Ian A
RMS Regular
Bit of a nightmare had as last few days, would appreciate some input as I'm not sure how to proceed.
On Wednesday morning past, I took my MK5 GTI Golf to get a digital 4 wheel alignment at a local depot. Got the car back after alignment number one - car pulling badly to the left despite print outs saying car had been aligned up fine. Took the car back again to the same depot that afternoon, got alignment number two - an improvement, but still pulling badly left, print outs reading fine. Checked all other potential causes that evening. (Swapped wheels about, checked bushes, tyre pressure, topmounts etc) No problem found.
Thursday evening, went to a different depot belonging to the same company as I'd heard they have a better reputation. Wheel alignment number 3 - Car's driving fine, but steering wheel was sitting off. Drove the car straight home, parked in my garage.
Came out to it on Friday evening, found a line dent and chipping paint on the passenger front arch. I'd noticed during the alignment process that the gauges were veryyy close to the bodywork. (See below pics) Called the depot about this, they asked to bring it in as soon as I could, which was Saturday afternoon. Bring it down to them, one of their staff members took a look and informed me someone from management would be in contact early in the week.
Monday morning, I get a call asking me to bring the car over to them again, so it could be assessed.
Tuesday afternoon, I bring the car over. Operative who performed the wheel alignment is off and manager who wasn't present at the time inspects the car. Manager denies damages is possible due to the way wheel alignment gauges are mounted to the car. I was lied to about the use of the gauge mounts (which i was able to prove via the pics I took, see below) I was also able to prove the gauges could have hit the car, despite being told they couldn't have. Manager then stated both sides of the car would have damage, if the gauges did hit, which is also incorrect as I was able to prove. However he didn't want to hear this, and continually acted dumb (Or genuinely didn't understand, in which case, god help him, he must not be the brightest)
Hour of discussion passes, I've proven all his claims to be either lies or ignorance on his part - Still denying all blame. Refuses to show CCTV to support his claims.
This situation is made worse by the fact that I've taken a deposit to sell the car, on the basis I would perform a wheel alignment and get the car MOT'd. New owner doesn't want the car now until damage is fixed.
So now the query - How do I proceed from here? My current thoughts. Either:
- Take it on the chin, repair out of my own pocket, chalk it up to experience.
- Go down the small claims court route, in the hope I win and they pay full damages.
- Go above manager's head direct to owners, in the hope they can see sense.
- Blast them on social media, news papers, etc in the hope that no-one else suffers similar treatment. (Not what I want to do, but after this piss-poor service, my hand has been forced)
Pics of car on their ramps:
Will post pics of damage later.
I've probably left some details out, but its an essay as it is.
Any thoughts / input / advice would be appreciated. Beyond fed up with everything as it stands.
Thanks, Ian
On Wednesday morning past, I took my MK5 GTI Golf to get a digital 4 wheel alignment at a local depot. Got the car back after alignment number one - car pulling badly to the left despite print outs saying car had been aligned up fine. Took the car back again to the same depot that afternoon, got alignment number two - an improvement, but still pulling badly left, print outs reading fine. Checked all other potential causes that evening. (Swapped wheels about, checked bushes, tyre pressure, topmounts etc) No problem found.
Thursday evening, went to a different depot belonging to the same company as I'd heard they have a better reputation. Wheel alignment number 3 - Car's driving fine, but steering wheel was sitting off. Drove the car straight home, parked in my garage.
Came out to it on Friday evening, found a line dent and chipping paint on the passenger front arch. I'd noticed during the alignment process that the gauges were veryyy close to the bodywork. (See below pics) Called the depot about this, they asked to bring it in as soon as I could, which was Saturday afternoon. Bring it down to them, one of their staff members took a look and informed me someone from management would be in contact early in the week.
Monday morning, I get a call asking me to bring the car over to them again, so it could be assessed.
Tuesday afternoon, I bring the car over. Operative who performed the wheel alignment is off and manager who wasn't present at the time inspects the car. Manager denies damages is possible due to the way wheel alignment gauges are mounted to the car. I was lied to about the use of the gauge mounts (which i was able to prove via the pics I took, see below) I was also able to prove the gauges could have hit the car, despite being told they couldn't have. Manager then stated both sides of the car would have damage, if the gauges did hit, which is also incorrect as I was able to prove. However he didn't want to hear this, and continually acted dumb (Or genuinely didn't understand, in which case, god help him, he must not be the brightest)
Hour of discussion passes, I've proven all his claims to be either lies or ignorance on his part - Still denying all blame. Refuses to show CCTV to support his claims.
This situation is made worse by the fact that I've taken a deposit to sell the car, on the basis I would perform a wheel alignment and get the car MOT'd. New owner doesn't want the car now until damage is fixed.
So now the query - How do I proceed from here? My current thoughts. Either:
- Take it on the chin, repair out of my own pocket, chalk it up to experience.
- Go down the small claims court route, in the hope I win and they pay full damages.
- Go above manager's head direct to owners, in the hope they can see sense.
- Blast them on social media, news papers, etc in the hope that no-one else suffers similar treatment. (Not what I want to do, but after this piss-poor service, my hand has been forced)
Pics of car on their ramps:
Will post pics of damage later.
I've probably left some details out, but its an essay as it is.
Any thoughts / input / advice would be appreciated. Beyond fed up with everything as it stands.
Thanks, Ian