Working Up To A Fight

[honved]

My mother in law is not long off the phone. She saw that a tyre was low on pressure and being 82 years old, she went to her local Kwik Fit in Milngavie. She's home with a £500 plus bill for a new tyre, wheel alignment and replacement of a suspension part. They apparently told her that her car was dangerous to drive. Now, these guys have form. They told her in the summer that two tyres were worn, despite they themselves replacing them no more than two months previously. She went again because they are the closest place to her house (they're not, by the way) and she was panicking that she wouldn't get out for her messages unless the tyre was fixed.

 

I will get the full story tomorrow, but a £500 bill for a "while you wait" repair sounds like a big rip off. It's plausible that an old biddy like her has run up against a few kerbs and thrown the alignment out, damaged the wall of the tyre and possibly, just possibly, screwed up the suspension, but if there are any forumistas who have experience in this area, I might be looking for a second opinion once I find out more.

[alx]

My mother in law is not long off the phone. She saw that a tyre was low on pressure and being 82 years old, she went to her local Kwik Fit in Milngavie. She's home with a £500 plus bill for a new tyre, wheel alignment and replacement of a suspension part. They apparently told her that her car was dangerous to drive. Now, these guys have form. They told her in the summer that two tyres were worn, despite they themselves replacing them no more than two months previously. She went again because they are the closest place to her house (they're not, by the way) and she was panicking that she wouldn't get out for her messages unless the tyre was fixed.

 

I will get the full story tomorrow, but a £500 bill for a "while you wait" repair sounds like a big rip off. It's plausible that an old biddy like her has run up against a few kerbs and thrown the alignment out, damaged the wall of the tyre and possibly, just possibly, screwed up the suspension, but if there are any forumistas who have experience in this area, I might be looking for a second opinion once I find out more.

 

Hmmm, that does sound a bit fishy, mainly this bit "replacement of a suspension part". Flat tyres do cause dodgy wear on the side though. I sometimes go to the Anniesland Kwit-Fit and I've never had a whinge about them. Both them and McConnachies on Crow Rd will sometimes do you a favour and do a wee job for free.

[Blackpool Jags]

I've had experiences of other tyre specialists trying it on, but not this mob - yet.

 

The team from 'Watchdog' are normally keen to hear of unscrupulous traders like this shamelessly ripping off old ladies.

 

I'm sure your tactful, yet assertively persuasive approach will clear up any 'misunderstanding', Tom. I suspect my more 'traditional' method of resolving such matters with these accredited thieves might be less fruitful in the end.

 

Good luck pal.

[i@n]

We used the Kwikfit next to Tescos in Milngavie (same one?) last year for our MOT, it cost us just over £500! The car was 6 years old, one owner (my late father) and had just under 20'000 miles on the clock. They knew it was my first car and that me and Bec knew fek all, I'm convinced they ripped us off. This year it cost us £11 at a garage in Leith. We needed a new number plate.

[Phoenix]

My mother in law is not long off the phone. She saw that a tyre was low on pressure and being 82 years old, she went to her local Kwik Fit in Milngavie. She's home with a £500 plus bill for a new tyre, wheel alignment and replacement of a suspension part. They apparently told her that her car was dangerous to drive. Now, these guys have form. They told her in the summer that two tyres were worn, despite they themselves replacing them no more than two months previously. She went again because they are the closest place to her house (they're not, by the way) and she was panicking that she wouldn't get out for her messages unless the tyre was fixed.

 

I will get the full story tomorrow, but a £500 bill for a "while you wait" repair sounds like a big rip off. It's plausible that an old biddy like her has run up against a few kerbs and thrown the alignment out, damaged the wall of the tyre and possibly, just possibly, screwed up the suspension, but if there are any forumistas who have experience in this area, I might be looking for a second opinion once I find out more.

 

Find out exactly what "suspension part" they replaced and then have a look at the internet and get a true price. Find out how long they took to do the job as this can show up dodgy work. Ask for a detailed report of what work was carried out and inform them that you intend to get an independant report of the work carried out. Ask them about their complaints procedure (they will have to provide you with a written copy of their complaints procedure) and make sure you get the branch managers name and a copy of their head office's address.

 

Quote their own policy to them

"Kwik Fit Code

Together we will inspect your vehicle before any work is carried out and agree with you what needs to be done.

This will be followed by an all-inclusive quotation so you know exactly what you will pay.

We will keep you fully informed so if we come across any complications you will know.

Sometimes when a part is nearing the end of its life, it can be a matter of judgement as to whether that part should be replaced now or left a little longer. We will explain the options as clearly as we can, please feel free to seek a second opinion if you are unsure what to do. If at any point you have any queries concerning anything we say or do, please tell us."

 

Above all always make sure that you keep highlighting the point that you wish to make a formal complaint in writing and will be contacting trading standards.

[hamiltonjag]

In the late 80s I had a leased car (was employed by the Council at the time). Any time tyres etc were needed I *had* to use Kwik Fit. Cost me nothing as all I had to do was show the lease agreement card and the bill was sent to Arnold Clark and the Council, Anyway. on one particular occasion I went in with a punctured tyre. Before showing the lease agreement card I was advised I actually needed 4 new tyres, new front brake disks and pads and 2 new shock absorbers. Was told that I "was lucky" because the car (a two year old VW Golf with 20,000 on the clock) was a "death trap".

 

Have never used Kwik Fit since, and won't be near them again.

 

A miracle I am still alive eh?

[honved]

Looks like I have a bit of humble pie to eat. Today I did a forensic job on all of the Mother in law's car info and in September when she had the car MOTd she got an advisory on both suspension bushes suggesting that she have them replaced by December. But £165 each is still very pricey.

[Blackpool Jags]

Looks like I have a bit of humble pie to eat. Today I did a forensic job on all of the Mother in law's car info and in September when she had the car MOTd she got an advisory on both suspension bushes suggesting that she have them replaced by December. But £165 each is still very pricey.

 

An advisory is just that; doesn't give them any justification for what they've done, particularly in the light of Phoneix's post above. Humble pie is not a dish to be savoured tomorrow. Intaerrum.

[Graemei]

Looks like I have a bit of humble pie to eat. Today I did a forensic job on all of the Mother in law's car info and in September when she had the car MOTd she got an advisory on both suspension bushes suggesting that she have them replaced by December. But £165 each is still very pricey.

 

£165 each! If that is just the price of the parts that is truly ridiculous!

 

I had to use kwik fit, the only time i've ever used them, for an MOT and they tried to tell me the braking efficiency of the car was poor and needed all round new brake pads and discs. Which would be in the region of over £500! The guy must have thought I was clueless, he had the car on some sort of road tester trying to explain what was supposed to happen when under braking. In the end I just sort of laughed, called him a chancer and left. I knew the front brake pads needed done in a few hundred miles but a mechanic friend said the discs were fine.

Would never ever go near Kwik Fit, as bad as if not worse than some Arnold Shark branches.

[Norgethistle]

£165 each! If that is just the price of the parts that is truly ridiculous!

 

I had to use kwik fit, the only time i've ever used them, for an MOT and they tried to tell me the braking efficiency of the car was poor and needed all round new brake pads and discs. Which would be in the region of over £500! The guy must have thought I was clueless, he had the car on some sort of road tester trying to explain what was supposed to happen when under braking. In the end I just sort of laughed, called him a chancer and left. I knew the front brake pads needed done in a few hundred miles but a mechanic friend said the discs were fine.

Would never ever go near Kwik Fit, as bad as if not worse than some Arnold Shark branches.

 

Had the same with my car a few year ago at the one next to the maryhill shopping center,took the pads off then told me they couldnt fit new ones as the disc was indersize, he used a micrometer on my discs like a g-clamp, trying to tell me this was precision inspection equipment, let him rabble for a bit before telling him i was an aerospace inspector and showing him and his boss how properly to use it, before asking to get the regional manager on the phone, free brakes and an apology, but still never went back there.

[B.C.G. JAG]

A couple of years ago I put my car into Arnold Clark on the southside as they seemed to be the only Fiat dealers around. After checking the motor in I didn't hear from them for a couple of weeks. When I asked them what the hold up was they claimed they didn't know if I wanted them to look at my car or not (???). Then after some more delays, they eventually told me they had repaired it. After driving the car for about 5 mins I could tell the original problem was still there, but when challenged Arnold Clark assured me they ordered a brand new engine part and had replaced the faulty one. I did a bit of snooping, I found out that the part could only be ordered direct from Fiat and that they had no record of any orders for it. Arnold Clark could not produce any paperwork for the part but still insisted they had ordered it from Fiat and replaced it, although Fiat were adamant that they hadn't. However after much shouting, they agreed to look at it again since it was still acting up. They kept the car for another month before they 'fixed' it. I asked them if it was definitely safe to drive and they confirmed as much. But again, it broke down within an hour or so of leaving their courtyard, leaving my pregnant wife stranded miles from home. When I challenged them with a heap load more shouting, they reluctantly confirmed that they still hadn't touched the car (blaming the receptionist for a mix up) and that I would need to bring it back.

I got a wee guy from Johnstone to look at the motor and he confirmed that Arnold Clark had done zip all to the car in the two months that they had had it. It took this guy all of 5 mins to change the part over and he didn't even charge me for it.

I sometimes wonder how these big garages got so big?

[wee jim]

A few years ago I went to Kwikfit for two new tyres. While in the waiting room a fitter called me out to have a look at some dangerous shockers which he said I should get replace urgently. I mentioned that the car, a Golf, was going for a MOT in a few days. He immediately withdrew his claim that the car was dangerous. He said the dealers have different standards. He was correct the car passed its MOT. The garage said all the shockers were fine.

 

I’ll still get the occasional tyre or exhaust from them but nothing else until I get a second opinion.

[Paulo]

£165 each! If that is just the price of the parts that is truly ridiculous!

 

That would be some mark up on a part that costs a couple of quid!

 

Although I will say that suspension bushes can be a pain in the rear to fit. Dependant on which bushes, though.

[Vom Itorium]

Looks like I have a bit of humble pie to eat. Today I did a forensic job on all of the Mother in law's car info and in September when she had the car MOTd she got an advisory on both suspension bushes suggesting that she have them replaced by December. But £165 each is still very pricey.

Advisorys from any garage are generally just bullshit to grab a few extra sheckles from your wallet.

 

I would take them to task over this as they are a right shower.

Edited January 13, 2011 by Vom Itorium

[Graemei]

Had the same with my car a few year ago at the one next to the maryhill shopping center,took the pads off then told me they couldnt fit new ones as the disc was indersize, he used a micrometer on my discs like a g-clamp, trying to tell me this was precision inspection equipment, let him rabble for a bit before telling him i was an aerospace inspector and showing him and his boss how properly to use it, before asking to get the regional manager on the phone, free brakes and an apology, but still never went back there.

 

Nice work man, would have to go some to embaress them any more

[Paulo]

A couple of years ago I put my car into Arnold Clark on the southside as they seemed to be the only Fiat dealers around.

 

Fiat dealers. Had an interesting one with another Fiat dealer. Took a 3 month old car back to them, with a rocking drivers seat to be told....there's nothing wrong with it, that's a design feature.

 

2 months (and incidentally 2 altenators) later, they fixed the drivers seat. I complained, since they'd just eliminated a design feature I'd apparently paid for.

[thistlemad1]

£165 for bushes (usually rubber or nylon) is pure theft.

Wheel alignment (tracking adjustment) is around the £60 mark BUT they`ll tell you that new tyres are required.

My advice? Tell them you are reporting them to the Record and Times.

Years ago, when I lived in the Drum, I had a Sierra Sapphire.

The exhaust was a bit rattly, so I took it in to the one at Knightswood/Anniesland. I "needed" a FULL new exhaust, so I told them to go ahead.

When they asked for payment, I pulled out the two year guarantee for a seven month old exhaust fitted by the previous owner.

A riot started and the Police were called (by me). They were told it was a civil matter and since I had the paperwork to show that the exhaust was only months old they took the keys from the manager and handed them to me.

Previous to that I had a Lada (dont laugh I was skint at the time). I took it down to Crow Road and had the tracking done by Budget.

A few days later a front wheel fell under the car. They had forgotten to tighten the track rod ends up.

Nothing was done for 3 weeks, UNTIL I phoned Tom Farmer, little known fact ...... Farmer owned that too!!!

Saturday morning his right hand man met me at Crow Road.

Sacked the manager for not dealing with it, two new track rod ends, two new tyres, tracking sorted, original money refunded.

 

NEVER put a car into Quick Fit, Smileys etc for an MOT ....... it will fail on tyres, exhaust, brakes and suspension!!!!!!!

These days Im back to doing MOST of my own repairs again, mainly so that I know its done properly.

The exception being routine servicing on my van ....... only to keep the service history with Iveco for when I sell it.

Iveco service?

£97 part service or £170 full service, not bad for a huge van.

(Hoping to sell it before a Timing Belt service is needed ....... too scared to ask how much that one is!!!!!!

Edited February 5, 2011 by thistlemad1

[yoda-jag]

Wheel alignment (tracking adjustment) is around the £60 mark BUT they`ll tell you that new tyres are required.

 

Minor point, I got WA (TA) done last month - KF wanted £28 for it, I got them to do it for £20.

[thistlemad1]

Minor point, I got WA (TA) done last month - KF wanted £28 for it, I got them to do it for £20.

 

Sorry Yoda .......... my price was for an Iveco 35/12 lol

[thistlemad1]

Advisorys from any garage are generally just bullshit to grab a few extra sheckles from your wallet.

 

I would take them to task over this as they are a right shower.

 

 

Advisories from an MOT station, (a REAL one, not Kick Fit etc) should be attended to over the next two or three months, its advice on items which JUST met the MOT standard and are on their way to causing problems.

[Monifieth Jag]

Advisories from an MOT station, (a REAL one, not Kick Fit etc) should be attended to over the next two or three months, its advice on items which JUST met the MOT standard and are on their way to causing problems.

 

Ive just MOT'd my car for 2011 it has a couple of advosiries on the certificate, interestingly though they are different to the advisories I had for my 2010 MOT which were not fixed during 2010, these ones seem to have rectified themselves!