Extras at VW Service
Discussion
The minor service at Vertu VW in Huddersfield is £160, Mrs Summers took her Golf in for a service and they increased the price to £240 with extras that were neither wanted nor asked for.
£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
From experience VW service is some of the worst unfortunately. My local advertises service price matching on their website, when I tried to use it they refused to acknowledge they offer price matching. Even when I was sat in front of the service manager with the price matching page on their website on my phone to show him “we do not offer that here sir” even though this is your exact dealership location website page? “Yes sir that’s correct”. Audi are even worse.
But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
England87 said:
From experience VW service is some of the worst unfortunately. My local advertises service price matching on their website, when I tried to use it they refused to acknowledge they offer price matching. Even when I was sat in front of the service manager with the price matching page on their website on my phone to show him “we do not offer that here sir” even though this is your exact dealership location website page? “Yes sir that’s correct”. Audi are even worse.
But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
They are poor. For example, I am keen on detailing my cars, the paintwork is perfect, I saw them washing the service cars with a sweeping brush which they dipped in puddles to wash the car. I booked the car in with a request not to wash the car, and left a note on the dashboard DO NOT WASH THIS CAR. Went to pick the car up and they had washed it, I pointed out the notice to reception to be told that wouldnt do any good, the cleaners cannot read English. The paintwork was badly scratched, all i got was a sorry.But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
Edited by BT Summers on Tuesday 24th November 20:43
BT Summers said:
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
The question that I have to ask is why go there if that's the way they are? This is exactly why dealers like this exist and continue with sharp practice because customers like yourself continue to spend good money with them!!! colin_p said:
Extras at the VAG garage, do they offer a "happy ending"? 
If you mean ;am I happy at the end of the service' NO!Actually the female service reception staff are the best thing about the dealers, tactful, knowledgeable and personable.
The Sales staff are really bad. I went to buy a Golf GTi a year ago, they had one in the showroom that was just the right spec and all priced up. I asked if any deals, even just free mats, were available because no part ex. I was told that they were not that bothered about deals because they sold all the cars they could get, and anyway, what is £200 for mats when you are spending £34,000. I said OK I will buy the car in the showroom, he quoted me a higher price that the banner on the car, I pointed this out and was told the banner was wrong.
I thought sod it.
Edited by BT Summers on Wednesday 25th November 02:28
BT Summers said:
England87 said:
From experience VW service is some of the worst unfortunately. My local advertises service price matching on their website, when I tried to use it they refused to acknowledge they offer price matching. Even when I was sat in front of the service manager with the price matching page on their website on my phone to show him “we do not offer that here sir” even though this is your exact dealership location website page? “Yes sir that’s correct”. Audi are even worse.
But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
They are poor. For example, I am keen on detailing my cars, the paintwork is perfect, I saw them washing the service cars with a sweeping brush which they dipped in puddles to wash the car. I booked the car in with a request not to wash the car, and left a note on the dashboard DO NOT WASH THIS CAR. Went to pick the car up and they had washed it, I pointed out the notice to reception to be told that wouldnt do any good, the cleaners cannot read English. The paintwork was badly scratched, all i got was a sorry.But no they should not ad extras without authorisation. Kwik fit got pulled for that one with their nitrogen inflation charges.
Edited by BT Summers on Tuesday 24th November 20:43
BT Summers said:
Actually the female service are the best thing about the dealers, tactful, knowledgeable and personable.
Took wife’s Tiguan to the dealer we use a few weeks ago (not the nearest one, won’t ever be going there again) and the service girls were having a row with a customer who’d booked online, telling him he hadn’t booked with them (and doing it with a f-off attitude) even though he showed them the confirmation on his phone.BT Summers said:
WonkeyDonkey said:
It not right, but she'll probably be back there again next time it needs a service.
I am sure you are right, I have looked at indy VW service places but they were like Beirut.BT Summers said:
I am sure you are right, I have looked at indy VW service places but they were like Beirut.
I used a local (Chester area) VAG indie on a previous car and it was a bit like that, and the cost of everything seemed to be made up on the spot. I was always very happy with their work though. Not having a courtesy car is a right pain, amazing how often I'd arrange a month in advance for my wife to pick me up and something would happenon the day such that it became a faff.Roughly in your area I saw someone on a Skoda forum speak well of Halifax Autotech.
My local VW has excelled themselves again.
Advertising on their website “We want your VW” so I got in touch to get a valuation on our 1 year old car. They replied that they needed pictures of all around the car and of the dash with engine running. Car was grubby so spent a couple of hours last Saturday cleaning it to take the pictures, sent them off and heard nothing. Chased this morning and they replied “sorry we aren’t buying any stock at the moment”.
Advertising on their website “We want your VW” so I got in touch to get a valuation on our 1 year old car. They replied that they needed pictures of all around the car and of the dash with engine running. Car was grubby so spent a couple of hours last Saturday cleaning it to take the pictures, sent them off and heard nothing. Chased this morning and they replied “sorry we aren’t buying any stock at the moment”.
Sheepshanks said:
BT Summers said:
I am sure you are right, I have looked at indy VW service places but they were like Beirut.
I used a local (Chester area) VAG indie on a previous car and it was a bit like that, and the cost of everything seemed to be made up on the spot. I was always very happy with their work though. Not having a courtesy car is a right pain, amazing how often I'd arrange a month in advance for my wife to pick me up and something would happenon the day such that it became a faff.Roughly in your area I saw someone on a Skoda forum speak well of Halifax Autotech.
A classic was that I needed two new brake discs, VW wanted £450 which I thought was steep, especially for rears. I rang a VW indie in Leeds for a price, which was £250, This sounded better, i asked if they were VW parts, was told 'no but they are sourced in Germany'.
'How do they compare to the VW originals?'
'They are not bad, not great but OK'..
I told him that I would pass and was called an effing timewaster.
BT Summers said:
The minor service at Vertu VW in Huddersfield is £160, Mrs Summers took her Golf in for a service and they increased the price to £240 with extras that were neither wanted nor asked for.
£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
Not to put too fine a point on it, the reason these companies do this is because of people like your wife and you. You let them get away with shoddiness. And you are not alone.£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
Go back there with your wife, show them the documented proof that the wheel change should be free and get that £24 back, give them their deicer and scraper back and ask for that £20 back and tell them to put the old wipers back on and to give that £34 back. As for "winter checks", tell them that's what the service was for and you'll do the rest yourself and ask for that back.
Other typical stuff from main dealers? Always top up your screen wash before going and tell them you don't need any. And ask them what spec of oil they use and note you will supply your own. And under no circumstances ever ask a main dealer to supply and fit tyres for you. (Also advise them that you are prepared to pay main dealer rates because of the stamp and expertise, and also because cleaning your car while it's with them is priced in).
If you don't do the above, you'll be back on here moaning about the same stuff over and over. Get hold of it and sort it. And then leave them some feedback commensurate with the actions.
We have a “Service plan “ with VW supposedly covering “full “ service when required , EXCEPT that is does not.
So far , “gearbox oil requires changing “ but I have a service plan ? no that is not included .
“Haldex oil requires changing “ but I have service plan , no that is not included .
So the service plan is an oil change and a video of the underside of the car.
So far , “gearbox oil requires changing “ but I have a service plan ? no that is not included .
“Haldex oil requires changing “ but I have service plan , no that is not included .
So the service plan is an oil change and a video of the underside of the car.
Murph7355 said:
BT Summers said:
The minor service at Vertu VW in Huddersfield is £160, Mrs Summers took her Golf in for a service and they increased the price to £240 with extras that were neither wanted nor asked for.
£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
Not to put too fine a point on it, the reason these companies do this is because of people like your wife and you. You let them get away with shoddiness. And you are not alone.£20 for a winter kit which is de icer and a scraper, we have plenty of those
£24 for fitting winter wheels and tyres which they agreed to store and fit for free as part of the purchase deal.
Charges for winter check and labour etc.
They have asked for £34 for new wiper blades, they said they were split, she checked and said they were ok, they said well they probably will be split by the time that the MOT is due in April.
The garage has a long history of charging for work that is not carried out, the local paper often runs a story about poor service.
She has paid the bill because she didnt want to make a fuss but I don't think it is right to include extras automatically without telling the customer,
Go back there with your wife, show them the documented proof that the wheel change should be free and get that £24 back, give them their deicer and scraper back and ask for that £20 back and tell them to put the old wipers back on and to give that £34 back. As for "winter checks", tell them that's what the service was for and you'll do the rest yourself and ask for that back.
Other typical stuff from main dealers? Always top up your screen wash before going and tell them you don't need any. And ask them what spec of oil they use and note you will supply your own. And under no circumstances ever ask a main dealer to supply and fit tyres for you. (Also advise them that you are prepared to pay main dealer rates because of the stamp and expertise, and also because cleaning your car while it's with them is priced in).
If you don't do the above, you'll be back on here moaning about the same stuff over and over. Get hold of it and sort it. And then leave them some feedback commensurate with the actions.
The wheel deal was advertised in the VW dealer magazine. The advertisement said they they would store and fit the winter wheels at no charge for as long as you own the car, the deal was £660 for steel wheels with Blizzaks. I checked that they would honour the deal before buying. It is regrettable that I don't have a copy of that ad.
I have suggested we go back to the dealers with the winter kit and hand it back, my wife says it will make her look a fool, She should have gone through the invoice before handing over the credit card of course, The winter kit was on the passenger seat. Her excuse for not going through the invoice was that they had kept her waiting for 4 hours in the customer waiting area, not even a cup of coffee, she was in a hurry to get back to work.
The dealer has a long history of this as an issue. I had a Mk 1 GTi without power steering, the dealer had the car in for service and charged for a power steering service kit, they did not care at all when I pointed out their mistake.
They had the car for an MOT and said it needed new wipers, charged me £33 for new wipers but didn't fit them, last April they swapped the wheels over but only did the nuts to finger tight, First time I applied the brakes the wheels banged on the hubs.
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