That dreaded dealer sentence - "we've cleaned it for you"
That dreaded dealer sentence - "we've cleaned it for you"
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Discussion

Vladimir

Original Poster:

6,917 posts

188 months

Friday 17th January 2014
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Just had our nice VW California serviced and they uttered those dreaded words.
I went out to check it and it appears they used a Brillo pad - the van is COVERED in light scratches and swirls. Two years of two bucket washing, polishing and general care undone in about ten minutes.
They have promised to sort it but I fear it'll need a lot of work - a full machine polish at the very least.

DAMMIT!!!!

TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

280 months

Friday 17th January 2014
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frown

I feel for you, how gutting!

It's a bit late, but I always put a note in the windscreen saying "Please do not wash, thank you". That way even if you tell them at the desk, the guys washing cars won't do it.

Grandfondo

12,241 posts

236 months

Friday 17th January 2014
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I always tell them not to bother.
The receptionist always asks why, and they never like the answer! biggrin

Vladimir

Original Poster:

6,917 posts

188 months

Friday 17th January 2014
quotequote all
It was only a quick service - I didn't think they'd "clean" it!

On a possible positive note, if they DO sort it properly, it might sort out a couple of light scratches (mostly from Cornish hedges). But I'm not holding up much hope.

Oh and it needs two new rear tyres - £180 each. An expensive day...

smart repairer

28 posts

172 months

Saturday 25th January 2014
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stealers always wash the cars. all part of the service lol

Vladimir

Original Poster:

6,917 posts

188 months

Monday 27th January 2014
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I caught them trying to cut corners; I contacted their bodyshop direct and found out it was just booked in for a quick polish of the bonnet (the whole van was affected)... I got shirty, sent an email to the service manager CCing all the group Directors in and it should now be fully machine polished.

They'd also told me I needed new rear tyres; ordered some in,went to get them fitted, 4-5mm of tread left....

DoubleSix

12,562 posts

206 months

Monday 27th January 2014
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Had the pleasure of using a well known Porsche approved body shop the other day for a minor insurance scrape.

Never turn down the free valet from a decent body shop! Obviously people that understand paint understand how not to fk it up when cleaning. Seems to be the opposite at most dealers though that's for sure!


NPI

1,310 posts

154 months

Monday 27th January 2014
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Mine was washed last time I took it in for MOT - they knew I was in a hurry and I'd even remembered to ask them not to do it. It was clean anyway.

When I complained about waiting they said we know you asked us not to wash it but we thought we'd do it anyway for you. They'd done a mini-valet and seemed to genuinely think they were doing me a favour and I was being ungrateful!

Vladimir

Original Poster:

6,917 posts

188 months

Monday 27th January 2014
quotequote all
I spoke direct with the bodyshop owner (a very successful business) and he definitely understands the issue! They repaired a nasty gouge a while back (wife plus low wall = ouch) and did a cracking job.