Complaining ABOUT the SIMI

Armaghmagic

Hello all,

I have had numerous issues with a car I purchased last September and when I couldn't get any joy with the dealer I went through the SIMI complaints process and although I got some redress, there are still issues.

I have called and emailed the SIMI on numerous occasions and I have been ignored at every turn.

So where do I go now when the motor industry watchdog refuses to help??

CJhaughey

You can start by remedying the mistake in your head that the SIMI is a watchdog.
The SIMI is the Society of Irish Motor Industry which has sweet FA to do with regulating its members which can be the shonkiest secondhand car dealers around with a prominent SIMI logo on their portakabin.
They are worse than useless as they are a car sales lobby group.
Start with legal means, small claims or if the problems are larger then go to a legal professional.

copperhead

cjhaughy is spot on i had serious issues with main dealer before,
simi registered, when i contacted simi about my grievences they were worse than useless,
they also kindly reminded me that they represent the motor industry,
so not wanting to go don the long drawn out legal road
i got me a 8x4 sheet of ply, some paint brushes and made me a nice sign haha,
wasnt standing outside the dealers that long before it was all sorted

For Forks Sake

SIMI are there to help dealers, not customers.

Try the National Consumer Agency maybe.

testicle

Talk to Joe.

keithclancy

Armaghmagic wrote: »

Hello all,

I have had numerous issues with a car I purchased last September and when I couldn't get any joy with the dealer I went through the SIMI complaints process and although I got some redress, there are still issues.

I have called and emailed the SIMI on numerous occasions and I have been ignored at every turn.

So where do I go now when the motor industry watchdog refuses to help??

The problem was you were making a complaint to a fictitious entity in the first place.

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

SIMI are the car sales industries union, lobby group, mouthpiece (tick as preferred), granted they do set out a standard or code they expect their members to abide by, but they will not give their paying members grief just because you ask them to. Unfortunately.

As above, go elsewhere. I'd start with the dealer you bought it off.

Atlantic Dawn

Try contacting them over social media...
https://twitter.com/simi_ie
https://www.facebook.com/IrishMotorIndustry

corks finest

CJhaughey wrote: »

You can start by remedying the mistake in your head that the SIMI is a watchdog.
The SIMI is the Society of Irish Motor Industry which has sweet FA to do with regulating its members which can be the shonkiest secondhand car dealers around with a prominent SIMI logo on their portakabin.
They are worse than useless as they are a car sales lobby group.
Start with legal means, small claims or if the problems are larger then go to a legal professional.

That's tough,I bought a lemon ,years ago,contacted simi,and within 4 weeks,got a replacement car,one I bought was hacking,after being assured by salesman's that the previous owner was driving private,took a lot of emails,and direct contact with garage owners etc,and a threat of me standing with a banner in the garage forecourt, eventually they calved,so be strong