This is how the dealer can cheat

[PovertySpec]

Every victim who came in whilst I was there got the same treatment

Happened twice to me, each time I had to ask for things to be taken off the job sheet. Tracking and Nitrogen.

Last time they asked if I wanted the tracking done for £20 inc VAT

I said yes please, I don't think I can source the camber bolts for that. Blank looks all round.

 

[television]

I had a similar experience when a pot hole in Dover destroyed one of my tyres. Drove cautiously to a tyre shop on the deflated shredded carcass of the dead tyre.

They quoted £256 - which, on inquiry included tracking and other extras. "Well sir, the car has been driven on a flat rye - bound to have upset the steering geometry", etc.

I declined the frills, agreed £120 for a new tyre and sat down to wait for the work to be done.

Every victim who came in whilst I was there got the same treatment and they each swallowed hard, and agreed. It was like watching a David Attenborough wild life documentary, where the snake is about to devour the mouse. Must happen daily throughout the country.

Caveat emptor! :sad:

Yes I have heard the stories while sitting in Kwikfit having an MOT done.

 

[Myros]

welcome back Alex

a crime is a crime is a crime, as the man said. Obtaining money or money's worth by deception, is theft under s.6 of the Theft Act 1968, as amended.
The trouble is, as everyone else is hinting, is proof. Malcolm isn't the victim, so hasn't suffered the damage, but is in possession of the evidence pointing to the (alleged) crime.
The dealer's probable response that " it was already like that" will probably hold water on a benefit of the doubt basis, and unless serial numbers could be compared with old and new units, showing nothing new had been fitted, they will probably get away with it.

If I see this right, it's charging for software updates that weren't strictly necessary that is raising the hackles, and not charging for a new piece of kit that wasn't supplied.
I'd say it's firmly back in the civil domain, and still within the 6 years for damage test. But Malcolm isn't the one who paid for something not needed, it was the previous owner. Nonetheless, Malcolm's evidence would be helpful, if the original owner wanted restitution.

perhaps the only real mileage to be gained here is that this dealer is put on notice that their sharp practices have been seen, and won't be tolerated again. ( allegedly)

 

[LostKiwi]

Friend of mine had a BMW 3 series (someone has to buy BMWs I guess )- bought it new 2000 and as far as I know still has it. It was always main dealer serviced and one day in 2010 he noticed the heater wasn't blowing much air. The dealer was busy so he took it to an independent. They showed him the pollen filter.... it must have been there since new as it was nearly totally blocked yet he had receipts from the main dealer going back years charging him for new ones every service...

 

[PovertySpec]

a crime is a crime is a crime ..
I'd say it's firmly back in the civil domain

So a crime is a crime is a crime except when it is a tort

Glad that's cleared up!

 

[toby1]

It's very bad but will anyone be interested over 2 years later?

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Another stealer robbery story, never...

Good you have sent it in Malc, but as already posted as your not the victim I doubt you will even get a response, other than a 1 line receipt letter...

 

[Myros]

you can have your torte

but you can't eat it. Except in Austria. (allegedly)

It hasn't stopped the dealer making a butty out of this. Well, not yet it hasn't.

 

[television]

I have got a response. they claim that did not fit a door film and that the £135 plus VAT was to pull back a 159mm piece (2 minutes max) I have replied, we will see. They are working at a rate of £300 per hour plus VAT

 

[DSB SL AMG]

£300 p/hour + VAT yikes that's way above what I thought they charged, although I know rates vary UK stealer wide...are they using caviar based coffee

I have got a response. they claim that did not fit a door film and that the £135 plus VAT was to pull back a 159mm piece (2 minutes max) I have replied, we will see. They are working at a rate of £300 per hour plus VAT

 

[Some guy on the internet]

Friend of mine had a BMW 3 series (someone has to buy BMWs I guess )- bought it new 2000 and as far as I know still has it. It was always main dealer serviced and one day in 2010 he noticed the heater wasn't blowing much air. The dealer was busy so he took it to an independent. They showed him the pollen filter.... it must have been there since new as it was nearly totally blocked yet he had receipts from the main dealer going back years charging him for new ones every service...

Duh.

Where do you think Euromerc, Starpartz & other sellers of NOS get their filters (& everything else) from?

 

[Wozza14]

Apologies if I have missed it, but where are which dealer is it only so I can avoid it and no doubt they are part of a large group so we can all keep out nationwide, I notice now when I take mine in for a service they always offer a additive for £20 I always decline but every one I saw said yes..,,,it all adds up.

 

[television]

Apologies if I have missed it, but where are which dealer is it only so I can avoid it and no doubt they are part of a large group so we can all keep out nationwide, I notice now when I take mine in for a service they always offer a additive for £20 I always decline but every one I saw said yes..,,,it all adds up.

If the dealer thinks that this bill is in order, then I can put the name up, they have not answered my second Email.

 

[jonthetourist]

Alex. You are back. Nice to hear from you

Seconded. But no R129, I see.

Jon

 

[BryanC]

My E430 had done 35k miles ,when I bought it,one owner.I decide to check the Pollon Filters.They were oily Black,due to the muck the Oil burners chuck out.They were never changed despite service history.

 

[turbopete]

My E430 had done 35k miles ,when I bought it,one owner.I decide to check the Pollon Filters.They were oily Black,due to the muck the Oil burners chuck out.They were never changed despite service history.

they go that colour as they get clogged, oil burners or not. mainly because theres a LOT of cr@p in the air and most of it ISNT from oil burners but power stations, home heating, etc etc.

 

[ajlsl600]

stealers

malc as soon as its legal ,just name and shame . i do my own now, but previously i used to mark all my filters where practical and advise the dealer that i would need to see any filter they changed , same with pads shoes ect .and anything else i could mark .

 

[Kirbs]

malc as soon as its legal ,just name and shame . i do my own now, but previously i used to mark all my filters where practical and advise the dealer that i would need to see any filter they changed , same with pads shoes ect .and anything else i could mark .

Its pretty rubbish that you have to do this and generally this thread is concerning but informative.Surely they have folk scanning the internet to pick up this kind of media and would come on and comment,not just in this case and not just this dealer,its a b awful situation regardless of the outcome of this one case,is there no regulation apart from trading standards ?

This has re-enforced my love for my independent ,he would not put a washer on without a signed pro-forma and face to face meeting to confirm the business case,MB like all the big brands probably work on about 85% of cars being leased or company owned and do not get challenged

Hatton Garden proportions every month across the UK I Suggest

Thanks

 

[Andy.M]

If the dealer thinks that this bill is in order, then I can put the name up, they have not answered my second Email.

If you google the assistants name along with MB its there for all to see!!!

 

[television]

Not had a reply again so I will try once more, they think it all fine. Its still £200 more than the max price it should have been.