of the car early tuesday with the promise over the phone monday it would be sorted the same day (one of the main reasons I took it to the garage.) Arrived and was told it would be 2-3 days :/ got cold feet but went through with it in the end.. Got phoned wednesday morning saying it was sorted but unfortunately I was a few hundred miles away so I went and picked it up earlier.
Arrived and asked if there were any problems.. "nope" then was told "oh we didnt fit the strut brace back, couldnt get it on".... Already I was pissed off.. Went on and found they hadnt fitted some of the washers back or even the front damper covering on one side.. They originally tried to fob me off too which just made it worse imo
So now I have to return tomorrow to see if they've actually done what was asked.
I've heard horror stories, but this was only my first encounter and I feel like already I can't trust anyone! I feel in the future I might make an investment in tools and learn how to do everything myself!
</rant>
v8will said:
If they can take it off they can put it back on. Ask them to complete the job to your satisfaction or Pay them with credit card under protest, get the car and then do a chargeback citing unsatisfactory service.
I told them to sort it out, they even tried to claim the bolts werent big enough to fit through lolI havent paid a penny yet and made sure I agreed a price before they carried it out, so if they try to charge me extra labour I'm going to be
gareth.e said:
v8will said:
Make sure you get possession of the car before making a complaint. If they are a small indy they won't think anything of withholding your keys until payment is made
thanks for the advice 
will make sure I nab the keys at the first oppotunitycheers for the advice guys
Will get some pictures taken soon
Just got back from the garage after the test.. Seems much better now and they've actually done the job properly!
I think I will be
I have the muscles but no skills
its a giant learning curve but found the crappy hand spring clamps too s
t to use 
Will get some pictures taken soon
Just got back from the garage after the test.. Seems much better now and they've actually done the job properly!
The Crack Fox said:
supersingle said:
Sounds about average service to me.
Get yourself some tools and do it yourself in future. Changing a spring is pretty easy.
Good first car choice too.
Rusted joints can be a bugger if you don't have muscles and a splitter and a spring compressor. A job best left to a garage in my experience. Great car though Get yourself some tools and do it yourself in future. Changing a spring is pretty easy.
Good first car choice too.
I have the muscles but no skills
its a giant learning curve but found the crappy hand spring clamps too st to use Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff