What would you do (repair bill)

[Roboticarm]

Don't want to be harsh but don't want to get ripped off either so what better way to decide the right outcome than to ask a group of like-minded petrol heads:

So my Focus ST got an MOT advisory for corrosion on the front springs and the top mounts, the car has sentimental value so after a discussion it was decided to replace pretty much everything: shocks, springs, wishbones, track rods, everything £1.3k bill
The car came back knocking badly, returned and told that it was test driven, no issues just needs to settle, a week later sent back as no change, told it was put on MOT shakers and all fine, a week later back again and this time acknowledged it wasn't right, suggested it might be the shocks, so I agree to pay the difference and go with the more expensive Bilstein shocks, these have been fitted and appear, so far, to have sorted the issue.
The bill comes through and it's double what was agreed for the "upgrade" to better shocks. When I enquired why they've charged labour too
My view is that I shouldn't have to pay labour twice, happy to pay the difference for the more expensive shocks but it wasn't right first time so don't see why I should pay the labour.
Also note that I've been charged for the tracking which was apparently done but wheel still not straight so will need doing again.

So, what would you do:
1, pay the full bill and chalk it down to experience
2, offer to pay for the shocks plus half the labour as a compromise
3, pay only for the shocks, not paying twice for the labour

Would appreciate some views please

[ChocolateFrog]

Pay the bill then leave them an honest but negative review and make a mental note to never use them ever again.

Some Businesses do seem to get a bit uppity about negative Google reviews.

[CraigyMc]

Roboticarm said:

Don't want to be harsh but don't want to get ripped off either so what better way to decide the right outcome than to ask a group of like-minded petrol heads:

So my Focus ST got an MOT advisory for corrosion on the front springs and the top mounts, the car has sentimental value so after a discussion it was decided to replace pretty much everything: shocks, springs, wishbones, track rods, everything £1.3k bill
The car came back knocking badly, returned and told that it was test driven, no issues just needs to settle, a week later sent back as no change, told it was put on MOT shakers and all fine, a week later back again and this time acknowledged it wasn't right, suggested it might be the shocks, so I agree to pay the difference and go with the more expensive Bilstein shocks, these have been fitted and appear, so far, to have sorted the issue.
The bill comes through and it's double what was agreed for the "upgrade" to better shocks. When I enquired why they've charged labour too
My view is that I shouldn't have to pay labour twice, happy to pay the difference for the more expensive shocks but it wasn't right first time so don't see why I should pay the labour.
Also note that I've been charged for the tracking which was apparently done but wheel still not straight so will need doing again.

So, what would you do:
1, pay the full bill and chalk it down to experience
2, offer to pay for the shocks plus half the labour as a compromise
3, pay only for the shocks, not paying twice for the labour

Would appreciate some views please

It depends as much on your mental outlook as anything.

I'm at a point in life where money is less valuable than time and annoyance, so I tend to just walk away from vendors that do stuff like this.

It could just as easily be that money is more important than time and annoyance, in which case it'd be all about a letter before action aimed at the garage over the remediation costs.

[ScoobyChris]

Have you queried the bill?

Chris

[Griffith4ever]

Crikey - no doubt from me - pay for the shocks only! - the ones they put on originaly should not have knocked in any way and offering an upgrade isn't a solution.

[Mad Maximus]

Go in and discuss. Put your point across that it wasn’t your fault they fitted st shocks that weren’t fit for purpose. Pay the difference and nothing more.

Once that’s sorted let them know you need to 4 wheel alignment doing again before paying as it miles off.

Play nice and I’m sure they’ll understand and want your future custom

[Steve93]

So honest opinion from me as an actual vehicle tech/Mechanic whatever you want to call it

For a car to leave the workshop with a knock from suspension that has just been replaced is embarrassing at best and dangerous at worst. If a customer came back to me saying their car was knocking from where I had just fitted parts, I would do everything in my power to get it back on a ramp and check everything over that's been done there and then. If that wasn't possible at the time, I would ask them to leave the car with me so when a ramp did become available I could check it then...as inconvenient as it is, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Faulty parts happen, but if there's a warranty issue with them then they should be claiming the labour back from the parts supplier. I've had a bit of creaking from newly fitted top mounts in the past while the spring finds its seat but knocking is a different story.

[stevemcs]

Steve93 said:

So honest opinion from me as an actual vehicle tech/Mechanic whatever you want to call it

For a car to leave the workshop with a knock from suspension that has just been replaced is embarrassing at best and dangerous at worst. If a customer came back to me saying their car was knocking from where I had just fitted parts, I would do everything in my power to get it back on a ramp and check everything over that's been done there and then. If that wasn't possible at the time, I would ask them to leave the car with me so when a ramp did become available I could check it then...as inconvenient as it is, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Faulty parts happen, but if there's a warranty issue with them then they should be claiming the labour back from the parts supplier. I've had a bit of creaking from newly fitted top mounts in the past while the spring finds its seat but knocking is a different story.

Same, although I don’t fit the parts I quote you for them. If it knocked then either it’s fitting or the part, both should be at the expense of the garage, it’s what you a paying for. Had you supplied the shocks then I could understand the garages point of view had you supplied the shocks but only after making sure it wasn’t a fitting issue.

The wheel geometry, again that’s on the garage, clearly it wasn’t road tested afterwards as if it had then it would have been corrected before you collected it.

[Robertb]

A set of run of the mill OE spec shocks should work quietly. Either fitted wrong, or faulty parts. Either way you should not be on the hook for the £ extra labour.

You could offer to pay half if you’re feeling generous on the basis you asked for the Bilsteins.

I’d get them to refund the alignment cost and get it done somewhere else, not least to get it all checked out independently. To be honest that lot sound poor.

[vw_99]

Ask them for the request for a copy of warranty to the supplier of the faulty part.
Sometimes it does take a few months to be confirmed but at least u have proof they have done it to start with