How many garages does it take to fit a lightbulb???

lal1234

arggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Took partners car to garage 1 to get new lightbulb fitted (I know I'm a useless woman but hey ho). They didn't have time - so took car (against my better judgement) to Halfords.

When bloke is fitting bulb he drops it into the engine. He goes and gets fancy magnet on a stick get up to retrieve said bulb - but can't get it. Takes care into workshop, removes some panel or other and comes back and says "sorry - can't find it. You'll need a new adaptor from the Mazda garage". I ask if car is OK to drive if it has a halogen bulb floating about in the engine - he says that its not there that it must have dropped out between car park and workshop. I ask if he's looked for it, he just repeats "its not there".

So I've just spent an hour and a half in the mazda garage while a very helpful bloke searches my engine for a missing bulb and adaptor - which he finds and refits. On handing back my keys he points out "not really sensible driving a car with a halogen bulb floating about in the engine".

Anyway - I've got a £15 invoice which I'm taking to Halfords after work (had to take time off work and miss an important meeting too) - Should I ask for anything else??? I am FIZZING!!!!

uganda

lal1234 wrote: »

Anyway - I've got a £15 invoice which I'm taking to Halfords after work (had to take time off work and miss an important meeting too) - Should I ask for anything else??? I am FIZZING!!!!

Oh dear, sounds like you got yourself a proper Charlie at Halfords!

I don't think you can legally demand any extra compensation for the inconvenience they caused you, but I would write to them separately (perhaps deliver it with your invoice) mentioning what his mistake and subsequent compounding of said mistake caused.

I would also ask 'Charlie' if you get a chance to see him again - but do be polite - if he remembers your visit, and if he can confirm that there was no bulb in the engine when you took it away. Then - politely, mind - express relief that no further damage was done by the 'bulb that wasn't there' because if any further damage had been done to the car (or you, for that matter) he might have been looking at an expensive court-case.

But I would certainly give him a chance to apologise before you mention him by name in your letter of complaint.

And I would give Halford the opportunity to make up for the inconvenience they have caused you. Even where not legally enforceable, if they don't make good the problem you can just let them know you won't be using them again.

marleyboy

I'd want to drop the halogen down his overalls, after having it blazing for a few hours, and courtley smile "........its not there mate, seriously Ive looked."

uganda

marleyboy wrote: »

I'd want to drop the halogen down his overalls, after having it blazing for a few hours, and courtley smile "........its not there mate, seriously Ive looked."

Very good! How we laughed all the way to the Serious Burns Unit...

andyrules

marleyboy wrote: »

I'd want to drop the halogen down his overalls, after having it blazing for a few hours, and courtley smile "........its not there mate, seriously Ive looked."

:T:T:rotfl: