Vehicle repairs at rip off garage
|
My gripe is with the big garages and in particular vehicle repairs and the quotes you are given where they don’t fix the problem, but charge you a ridiculous amount anyway. Is it just me that gets annoyed when I take my car in to get a problem fixed and I get a bill for all the solutions they tried that didn’t fix the problem? They give me an estimate of £50 which miraculously turns into a bill of £200 plus. Why should I pay for a mechanic that doesn’t know what the problem is? |
|
My favourite is when you get "we didn’t find the problem, but we replaced your battery, starter motor, oil filter and horn, so that’s ten grand please, and you still have that knocking noise. Come back next Saturday when we have more time" and "oh we threw those old parts out, so you can’t take your car back until you pay." |
|
|
Shouldn't we be paying the money to fix the problem, hence using an expert in the first place? Not financing a complete trial and error process that always seems to be in the region of a few hundred pounds? "It will cost £100 to fix your oil leak sir" after a cursory view, but then a bill for £400 comes in to cover all the other items we tried that didn’t in fact fix the leak. Grrr… |
|
|
I can state however that I have never had this problem with smaller local garages and that I understand that sometimes things do need to be looked at in stages to fix them. But so many times I seem to have been overly stung for the lack of knowledge on the mechanics part, and I cant help but think that perhaps there is something dodgy going on at these larger garages. |
|
Comments from visitors
I got my garage to fit a reconditioned engine in April costing me £1750. Since then I have had numerous starting problems and had to call out recovery on 3 occassions. I have returned the vehicle on 4 occassions to the garage to have it fixed. The last time a starter motor switch and fitting cost me £100 and still it doesn't start properly. I,m so angry for paying for something that didn't resolve the problem. I'm now at the stage where the garage have told me I need to spend money on my vehicle!!! And I though there was 6 months warranty on parts and labour. Now the garage say my glo plugs need replaced and I will have to pay for them as the ones in the new engine are the ones they took out of my old engine--Aaargh. Is this right? I really feel I'm being ripped off rotten
-3
Click to rate 
Report
You should stop digging now MikeP (I have to add a bit more text please ignore text in brackets)
+1
Click to rate Report
Everyone has got so far off the point here. I was just adding to someone earlier's comments that [removed by admin] are not to be trusted and I wish I had never ordered an alloy from them. They are not proper business people, they are totally unprofessional.
0
Click to rate Report
Unhappy Chappy - 27-Jan-11 15:08
Boblet :I'm not sure what cabbage has to do with BMWs but let's leave that, it's clearly some quirk of yours.
"I think they are bad cars "
There is a general consensus that German automobile engineering is probably the best in the world. But you know better.
"driven in the main by Bullies."
Who are Bullies? Is this a family name? If you mean 'bullies' there is no capital letter for a common noun. Can you suggest why bullies (or Bullies) drive BMWs?
"Their wheels for low profile tyres are dangerous, "
Says Boblet, who knows better than BMW engineers.
"BMW in their typical German fashion are blaming our bad roads."
I wouldn't say it's 'typical German fashion' to blame others, that's more something that the French are good at. I do concede that there may be some validity in this, the roads in Germany (you've been there, or are you too scared of the nasty bullies in their German cars?) are vastly superior to the potholed and rutted roads that you have in much of the UK. Obviously low profile tyres and rims are more susceptible to damage and one has to select one's vehicle, route, and driving style accordingly.
"Maybe it wasn't reported in the Daily Mail."
Why would that be relevant?
"I think they are bad cars "
There is a general consensus that German automobile engineering is probably the best in the world. But you know better.
"driven in the main by Bullies."
Who are Bullies? Is this a family name? If you mean 'bullies' there is no capital letter for a common noun. Can you suggest why bullies (or Bullies) drive BMWs?
"Their wheels for low profile tyres are dangerous, "
Says Boblet, who knows better than BMW engineers.
"BMW in their typical German fashion are blaming our bad roads."
I wouldn't say it's 'typical German fashion' to blame others, that's more something that the French are good at. I do concede that there may be some validity in this, the roads in Germany (you've been there, or are you too scared of the nasty bullies in their German cars?) are vastly superior to the potholed and rutted roads that you have in much of the UK. Obviously low profile tyres and rims are more susceptible to damage and one has to select one's vehicle, route, and driving style accordingly.
"Maybe it wasn't reported in the Daily Mail."
Why would that be relevant?
+3
Click to rate Report
MikeP since I started Griping you have been my constant critic, however as I have already stated in one of my earlier posts one cannot educate cabbage. A point I would like to make clear is, if I have given you the impression that I only "seem" to dislike BMW car's then I am sorry, the fact is I dislike them intensely, I think they are bad cars driven in the main by Bullies. Their wheels for low profile tyres are dangerous, BMW in their typical German fashion are blaming our bad roads. Maybe it wasn't reported in the Daily Mail.
-2
Click to rate Report
Just before someone jumps in : "fundemental" was a typo. I no how too spel fundamental.
+3
Click to rate Report
I wouldn't take too much notice of Boblet's rantings, he seems to have a particular dislike for German cars in general and BMWs in particular. I am not sure if it's some kind of envy, not that a BMW is much to be envious about, but it's hard to understand sometimes what makes people tick.
I am no fan of BMWs either as it happens, but from an engineering point of view they are significantly better than most other makes and are hardly likely to suffer a fundemental design flaw such as Boblet mentions, although there could have been isolated incidents.
I am no fan of BMWs either as it happens, but from an engineering point of view they are significantly better than most other makes and are hardly likely to suffer a fundemental design flaw such as Boblet mentions, although there could have been isolated incidents.
0
Click to rate Report
No Boblet it is not a BMW. The alloy wheel they sent had been kerbed badly and is unusable because it will not seal to the tyre. When I informed [removed by admin] they accused me of lying and said I am really using it! I agree with whokanutrust about Zara. When I phoned I spoke to someone else and was told she was not there, however she is now saying she was there and heard the conversation! It is in the hands of Trading Standards.
-5
Click to rate Report
Unhappy Chappy - 27-Jan-11 10:45
You do not say the make but it sounds like BMW. the alloy wheels for wide low profile tyres are of a bad /dangerous design. the overhang from the hub is to great. causing the rim to flex leading to metal.fatigue cracking.
-1
Click to rate Report
I have a problem with [removed by admin]. I bought an alloy wheel over the internet and when it arrived it is unusable. There is damage to the rim and a tyre will not hold air. When I told them they said I could have swapped it over, outrageous!, and that I must send it back at my expense for them to look and make sure it was theirs! I phoned Trading Standards and they said it is [removed by admin] responsibility to have it collected and inspect it and either repair, replace or refund my money. I do not intent to let them rip me off and will do all necessary to get satisfaction.
+1
Click to rate Report
Unhappy Chappy - 27-Jan-11 08:58
It's never good to feeel ripped off by anyone but garages seem to manage it with consumate ease. I took my Chevrolet Double Cab in to Hartwell Motor Services in Birmingham to have the disc pads replaced. The bill came to over £400 but only when I looked at the parts did I see that I had been charged £200 for a set of pads that cost £28 from Isuzu. Needless to say I'll never use Hartwell Motor Services again but are there any organisations like Trading Standards that you can complain about garages to?
0
Click to rate Report
Quoted nearly 800 from a "proper" garage today for some random things, strange really as I went to my nice little garage round the corner and quoted and fixed for 112.
Whats wrong with these garages, they are a total rip off, I will never again use them, Citroen S.Wales. Total waste of time. Never Never again.
Whats wrong with these garages, they are a total rip off, I will never again use them, Citroen S.Wales. Total waste of time. Never Never again.
+1
Click to rate Report
Hi
Just a very brief mention that www.vehicle-dealer-ratings.com has been designed to review vehicle dealers and garages in an attempt to help us avoid problems just like this!
Please a review and help us all avoid situations like this in the future.
Thanks
Just a very brief mention that www.vehicle-dealer-ratings.com has been designed to review vehicle dealers and garages in an attempt to help us avoid problems just like this!
Please a review and help us all avoid situations like this in the future.
Thanks
+1
Click to rate Report
Woman - ask the first garage to put their findings in writring and then get it in writing from the second garage. Send copies to both to Trading Standards and VOSA.
Also a letter to the editor of the local newspaper is always a good way to make some noise.
Also a letter to the editor of the local newspaper is always a good way to make some noise.
-7
Click to rate Report
have had the 'steering' light come on each time I turn on my Skoda Fabis engine. After the car warms up, I switch it off, turn it again and the light goes off (sometimes a few attempts in transit). Anyway, I took it to a 'proper' garage; so they could put in on their computer and check all electrical faults.
It came back needing a new 'alternator'. That cost me £45, I was then quoted £400+VAT to fix, and that this was serious. As you can probably tell, I'm female (due to the ridculous lie). I went to the usual garage to double check, they checked the alternator, computer (oh.. didn't relaise they would have the specific equipment) and said WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.
I'm furious that a garage can commit FRAUD, and I would like to be legally proactive in bringing it to my communities attention, and get my money back. Any ideas?
It came back needing a new 'alternator'. That cost me £45, I was then quoted £400+VAT to fix, and that this was serious. As you can probably tell, I'm female (due to the ridculous lie). I went to the usual garage to double check, they checked the alternator, computer (oh.. didn't relaise they would have the specific equipment) and said WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.
I'm furious that a garage can commit FRAUD, and I would like to be legally proactive in bringing it to my communities attention, and get my money back. Any ideas?
0
Click to rate Report
Horbury Dismantlers, Promised next day delivery of set of alloy wheels, a week later no wheels, blamed TNT couriers, phoned TNT, they had no record of my order. Phoned Zara at Horbury dismantlers promised to look into it and phone back in 30 minutes. No phone back. Asked several times what was going on. was told would call me back. No return call back. Phoned TNT and asked their opinion, I was told this often happens with these type of companies and I might get my order eventually. (not fault of TNT) Great example of non customer service. Be warned !!!
-4
Click to rate Report
I bought a saab 95 3.0 from a dealer whos conduct was exemplary, fantastic car after 1 years trouble free driving I had done about 10 000 miles driving no problem at 65 000 I decided to have the cam belt changed I called a local mobile mechanic whos number was given to me by a workmate who had used him he came and did the work and payed him £350 imidiatly there was a small water loss came to check and said it needed a water pump which he then fitted.paid £170 the leak continued and got worse he said it was a head gasket the car was perfect until this work was carried out the car cannot be used until we find someone who knows the V6 engine what could he have done, does anybody have any thoughts this car is like new.
+1
Click to rate Report
Have you -
- been ripped off?
- been a victim of unfair or sharp practice?
- paid for something that you feel was a total waste of money?
The BBC Rip Off Britain team are planning the new series and want to hear YOUR stories. Email ripoffbritain@bbc.co.uk with details, or post your grievances to:
Rip Off Britain, PO BOX 4360, Manchester, M61 0DY.
We want to expose the issues that matter most to you, the British public, and expose the rip off merchants
- been ripped off?
- been a victim of unfair or sharp practice?
- paid for something that you feel was a total waste of money?
The BBC Rip Off Britain team are planning the new series and want to hear YOUR stories. Email ripoffbritain@bbc.co.uk with details, or post your grievances to:
Rip Off Britain, PO BOX 4360, Manchester, M61 0DY.
We want to expose the issues that matter most to you, the British public, and expose the rip off merchants
-4
Click to rate Report
Rip Off Britain - 8-Jul-10 14:24
Horbury Dismantlers. In short total rip off merchants. Delighted they had part for my car.They sent incorrect part few days later. Took a total of two months to get refund and then not for full amount as they promised. Zara is not at all truthfull and blamed couriers at every opportunity. Would never use them again. Be warned.
-3
Click to rate Report
CouriersAreNotToBlame - 6-Jul-10 20:18
You were Lucky, I bought a Lotus Elan in a fully stripped state and to spray it, it cost me £7500!!!
Don't go to Devon Classic Cars..
Don't go to Devon Classic Cars..
-5
Click to rate Report
