Article: NCA reports surge in complaints about cars

Seth Brundle

NCA reports surge in complaints about cars

17/06/2009 - 11:08:11

The National Consumer Agency says it is experiencing a surge in complaints relating to the sale of second-hand cars and car repairs.

The agency says more than 3,300 people have called its helpline in the first five months of this year with complaints about cars.

It is urging motorists to be careful when getting their cars repaired and serviced and to remember that safety comes first.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/text/ireland/eykfojkfgbql/


NCA press release...

Voodoomelon

Another reason to do it yourself.

Saab Ed

You see this is what happens when people dont spend the money. For years people either looked after their car properly or because of the boom , if something was wrong they just bought a new one. People loved to go to these fancy glass palaces and spend spend spend. Now because of hards times theres no way they are going to go to a rip off main dealer and they are heading to Fred in the shed. Now there are plenty of good Freds around but there are plenty of ropey chancers around too and before you know it the whole motor trade will be tarnished. Years ago people werent happy because all garages seemed like tips but now the facilities are tip top but people wont go there, they want bargain bucket again but still expect the same level of service. You can just here them now " Garages are all rip offs ". Look after it properly people and get someone reputable.

peasant

Saab Ed wrote: »

You see this is what happens when people dont spend the money. For years people either looked after their car properly or because of the boom , if something was wrong they just bought a new one. People loved to go to these fancy glass palaces and spend spend spend. Now because of hards times theres no way they are going to go to a rip off main dealer and they are heading to Fred in the shed. Now there are plenty of good Freds around but there are plenty of ropey chancers around too and before you know it the whole motor trade will be tarnished. Years ago people werent happy because all garages seemed like tips but now the facilities are tip top but people wont go there, they want bargain bucket again but still expect the same level of service. You can just here them now " Garages are all rip offs ". Look after it properly people and get someone reputable.

Oh yeah?

Like a bunch of pimply teenagers whose whole "skill level" consists of plugging a computer into your car and exchanging components until the readout is clear equals "high level of service" these days?


(I exaggerate of course ...but don't give me the story that just it's a main dealers facilty that they know what they're doing)

Saab Ed

peasant wrote: »

Oh yeah?



(I exaggerate of course ...but don't give me the story that just it's a main dealers facilty that they know what they're doing)

No sorry I didnt mean to just suggest main dealers. Alot of dealers both new and used have spent alot investing in facilties and staff over the lsat couple of years but people just wont go in at the moment. They have preconceptions about being ripped off if the place looks to flash and expensive which of course is not the truth.

Lord Nikon

3,300 is a lot of people to complain.

After-sales-service seems to be the place that dealers are heading for these days, since nothing is selling as much anymore.

no1beemerfan

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Another reason to do it yourself.

Well said!:D

_Kaiser_

Also, a lot of main dealers ARE overcharging.

Whether it's down to recouping costs they've spent on equipment, or labour charges the fact of the matter is that the prices some of them want are ridiculous.. and the customer won't care (or feel it's his responsibilty) to foot the bill either.

I'll use the same example I did when my own Passat needed it's timing belt/full service & brake fluid change lately:

VW Main Dealer - Dublin: €1050!
VW Main Dealer - Meath: €950 (thereabouts)
VW Main Dealer - Louth: €850 (incl hire of a car for the day)
VW Main Dealer - Northern Ireland: €700

How can such a difference in price for the same job be justified if not greed and opportunism?

Voodoomelon

3,300 is astronomically high when you consider many times more people wouldn't have bothered complaining to the NCA.

fm

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Also, a lot of main dealers ARE overcharging.

Whether it's down to recouping costs they've spent on equipment, or labour charges the fact of the matter is that the prices some of them want are ridiculous.. and the customer won't care (or feel it's his responsibilty) to foot the bill either.

I'll use the same example I did when my own Passat needed it's timing belt/full service & brake fluid change lately:

VW Main Dealer - Dublin: €1050!
VW Main Dealer - Meath: €950 (thereabouts)
VW Main Dealer - Louth: €850 (incl hire of a car for the day)
VW Main Dealer - Northern Ireland: €700

How can such a difference in price for the same job be justified if not greed and opportunism?

saw blackwater motors in fermoy are doing t belts from 420 e

http://www.blackwatermotors.ie/UserFiles/File/19th_March_09.pdf

Saab Ed

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Also, a lot of main dealers ARE overcharging.

But whats over charging? €500 in a main/reputable dealer to have it done right or €200 in a shed and end up one of thoses 3300 people !

nogoodnamesleft

fm wrote: »

saw blackwater motors in fermoy are doing t belts from 420 e

http://www.blackwatermotors.ie/UserFiles/File/19th_March_09.pdf

+1

Got mine done in a 03 TDi passat for 550euro main VW dealer in Kerry.

_Kaiser_

Saab Ed wrote: »

But whats over charging? €500 in a main/reputable dealer to have it done right or €200 in a shed and end up one of thoses 3300 people !

No I agree, and as I need my car as part of my job, I believe in getting the work done on time and done right (plus I love my car anyway! ), but how can one main dealer justify almost €400 more for the same work that another main dealer can do it for? Or even €200 more? (if we compare them with the Louth dealer in my example)

EDIT: As a one off expense (or fairly infrequent) €200 isn't the end of the world, but with the miles I do my car needs a service every 6 months-ish or less, so it adds up rapidly.

Saab Ed

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

but how can one main dealer justify almost €400 more for the same work that another main dealer can do it for? Or even €200 more? (if we compare them with the Louth dealer in my example)

Do you know I really dont know! Maybe the more expensive one is stuck in the past but main dealer labour rates have been coming of late.

McSpud

OP does not mention whether complaints relate to main dealers or Independents.

Personally I would not go back to Main dealer for servicing again unless car was under warranty. In my experience best to find a good Independent garage & stick with him.

Seth Brundle

McSpud wrote: »

OP does not mention whether complaints relate to main dealers or Independents.

Personally I would not go back to Main dealer for servicing again unless car was under warranty. In my experience best to find a good Independent garage & stick with him.

Do you mean me? If so, read it again. I quoted an article based on an NCA survey which refers to both dealers and back-street outfits!

McSpud

kbannon wrote: »

Do you mean me? If so, read it again. I quoted an article based on an NCA survey which refers to both dealers and back-street outfits!

Apologies, meant OP link.

Was errrrr.... multitasking at work...