Are my expectations of the car trade unreasonable?
Discussion
1PMA said:
Hi all,
A few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
Racelogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
Sounds about right to meA few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
Racelogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
Edited by Gaz. on Thursday 12th August 21:34
1PMA said:
Hi all,
A few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
Racelogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
never hand over any money til the job is doneA few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
Racelogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
Edited by Gaz. on Thursday 12th August 22:08
1PMA said:
Vixpy1 said:
Your post breaks the forum rules, I would remove the names of the companies or a mod will delete it.
I've removed names of people as per rule 2. Can't see a rule that says I can't mention company names??? What am I missing? 
actually, forget that, for a £100 deposit, I'll sort all this out for you....Vixpy1 said:
You can't name and shame companies or people
But loads of people who have a job well done mention the names of the firms on the forum. Surely if we can't mention the names of firms who don't do a good job we'll never achieve any kind of balance. I'd understand if I was ranting abuse but I'm just reporting facts 
1PMA said:
Vixpy1 said:
You can't name and shame companies or people
But loads of people who have a job well done mention the names of the firms on the forum. Surely if we can't mention the names of firms who don't do a good job we'll never achieve any kind of balance. I'd understand if I was ranting abuse but I'm just reporting facts 1PMA said:
Vixpy1 said:
You can't name and shame companies or people
But loads of people who have a job well done mention the names of the firms on the forum. Surely if we can't mention the names of firms who don't do a good job we'll never achieve any kind of balance. I'd understand if I was ranting abuse but I'm just reporting facts Even if that weren't true, this is PH and it's their rules you need to abide by.
C
Oh well I know for future
1PMA said:
v8will said:
I'd be pursuing an immediate refund on the parking sensor though.
I've asked twice for a refund now and been denied both times, accompanied by hollow promises of an 'immediate' rectification of matters 
whoami said:
1PMA said:
Hi all,
A few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
WombleLogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
Sounds about right to meA few months ago I purchased a second hand car and there were quite a few things I wanted to get done to it.
I’m prepared to spend quite significant sums of money (significant for me anyway) to get these things done but I don’t seem to be having much joy getting traders to do what they say they’ll do.
What I’m interested to understand is whether my expectations are unreasonable, whether “that’s just the way it is” in the auto trade, or whether I’ve just been unlucky.
I’ll give you a few examples:
Front Parking sensor £250
Bought and paid for in May on the understanding that they would organise fitting.
Since then I’ve had emails promising phone calls to organise fittings 6+ times and not once has anyone called me.
TWICE an installation date and time has been arranged by email and both times no one turned up.
At the beginning of July the MD of the company David Berridge took over the ‘organisation’ of getting it fitted and despite repeated “I will call you, my word is my word” statements he’s done absolutely nothing. Last heard from him on Friday 30th July when he promised to call Monday 2nd August.
WombleLogic Traction Control £1750
Took a £500 deposit off me 6 weeks ago with an agreement that it would take a couple of weeks to get the parts and then we’d arrange fitting.
Last heard from him on 21st July, after chasing him up, when he said he would get some dates for me that same day.
In fairness Steve mentioned that a family member had slipped a disc so maybe this isn't the best example but I'm still surprised at the total lack of comms, especially since he came recommended by PH-ers in the first place.
full re-carpet £500+ ???
Spoke to the owner 7 weeks ago, promised to price up the job and call me back the next day – never heard from him again.
Anyone else experienced this kind of thing or have I just been unlucky?
Edited by Gaz. on Thursday 12th August 21:34
. I really hate getting anything done, because I have been pissed around by so many companies in the car trade. That's why I have two cars .... so that I can take my time fixing the problems myself!Getting a quote from "reputable" companies is like getting blood from a f
king stone. "Yeah, we'll send you the quote soon" ... no you fking won't! Repeated phone calls are a waste of time, even with "reputable" companies. Quotes for three and four figures are ignored ... maybe they don't need my money?!As for the attitude I've experienced from dealers, independents etc ..
.I only visit garages and other "motor types" a couple of times a year .... too much hassle!
Edited by RedAlfa on Saturday 14th August 23:55
While I understand the PH policy, there really should be a forum for people to expose crooked companies. Here in the U.S., several companies were forced into compliance by individuals who had bad, really really bad experiences. The company is usually emailed a link and usually they end up offering their side of the story, which will often times benefit them. To completely ignore the thread and complaints, as they have via other channels, is for them to lose business. And everyone wins in that case.
Besides, there is nothing wrong with making claims which are true. That is, if you paid $x and got nothing, that is not defamation or slander, but the facts.
Besides, there is nothing wrong with making claims which are true. That is, if you paid $x and got nothing, that is not defamation or slander, but the facts.
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