Arnold Clark!
- Thread starter kayos
- Start date
chris elliott
Well-known member
dont be put off by waffle
dont be put off by waffle
HI lads,when dealing with large companys don't take there waffle,i had a run in with an airline over a seven hour delay because of a part failiure at luton airport,I complained and and asked for a refund,they sent me a load of waffle back and said I wasn't entitled to a refund.went to the civil aviation authority and they found in our favour....just goes to prove don't be fobbed off.keep trying kayos and use the correct authoritys
dont be put off by waffle
HI lads,when dealing with large companys don't take there waffle,i had a run in with an airline over a seven hour delay because of a part failiure at luton airport,I complained and and asked for a refund,they sent me a load of waffle back and said I wasn't entitled to a refund.went to the civil aviation authority and they found in our favour....just goes to prove don't be fobbed off.keep trying kayos and use the correct authoritys
5150
Well-known member
Only decent main dealer I've encountered is Evans Halshaw Chevrolet at Gateshead. When I bought the car from them (used, 1 owner, low miles) I got the usual sales pitch for service deals and just said that I do most work myself on my cars. The only thing I didn't fancy because it's a chore on the particular model was the timing belt and rollers/tensioners, so I took the car to them last autumn when it was due. Wasn't a cheap job but they spotted the alternator/PAS belt was split so rang suggesting they replaced it - since they already had all that off to do the timing it was just the part price. Guy also said the rear brake pads were a little low and one headlamp bulb was off on the main beam, immediately said "are you happy to do those or do you want us to do them while the car is in?" - well the pads are a doddle on that car and I knew where to get them cheap so I just said I'd sort them, he was no bother about it.
When I got the car back there was a massive checklist all ticked and stamped for a full vehicle check with a note next to the bits I said I'd do myself.
When I got the car back there was a massive checklist all ticked and stamped for a full vehicle check with a note next to the bits I said I'd do myself.
kayos
Well-known member
Well the Area Manager phoned me today regarding my complaint(the 3rd person to call). To cut a long story short I outlined my complaint informed him that I had contacted CAB and Motor Trades Code of Practice and if I got no satisfaction I would hand my case over to them. He, I must admit, did not seem too impressed by this. I then had a bit of inspiration and informed him that I was well known in the community, having founded and run, as a charity, the now most successful youth theatre company in Scotland and had a great relationship with our local daily evening newspaper which has a circulation of 15,000 in an area of 60,000 population. A bit of a guess, but it was pretty close after I checked when he hung up! I suggested they would love to write such a story as they knew me well and would trust my account of my issues with Arnold Clark. He said he would "check with his superiors" and get back to me.
Fifteen minutes later he was back on with a totally different attitude. So apologetic and asked what we wanted to resolve this matter. I asked for a wriiten apology admitting their bad practices and as Lynn has now no confidence in them to do the MOT's and 1 more service, I asked for the entire amount of the money we paid for the "service package" when we bought the car. He immediately agreed to both! Damn, should have asked for more!
So Cab and Trading Standards didn't seem to frighten him, but a local newspaper with a very large circulation did. Note for the future lads, big companies hate bad press.
Fifteen minutes later he was back on with a totally different attitude. So apologetic and asked what we wanted to resolve this matter. I asked for a wriiten apology admitting their bad practices and as Lynn has now no confidence in them to do the MOT's and 1 more service, I asked for the entire amount of the money we paid for the "service package" when we bought the car. He immediately agreed to both! Damn, should have asked for more!
So Cab and Trading Standards didn't seem to frighten him, but a local newspaper with a very large circulation did. Note for the future lads, big companies hate bad press.
beachbuddy
Well-known member
Well done kayos a true Scotsman with a Bone money in the hipperWell the Area Manager phoned me today regarding my complaint(the 3rd person to call). To cut a long story short I outlined my complaint informed him that I had contacted CAB and Motor Trades Code of Practice and if I got no satisfaction I would hand my case over to them. He, I must admit, did not seem too impressed by this. I then had a bit of inspiration and informed him that I was well known in the community, having founded and run, as a charity, the now most successful youth theatre company in Scotland and had a great relationship with our local daily evening newspaper which has a circulation of 15,000 in an area of 60,000 population. A bit of a guess, but it was pretty close after I checked when he hung up! I suggested they would love to write such a story as they knew me well and would trust my account of my issues with Arnold Clark. He said he would "check with his superiors" and get back to me.
Fifteen minutes later he was back on with a totally different attitude. So apologetic and asked what we wanted to resolve this matter. I asked for a wriiten apology admitting their bad practices and as Lynn has now no confidence in them to do the MOT's and 1 more service, I asked for the entire amount of the money we paid for the "service package" when we bought the car. He immediately agreed to both! Damn, should have asked for more!
So Cab and Trading Standards didn't seem to frighten him, but a local newspaper with a very large circulation did. Note for the future lads, big companies hate bad press.
B
broon shoe
Guest
Am feeling well chuffed for you mark great result m8.you stood up to them and fought your corner and won it doesn't get any better than that m8:thumbup::thumbup:
Well the Area Manager phoned me today regarding my complaint(the 3rd person to call). To cut a long story short I outlined my complaint informed him that I had contacted CAB and Motor Trades Code of Practice and if I got no satisfaction I would hand my case over to them. He, I must admit, did not seem too impressed by this. I then had a bit of inspiration and informed him that I was well known in the community, having founded and run, as a charity, the now most successful youth theatre company in Scotland and had a great relationship with our local daily evening newspaper which has a circulation of 15,000 in an area of 60,000 population. A bit of a guess, but it was pretty close after I checked when he hung up! I suggested they would love to write such a story as they knew me well and would trust my account of my issues with Arnold Clark. He said he would "check with his superiors" and get back to me.
Fifteen minutes later he was back on with a totally different attitude. So apologetic and asked what we wanted to resolve this matter. I asked for a wriiten apology admitting their bad practices and as Lynn has now no confidence in them to do the MOT's and 1 more service, I asked for the entire amount of the money we paid for the "service package" when we bought the car. He immediately agreed to both! Damn, should have asked for more!
So Cab and Trading Standards didn't seem to frighten him, but a local newspaper with a very large circulation did. Note for the future lads, big companies hate bad press.
Canny result mate and I'm honestly pleased it's worked out well for you and your lass but were not all national celebrities so others may be unable to apply the same strategy
kayos
Well-known member
Canny result mate and I'm honestly pleased it's worked out well for you and your lass but were not all national celebrities so others may be unable to apply the same strategy
Haha, national celebrities!? I am more famous for being a crap fisherman than anything else!
kayos
Well-known member
now now mark,dont put yourself down,you are not crap,your are part of a very successful team/pair.
thank god the other one catches
Yes thank you for that vote of (no) confidence Duncan!! :red:
kayos
Well-known member
jamiebrennan
Well-known member
Just to add a bit to this thread, ive worked in main dealers for 20 years and about 6-7 years ago the motor industry brought out VHC's, vehicle health checks, if a customer comes in for a bulb to be renewed and the vehicle goes into the workshop then they are obliged to carry out a health check on the vehicle. If that car has a fault on it, say a bald tyre and goes 2 miles down the road and has a catastrophic blow out and the garage did not notice it or inform the customer of it then they become lialble or negligent.
However what garages have used these VHC's for is "upsell", the mechanic, service advisor and department s will be on a 'upsell' bonus based on how many extras they sell to the customer, hence why you have been advised of renewal of plugs, filters, belts etc.
One thing I will say though is that it would probably cost £70 for an oil and filter change and remember the free vhc, as opposed to £200 for what is described as a service but is really just an oil and filter change and vhc!
However what garages have used these VHC's for is "upsell", the mechanic, service advisor and department s will be on a 'upsell' bonus based on how many extras they sell to the customer, hence why you have been advised of renewal of plugs, filters, belts etc.
One thing I will say though is that it would probably cost £70 for an oil and filter change and remember the free vhc, as opposed to £200 for what is described as a service but is really just an oil and filter change and vhc!
This VHC thing, is it a legal requirement or just something the garages have cooked up? I think the latter and this liability thing is just something the owners tell the staff for motivation to boost work, really it's the car driver who is responsible for the vehicle being in a roadworthy condition and not some arfer daily garage owner.
