Yes, that proves yours and all our points and quite disgraceful really.
I wonder how many other people have been conned over the years…
1 Like
Really sorry this has happened to you and clearly you are entitled to a full refund and an apology from the garage concerned. I would suggest getting all your ducks in a row and doing things in the right order. A log of all communications with the garage will be important including letters, emails, phone calls etc. Trading standards should be your first contact I would think and they should be able to advise you on your next steps. The Motoring Ombudsman is another avenue to pursue. At this stage you are likely to be fuming and I would be too, however I would try and stay calm and logical. Best of luck.
2 Likes
As one of Clint Eastwood’s characters once said,
‘Don’t get mad, get even’
2 Likes
Don’t miss out on the chance to renew an OEM water pump. OK…yes…extra money but it’s done and out the way. A new cambelt usually comes with a new tensioner. I’d stick to an OEM cam-cover gasket…conventional thinking over the years. Some “alternatives” are not so great but Gates stuff has a good name. Apart from that, genuinely sorry this has happened to you. I’ve gpot a few tales spanning 50 years of having trust broken myself involving Ford main garages, BL dealer, and sadly a Datsun Main dealer. Best service I ever got was…from a Hillman/ Chrysler dealership…go figure. Main thing is your wee pocket rocket is on it’s way for many thousands more reliable fun 'n games. I love my new Swift turbo…but miss my MK1 like crazy some days.
2 Likes
Been mad now I will get even.
1 Like
I am now in receipt of a independent engineers report confirming the belt has not been changed.
Not unexpected
Shocking, we put our money and trust into these ‘specialists’ and this is how we are treated, they do not deserve to have a business.
1 Like
Scandalous! We all treasure our MX-5s - I would be furious if it happened to me.
1 Like
I know this is of no help, but I always ask for the old parts back. Obviously it’s not a guarantee that they are my old parts, but it has made one or two garages stop and think.
1 Like
Just a quick update. After sending a letter (electronically) explaining my position and the evidence I have and what I planned on doing , I was paid the money from the garage in full for all the work not completed and presumed not completed.
Very annoying but worth the work to show this person up for what he is. I hope this will make him think twice when ripping off his loyal customers in the future.
6 Likes
Great result but should never have happened. I know you have not named them but roughly which part of the UK are they?
Sad reading all this, its hard to believe, even when your looking at the photos
Glad its been resolved for you,
Did he not offer any excuse at all? You really should name and shame so other customers who are not as observant as you (e.g. bolts in same positions before and after the job) do not get ripped off. There is no excuse and the fact that he did this to you (and possibly others) on such an important item is diabolical. You could have ended up with a ruined engine. Name and shame!
2 Likes
Glad that you got to the bottom of it. I have been keeping an eye on this thread, but once I saw the photos I knew there was something fishy.
Happy to see that the garage in question did not continue with the lies and finally did the right thing.
Proven guilty. Name and shame to save others the the pain you have been through. If they are not called out they will do it again.
You didn’t ask for them to cover the cost of getting the engineers report as well then?
So presumably, though you got the money back you’re still going ahead with the legal action?
Which in turn means you wouldn’t be naming and shaming them until it’s all settled (though your area isn’t exactly flush with specialists, which in a way puts a dark cloud over the few who are, until it’s publically known which one it was).
2 Likes
Even if they had changed the belt the price was well over the top. £400 is way over the top for a belt change.
Glad its sorted Si.
M-m
Hello. After a bit of thought on this I have decided not to name them on the forums. If anyone is interested then send me a message and I will tell you which garage it was so that other people in my area don’t get ripped off.
1 Like