Advice for poor service.

[ciaranthemurph]

Of all the forums that I frequent, I think that the most level headed, useful and mature advice usually comes from here, so I have a question that some people might be able to help me with.

I sent a car to a garage to have a restoration carried out on it. It was a degree of bodywork with the view to turning it into a track car once the work to the shell was complete.

A large amount of money was spent on the shell to return it to a decent standard (this work was farmed out to another party and I have no problem with the work that they did for me.)

The gearbox was inspected and rebuilt and my engine was stripped with a view to being rebuilt. At this point I was then told that my engine block was scrap and that I needed to source a new engine. When asked why the block was scrap I was never given a straight answer, only that their engine builder had said it was no good.

I spent some time trying to source a replacement engine. This all occurred whilst the garage was changing workshops. In the end it was decided that I would collect the car in it's current state as by this point they had had the car for almost a year.

I collected some of my parts from my stripped car and arranged for a courier to pick up the car with a transporter. Whilst picking up the car, I was unable to get my gearbox or crankshaft, rods and pistons back. I was informed that they were in one of the trailers (40' HGV trailers) that were full of the stuff that was being moved between the two workshops.

I was then told that they would be put into the stripped car and the remaining items would be shipped with it.

This was nearly a year ago now and all I received was my stripped shell when the transporter arrived.

At the moment I am still missing a gearbox, crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons as well as various sundries that I never expect to get back.

I know that some on here may have some experience of this, but I was wondering if there is anything that I can do. The company is still in business and quite high profile.

The latest from him is that we 'have to agree to disagree' that my gearbox was shipped with the car, but somehow at 17:30 on a Friday night, my crankshaft has appeared and is all wrapped up.

To be honest, I don't hold out any hope of getting my parts back, but it's infuriating that some businesses seem to think that it's OK to go on like this.

Maybe this is just to vent, but if anyone can think of any action that I could take, it would be much appreciated.

[Le S2 Audi]

Sounds to me that they just can't be ****'d to look properly;

I would get a solicitors letter written asking them to find the missing parts and a full explanation as to why the engine was scrapped without any explanation... and get the solicitor to threaten small claims action to recoupe the costs of replacement items.

Might cost a few quid but will give them a scare and maybe get their **** into gear and find your bits...

[s2_wot]

I know how it would be dealt with around here

Solicitors letter, small claims court (if that exists over there) are your best route. I'd be specific about every part that is missing and what it is likely to cost you to replace the parts.

NEW Gearbox £2000
NEW Rods £500 etc
+ Shiping costs

This will get their attention.

[Rusty]

Sorry to hear that you're being messed about Ciaran Afraid I don't have the know-how to advise but HPMuirt usually has some excellent advice on this sort of thing and is well worth a PM

[Rikki Kitto]

Box of matches and can of petrol would come in handy Scum

[Le S2 Audi]

Of all the forums that I frequent, I think that the most level headed, useful and mature advice usually comes from here,

Box of matches and can of petrol would come in handy Scum

[Error404]

First things first I would see if they are members of the SMTA, they will be able to offer some leverage to get it sorted.
Otherwise as said, solicitors letter would be the first step. Does sound like they have lost it in the move or can't be arsed to look for it.

[Rikki Kitto]

If Clarkson can get away way it so can I, sorry I know it's not very helpful but people like that do my head right in

[Le S2 Audi]

If Clarkson can get away way it so can I, sorry I know it's not very helpful but people like that do my head right in

I know what you mean.... But I found it funny!!!

[s2driveruk]

Sorry to hear that Ciaran, sounds a nightmare. I'd also maybe suggest that if the items are not forthcoming by x date then of course you could speak to the local press and police to see if that doesn't help motivate them to conclude it.

In the main...i have to say i hate garages. There are a few good ones and unfortunately a lot of ****** ones! Especially so called specialists

[benntenn67]

Bad service, here are some links for small claims -- http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-righ...-claims-court/

http://www.smarta.com/advice/legal/business-law/the-small-claims-court-for-businesses?cm_mmc=Google-_-Advice-Legal-_-SmallClaimsCourt_b-_-small%20claims%20courts&gclid=COf51OSz5KwCFVQLfAodW30iMg

[macspring]

This sounds familiar.

Read my signature.

Same problem, different company.

At least they're still trading.

Best of luck. Be tenacious as you are on the same island.

[martinws]

Terrible news. I just dont get this way of business. I guess this garage is fairly local to me. Can you PM me the name of the garage just to be sure i dont use them or let anyone else.

Hope you get it sorted ASAP

[andy10v]

Sorry to hear this, is this the BM that was down south?

Do you have any record of communication? Or was it verbal?

This is a basic small claims guide

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/legal_system/small_claims.htm

Citizens advice bureau might be worth a drop in if you have time as they may be able to clarify what legal options are open to you, or tell you if there are any time limits etc.

[ciaranthemurph]

Thanks for the advice guys, to put everyone at ease, it's not an Audi specialist, if there are any of those (I've yet to have any experience with one anyway). I'll let you know how I get on and what comes of it. I'm holding out little to no hope about it, they are based in Northampton and I'm in Glasgow, I work out of the country for long periods of time and it looks like this is what their defence is going to be.

Cheers again guys.