garage rip off and property damage

nektonic

My car conked out on monday so i approached the garage less than 100yrds from my house. They were great. Offered to tow it round Thursday if i couldn't get it to them. I said i'd contact them if i couldn't move it to take them up on their offer. While on the school run this morning, my partner rang me to say the garage had been to take my car. i hadn't agreed it but i thought what good service. I nipped into the garage on way back and the lads were great, 'we'll ring you in an hour, and let you know the problem'. Excellent, i thought. However, when i returned home all was not good. The wall across my front drive had been knocked down, and there were big tyre tracks running across it. My partner hadn't noticed anything as she had simply gave them the key and closed the door. i went back to the garage to ask about the wall. They denied it was them and couldn't confirm if it was like that when they arrived. I've spent the day back and forth to the garage, contacting the police and taking photo's. the garage finally agreed to come and have a look, and despite the obvious tyre marks matching their vehicle, which they agree there is a 'similarity', they deny liability. Later that morning they tell me the problem with my car and quote £500 to repair. I tell them the repair will have to wait for a few weeks. They offer to tow the car back for me which i refuse on account of earlier, and tell them i'll be back later to collect. when i return they tell me it'll cost £107 to release the car. £35 for towing - 100 yrds - , and the rest for 1 hours labour.
Am i just being naive?
There was no mention of towing charges previously.
There was no mention of a charge to identify the problem.
And i have a collapsed wall.

I've never known a garage to charge labour (£70) just to give a quote for a repair. The garage is Douglas Motors in Wolston, just outside Coventry.
Not happy, and not sure where to go from here.

Gene_Hunt_2

Did you expect them to recover it and find the problem for free?

nektonic

fair point, but i expect them to arrange with me towing needs and for me to agree, which i didn't. i also expect them to be upfront about any charges that will be incurred, which they weren't. 'I should've asked' you're probably thinking, which i didn't.
It's all a bit underhand.
They clearly knocked my wall down, but with no 'concrete' evidence, just yet, that's another unexpected cost.

ryanm198

nektonic wrote: »

I've never known a garage to charge labour (£70) just to give a quote for a repair. The garage is Douglas Motors in Wolston, just outside Coventry.
Not happy, and not sure where to go from here.

I have, you'll find most garages will charge to diagnose a problem ie £100+ to plug a diagnostic unit into your ECU to find out whats wrong. They might have waived it if you went ahead with the repairs but they are a business they arent going to do things for nothing.

The wall is another matter, but its very hard to prove.

Gordon_Hose

Neighbours witness anything?

MrRedundant

I think you are being naive.

Did you think they were going to collect your car and diagnose it out of the goodness of their heart? Of course not. £107 for diagnosis and recovery seems fairly reasonable to me.

Now had you taken them up on the repair these charges would have no doubt been waived but garages cannot afford to do this for free when the customer doesnt take them up.

As for the wall without witnesses you have no hope.

Rossy.

nektonic wrote: »

They clearly knocked my wall down, but with no 'concrete' evidence, just yet, that's another unexpected cost.

Love the pun, so fitting but accidental too

You'll love MSE

Welcome btw

optimus_primera

To be fair,the OP did state he would call them to recover the if he could'nt move it, but the garage went and did it anyway.

As for the wall damage, i was going to suggest looking at the recovery truck and look for damage on that,but then all the recovery trucks i have seen wouln't look out of place on a Mad Max film set ......

Norman_Castle

http://v2.douglassmotors.co.uk/

I think he's making it up!

nektonic

None of this is 'made up'.
I asked for some feedback and you gave it too me.
I reclaimed my car and payed the 'bill'. The garage waived the towing charges. I have no doubt they'd have done a good job. Possibly a little on the 'expensive' side, but I guess garages charge their worth.
There's no denying the damage. If only you could see it. But without witnesses...... Sour and taste are just two words.

Gene_Hunt_2

nektonic wrote: »

None of this is 'made up'.
I asked for some feedback and you gave it too me.
I reclaimed my car and payed the 'bill'. The garage waived the towing charges. I have no doubt they'd have done a good job. Possibly a little on the 'expensive' side, but I guess garages charge their worth.
There's no denying the damage. If only you could see it. But without witnesses...... Sour and taste are just two words.

We could if you post a picture.;)