Car dealer can't find replacement seat cover... what's next?

Bohrio

Hey guys...

Just a quick question, I was wondering if anyone has ever had a similar issue and what was the outcome.

Now first of all this is just me thinking ahead, but legal action is the last of my options! I rather solve this in an amicable way and if nothing works then I might consider taking legal actions.

Ok, so here it is. When I bought the car one and a half years ago the left seat cover was damaged. The car dealer (official car dealer) promised to fix it (among other things).

They offered me to wait for the seat cover to arrive and then take the care (they said it could take up to 1 week) or to take the car and then bring it one day as soon as the seat cover arrives.

Since then we have been talking every month and it is always the same thing, apparently they can't find a seat cover replacement (which it is already a matter of concern). My car has apparently a unique leather color (seems to be the only one in Ireland) and the car dealer's head office in Germany cannot find a replacement either.

I am in no rush and I genuinely believe the guy when he says they can't find it so the question is... what next?

Do I ask them to take the car back (buy it off me for a good price),

Ask them to compensate me somehow (which tbh, I am not sure I am happy with that option) and then find someone who could fix/replace the cover for me (I heard of a place in santry I think where they do most of Audi/VW leather can't remember the name now...)

I have written proof too although I am sure that the car dealer will not deny that they promised to fix this for me, so far they have been very helpful but I think that your man is just running out of options and doesnt know how to tell me!

So I was wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation?

At the moment is not really bothering me but it has been 1.5 years and I think I should start thinking about my alternatives... what you recon?

Ta!

Harcrid

If you are not that bothered about it anymore then maybe just ask for a free service or something in lieu of the seat cover and leave it at that?

pred racer

Celtxx wrote: »

If you are not that bothered about it anymore then maybe just ask for a free service or something in lieu of the seat cover and leave it at that?

Ask him what type of car it is, and you might see why he's bothered;)

Id get onto Audi in Germany myself bohrio, they might be able to suggest some options you can then bring to the dealer. Or bring it to the leather repair place, see what they say, id say the dealer would be happy to shell out a few quid to a repairer get this resolved.

Bohrio

Celtxx wrote: »

If you are not that bothered about it anymore then maybe just ask for a free service or something in lieu of the seat cover and leave it at that?

Well I was told that a new seat cover costs around 1500-2000 euro... so they will have to do better than that, but I did consider this option, the problem is that If I agree to that and in the future I decide that I want the seat fix (maybe the day comes when I want to sell it or even just change as it has deteriorated way too much) just not being able to get a replacement will definitively be a problem.

MuppetCheck

You might be able to have it re-trimmed in a similar colour (I mean the whole interior, not just the seat) for that sort of money. I'd suggest this as a possibility.

Bohrio

pred racer wrote: »

Ask him what type of car it is, and you might see why he's bothered;)

Id get onto Audi in Germany myself bohrio, they might be able to suggest some options you can then bring to the dealer. Or bring it to the leather repair place, see what they say, id say the dealer would be happy to shell out a few quid to a repairer get this resolved.

Thanks! sounds like a good idea...

I will try to see if I can get a hold of him this week, I think he is avoiding me now, probably feels embarrassed... wouldnt like to be in his position tbh!

Like you mentioned it, not fixing it is not really an option, if I am having so many issues now when they are involved and I cannot imagine what would happen if I were on my own! :S If it gets to a point where they wont fix it then I will ask for my money back (obviously not all of it but you know what I mean) or ask them to take it back and make me an offer... but I want that to be my last option!

Bohrio

MuppetCheck wrote: »

You might be able to have it re-trimmed in a similar colour (I mean the whole interior, not just the seat) for that sort of money. I'd suggest this as a possibility.

Yeah there is a place in Dublin that does it and apparently they are quite good. However I am not 100% convinced about this... I have to go there and have a look. Might pop over during the weekend

recyclebin

What kind of car is it, how old is it and how much did you pay for it?

Bohrio

recyclebin wrote: »

What kind of car is it, how old is it and how much did you pay for it?

Its a 2006 Audi RS4, I paid around 30k for it in August 2011.

zzantara

If you call an Audi Dealer and QUOTE YOUR CHASSIS NUMBER he will
1)Be able to identify exactly what colour /trim etc applies to your Model .
2) he will tell you how much it will cost to supply
3) He will give you a delivery time (usually 7/10 days for trims).
You can then tell your Dealer where and when he can source your cover, he then will have to have it fitted by a competent person (sometimes a mechanic will do or alternatively an upholsterer).
I get the vibe that the Dealer senses your lack of urgency and thinks that if he ignores it you will fade away ?

Bohrio

zzantara wrote: »

If you call an Audi Dealer and QUOTE YOUR CHASSIS NUMBER he will
1)Be able to identify exactly what colour /trim etc applies to your Model .
2) he will tell you how much it will cost to supply
3) He will give you a delivery time (usually 7/10 days for trims).
You can then tell your Dealer where and when he can source your cover, he then will have to have it fitted by a competent person (sometimes a mechanic will do or alternatively an upholsterer).
I get the vibe that the Dealer senses your lack of urgency and thinks that if he ignores it you will fade away ?

Yeah.. Unless the dealer I am talking about is Audi Ireland... then, if they can't find it what's next?

Contacting Germany might be a good option, I remember that my wife has a friend who works @ Audi, might give him a ring... I seriously think that they really can't find a replacement leather seat...

NobodyImportant

I seriously think the guy got a price and baulked at it. He is now hoping you will fade away and is using his car salesmen charm to make you believe he actually cares.

As above, you will have to do the running around to get a price and let him pay or talk to a leather repair place. There is one on the Old Naas Road that is brilliant. Cant remember their name though.

Bohrio

NobodyImportant wrote: »

I seriously think the guy got a price and baulked at it. He is now hoping you will fade away and is using his car salesmen charm to make you believe he actually cares.

As above, you will have to do the running around to get a price and let him pay or talk to a leather repair place. There is one on the Old Naas Road that is brilliant. Cant remember their name though.

Yeah... I thought he might be doing (he has been very nice) so I rather think positive for the moment (although its been long enough) and give him a last chance... we will see what happens when I start pushing him more and more...

I will contact my wife's friend tonight and see what he can find out... based on that I will decide what to do next

wilford

That's exactly what the problem is he got the price and is hoping you just fade away because he's not paying x amount to fix it for a car he sold ages ago,Personally I'd bring it to a re-trimmer and ask them to repair it an give the bill to the dealer.

Harcrid

Bohrio wrote: »

Its a 2006 Audi RS4, I paid around 30k for it in August 2011.

In that case scrap my idea about the payment in lieu. That would only be acceptable on a crappier less valuable car. As others have said above it looks like you may have to find the solution yourself and then present it to the dealer to action. Then he can have no excuses about not being able to source or fix.

Henry Ford III

A top quality trimmer can match any colour or texture surely?

Any hope of a pic. of the damage?

18 months is an awfully long time get this sort of issue resolved btw.

Bohrio

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A top quality trimmer can match any colour or texture surely?

Any hope of a pic. of the damage?

18 months is an awfully long time get this sort of issue resolved btw.

I agree, I will take a picture later and upload it...

Thanks everyone

MetzgerMeister

Go to Aldi when they have their car offers on again, pick up a set of seat covers and send the bill to Audi :pac:

You may have more luck if you contact an NI/UK Audi dealership. I know I've had 100% success with a BMW dealer in the North compared to 4 down here!

I know this is a LONG shot but have you tried breakers yards?

Bohrio

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Go to Aldi when they have their car offers on again, pick up a set of seat covers and send the bill to Audi :pac:

You may have more luck if you contact an NI/UK Audi dealership. I know I've had 100% success with a BMW dealer in the North compared to 4 down here!

I know this is a LONG shot but have you tried breakers yards?

yeah... I thought about doing that, I saw a fancy one last weekend... it even had a picture of justin beaver on it... it was awesome lol

No chance of finding it in any breakers yard either... I was told it was the only red leather RS4 in Ireland. lucky me!!!

MetzgerMeister

Exclusivity always comes at a price!

I think your best bet is an NI/UK Audi dealer as they probably sold more red leather there than here.