Think I've just lost £130

Think I've just lost £130

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wombat172a

Original Poster:

1,455 posts

184 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
quotequote all
It's not a big deal at all, but bugger dealing with scrapyards again.

Process went like this:

1) My head on my old BMW was cracked
2) Found one at a scrapyard, and asked them to remove it and post it to a machine shop of my choice (so I could get it skimmed and checked). This was done for £130, all seems okay.
3) On receiving it, the machine shop noticed that head appears to have been damaged. But they might be able to repair it, so they carry on cleaning it.
4) After cleaning it a bit more, it appears to be well and truly buggered. So they stop, let me know, and I pay for what they've done.
5) I then agree with the scrapyard that they'll get the courier to pick it up, and offer a full refund. Fair enough
6) 3 weeks later the courier hasn't picked it up, so I check with the scrapyard what's going on. They can't get the courier to collect it at cost, so I've got to do it.
7) I can't get to it, so I get a mate to pick it up. It's boxed up ready for collection.
8) I drop it off to the scrapyard today. And they proceed to bicker about it not being the head they sent, as it hasn't got their markings on it. And then why would anyone clean it, if it's obviously damaged. etc. etc.


I don't have any paperwork for any of this, and the only photos I have show the damage received to the head (no markings shown).

Essentially, I think the money is lost. This isn't really a rant, more of a moan and a despair as to why I even engaged trying to repair that car.

Personally I feel that the scrapyard failed to claim their money back from the courier (has to be done in 5 working days or something - I did let them know and sent photos of the damager as requested). And are then trying to keep my money to make up the shortfall.


Lesson learnt for next time. Get more paperwork, and make sure any markings are noted and properly recorded!

aka_kerrly

12,419 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
quotequote all
The lesson is next time go to the scrappy, remove the item yourself, inspect it and then pay.

wombat172a

Original Poster:

1,455 posts

184 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
quotequote all
Quite right, unfortunately the car I wanted it from was inaccessible. So I had to wait until during the week, when they could move the car into a better place to work on it.

aka_kerrly

12,419 posts

211 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
quotequote all
Oh I see.

It has to be said though the number of traditional scrap yards that allow you to remove parts yourself is becoming smaller and smaller.

There is one near me which has parts on racking and cars stacked up 2or 3 high and you literally have to stand behind a safety railing and watch some monkey attack the part you want so by the time you get it it can be in worse condition that the part you are replacing.

I even saw one idiot in a scrap yard destroy 2 windscreens in a row by trying to remove them by kicking them from the inside.

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
quotequote all
aka_kerrly said:
I even saw one idiot in a scrap yard destroy 2 windscreens in a row by trying to remove them by kicking them from the inside.
Haha. He probably has his City and Guilds in motor servicing though...!

There's a nice scrappy near Hertford/Welwyn (can't remember as haven't been in a few months) who still operate the old fashioned approach to just letting you remove the bits you want. Always agree a price before setting about removing stuff though, or you'll get shafted!

E30M3SE

8,467 posts

197 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
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If you paid for it on a credit card chase the £130 via the card co.

Willeh85

760 posts

144 months

Wednesday 1st August 2012
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E30M3SE said:
If you paid for it on a credit card chase the £130 via the card co.
This. Although some people hate credit card companies when things go wrong and you have a dispute they can very often get a refund without you doing any leg work. They cant always though.

This is why I always pay for everything on my credit card, and then pay the balance in full each month. Much better purchase protection should things go wrong.