Desira Rant!!!!

[kevb0444]

Hi all�I had to take my 53 Siecento to Desira (Gt Yarmouth) today to have the calipers replaced under warranty as they had fudged up. Anyways when I came to pick up the car they told me that the nearside front bearing needed doing as well. I asked if my warranty would cover it and after about 15-20mins faffing on the phone they told me it would so I booked it in. The woman handed me my keys and then said "oh by the way�.when the mechanic bought your car back after testing it, he put on your hand break and snapped the hand break cable. We've had a look at the cost in it will be around �200. Do you want me to book that in as well?"
Well I couldn't believe it. I said it was fine when I bought it in. She said she new and recommended that when I take it away, to leave it in gear when I park. I said "hang on so you broke the cable and now I have to pay for it". She said that she didn't break it. It snapped when the mechanic put the hand break on. I asked if it was covered on my warranty and with out checking she told me it wasn't. I asked what I was supposed to do and she said that she'll book it in next week. I told her I couldn't drive it because if I got stopped by the police I could get in a lot of trouble. She told me I couldn't leave it where it was and told me to drive it away.
I asked to speak to the service manage and she asked him to come to reception. He walked in, all cocky, and with out even asking what the problem was he said "I'll tell ya what. I'll be generous and we'll go 50/50 on it" He knew what to say before I even told him about the problem. I told him that wasn't good enough and he said he could do no more. I asked him if I could have a courtesy car over the weekend and he told me I couldn't as I hadn't booked it in and they didn't have any spare anyway. I'd had enough at this point and handed him back the keys and told him I was going home to seek some legal advice.....tbc

[kevb0444]

the rest of the rant....

He wished me good luck so I told him I�d heard about garages like this before and he just smiled and told me he�d worked in loads like it.
I got home and called Trading Standards who were shocked to hear how a main dealer had acted so badly. They told me that as the cable broke whilst in there care then they have to repair it for free. They gave me a ref Number and told me to get on to them. I phoned the Desira back and told them I�d spoken to Trading Standards. Told them that under the Supply of Goods Act they where liable to pay for the repair. I warned them that I would take the matter higher. After hearing all this the Service Manager put me on hold for a wile and then came back and told me they�d replace the cable for free and do the wheel bearing at the same time on Monday. I asked about a courtesy car and was told I could have one as one was due back today and WAS free all weekend.
I can�t believe they had so blatantly tried to rip me off. And what really got on my nerves was when I came to pick the courtesy Car up they were ripping off some other poor sod. Apparently wile they were working on his car one of his keys had stopped working (on a 52 Punto) and they need to order him in a complete set of new ones. I wonder how many more things go wrong on peoples cars at this dealership.

[Toureman]

Well, at least one because you caught them at it again when you picked up your car.

All car dealerships charge more than normal garages for their so called work, some charge higher hourly rates than Lawyers! The Renault dealers tried to rip me off but backed down when I had a go at them.

They will charge what they think they can get away with!

[bobis]

good for you kevbo444, my brother has his own small garage and has spent years trying to build up a good reputation by going out of his way to help his customers by firstly doing a good cost effective job and at the same time treating his customers with respect, he has told me on many occasions that if his customers are treated properly then he is almost assured of good free publisity and of any future repairs they may need. my wife was on her way home from work about 8 months ago when her car overheated, as she was close to a main dealer she has used previously she called in only to be told the head gasket had blown and would cost approx �550,well to cut a long story short my brother picked her and the car up and after replacing the thermostat the car was and still is as good as new,if more people like yourself stuck to there guns then mabey these main dealers would sit up and take notice, well done to you.

[kevb0444]

I think the problem is that those who use a main dealer on a regular basis are normaly people who for what ever reason distrust independent garages. They feel that they will get the best possible service and that what ever the garage tell them must be true. I normaly wouldn't use a main dealer, but you have to use them for warranty jobs. Trust me..I won't be using them ever again and i'll make sure everyone i know is aware of the problems there.

[clancyblob]

Good for You Kevb0444! Although I only buy the odd part from this Desira spares dept I have heard several other Fiat and Nissan owners here in Yarmouth say that the local Desira service dept has a poor reputation. I use an independant garage in Lowestoft (South Lowestoft Motors). A one man band and a real diamond - worth the hassle of leaving him the car for the day & having to get 10 miles to Yarmouth for work. He'll meet you to give you the car back if you can't get back til late. This is no commercial. I'm just a long time customer (running older cars than yours). There must be other good independents here in Yarmouth, just gotta find them!