Ripped off?? or my own fault?

andre2010

Hi Guys

quick question for you.

I got a mobile mechanic out on saturday to do a full service on my car. He was about 3 hours late. turned up at 12.30 instead of nine. I had to leave at 2pm which he assured me was enough time to get the full service done.

I have since found out that he didnt do a full service. didnt check ball bearings. didnt check brakes. they need adjustment and he just never checked them , there is a list of about 12 things he didnt do. serious safety checks. He wont provide a receipt as he says he doesnt have to and hes not registered for VAT. He didnt resest my service clock and charged me the full amount.

He said he would also need to replace the HT Switch and brake light switch ( i told him about the brake light switch, he didnt check) and would do it monday. its now tuesday and ive still heard nothing

Is there anything i can do about this, besides never using this guy again??

voxpop

Sounds like a cowboy. avoid.

coolbeans

If you paid him there's not much you can do...although I'm sure the revenue aren't aware of his activities either so there may be some leverage available to you there. Anyway turning up for a job three hours late is totally unacceptable. I'd have told him to jog on but presumably you were not in a position to do so.

smash

How much did you pay? Sounds like he might have just done a lubrication service (changed the oil basically).

Anan1

The three hours late bit would have been enough for me, i'd have turned him away. Where did you get his name?

PCPhoto

sounds like you got taken advantage of.

a receipt should be issued regardless of VAT registered.

your mechanic was doing a nixer (in my opinion) and wanted to keep it off the books, best thing you can do is avoid and tell friends to avoid.

ocokev

andre2010 wrote: »

He wont provide a receipt as he says he doesnt have to and hes not registered for VAT.

If he provided you with a service and you requested a receipt then he is obliged to give you one, whether he is registered fo VAT or not.
He is obvisiouly making no TAX returns if he will not receipt the work.
You could report him to severial institutions ie small claims court or if you wanted to cause trouble to the TAX authourities.

andre2010

he is in contact with me now, he said the reason he didnt get to do everything is i had to go at 2pm. so he was late but didnt do the full service and is blaming me. only cost 150. but i dont like being ripped off. The brake pads need changing. they are dangerous apparently. he didnt even check them or advise me of it. i know they dont come as part of a full service, i have to pay for them, but he has to check right?

All he did was change oil etc. he didnt even get under the car.

His webite says a 50 point check, i dont wanna give out his name just yet. I will lose all my leverage. but i will if he doesnt get this sorted

ocokev

Scammed.
A main dealer is offering Euro 99 full service out my way.

Seth Brundle

ocokev wrote: »

Scammed.
A main dealer is offering Euro 99 full service out my way.

Who?
Unless its at a loss or the consumables (oil, filters, etc.) are extra, there's no way a full service can be done for this price.

cantdecide

Not the end of the world, OP. Just go to a garage for the brake pads to ensure everything is done right. In future, ask somewhere like the Motors Forum on say, Boards.ie to recommend a garage in advance.

Henry Ford III

kbannon wrote: »

Who?
Unless its at a loss or the consumables (oil, filters, etc.) are extra, there's no way a full service can be done for this price (€99).

I got a full service done by a main dealer for €119.99 and got a €30 voucher back

Seth Brundle

A real full service or an Irish full service?

andre2010

he is providing me with a full refund. i spoke to him, recorded the call, told him i was recording the call, managed to get him to admit what he did so he is now providing me with a cheque for the refund

andre2010

oh and he also tried to tell me that he did an engine service, not a full service and i would have been charged more for the engine service in a garage so i should be happy????? what a cheek. I mean i booked the full service on his website. there isnt even a section for only and engine service, he was trying to get himself out of it. complete cowboy

ocokev

kbannon wrote: »

Who?
Unless its at a loss or the consumables (oil, filters, etc.) are extra, there's no way a full service can be done for this price.

Apologies, the power of advertising.

6. Service Special Offer
We are currently offering a €99 service offer on specified 99 to 04 registered Volkswagen and Audi passenger cars, phone Helen or Lisa at 025 49500 to make an appointment. We also have special offers on timing belt and clutch replacement. Click here for more details on the above (PDF). and our comprehensive fixed price munu prices.

BlackWizard

What's his website?

Engine service is probably Oil, Belts and filters(air, fuel and oil). If he done all these then maybe it's an okay deal?

KamiKazi

ocokev

andre2010 wrote: »

so he is now providing me with a cheque for the refund

That cheque he is giving you bouncie bouncie.
You paid cash, get a cash refund off him.

John_Mc

kbannon wrote: »

Who?
Unless its at a loss or the consumables (oil, filters, etc.) are extra, there's no way a full service can be done for this price.

Atlas tyres are offering a full service for €99.99 on 1.1l or less, €129.99 on 1.4l.

That's oil change, air filter, fluid top ups and all the checks.

Was in there getting a tyre fixed yesterday and saw it.

ottostreet

andre2010 wrote: »

he is providing me with a full refund. i spoke to him, recorded the call, told him i was recording the call, managed to get him to admit what he did so he is now providing me with a cheque for the refund

isn't that illegal to do unless you told him at the beginning of the conversation? well, maybe not illegal, but inadmissible in court?

littletiger

Call the revenue on him.

The Muppet

Shoot his dog.

It is illegal to record a telephone conversation without both parties being given prior notive unless you have a warrant to do so. You'd better hope your Mechanic is not reading this, he might decide to get his revenge.

Paul S

That's greta news that you're getting your refund! Some serious cowboys out there trying to keep stuff off teh books and as a result feel they can get away with crap like this.


Can other posters provide names of garages where they are getting such cheap services as mine is due!

mullingar

@ OP

Is this the cowboy?

http://www.mobileauto.biz/

andre2010

no sorry, thats not the guy.

I dont wanna give out any names yet cause my leverage will be gone.

I told him the minute he picked up that i was recording the call which he agreed too. i genuinely think he thought he could talk his way out of this and thats why he let me record it. if his cheque bounces then i will go further, condisering i have a text and a recording promising the refund

Seth Brundle

ocokev wrote: »

Apologies, the power of advertising.

6. Service Special Offer
We are currently offering a €99 service offer on specified 99 to 04 registered Volkswagen and Audi passenger cars, phone Helen or Lisa at 025 49500 to make an appointment. We also have special offers on timing belt and clutch replacement. Click here for more details on the above (PDF). and our comprehensive fixed price munu prices.

That's an oil service (without filters).
Although €150 doesn't appear bad for the proper services but I'd still like to know if the entire VAG list is completed or are there 'extras'.

edit: plus the €99 is for cars 2005 or older.

The Muppet

andre2010 wrote: »

I told him the minute he picked up that i was recording the call which he agreed too. i genuinely think he thought he could talk his way out of this and thats why he let me record it. if his cheque bounces then i will go further, condisering i have a text and a recording promising the refund

He sounds like a decent bloke to me, either that or he's dumb. Me, I'd have hung up as soon as you mentioned the recorder , the username is not just for show:D.

kazul

andre2010 wrote: »

All he did was change oil etc. he didnt even get under the car.

Good trick, did he vacuum the oil out?

Sorry for taking the mick but you shouldn't have paid full whack if you weren't happy

mechanics

hello all
:)
new to this forum really great idea though

Yawns

kazul wrote: »

Good trick, did he vacuum the oil out?

Sorry for taking the mick but you shouldn't have paid full whack if you weren't happy

Could have used a pump.

Sounds like all he did was oil change, oil filter, air filter, sparks. Seen people get charged more for that alone.

mechanics

at least you are hearing the old two sides to every story
THIS IS THE MECHANIC OR "COWBOY" IN QUESTION
firstly vacuum the oil out??
secondly "didnt get under the car"
ht switch??

to address some of these items
the black coloured drip tray that was under the car whilst IT WAS IN THE AIR SITTING ON A JACK should say it all no????????

vacuum oil out?? as a matter of fact that is how most cars are drained now via a "VACUUM PUMP" which i of course own ,however cannot be used on a seat or volkswagon as the guide for dipstick to allow tube from pump to enter sump is too narrow therefore the only way to drain one of these cars is via a nineteen mil sump nut located UNDER the car

ht switch??? i said ht leads ...as in high tension leads(car running uneven and guess what the diagnostic scanner i plugged in told me this also), and a brake pedal switch
thirdly nickser?? i wish IM FULLY REGISTERED
3 hours late IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE A BLATANT LIE
guy rang me earlier in week i told him to allow 24 hours notice and to book via online form,he said he didi i dont disbelieve him i however did not recieve booking via email so first i heard was an irate guy on phone at 11.15 demanding to know where i was

and 145 was the charge for service.THIS INCLUDED NEW SPARK PLUGS,NEW OIL FILTER, NEW AIR FILTER,OIL CHANGE
NOW IN CLOSING HE FORGOT TO MENTION THE FREE WIPERS I INSTALLED AND SUPPLIED FOR HIM.OR MAYBE THE REAR BRAKE BULBS I REPLACED WHILST DETERMIONING FAULT WITH LIGHTS?? OH YEAH AND THE FACT THAT THE BOOT LID DIDNT WORK AND I HAD TO ACCESS THROUGH REAR SEATS?? WHICH TOOK ME 20 OR SO MINS ALL OF WHICH "HAD TO BE DONE BY 2PM AS HE WAS PICKING UP HIS SISTER"?? i acknowledge not taking car on small test drive but to be fair under real pressure to complete and in hindsight would have done so as i do one every other service, I DID HOWEVER OFFER TO REPLACE BRAKES FREE OF CHARGE!!
im really glad i found this site and have a chance to defend myself as ive spent the day trying to figure out how im supposed to protect myself from threats like these other than to become psychic
NOW FOR ALL FAIR MINDED INDIVIDUALS HERE WAS THIS GUY HONESTLY RIPPED OFF??
ill await your replied to this after reading a few it seems your a fair lot!!!

colm_mcm

this is about to get interesting (or be locked )

no names mentioned though so no real harm done to mechanic in question

mechanics

again mechanic in question this is a fair discussion im only glad that people will hear what is really the truth
to the moderator i will mention no names or links etc i DONT HAVE ANY ISSUE WITH ANYONE MENTIONING NAMES im honest and very fairly priced i will not mention names however for fear of being "booted off"!!!:)

ottostreet

im actually just amazed at the chances of the mechanic finding the thread out of the blue!

mercservices

mechanics wrote: »

at least you are hearing the old two sides to every story
THIS IS THE MECHANIC OR "COWBOY" IN QUESTION
firstly vacuum the oil out??
secondly "didnt get under the car"
ht switch??

to address some of these items
the black coloured drip tray that was under the car whilst IT WAS IN THE AIR SITTING ON A JACK should say it all no????????

vacuum oil out?? as a matter of fact that is how most cars are drained now via a "VACUUM PUMP" which i of course own ,however cannot be used on a seat or volkswagon as the guide for dipstick to allow tube from pump to enter sump is too narrow therefore the only way to drain one of these cars is via a nineteen mil sump nut located UNDER the car

ht switch??? i said ht leads ...as in high tension leads(car running uneven and guess what the diagnostic scanner i plugged in told me this also), and a brake pedal switch
thirdly nickser?? i wish IM FULLY REGISTERED
3 hours late IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE A BLATANT LIE
guy rang me earlier in week i told him to allow 24 hours notice and to book via online form,he said he didi i dont disbelieve him i however did not recieve booking via email so first i heard was an irate guy on phone at 11.15 demanding to know where i was

and 145 was the charge for service.THIS INCLUDED NEW SPARK PLUGS,NEW OIL FILTER, NEW AIR FILTER,OIL CHANGE
NOW IN CLOSING HE FORGOT TO MENTION THE FREE WIPERS I INSTALLED AND SUPPLIED FOR HIM.OR MAYBE THE REAR BRAKE BULBS I REPLACED WHILST DETERMIONING FAULT WITH LIGHTS?? OH YEAH AND THE FACT THAT THE BOOT LID DIDNT WORK AND I HAD TO ACCESS THROUGH REAR SEATS?? WHICH TOOK ME 20 OR SO MINS ALL OF WHICH "HAD TO BE DONE BY 2PM AS HE WAS PICKING UP HIS SISTER"?? i acknowledge not taking car on small test drive but to be fair under real pressure to complete and in hindsight would have done so as i do one every other service, I DID HOWEVER OFFER TO REPLACE BRAKES FREE OF CHARGE!!
im really glad i found this site and have a chance to defend myself as ive spent the day trying to figure out how im supposed to protect myself from threats like these other than to become psychic
NOW FOR ALL FAIR MINDED INDIVIDUALS HERE WAS THIS GUY HONESTLY RIPPED OFF??
ill await your replied to this after reading a few it seems your a fair lot!!!

I wouldnt have done it for 140.,alri ya didnt cop the brakes,replacing them for free is fair enough, good to hear both sides, but even after that why ya offer him a refund?

mechanics

completely amazed

THERE IS A GOD I ASKED A QUESTION HOW DO I DEFEND MYSELF FROM ANY ONE TRYING THIS ON??

GUESS WHAT I ENDED UP HERE

mechanics

I OFFERED HIM REFUND AS HE BASICALLY THREATENED TO RUIN REPUTATION
VIA BLOGS LIKE THIS ONE I ASSUME

hipster2009

glad to hear the other side.

what do people expect for 150 euro?
People are using the recession as an excuse for not paying their bills!

If the OP had really been screwed he would not have been so carefull about not giving away any info.

ottostreet

so...who is telling the truth?

to be fair, based on what mechanics is saying, i don't see much wrong with anything you've done! sounds very reasonable to me

mechanics

ID LOVE TO PUT MY NAME UP BUT I KNOW ITS AGAINST RULES

I AM "IRISH" THOUGH!!!

Seth Brundle

mechanics wrote: »

again mechanic in question this is a fair discussion im only glad that people will hear what is really the truth
to the moderator i will mention no names or links etc i DONT HAVE ANY ISSUE WITH ANYONE MENTIONING NAMES im honest and very fairly priced i will not mention names however for fear of being "booted off"!!!:)

Both sides can feel free to discuss the service but anyone who mentions something that can identify either party will face an immediate and permanent banning.

mercservices

ottostreet wrote: »

so...who is telling the truth?

to be fair, based on what mechanics is saying, i don't see much wrong with anything you've done! sounds very reasonable to me

the truth lies in the parts, if the car has had the oil,oil filter,air filter,plugs etc done then he has had his moneys worth and the service has been provided, as for getting free pads, bonus for the O.P, to look for his money back??? some cheek. cant see the likes of him doing your bussiness any harm

keithclancy

Is that true ... about the Vacuum Pump...

I thought it was always drain via the sump as you'll never get all the oil out via a pump.
Even then the oil is supposed to be warm when you do it via the sump plug.

Christ.. I better go back and offer to pay for Kwik Sh*ts windows then.

scudzilla

mechanics

look this chap told me he worked in "it" i am what you would call a grease monkey me and pc >>>erm we get on but just about

what would you think? ie blogs etc and the rep of a very VERY small buisness and what it could do

i reckined money back maybe he would go away, and yes AGREED PARTS WILL SHOW ALL NEW AIR FILTER OIL FILTER ,FRESH OIL (SHOWED HIM ON DIPSTICK IE CLEAN WAS LIKE TAR COMING OUT FROM "UNDER CAR")AND TRIPLE TIPPERS...SPARKPLUGS ALL FOUR OF EM
AND WIPERS DONT FORGET THE FREE ONES..AND BULBS ETC...AND THE MESS OF MY DAY THIS GUY MADE I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES HAS THIS BEEN DONE ON??

AND THANK YOU MODERATOR NO NAMES WILL BE MENTIONED FROM ME

colm_mcm

how come you wouldn't give him a receipt?

mechanics

ONCE OIL IS WARM IT WILL DRAIN VIA VAC FASTER BUT WILL DRAIN EITHER WAY
RUNNING CAR FOR MIN OR TWO IS WARM ENOUGH BUT LIKE I SAID WILL DRAIN EITHER WAY THE PUMP FOLLOWS DIPSTICK TO SUMP SO YOUR BASICALLY DRAINING FROM BOTTOM OF SUMP SO YES IT GETS ALL OIL OUT

mercservices

mechanics wrote: »

look this chap told me he worked in "it" i am what you would call a grease monkey me and pc >>>erm we get on but just about

what would you think? ie blogs etc and the rep of a very VERY small buisness and what it could do

i reckined money back maybe he would go away, and yes AGREED PARTS WILL SHOW ALL NEW AIR FILTER OIL FILTER ,FRESH OIL (SHOWED HIM ON DIPSTICK IE CLEAN WAS LIKE TAR COMING OUT FROM "UNDER CAR")AND TRIPLE TIPPERS...SPARKPLUGS ALL FOUR OF EM
AND WIPERS DONT FORGET THE FREE ONES..AND BULBS ETC...AND THE MESS OF MY DAY THIS GUY MADE I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES HAS THIS BEEN DONE ON??

AND THANK YOU MODERATOR NO NAMES WILL BE MENTIONED FROM ME

doesnt make a difference about blogs,etc iIF you give him his money back this whole topic and everything on here is still gonna be here!!! if your happy that the job was done leave it at that, No refund!!! anyway not as if he mentioned your name and someone could search for it and come up with negative comments is it?

Seth Brundle

ottostreet

mechanics wrote: »

look this chap told me he worked in "it" i am what you would call a grease monkey me and pc >>>erm we get on but just about

what would you think? ie blogs etc and the rep of a very VERY small buisness and what it could do

i reckined money back maybe he would go away, and yes AGREED PARTS WILL SHOW ALL NEW AIR FILTER OIL FILTER ,FRESH OIL (SHOWED HIM ON DIPSTICK IE CLEAN WAS LIKE TAR COMING OUT FROM "UNDER CAR")AND TRIPLE TIPPERS...SPARKPLUGS ALL FOUR OF EM
AND WIPERS DONT FORGET THE FREE ONES..AND BULBS ETC...AND THE MESS OF MY DAY THIS GUY MADE I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATES HAS THIS BEEN DONE ON??

AND THANK YOU MODERATOR NO NAMES WILL BE MENTIONED FROM ME

im curious to see what response (if any) we get from the original poster, but after hearing both sides, im inclined to believe you. why didn't you call the guards on him, seeing as how what you did was above board, and you could prove that you had carried out the work? im aware that you say you dont use the internet, while this guy could have carried out quite a lot of damage if you hadnt found this thread. although im not even sure what the guards could really have done