Time to first damage (The Golf Accident Thread)

[peedman]

So after about 6 months of stuffing around I finally got the ok from their insurance to have my car fixed and my by choice of repairer. Took it to Barloworld Bayside as they have a panel shop that only does VW and Mercs. I thought if I'm having my car pulled apart I'd rather it be by them.

Can't complain with initial service. Had a new Passat as loan car and the car was repaired within 24 hours. Not even sure how that was possible, but anyway. I left in a massive rush as they held me up for 30 mins when picking up my car, so I just quickly looked at area they fixed and it looked good. I specifically said to them I didn't want the car cut and polished as the duco was new and I don't trust them.

Got home that night and go to the boot and noticed my LED tail lights (which I paid for at great expense) are dull and scratched all over. Like someone has used fine grit sand paper over them. To say I was p***ed was an understatement. Next day checked over the car, and not only are the taillights completely scratched but the gloss black trims of the B pillars.

Go back to Barloworld and they tell me its from a car wash. Car has never been in a brushed car wash in its life. It's only done 5000km. I was thinking how many car washes would it have had to go through to look like that anyway! That infuriates me, so I speak to the manager and he books it in the next week to repair it.

Anyway, the repair was polishing the plastic, and although quite alot better not great. I tell him I'm still not happy and they tell me that they did it as a courtesy and that I caused it, they had nothing to do with it and basically p*ss off.

What really annoys me is how pedantic I am about my car and they just don't give a sh*t. I get home in the dark every night and see my taillights "on" and they were so badly damaged I noticed immediately. What happened to customer service?

I was unsure what to do about it. I rang consumer affairs but it just seemed like a bit of a headache, so basically, I'm asking you all to do me a favour, and just spread the word about not trusting your car to Barloworld Bayside and avoid doing business with them. It's certainly not the first time I've had poor customer service from them and I'm just kicking myself that I took my car there.

Have you tried contacting your insurance to say that you are not happy? Most insurers have the lifetime guarantee of repairs so i would raise it up with them.

[backdoc]

Have you tried contacting your insurance to say that you are not happy? Most insurers have the lifetime guarantee of repairs so i would raise it up with them.

Yes rang them. Because the new damage is not the site of the repair work I can only claim it under my excess if I wish, but essentially it's my word versus theirs. I'm seeing so much of it these days, where people just don't care. I don't know how they live like that. Sometimes I wish I was a bit more like that as maybe my car being damaged wouldn't feel like such a big deal. And I guess in the grand scheme of things it's not............but unfortunately it is!

[Candyman]

Repairers damaged the front bar when my R was in for rear bumper repair !

They refused to admit fault (even though I had evidence)

They patched it and after the mess they made of the actual other repairs I left it at that.

Industry standard ....

[SilvrFoxX]

You can't compare manufacturers by dealers - doesn't work that way

I didn't mention dealers, I am talking about post sales service and the manufacturer is judged by association. I can tell you now that service will be a major determining factor in repeat business.

[Candyman]

So was I, dealers service departments

No correlation to manufacturers

[SilvrFoxX]

Perception is reality

[Candyman]

No, perception is just that.

[SilvrFoxX]

I see you don't work in finance and markets.. as I said before I would warn all and sundry off KIA, the service was absolutely terrible, they treated my missus poorly. Please explain what would entice me back to that manufacturer..?

I know I can tell my wife it is a quality product that is well priced.. bugger that

[Candyman]

You guessed wrong .... More than 25 years high level sales and marketing for very large and successful MN

Have used a Kia service dept for one car

Fantastic guys

Have used multiple Subaru service depts, some terrible, some average, one excellent

Same goes for VW, some poor, some average, some excellent

Worst performance overall was from BMW

Perception being reality does not apply in this case where you incorrectly attempt to link manufacturer to service departments

[SilvrFoxX]

Your experience not mine.. not a good sample but the car satisfaction survey is a better reflection

[Candyman]

Your experience not mine..

Perception is reality

[RosscoMK3]

I don't know what's going on with you two but, my first damage is at two months.
Thankyou CHINABEAR REMOVALS. Buggers even tried to deny it.
Photos to follow.

[SilvrFoxX]

I don't know what's going on with you two but, my first damage is at two months.
Thankyou CHINABEAR REMOVALS. Buggers even tried to deny it.
Photos to follow.

Nothing, just arguing for the sake of it.. no malice, just makes for light entertainment

[Candyman]

Lack of dented Golf's to talk about

Friendly banter between mates

[Candyman]

Regarding damage, I can highly recommend my repairer