Porsche Bodyshop Problems- Can Porsche GB Help?

[Pickled Piper]

I've just picked my 993 up from a Porsche approved bodyshop. It's had a large amount of work carried out to repair some accident damage and some spots of corrosion. The basic spraying and panel work is good but there are a lot of details issues ie spoiler has not been screwed back properly, side glass looks like it has been glued in by a four year old etc.

I will be contacting the bodyshop manager on Monday and sending him photographs of the areas that require rectification. I will have calmed down by then and hopefully be in a frame of mind to have an objective and collected exchange. I have no reason to believe that they will not rectify the areas concerned. However, I would like to know what, if anything, Porsche GB can do for me in the event the bodyshop are not cooperative. Can anybody advise who I should talk to at Porsche headquarters? or even provide a phone number? The website is not very informative.

Finally has anybody else dealt with similar issues? Any advice appreciated.

pp

[Pickled Piper]

bump

[RichardR]

Pickled Piper said:

Can anybody advise who I should talk to at Porsche headquarters? or even provide a phone number? The website is not very informative.

Phone [phone] and ask to speak to the customer assistance centre.

[Pickled Piper]

Thanks

pp

[phelix]

A quiet and objective discussion with the manager is most likely to achieve results. Stay calm and politely point out what areas you're unhappy with and ask what can be done to resolve them. Don't get him overly defensive; no-one likes to be backed into a corner, particularly if it's quite obvious they're in the wrong.

[Pickled Piper]

phelix said:

A quiet and objective discussion with the manager is most likely to achieve results. Stay calm and politely point out what areas you're unhappy with and ask what can be done to resolve them. Don't get him overly defensive; no-one likes to be backed into a corner, particularly if it's quite obvious they're in the wrong.

It is exactly what I would advise anybody else to do. However, in the heat of the moment I was all ready to rant down the phone. I am now calm and shall calm myself further before the call. I needed somebody to tell me that.

Cheers

pp

[993_C2S]

Did you not inspect the car before accepting it back?

I think the reality here is you'll be dealing solely with the bodyshop as it's a seperate company you're dealing with. The fact they're Porsche approved means you should raise it with P GB so they are aware of the situation, but I doubt they'll do much. (That's more a reflection of what P GB are like in such matters)

Hope you get it sorted.

[Pickled Piper]

993_C2S said:

Did you not inspect the car before accepting it back?

Hope you get it sorted.

I gave the car a quick once over to make sure that all the work I had asked for had been carried out. I agreed with the bodyshop manager that I would give it a through inspection later and get back to him with any issues. In fairness to him he actually picked out a fault himself and suggested that I pop in on another day and they would fix it while I waited.

On getting the car home and giving it a detail once over it became apparent that whilst the basic painting had been carried out to a good standard, there were some areas that were absolutely appalling. I have no doubt that the smaller areas will be rectified without dispute. However, one or two of the issues will require a substantial amount of rework if they are to be corrected properly. It's these type of issues I suspect they may baulk at since it will wipe out any profit they made on the job.

I've contacted the bodyshop manager this morning. He was apologetic and stated they would rectify all issues. (I recounted the worst ones to him on the phone). I've emailed him a snag list and some detailed photographs and I am awaiting his response.

I contacted Porsche GB on the number given above. I was initially given the "the bodyshops run as independent businesses" speach. However, when I pointed out that that Porsche GB was responsible for approving and recommending them they acknowledged some responsibility. I also pointed out that the bodyshop had fallen down on the basic systems and procedures on which they were audited in order to get the Porsche approval. They have offered to get involved but only after the bodyshop has been given the opportunity to rectify the faults. They offered that they would be able to have the vehicle rectified at another bodyshop if the outcome was not successful. We didn't get into who would pick up the bill or how this would be handled. They have logged my concern and logged a copy of the snag list with photographs.

Watch this space

pp

[993_C2S]

Pretty much as predicted then.

Good luck with it pp.