Have I been duped ?

PCPhoto

Ok

looking for advice at the moment.... had a clutch replaced in February ....and noticed problems again in July, brought it back to the mechanic and he said he would send it off to the manufacturer and then told me I would have to pay for another clutch and wait for manufacturer to come back and let me know if the clutch was faulty or not.

on each occasion I was charged around €650 and from what I understand if the clutch unit was faulty then mechanic says I'll get the cost of the clutch back (approx €300)

Should I get the whole amount back ? my understanding is that if the unit was faulty the manufacturer should cover the labour costs and refund the whole amount. So I guess I'm asking ... what's the normal procedure for a replacement/faulty clutch

MODS - I think this is more suited to motors as these people will know the procedure, its not a legal issue or consumer issue.

scwazrh

You bought it supply and fit so if it's a faulty clutch it's up to the mechanic to supply and fit a new one and then he can take it up with the manufacturer

PCPhoto

thanks - will hopefully be able to communicate this to the mechanic (if manufacturer says its a faulty clutch - if they say it wasn't a faulty clutch I'm still out of pocket for both of them)

Voodoomelon

You can be sure the manufacturer will say it was not faulty, that is, if he even sent it off anywhere. Load of crap having to pay twice, his contract is with you to supply and fit a working clutch.

Nissan doctor

We had the same situation in my place today. Clutch fitted in may and customer back with a problem with it yesterday. First priority IMO is as little hassle for the customer as possible. We ordered a new clutch kit, fitted it and sent the customer on his way.

It'll be up to us to recoup the clutch and labour cost from the manufacturer under their warrenty, should be the same for the OP assuming your mechanic is buying the parts from official suppliers.

OldmanMondeo

It is the way the manufactures work. I used to sell LUK, now sell Valeo, both have the same proceedure for warrenty replacements. You can burn a clutch out in feck all miles, they are just covering their arse.

danjo

PCPhoto wrote: »

Ok

looking for advice at the moment.... had a clutch replaced in February ....and noticed problems again in July, brought it back to the mechanic and he said he would send it off to the manufacturer and then told me I would have to pay for another clutch and wait for manufacturer to come back and let me know if the clutch was faulty or not.

on each occasion I was charged around €650 and from what I understand if the clutch unit was faulty then mechanic says I'll get the cost of the clutch back (approx €300)

I think this is more suited to motors as these people will know the procedure, its not a legal issue or consumer issue.

I cannot not understand why you think it is not a consumer issue. I also think you should make it a legal issue, if you cannot get satisfaction otherwise.
From your description of events you purchased goods and services which were not of merchantable quality so, in my opinion, you have redress under the Sale of Goods and Services Acts. A new clutch should last more than six months.
You should not have paid the second time but that does not affect your right to redress. Go and demand the €650 back.

PCPhoto

PCPhoto wrote: »

Ok

looking for advice at the moment.... had a clutch replaced in February ....and noticed problems again in July, brought it back to the mechanic and he said he would send it off to the manufacturer and then told me I would have to pay for another clutch and wait for manufacturer to come back and let me know if the clutch was faulty or not.

on each occasion I was charged around €650 and from what I understand if the clutch unit was faulty then mechanic says I'll get the cost of the clutch back (approx €300) ..............

It's now September, has he been in touch with the manufacturers response?
Was it the pressure plate, disc or bearing he reckoned was the issue when he removed it?

MugMugs

I wouldn't be giving it back to the manufacturer without having it tested independently and recovering those costs from the manufacturer. I'd also be thinking twice about my mechanic choice in future.

I presume the garage gave it back to the factors who sent it back to the manufacturer.

PCPhoto

sorry for the delay - no contact from mechanic and I have not contacted him either - will do so tomorrow.

Danjo - I was asking for details on if it was the norm to charge and refit a new one and then send off to manufacturer looking for clarification if clutch was faulty.

at the moment my plan is call him tomorrow.... if he says they said it was fine I will tell him I will collect the clutch on Saturday (I've already paid for it so I might as well have possession of it...keep an eye out for it on Adverts over the weekend)

if he says manufacturer says it was faulty I will ask why he has not contacted me to give me my money and I will be looking for cost of re-fit and parts.

if he says nothing I will ask a solicitor friend to issue a letter on my behalf just asking for clarification as to current status of the clutch if he doesn't respond to solicitors letter I will take the matter further.