Garages causing problems.

Archeron

hi all,
Just wondering what you would do in this case. Good friend of mine drives a Fiesta van. Nice little van, nice bit of poke, only 2 years old.

Recently, he dropped into garage X (can I name and shame?) for a service. When he got it back, he started having problems with cutting out, and was told that he needed two new keys cut. That cost €400. When this was done, the car continued to cut out, and he was told by the same place, its not actually the keys, its an engine component (BCM?, PCM? Something like that) This would cost another €800 to fix. He left the car with them. Two weeks after the part was due to arrive, they rang to say the wrong part came in and it would be another week. A week and a half later, they told him they had the part, but they didnt know how to fit it, and it would take another few days. On going to collect his car, he realized that they had crashed it. It had been reversed into something, denting the back of it and knocking off the Ford bage. Having taken the car back after the dint is knocked out, he now realizes that the tracking is gone wonky and the car shakes at speed, which it never done before. Cue calling the garage. They took a look and said that all four alloys had to be replaced as he "must have driven over something" and buckled the wheels himself. To date, he has yet to have the Ford badge replaced, as the people in the garage are "quite sure" he already got it.

When you get treated like poo by a garage like this, is there any comeback? It there anyone you can complain to? Also, who wins when its a mechanics word against a lay person? What do you think?

fletch

Archeron wrote:

Recently, he dropped into garage X (can I name and shame?) for a service. When he got it back, he started having problems with cutting out, and was told that he needed two new keys cut. That cost €400.

I paid about €80 for two new keys for my Escort and that included having them re coded!

maidhc

Jesus. Incompetence. Is it a main dealer?

The PCM (Powertrain Control Module or something) is fords name for the ECU.

Stephen

That's insane, what a bunch of cowboys. I paid about €75 for two new keys for my fiesta a few months ago, again that included having them coded for the immobiliser.

oilsheik

afaik once a Ford dealer receives an order before 12 noon the part will arrive the next working day. All parts are air freighted in overnight from the UK and delivered to Ford dealers throughout the country during the morning. So the fact the garage had to wait 2 week for a part doesn't add up.

Archeron

Hmm, thanks for the replies all. Its actually one of the bigger, if not biggest, Ford dealers in Dublin. Thats the reason I was so surprised at the bad treatment, and the complete lack of interest from the staff. Methinks he may have been ripped quite badly.

maidhc

Would it be worth ringing Henry Ford and Sons? If the car is only 2 years old they may take control of the situation and fix it under warranty.

You shouldn't have to pay for the garage going on a fishing expedition trying to figure out what is wrong with you car. It is even more disturbing when they are unable to fit the ECU and seem to be doing damage rather than making an effort to repair the car.

Archeron

maidhc wrote:

Would it be worth ringing Henry Ford and Sons? If the car is only 2 years old they may take control of the situation and fix it under warranty.

You shouldn't have to pay for the garage going on a fishing expedition trying to figure out what is wrong with you car. It is even more disturbing when they are unable to fit the ECU and seem to be doing damage rather than making an effort to repair the car.

I agree 100% My friend however feels very much "its a mechanic, what can you do?" about it. I understand that feeling as well, as I've been ripped so many times and there seems little you can do to prove it. This garage was a Ford garage, so my only thoughts were SIMI, but is there a point in your opinion?

Kersh

Imo, he has been absolutely rode, thats a disgrace, a garage treating a customers car like that.
He should go to Simi, and even further, maybe the ombudsman.
Or go to a solicitor.

Archeron

Kersh wrote:

Imo, he has been absolutely rode, thats a disgrace, a garage treating a customers car like that.
He should go to Simi, and even further, maybe the ombudsman.
Or go to a solicitor.

Cool, thanks for the advice all.

Joeface

every one has a story.... just remember this ,
in the GF's old car which a 1999 Ford Fiesta Zetec , Took it to them for it first service still under the warranty , i pointed out to the dealer machanic that the Brake light was comming on and asked to check were there any leaks as there was no way it could be low on break fluid . Got the car back told every thing was fine , paid the bill drove away. Car was take for second service about a month after the warranty had been up. Went to pick the car up ..... WAS TOLD THE F**kin brake master cylinder had was leakin and they replaced it , massive bill , I went ape , never went back for any thing after that.

chuckles30

Tell your friend to get on to Ford directly. I have a fiesta which I bought new and I am forever getting customer satisfaction surveys out from them. Now I'm very lucky that my local Ford dealers are very helpful and I've never had any hassle. The few parts that I've needed have been got within a matter of days. But make sure that they know about this c**p service and also get on to SIMI.

Santa Claus

chuckles30 wrote:

Tell your friend to get on to Ford directly. I have a fiesta which I bought new and I am forever getting customer satisfaction surveys out from them. Now I'm very lucky that my local Ford dealers are very helpful and I've never had any hassle. The few parts that I've needed have been got within a matter of days. But make sure that they know about this c**p service and also get on to SIMI.

Exactly, Ford Ireland and the SIMI. Might also be no harm letting slip that your sister works as a researcher on the Pat Kenny/ Joe Duffy show

TempestSabre

Hes being shagged big time.

Victor

Archeron wrote:

On going to collect his car, he realized that they had crashed it. It had been reversed into something, denting the back of it and knocking off the Ford bage. Having taken the car back after the dint is knocked out, he now realizes that the tracking is gone wonky and the car shakes at speed, which it never done before. Cue calling the garage. They took a look and said that all four alloys had to be replaced as he "must have driven over something" and buckled the wheels himself.

I'm guessing it was dropped off the vehicle lift.

Darando

So you still wont tell us which ford garage? Tallaght Ford?

If it is them then I am not surprised. Mother bought a new fiesta there, explicted asked for x,y,z on the car seeing as it was brand new. He even put it on the order sheet. Well after wating about 14 weeks (he promised maximum 8!!! which then said oh next week, oh the car is lost in cork blah blah excuses) - we went to pick up the car and yep you guessed it, x,y,z missing. We told him and he said that these parts werent standard and it didnt come with it- then she pulled out the order form and he said he made a mistake telling her that she could have these. After threatening no money etc.. refusing the car .... he soon changed his mind.

Fact is your mate has had the wool pulled over his eyes and shouldnt settle for it. Too many places (main dealeres) getting away with this these days - paying top dollar for crappy service/parts and customer service , but the big problem is people letting them away with it - things wont change until people spread the word and stop letting them away with it.

TempestSabre

Really it would be time to get legal advice and a solicitors letter.