What would you do (repair bill)
Discussion
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
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
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.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
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.
Go in and discuss. Put your point across that it wasn’t your fault they fitted s
t 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
t 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
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.
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.
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