Garage damaged my car - what next?

Garage damaged my car - what next?

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Discussion

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
No, not at all. But I reckon they could have lied about the lamppost bit in order to cover up their mechanical ineptitude and all the damage was done trying to get that grey centre panel out.

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
lufbramatt said:
No, not at all. But I reckon they could have lied about the lamppost bit in order to cover up their mechanical ineptitude and all the damage was done trying to get that grey centre panel out.
I don't think they have the cognitive ability. I know the rear bumper of the car is removed to get to the lower 3 spark plugs - I've seen it done by a former MB technician very quickly and safely, but I'm willing to bet none of the 6 plugs have been changed. I'll have to check the air filter to see if it's been changed/cleaned.

The damage to the bumper isn't just from someone removing it incorrectly - there is a crease where it's obviously hit something, but there's also some nasty orange peel from a shoddy spray attempt on the passenger side of it.

After 2 days of unsuccessfully trying to get pictures of the damage, I went down in person to see the car to be told it was at "their bodyshop". The manager said (and this isn't paraphrasing) "I've taken a hit on this. I want it to look ok for you and do right, not have it look like a tw@t." Unfortunately I later found out from checking the dashcam footage the bodyshop was actually wasteland on a council estate and a tiny unprofessional looking spray booth in someone's garage. it's also obvious the car was driven around various Leeds estates (certainly not a-b from my work to the garage or garage to "bodyshop").

s55shh

499 posts

211 months

Monday 12th June 2017
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Paid by credit card?

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
shandyboy said:
I don't think they have the cognitive ability. I know the rear bumper of the car is removed to get to the lower 3 spark plugs - I've seen it done by a former MB technician very quickly and safely, but I'm willing to bet none of the 6 plugs have been changed. I'll have to check the air filter to see if it's been changed/cleaned.

The damage to the bumper isn't just from someone removing it incorrectly - there is a crease where it's obviously hit something, but there's also some nasty orange peel from a shoddy spray attempt on the passenger side of it.

After 2 days of unsuccessfully trying to get pictures of the damage, I went down in person to see the car to be told it was at "their bodyshop". The manager said (and this isn't paraphrasing) "I've taken a hit on this. I want it to look ok for you and do right, not have it look like a tw@t." Unfortunately I later found out from checking the dashcam footage the bodyshop was actually wasteland on a council estate and a tiny unprofessional looking spray booth in someone's garage. it's also obvious the car was driven around various Leeds estates (certainly not a-b from my work to the garage or garage to "bodyshop").
Get 2 independent quotes from decent body shops.

Write them a letter stating:

a) that you have checked the dashcam footage and found it was being used illegally
b) The repair is absolutely awful
c) They have 7 days to cover the cost of the repair or you will be taking them to small claims (and actually do it) and I would write it up on FB mentioning both the local garage and the arranging servicing company.

Absolute joke I'd be fuming.

BlueHave

4,636 posts

107 months

Monday 12th June 2017
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There is no way any bodyshop would send a car out looking like that. It's looks like they've just took a trip to Halfords and bought some masking tape and few rattle cans.

They've pissed you about for long enough so escalating it to a higher power whether a claim against their insurance or small claims.

Also give them a bashing on social media I've found companies take more notice these days of negative reviews.

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Monday 12th June 2017
quotequote all
If you paid the booking company for the service then the buck stops there.

rockin said:
shandyboy said:
I booked my car through one of those "book online and we'll pick it up in the morning and drop it off when it's done" places and it seemed pretty slick.
I think I see where you went wrong.
I don't want to kick you whilst you are down but you have to be mental not to realise that the business model doesn't work without charging extra. I quote you say £100 for a service. You don't know who the garage is or their reputation. Of that £100 the booking company takes (30%) £30. That leaves £70 to service and pick up your car. The garage sends 2 people to pick up your car. Call it 20-30 minutes each way and that's an hour for 2 guys at £16ish at minimum wage. Fuel and maintenance for the car/van they are using - call it £20. That now leaves £50 to service your car. A £3 oil filter and 4.5 litres of bulk engine oil at say £12 and that leaves £35 to cover labour and profit. Oh and don't forget that they return it to you - 2 guys at £20ish which leaves £15 for labour and profit. That is why they HAVE to upsell other services.

Compare it to Just Eat/Hungry Horse. Only the average and mediocre takeaways will appear on those sites. So only the average and mediocre garages will appear on middleman sites. Why do the decent takeaways not appear there? Because they are flat out on a Saturday night and simply do not need to pay 30% to a middleman. When they are quiet midweek it's time for staff to rest and catch up on prep for the weekend. I know of takeaways that need every penny from Just Eat/HH and struggle to clear £1,500 turnover a week and others who tell Just Eat and HH reps to fkoffski because they can take £15k a week without trying.

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
Kind of an update.

I sent an email back saying I strongly requested that the car be repaired at an MB-approved bodyshop (I rang MB and they said they use Evans Halshaw - the car's booked in for an estimate on Monday).

However a couple of days later I received an email which didn't acknowledge my request, but said they hoped to have found a garage to carry out the repair by the end of today.

Can they dictate legally where the car is repaired, or is it within my rights to say where it goes?

I'm slightly concerned obviously, as their first choice didn't work out too well, and what exactly is their criteria for choosing a garage in Leeds when they are all the way in Enfield? Price? How do they know the next garage won't be backstreet cowboys like the first lot?

robinessex

11,046 posts

180 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
shandyboy said:
Kind of an update.

I sent an email back saying I strongly requested that the car be repaired at an MB-approved bodyshop (I rang MB and they said they use Evans Halshaw - the car's booked in for an estimate on Monday).

However a couple of days later I received an email which didn't acknowledge my request, but said they hoped to have found a garage to carry out the repair by the end of today.

Can they dictate legally where the car is repaired, or is it within my rights to say where it goes?

I'm slightly concerned obviously, as their first choice didn't work out too well, and what exactly is their criteria for choosing a garage in Leeds when they are all the way in Enfield? Price? How do they know the next garage won't be backstreet cowboys like the first lot?
Be Careful. Under consumer protection, they have the right to offer to repair it. So NO action from you until you get an agreement in writing

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
robinessex said:
Be Careful. Under consumer protection, they have the right to offer to repair it. So NO action from you until you get an agreement in writing
So I *do* have to let them dictate where it's repaired?

And an email from them with the garage would be enough to qualify as an agreement?

Cheers

robinessex

11,046 posts

180 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/...

I think I'd tackle it along the lines of they damaged your car, and returned it badly repaired. If they won't cough up to reimburse you to have it fixed at the bodyshop of your choice, then it's straight to small claims court. You might have to bite the bullet, and get it fixed first. I'd still pay a few quid, and get a solicitor on the case with an initial letter. Or maybe your insurance people maybe the better route depending on what cover you have. I believe the company YOU BOOKED WITH are legally responsible for this as your agent.

Sa Calobra

37,010 posts

210 months

Thursday 15th June 2017
quotequote all
I wouldn't let anyone they direct you to anywhere near the car incase they simply have the keys and attempt themselves again.

How much have you paid? I'd recoup this (money claim) and move on. Source the correct colour part from a breakers and fit yourself or get your local to do it.

I wouldn't waste anymore time or worry. Move forward.

The screw says it all about their ability.

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
quotequote all
Quick update - I have a quote to repair the car properly from an MB approved repairer (not even a very expensive one) and it's £904. They were pretty unimpressed by the repair - the inspector looked visibly shaken at the wood screw, and also pointed out bits I'd not even noticed - a huge area of badly applied filler which had cracked around it.

I've passed the quote onto the company that booked my service with the garage in question and we have until the end of the month to reach an agreement, then it's onto small claims I think (as advised by the CAB consumer department).


Rich_W

12,548 posts

211 months

Wednesday 21st June 2017
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Often when I see a headline "dealer damaged my car" I expect it to be some spurious "i'll claim for damage I did by lying"


This one has taken the biscuit!

To the OP. I sincerely hope you nail these fkers! When its all said and done. Destroy them on social media! (Might be worth setting up a fake account though wink )

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
Yeah - my car is practically worthless now as it's needing £904 of repairs just to get it back in the condition it was previously.

The issue has been slightly complicated in that I booked the service through an online site which then book your car at a local garage - so I'm currently dealing with the company that I booked through as they have the ultimate duty of care for my car.

Yesterday I reviewed the actual garage which "repaired" my car - I kept it completely factual and honest, but it's obviously not a brilliant review! If anyone wants to read it, google "autosafetycentres" and my review should be on the right-hand pane - if you want to help me out you can thumb it up, it should help it appear near the top of any listings.

Interestingly, the manager phoned me this morning (and mentioned the review), asking if I'd give them a chance to put it right - I said I would not trust the car with them again, for obvious reasons. He said he'd lend me a personal car and would take it somewhere else. I said if he wanted to help he could pay the £904 but he wanted to take it to 'his' repairer. So it's thanks but no thanks.

I've chased up the booking company (as I haven't heard back from them since the 14th and I sent the quote to them yesterday) and they are supposed to be getting back to me when they've checked it out.

So basically I'm still nowhere near to getting the car sorted, and stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I haven't come to an agreement by the end of the month then it's back to the consumer section of the CAB and take it from there - presumably small claims court.


zedx19

2,704 posts

139 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Nothing to add really, just to say that I thumbed up your review, absolutely shocking.

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

160 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Good luck OP! Sounds like a court claim for damages may be your best bet.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Gave you a thumb.

shandyboy

Original Poster:

472 posts

153 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Just an update - my car is still damaged (and I noticed the wheel on the corner they hit squeals at low speed sometimes, so something probably got bent), and Servicing Stop are completely ignoring me.

I started an Alternative Dispute Resolution case at the advice of the CAB, and although they accepted the claim (as Servicing Stop are in the scheme), they haven't been in contact or taken any action with it yet. There are 10 days to go until the claim expires, then I guess it's taking them to court time.

I've reviewed this company on Trustpilot, would appreciate a helpful vote to make it stick at least. smile

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.servicingstop...

Sa Calobra

37,010 posts

210 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
So I was reading through the reviews and I felt a pattern. It reminded me of TripAdvisor reviews of a local cafe to me that has slow and rude service. After a neg review it'd be swamped in glowing 1 review history 5 star reviews.

Then I came across this:

Bad reviews will be purged. Be prepared to prove.

Good job BBC WATCHDOG 19/7/17
I had a terrible experience with this company BUT WATCH this review like all other bad ones get ACTIVELY removed by SS pressure.
You have to prove you are a customer to get it reinstated; like i did.

One is covering ones tracks, but not for long.

Are all the 5 star reviews checked for integrity? Seems odd that a company is either 1 or 5 stars with little inbetween.

xjay1337

15,966 posts

117 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
shandyboy said:
Just an update - my car is still damaged (and I noticed the wheel on the corner they hit squeals at low speed sometimes, so something probably got bent), and Servicing Stop are completely ignoring me.

I started an Alternative Dispute Resolution case at the advice of the CAB, and although they accepted the claim (as Servicing Stop are in the scheme), they haven't been in contact or taken any action with it yet. There are 10 days to go until the claim expires, then I guess it's taking them to court time.

I've reviewed this company on Trustpilot, would appreciate a helpful vote to make it stick at least. smile

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.servicingstop...
Nightmare


Fight it all the way!