Advance Pitstop Rage!!

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 9:17am #1

Dropped my car into Advance Pitstop yesterday to get new tyres. As the garage would be closed by the time I finish work we agreed that I would pay over the phone and then they would leave my key in a pub next door. Got my key back and noticed that there was a slight twist in it. (This is the only key I have for the car). Put it in the door and it stuck a bit, tentatively put it in the ignition fearing the worst and low and behold the key snapped. I had to call an emergency lock smith that set me back €110.
I called this morning to complain that they had damaged my key, and I had to spend 3 hours and €110 to fix the problem they had caused me and was basically laughed off the phone. The locksmith said that someone had forced the key causing the bar in the ignition to dislodge. My key only works on one side, which I told them when I dropped the key. Absolutely furious and obviously they are claiming no responsibility or offering any kind of refund. Such a bad service.

vandriver · 02-05-2014 9:21am

You only had one key for the car,and that barely worked,and its all the garage's fault?

corktina · 02-05-2014 9:21am

sorry for your trouble, but reading that made me think the key was already defective when you gave it them, or did I read it wrong?

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 02-05-2014 9:28am

When you dropped it in, the key was working fine. When they drove it to the pub car park and locked it after the job it was working fine. How is it their fault. You knew it was wonky.

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 9:30am

Well it was working when I gave it to them and it didn't work when I got it back. The only people who drove between those times worked in the garage.

_Kaiser_ · 02-05-2014 9:50am

You dropped it in with a key you knew was iffy (only worked on one side) and which was the only copy you had.

Sorry OP. I understand the frustration and hassle to be fair, but you have only yourself to blame I'm afraid - you can't expect a garage to "use the key but only this side up and wiggle it a bit first" etc

Always have a spare key, or at least make sure the one you do have works properly

djimi · 02-05-2014 10:04am

The OP has a point here in fairness. It takes a fair bit of effort to bend a car key out of shape; the very least I would expected is that they would have stopped short of damaging the key when they realised that it wasnt working for them. Its not exactly clever to continue forcing a key to the point where you twist it out of shape...

_Kaiser_ · 02-05-2014 10:10am

djimi wrote: »

The OP has a point here in fairness. It takes a fair bit of effort to bend a car key out of shape; the very least I would expected is that they would have stopped short of damaging the key when they realised that it wasnt working for them. Its not exactly clever to continue forcing a key to the point where you twist it out of shape...

The problem is we don't know damaged/fragile it was to start with, but the OP already said it only worked on one side. Plus if it was problematic opening the door I wouldn't have risked the ignition myself.

I do get where the OP is coming from, but it'd be like taking a car with turbo you know to be dodgy to the NCT and complaining when the emissions tests blow it.

vandriver · 02-05-2014 10:34am

Boards motors forum in defending Advance/pitstop shocker!

djimi · 02-05-2014 10:44am

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

The problem is we don't know damaged/fragile it was to start with, but the OP already said it only worked on one side. Plus if it was problematic opening the door I wouldn't have risked the ignition myself.

I do get where the OP is coming from, but it'd be like taking a car with turbo you know to be dodgy to the NCT and complaining when the emissions tests blow it.

True, its entirely possible that the key was knackered to begin with and we only have one side of the story. However, I had a key for a car that was a bit dodgy on one side and could only really be used one way. The key itself was a long way from being knackered though, and it would have taken a hell of an effort to break it in a lock/ignition.

Im not defending the garage as such, but Im giving the OP the benefit of the doubt that the key was not on the verge of snapping before they handed the car in (Im assuming that common sense would suggest that a key that is that bad should be replaced immediately, especially if its the only copy). End of the day we dont really know either way!

cml387 · 02-05-2014 10:45am

vandriver wrote: »

Boards motors forum in defending Advance/pitstop shocker!

Yes, that surprised me a bit too.

Chris_Heilong · 02-05-2014 1:05pm

The OP said he told them that the key would only work on one side so I would expect the garage is at some fault here.

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 1:18pm

djimi wrote: »

but Im giving the OP the benefit of the doubt that the key was not on the verge of snapping before they handed the car in (Im assuming that common sense would suggest that a key that is that bad should be replaced immediately, especially if its the only copy). End of the day we dont really know either way!

The key was in perfect condition, I actually only got it from the Peugeot garage about a month ago so it wasn't some old, worn down antique on the verge of breaking. I told them it works best on 1 side and to use it that way but someone obviously forced it.

I think that the managers answer was even better. I rang them this morning to complain and his answer was "Well we left it in the Pub so maybe they damaged it".........yeah sure in between serving pints they went out and joy rode the car and jumped all over the key til it broke.........unlikely. I think that this very childish response shows guilt, obviously he knew he was leaving me with a problem.

Riskymove · 02-05-2014 1:22pm

there's really only one thing to do OP and you know you want to:

He's ready and waiting!!!!

metroburgers · 02-05-2014 1:29pm

wolfen wrote: »

The key was in perfect condition, I actually only got it from the Peugeot garage about a month ago so it wasn't some old, worn down antique on the verge of breaking. I told them it works best on 1 side and to use it that way but someone obviously forced it.

I think that the managers answer was even better. I rang them this morning to complain and his answer was "Well we left it in the Pub so maybe they damaged it".........yeah sure in between serving pints they went out and joy rode the car and jumped all over the key til it broke.........unlikely. I think that this very childish response shows guilt, obviously he knew he was leaving me with a problem.

Look OP, its a crappy thing to happen, but they were doing you a favour leaving it at pub for you, key could've easily snapped a week from now, would you still blame Advance Pistop then? If you new your car/key was finicky you should of made time to collect. I understand your frustration, and i guess you will never use Advance Pitstop again!

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 1:32pm

metroburgers wrote: »

Look OP, its a crappy thing to happen, but they were doing you a favour leaving it at pub for you, !

It's kind of irrelevant where the key was left. If I had been there during garage opening times the key still would have been damaged.

visual · 02-05-2014 1:33pm

If the stripped wheel nuts or missaligned car wheels yes they be fair game.
Bending a faulty key that the owner broke in ignition is too big of a stretch.

Plus they where doing him a favour leaving key in pub.

Moral of story is always have spare key.

metroburgers · 02-05-2014 1:41pm

wolfen wrote: »

It's kind of irrelevant where the key was left. If I had been there during garage opening times the key still would have been damaged.

Just saying they were being co-operative by leaving at pub. Of course you could have easily snapped key at garage when collecting, however maybe you would've flagged the bent key to someone at the garage before you tried it in your ignition, perhaps then you'd more comeback but prob not...

djimi · 02-05-2014 1:44pm

I actually cannot believe the amount of people who are jumping to the defense of Advance here. Even going so far as to suggest that its okay because they did the OP a favour by leaving the key in a pub next door? Come off it. Any one of you would be pissed in the same situation, and it sounds very much like Advance are far from blameless in this, regardless of the state of the key to begin with.

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 1:54pm

I think the OP might have had some chance if they had a picture of the damaged key or better yet still had the damaged key. Could have marched straight in the next morning with it and they would prob be more likely to accept responsibility.

I think the moment is gone though as the OP is the one the broke it at the end of the day.

A bit sh;itty I know, could also chance getting compo for it from them but I think considering what happened theres not alot that you can do, as is life.

metroburgers · 02-05-2014 1:55pm

djimi wrote: »

I actually cannot believe the amount of people who are jumping to the defense of Advance here. Even going so far as to suggest that its okay because they did the OP a favour by leaving the key in a pub next door? Come off it. Any one of you would be pissed in the same situation, and it sounds very much like Advance are far from blameless in this, regardless of the state of the key to begin with.

Not defending Advance, they obviously damaged the key but OP snapped it so imo it's impossible to pursue liability. Leaving car in pub was sound of Advance, its irrelevant to issue. My point was had the OP collected at the garage when open, OP could've flagged damaged key there and then.

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 2:07pm

In girl terms:

Bringing a dress to a dry cleaner and saying careful now 'its delicate'

Picking it up in the cafe next door because they left it there for ya

Realising that it had a rip on the strap

you try it on - the strap brakes off and the dress is ruined

Next day you bring it back and they say ................. wheres the proof that it was damaged ? You obviously put it on you damaged it yourself, did you gain a few pounds.... ?

Tough titties, lesson learned... don't get spunky - hold off to fight your case

Cabaal · 02-05-2014 2:09pm

Sadderday wrote: »

In girl terms:

Bringing a dress to a dry cleaner which already is already damaged by you and saying careful now 'its delicate'

Picking it up in the cafe next door because they left it there for ya

Realising that it had a rip on the strap

you try it on - the strap brakes off and the dress is ruined

Next day you bring it back and they say ................. wheres the proof that it was damaged ? You obviously put it on you damaged it yourself, did you gain a few pounds.... ?

Tough titties, lesson learned... don't get spunky - hold off to fight your case

Maybe try this more accurate versions

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 2:16pm

Cabaal wrote: »

Maybe try this more accurate versions

yeah...........sorry......... made more sense in my head

metroburgers · 02-05-2014 2:22pm

In cat terms:

Cat walks into kitchen, demands food from owner

Owner gives it some old fish in the Dog bowl.

Cat eats it, but pukes it up because its old.

Dog eats the puke.

Cat complains to the owner.

Owner ignores cat.

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 2:24pm

metroburgers wrote: »

In cat terms:

Cat walks into kitchen, demands food from owner

Owner gives it some old fish in the Dog bowl.

Cat eats it, but pukes it up because its old.

Dog eats the puke.

Cat complains to the owner.

Owner ignores cat.

Rapid

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 2:28pm

The point of this post wasn't that they left the key in the pub. If they had said you absolutely have to be here by 6pm as we close then I would have organised to leave work early and go and collect car.
They said "Don't worry if you are not here on time, we can leave your key in the pub". It wasn't a favour as such, it seems like that there is their regular protocal, and actually that is the 2nd time they've offered to do that.

But anyway, where I picked the key up from was a sideline. Obviously it would have been better if I had collected from the garage to show them straight away they damaged the key. But they definitely damaged the key. That's the point of the post.

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 2:33pm

wolfen wrote: »

The point of this post wasn't that they left the key in the pub. If they had said you absolutely have to be here by 6pm as we close then I would have organised to leave work early and go and collect car.
They said "Don't worry if you are not here on time, we can leave your key in the pub". It wasn't a favour as such, it seems like that there is their regular protocal, and actually that is the 2nd time they've offered to do that.

But anyway, where I picked the key up from was a sideline. Obviously it would have been better if I had collected from the garage to show them straight away they damaged the key. But they definitely damaged the key. That's the point of the post.

It's a shame though that you damaged it more afterwards. You can't prove now that it was even damaged by them when you collected it.

Terrible situation and shi'tty for you but you just have to put it down to bad luck and move on.

Pinkmoon19 · 02-05-2014 2:41pm

Sadderday wrote: »

It's a shame though that you damaged it more afterwards. You can't prove now that it was even damaged by them when you collected it.

Terrible situation and shi'tty for you but you just have to put it down to bad luck and move on.

Ah yeah I do agree with you but I was so mad this morning after I spoke to the manager, he was so rude and when he was laughing at me saying "maybe the lads in the pub dropped a pint on it" I felt like he was completely taking the piss.

Sadderday · 02-05-2014 2:47pm

wolfen wrote: »

Ah yeah I do agree with you but I was so mad this morning after I spoke to the manager, he was so rude and when he was laughing at me saying "maybe the lads in the pub dropped a pint on it" I felt like he was completely taking the piss.

Ah I know... don't blame ya - sounds like a nightmare.

You could pursue it and chance getting something outta them but I'd say the chances are slimmer now that more damage has been done to the key.

I'd snap meself !, I just doubt a company like that would give you the benefit of the doubt and accept liability. On the other hand if you feel that they are making a mockery out of you - you probably should take that further. Your a customer either way so you shouldn't feel that way. If I had an attitude like that in my job I'd be pulled up on it.

Whatever about your key and the cost - don't think much could be done...

an employee laughing down the phone at you is another matter.

Cuddlesworth · 02-05-2014 2:58pm

wolfen wrote: »

The key was in perfect condition, I actually only got it from the Peugeot garage about a month ago so it wasn't some old, worn down antique on the verge of breaking. I told them it works best on 1 side and to use it that way but someone obviously forced it.

Best time to complain to a company about a faulty key was the Peugeot garage a month ago. You put it off and this happened.

iwillhtfu · 02-05-2014 3:01pm

Jebus OP SAID THE KEY WAS NOT FAULTY/DAMAGED in anyway the contrary in fact.

It would be fair to assume the door you advised them to use was not the drivers door. So whoever you told either forgot or else someone else did the work and wasn't told a specific door to use.

Either way the garage employee damaged the key and they were liable for that. Unfortunately when you noticed the damage you used the key anyway resulting in it breaking in the ignition. Sorry to say you were responsible for this part.

So basically you've no real come back as the issue is now with a broken key which it wasn't when the garage left it in the pub, slightly bent isn't broken. Had you returned with the bent key you may have stood some chance it'll be hard to prove your story now.

Advance Pitstop Rage!!

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