Alloy wheel refurb - money back

[mft]

Hi All

 

I bought a used car from a garage and as part of the deal arranged to get the alloy wheels refurbished, the guy who sold the car advised the refurb guy was superb, and can do through the garage at trade price. So I did. I paid £140 in total.

 

When I picked up the car, the refurbished job was terrible - they had not taken the wheels off and dirt with embedded grained in the paint work! The garage said that as they rushed to get things sorted on my car they went to another company to do the wheels and I can have my deposit back if I don't want the car. I needed a car (having sold my other one) I reluctantly said I would accept.

 

However four months later the wheels have started peeling and flaking. Do I have any right to a refund?

 

Many thanks

MFT

[crem]

If you paid a price specifically for the wheel refurb (rather than just as part of your car price negociation) then I think you should have some claim that the quality is not acceptable. Does the refurb show as an entry on your purchase receipt?

[mft]

No, he just wrote the total price on the receipt, doesn't mention alloy refurb on there.

 

I just want a refund as I do not want to deal with this garage anymore. Without it being highlighted on receipt, does this mean I have no come back?

[Conniff]

You may not want to deal with this garage again (and I don't blame you), but you should make this your first call. Tell them the wheels refurbishment is not of satisfactory quality and you want them done again by a wheel specialist to the quality he promised at the sale.

 

 

If you don't do it this way, you will have no way of getting redress or your money back if he refuses to take the wheels and have them done or give you your £140 back.

 

 

There are further steps you can take if he refuses.

[mft]

Thank you both for your responses.

 

I will contact him and ask to put right...

 

What are the next steps if he refuses?

 

Thanks

MFT

[Conniff]

As you have already paid him for the work, the next step is to warn him that you will take them to a company to be done and send the bill to him for refund with the warning that if he refuses to refund then you will take further action.

 

 

You will need to get a quote from a bodyshop or wheel specialist so you can give him the price.

 

 

The next step to that letter would be a letter before action giving him 10 days to pay and ending 'non payment will result in a court summons without any further correspondence'.

 

 

Of course you shouldn't threaten court if you don't intend to go through with it, but you will be helped on here if it should get that far.

 

 

Send all correspondence by recorded delivery so there can be no excuse that he didn't receive you letter. Don't use the telephone any more as you want a written record.

If he should ring you, it would be nice if you can record his call so a mobile number would be better than a landline.

[popeyethesailortam]

A refund after 4 months driving, Not a chance. Unless you had something in writing stating the wheels were to be refurbished prior to getting it you can't claim that. They also gave you the opportunity to reject the car at the time and have the deposit back. You made the decision not to do that, you accepted the used car. Live with it.

[mft]

A refund after 4 months driving, Not a chance. Unless you had something in writing stating the wheels were to be refurbished prior to getting it you can't claim that. They also gave you the opportunity to reject the car at the time and have the deposit back. You made the decision not to do that, you accepted the used car. Live with it.

 

I paid for the wheels to be done; I accepted the alloys were poorly finished with dirt engrained in the paintwork and some speckles of silver paint on the car. I didn't anticipate the wheels to start flaking/peeling after four months.

When we have had alloys refurbished in the past, they have lasted a very long time with no problems.

[popeyethesailortam]

As you say, you accepted the poor finish on the wheels at the time. You had the chance to walk away. You made the decison not to. It may in retrospect be the wrong decision. But as it was yours you have to live with it.

[oddjobbob]

TBQH, £140 for refurb of 4 alloys is way too cheap, and it's unsurprising if its a poor job.

 

 

I think if you have a ring round you'll find most alloy wheel places charge at least £60 per corner...

[king12345]

As you say, you accepted the poor finish on the wheels at the time. You had the chance to walk away. You made the decison not to. It may in retrospect be the wrong decision. But as it was yours you have to live with it.

 

Unfortunately this is very true

[ericsbrother]

I wish you had taken the matter up sooner as what you describe isnt an alloy refurb but a complete dogs dinner of a spray with metallic paint. Your best bet is to ask the garage for the details of where they sent it and a copy of their invoice/receipt just so you know what was specified rather than the price charged. this can then get you a little leverage with the refurb company if you want to risk asking them to make good for a reasonable cost.

[Conniff]

It's not up to the op to go to the refurb company (that's if the seller didn't do it in a shed round the back). The work was sanctioned by the seller and payment made to the seller so it is them who should be approached.