What made you UNHAPPY today!

[Dan E]

 

 

 

*note they have only quoted for one tyre 

Edited December 6, 2018 by Dan E

[Steve V8]

I can't believe they didn't try rip her off.

The first and last time Sharon took her car to BMW for a routine fluid service, she came home with two new tyres and just under £1400 on her credit card, I now take the day off and sit in reception while it's being done, saves me a fortune.

I've also witnessed some extremely irate customers whilst there, it seems to me that most BMW owners are unstable nasty barstewards, and I wonder how those poor young guys and girls in reception cope with that type of abuse on a daily basis.

 

[mayevora]

It is generally the Main dealer ‘I need to get my glossy showroom paid for some how’ costs that bug the heck out of most people. A lot of main dealers are now well over £150 per hour plus vat.

As you say it now makes a simple pads and disc change job a pricey day out. 

[Giniw]

1 hour ago, mayesprit said:

well over £150 per hour plus vat

Oo

(I am glad I maintain my cars myself!)

[Alfa2Evora]

Went online on Thursday afternoon to order a set of winter tyres from Camskill for our Alfa daily driver. Got an email from them Friday morning advising that they'd been despatched (full marks to them for the quick order processing) and that I should check on the DPD website after 72 hours to check on their progress through the delivery system.

Just after 9 o'clock this morning, the door bell rings and it's the DPD delivery guy with the tyres. Full marks and a gold star to DPD - when I expressed my surprise, the driver commented that at this time of year everybody gets their express next-day service for free to prevent a backlog developing at their distribution hubs.

I'm straight on the phone to my local Alfa independent guru to ask when he could fit them and am told if I come round he'll do them there and then. So by mid morning, our Giulietta is sporting its new Pirelli Sottozeros and my Alfa guy even refused payment as I'm a long-standing customer.

By now, you're all thinking that I'm posting this in the wrong thread and that it should really be in the "What made you happy today" one.

HOWEVER!!!! When I got home, following their instructions from when I first took out the policy, I phoned our insurance company (I won't name them but think 'senior naval rank') to advise them of the tyre change. There were a few seconds of silence followed by an exchange that went something like this (there were more elements to it but I've shortened it, you'll be relieved to hear, to the main points):

Them: I'm afraid that that is classed as an unacceptable modification.

Me: What!?! We specifically declared several modifications on the car to you at the policy's inception a couple of years back, one of those being the switching between summer and winter tyres. You were happy then, and even happier no doubt to apply a premium surcharge, with your only stipulation being that we had to inform you each time the tyres were swapped, which we did around this time last year with no problems.

Them: Ah yes, but didn't you receive our letter a few months back informing you of our changes to the terms and conditions regarding vehicle modifications?

Me: Yes, I did, as I'm sure you well know as you've no doubt logged the details from the phone call I made to you at the time. You confirmed that what the several pages of gobbledegook you had sent me boiled down to was that you would no longer insure the modifications themselves but that the car with these modifications would still be insured. In other words, should say one of the aftermarket bumpers be damaged, you would only cover its replacement with one of factory-original specification.

Them: That is correct, but we also indicated that no further modifications would be allowed. Even although you declared this as a modification previously, your tyre replacement today is regarded as a new modification since you are changing from the factory specification tyres previously fitted and as such is unacceptable therefore we will have no choice but to cancel your policy with immediate effect if you do not return the car to its factory specification.

Me: Let me get this right. You would rather I risk driving around all winter on summer tyres rather than with the added security of winter tyres, which by the way are the exact brand and tread pattern specified by Alfa Romeo for winter use?

Them: Tyres specified by manufacturers for winter fitment only apply to the areas of mainland Europe where it is a legal requirement to fit them. This does not include the UK therefore we do not cover them here. As regards the risk of driving on summer tyres, we regard the fitting of winter tyres as an increased the risk to us of you having to make a claim as you may well then choose to drive in extreme conditions where with summer tyres fitted you might think otherwise and wisely decide to stay off the road.

Me: Unbelievable! If I decide to seek cover from another company with a more sensible attitude towards road safety, you'll be refunding me the unused balance of my premium then?

Them: No, I'm afraid not. Your policy was for 3 years, with a guaranteed fixed annual premium and a substantial discount applied for prepaying the entire period. It clearly states in the policy conditions that no refund is applicable if the policy is cancelled early.

Me: So I have 2 choices? Either to switch back to the summer tyres, wasting the several hundred pounds I've just spent purchasing the winter tyres and then risk ending up in a ditch one night on my way to work, which is by the way in the middle of nowhere with no alternative transport available and being a self-employed contractor I don't have much option on whether or not I turn up when it comes to maintaining my household income stream. Or I keep the winter tyres on, look for another insurer and lose several hundred pounds of the premium I've already paid to you when your policy is cancelled?

Them: Correct. And for your information sir, we've already made that choice for you. It's obvious from your tone that you are not be prepared to remove this modification so I've already initiated the cancellation of your policy. You'll receive confirmation of this by email shortly. Goodbye.

Then the line went dead.

Who said good customer service in the UK is dead? It certainly is with this shower, that's for sure!  

I got straight on to 1-Call, the current insurer of our other daily driver, the SAAB. Of course, being an honest chap, I had to disclose that I now had a policy cancellation on my 'record' but after expressing disbelief when I related the 'bones' of the above scenario to them, they had the Alfa insured immediately with better cover (as in all the modifications included in full) and for a fair bit lower premium than I paid to the nautical mob. Not quite enough of a reduction to balance out entirely the loss on the other policy but it went some way towards it that's for sure.

.......... and breathe!

Sorry for this extended rant. Newpapers/social media next methinks.

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

Im just confused why you declared tyres as a mod? 

[100th_Idiot]

Today I sold my lovely Evora S sports racer. Will be sad to see it go. Fabulous car. 

[Fueltheburn]

29 minutes ago, Alfa2Evora said:

Went online on Thursday afternoon to order a set of winter tyres from Camskill for our Alfa daily driver. Got an email from them Friday morning advising that they'd been despatched (full marks to them for the quick order processing) and that I should check on the DPD website after 72 hours to check on their progress through the delivery system.

Just after 9 o'clock this morning, the door bell rings and it's the DPD delivery guy with the tyres. Full marks and a gold star to DPD - when I expressed my surprise, the driver commented that at this time of year everybody gets their express next-day service for free to prevent a backlog developing at their distribution hubs.

I'm straight on the phone to my local Alfa independent guru to ask when he could fit them and am told if I come round he'll do them there and then. So by mid morning, our Giulietta is sporting its new Pirelli Sottozeros and my Alfa guy even refused payment as I'm a long-standing customer.

By now, you're all thinking that I'm posting this in the wrong thread and that it should really be in the "What made you happy today" one.

HOWEVER!!!! When I got home, following their instructions from when I first took out the policy, I phoned our insurance company (I won't name them but think 'senior naval rank') to advise them of the tyre change. There were a few seconds of silence followed by an exchange that went something like this (there were more elements to it but I've shortened it, you'll be relieved to hear, to the main points):

Them: I'm afraid that that is classed as an unacceptable modification.

Me: What!?! We specifically declared several modifications on the car to you at the policy's inception a couple of years back, one of those being the switching between summer and winter tyres. You were happy then, and even happier no doubt to apply a premium surcharge, with your only stipulation being that we had to inform you each time the tyres were swapped, which we did around this time last year with no problems.

Them: Ah yes, but didn't you receive our letter a few months back informing you of our changes to the terms and conditions regarding vehicle modifications?

Me: Yes, I did, as I'm sure you well know as you've no doubt logged the details from the phone call I made to you at the time. You confirmed that what the several pages of gobbledegook you had sent me boiled down to was that you would no longer insure the modifications themselves but that the car with these modifications would still be insured. In other words, should say one of the aftermarket bumpers be damaged, you would only cover its replacement with one of factory-original specification.

Them: That is correct, but we also indicated that no further modifications would be allowed. Even although you declared this as a modification previously, your tyre replacement today is regarded as a new modification since you are changing from the factory specification tyres previously fitted and as such is unacceptable therefore we will have no choice but to cancel your policy with immediate effect if you do not return the car to its factory specification.

Me: Let me get this right. You would rather I risk driving around all winter on summer tyres rather than with the added security of winter tyres, which by the way are the exact brand and tread pattern specified by Alfa Romeo for winter use?

Them: Tyres specified by manufacturers for winter fitment only apply to the areas of mainland Europe where it is a legal requirement to fit them. This does not include the UK therefore we do not cover them here. As regards the risk of driving on summer tyres, we regard the fitting of winter tyres as an increased the risk to us of you having to make a claim as you may well then choose to drive in extreme conditions where with summer tyres fitted you might think otherwise and wisely decide to stay off the road.

Me: Unbelievable! If I decide to seek cover from another company with a more sensible attitude towards road safety, you'll be refunding me the unused balance of my premium then?

Them: No, I'm afraid not. Your policy was for 3 years, with a guaranteed fixed annual premium and a substantial discount applied for prepaying the entire period. It clearly states in the policy conditions that no refund is applicable if the policy is cancelled early.

Me: So I have 2 choices? Either to switch back to the summer tyres, wasting the several hundred pounds I've just spent purchasing the winter tyres and then risk ending up in a ditch one night on my way to work, which is by the way in the middle of nowhere with no alternative transport available and being a self-employed contractor I don't have much option on whether or not I turn up when it comes to maintaining my household income stream. Or I keep the winter tyres on, look for another insurer and lose several hundred pounds of the premium I've already paid to you when your policy is cancelled?

Them: Correct. And for your information sir, we've already made that choice for you. It's obvious from your tone that you are not be prepared to remove this modification so I've already initiated the cancellation of your policy. You'll receive confirmation of this by email shortly. Goodbye.

Then the line went dead.

Who said good customer service in the UK is dead? It certainly is with this shower, that's for sure!  

I got straight on to 1-Call, the current insurer of our other daily driver, the SAAB. Of course, being an honest chap, I had to disclose that I now had a policy cancellation on my 'record' but after expressing disbelief when I related the 'bones' of the above scenario to them, they had the Alfa insured immediately with better cover (as in all the modifications included in full) and for a fair bit lower premium than I paid to the nautical mob. Not quite enough of a reduction to balance out entirely the loss on the other policy but it went some way towards it that's for sure.

.......... and breathe!

Sorry for this extended rant. Newpapers/social media next methinks.

I put on the winter tyres earlier today.

Absolutely shocking service from your provider.  I put mine on as a result of thr temperature no longer reaching 7C with windchill in Peterhead.  The summer tyres just don't cut it around here after that.  I would honestly quote what they have said and pass it on to a regulatory body.  It is almost as if they are encouraging you to take risks!  Deliberately ending your policy as well so they don't have to reimburse you as well is unacceptable and I would think potentially they are in breach of contract as they haven't given you chance to rectify it..... whether you would or not.

I don't tell mine if I change to winter tyres.  It is my choice what I put on the car.  Bearing in mind many of the cars I have had - the original manufacturer stated tyres are no longer produced anyway.  If an accident occurs, it will be noted that I had maintained my vehicle to use the best possible items for the road conditions. 

[Alfa2Evora]

46 minutes ago, Fueltheburn said:

I would honestly quote what they have said and pass it on to a regulatory body.

First thing on my 'to do' list for Monday is a phone call to the Association of British Insurers, especially as a bit of googling found this : abi-guide-to-winter-tyres-the-motor-insurance-commitment.pdf . OK, it's a couple of years old but as far as I can tell it's still their most up-to-date list and according to it, despite their previous insistence to the contrary, my just-terminated insurer didn't even require to be told!!!!!

[C8RKH]

The first thing I would do is to call them back and formally request a copy and a transcript of the whole conversation as formal record.

[Barrykearley]

Followed by logging onto MCOL and putting in a claim for the pro rata refund of the policy they deemed to cancel

[Colin P]

2 hours ago, RoflOnMyWaffle said:

Im just confused why you declared tyres as a mod? 

Because it is a modification. Most questions on the subject relate to the cars specification as it left the factory. Strictly speaking swapping brands would even trigger this, size definitely will.

so that kwik fit exhaust, the Halfords brake pads, the eurocar parts etc are all technically modifications.

Tyres and wheels are however a well understood modification.

@A2A I’ve always found Admiral to be polite and good service, even if sometimes they just don’t get it. Sound like the best course of action would have been to phone back and  talk to a manager, that sound very much like an individual unless there were swear words exchanged. 

[Barrykearley]

Oh bollocks. Gonna need to remove the magic tree

[Alfa2Evora]

2 hours ago, Colin P said:

@A2A I’ve always found Admiral to be polite and good service, even if sometimes they just don’t get it. Sound like the best course of action would have been to phone back and  talk to a manager, that sound very much like an individual unless there were swear words exchanged. 

Up until today, I've had no issues with them.

Now that I've had time to get my blood pressure back to normal, I'm going to contact them again and speak to someone higher up in the food chain. My conversation today was maintained at a civilised level - I think I was too stunned to get angry until after I'd put down the receiver.

[Chillidoggy]

Viz Top Tip:- Move to the far south of the country, thus saving yourself the need for winter tyres. 

[PaulCP]

Taking a phone call late yesterday from Aimee at LS informing me that she had just taken a deposit on my Evora .

Normally, when selling a car I’d be over the moon at a quick sale (LS only picked it up on 27th Nov), but this time............

to the DVLA and their “one size fits all computer says no” mentality.

Still intend to keep challenging their decision to revoke my licence due to a medical condition but their appeal procedures & stages you have to go through are well designed to frustrate 

[2GOOD]

Ouch sorry to read this @PaulCP, even sorrier that we didn’t get to meet up at the 70th now. When Chris was diagnosed with her brain tumour 4 years ago her licence was removed immediately & took along time to get back (long after she was back at work full time) as no one wanted to sign anything.

[RoflOnMyWaffle]

On 06/12/2018 at 21:53, Dan E said:

So tell me I am wrong here. I am properly 😡. So Commander ( the wife) puts her BMW into the main dealer for service two days ago at £495, she then rings me and I think that is ok as it is a major service. Luckily they now give a paper invoice, I would normally just stick it in the file, job done. 

But had a couple of boring phone calls to do so start looking through it, two bald front tyres as in illegal, both sets of brake pads below 3mm and front discs below what they should be. Now my missus can do interior design and is bloody good at it but a car is a car. 

So I finish phone call and ask the question, “ what did they say to you when you picked it up” answer, “ nothing”. It was washed though 😯

So she picked up the car, got told nothing on page 3 is £1300 of work not even mentioned so we didn’t even have the choice to do it. Yesterday I went ballistic at the service manager, it was like stabbing blunt forks covered in vinegar in to my eyes. So as I am speaking to him I notice on the invoice the MOT is up on the 18th of this month, did they mention that, no. 

Anyway got the tyres and brakes being done next week for half that cost at a specialist, then Mot at Halfords for £25 

what is wrong in my eyes is my wife Drove out of there in an illegal car she would have never looked at the invoice and been happy in the Knowledge that all was well. 

 

 

Dads mustang went for a service. Done 2000 miles since new, now 1 year old roughly -  3 hours for a bloody oil change is taking the piss. Didn't move for the first 45 minutes or so - so why book me in at 10am and make it a while you wait service?? 

Price wasnt bad, I expect £300 for a service nowadays but even Ford charge £95 an hour?? Plus near £10 a litre for their oil. Definitely need to supply your own nowadays - in my opinion.

 

Got a service for the Exige coming up soon so we can compare or cry together I guess hahaha

[PhilW]

I had an airbag  light on. Reason was I fitted new radio/Sat Nav console so had to remove old radio. This involved the connection for the warning that states "Passenger airbag off".  By disconnecting this light puts the airbag light on and needs resetting. Fortunately my son is a technician for the relevant manufacturer.  Today he put the light out for me during his lunch hour.  Took him easily less than 4 minutes and I was talking to him which slowed him down.  Normal price £79.95.

The word "regulation" is beginning to come to mind with these main dealers.  This is a licence to print money as an airbag light on is an MOT failure.

 

 

[Chillidoggy]

1 hour ago, RoflOnMyWaffle said:

Dads mustang went for a service. Done 2000 miles since new, now 1 year old roughly -  3 hours for a bloody oil change is taking the piss. Didn't move for the first 45 minutes or so - so why book me in at 10am and make it a while you wait service?? 

Price wasnt bad, I expect £300 for a service nowadays but even Ford charge £95 an hour?? Plus near £10 a litre for their oil. Definitely need to supply your own nowadays - in my opinion.

 

Got a service for the Exige coming up soon so we can compare or cry together I guess hahaha

 

'It's all about you'  - who dreams up this kind of nonsense?

[Hangar 111]

1 hour ago, RoflOnMyWaffle said:

 Plus near £10 a litre for their oil. Definitely need to supply your own nowadays - in my opinion.

76 qty of oil at £1.05 a go?  Bit odd.

Be careful with supply your own, probably best to ask whomever is doing the work... we have to mark it as such in the service book.

Dave

[Bibs]

Are they charging per 100ml?

At least they only fitted 1 oil filter!

[Chillidoggy]

Yes, it’s 100ml. Top-ups get charged as such!

[ramjet]

Just put an app on my Samsung A5 (I think) for work which requires a screen lock for security. Stoopidly tried a biometric lock after a password.

Bloody useless. Went through all the rigmarole to enter my thumbprint and it failed every time after that.

Then the bloody phone locks you out for 2 minutes or something.

Technology my arse................

[calvan]

"Technology my arse..."

Maybe that's the key to use for a biometric lock.