The monster is back

The monster is back – and has been washed / valeted (something that Arbury used to do as standard on a service – another thing I don’t like about the Banbury stealership). 

The guys who brought the car back were nice enough, but it would have been nice if this had been sorted properly in the first damned place.

Suffice to say once bitten, twice shy. And as I have said, if the monster needs anything doing that is *not* covered under warranty, then it will go to a local garage - one that doesn’t charge premium prices for a less than budget service.

Back later

Karen

I gave no thought to wisdom
It all but vanished in the haze
This fragile hand of fortune
Had changed and turned it all to grey

Waiting for the monster. Again

Well, the little monster is back with the dealership to sort out the screw up with the ABS sensor – that they caused. And driving into work, I found something else the ABS sensor damage had messed up – my cruise control.

I have to admit that I am starting to wonder if the extortionate price that the stealership (sorry – dealership – no – I was right first time) is really worth it. 

I'm supposed get the best service as the car has gone back to the stealership where the technicians allegedly know what they are doing. If that’s the case, then how the hell did they miss that the wheel bearing hub was damaged, and then damage the ABS sensor?

Now all I have to do is see if they keep to their agreement to get the car back to me this afternoon – Mum has her COVID-19 booster this afternoon at 16:15, so it will be a bit of a rush if she has to head to Banbury because those bunch of jokers messed up.  Again. 

Equally, if I had known how bad the stealership was here in Banbury, I would have bitten my tongue and stuck with Arbury – even if the service “reception” leaves a lot to be desired.

But, I have 12 months before the little monster needs servicing again, and if it *does* need any work – I will find somewhere else to do it – I am *not* risking my little monster being off the road for 5 days again. 

If this had been a 1-day job (ignore the initial part failure – that happens) I wouldn’t be as angry as I am. But this has turned into a complete fiasco due to some idiot not doing the job properly – and I paid top price to get the “expertise” that is allegedly offered by a Peugeot dealership.

Time to call this quits – I am due off my lunch in a couple of minutes and need to rinse my mug out.

Back later

Karen

I gave no thought to wisdom
It all but vanished in the haze
This fragile hand of fortune
Had changed and turned it all to grey

It's a good thing I don't work in Burton Upon Trent....

Because the dealership I had the misfortune to take my beloved little monster to, couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery.

I was expecting to collect my car just after 12:00, but a phone call earlier today put paid to that.  Ok - they would drop the car off to me at work...

16:20 and I get a call...  I jokingly ask if there is another problem...  Only to be told yes - the car will need to go back to them on Monday.

I have to admit I was speechless.  Especially when I was told the reason why...

When the new wheel hub was being fitted, they managed to damage the ABS sensor on the wheel.  Great.  As if I haven't had enough trouble since the car went into them.

I was reassured that the car was safe to drive, albeit I would have no ABS, or traction control - meaning that I would have to seriously re-adjust my driving style when it came to braking.

What they *didn't* tell me was that my dashboard would light up like a Christmas tree, and that I would get multiple warnings and chimes as the car told me that the following issues were going to occur (and these are just the ones I can remember!)

1. The service light on
2. Engine warning light and error messages
3. Hill start inoperative
4. TPMS system issues

To say that I am furious is an understatement. The drive home was probably the slowest I have ever been on that road as the weather was diabolical - heavy rain.  Just what I needed with the car having brake issues. 

The dealership has said that they already have the part and will collect monster from work on Monday.  I won't be charged as it was their fault and will top my fuel tank off as well.

Whilst I appreciate the guesture, I would have preferred that they had sorted the wheel bearing (and found the issue with the wheel hub) without all the stress and hassle this has caused me.

Yet again, it is a weekend where we will have to use Mum's car as mine is out of comission.  Again.

Ah well, I am going to try to relax and de-stress this weekend, ready for all the hassle to restart on Monday.

Back when I need to rant again.

Karen

Spin like a wheel
I fall down to my knees
Don’t you know how bad that feels
It hurts when you’re in need
Never forget
Never regret

Waiting for the monster

Well, this time I’ve not had to chase the dealership for an update. They called me just after 10:30, to say that they didn’t think the car would be ready by 12:00. Great. But they have said that they will drop the car to me to make it easier for me, and wanted to know what time I finished work…

Ok – I appreciate the call, but the question about my finishing time now has me slightly worried. What *else* have they messed up and not told me about?? And I still have the “joy” of paying for the privilege of being stressed out by them – and it’s not cheap. Like £600 type not cheap.

Suffice to say my decision has now been made. The car has been there once – and that was enough for me. They missed things that should have been spotted and have charged top price (£160 per hour for labour) for the “luxury” of having their so-called technicians make a mess of a reasonably simple repair.

The worst part for me was the fact that I had already told them there was an issue with the nearside (left) front wheel where I hit a dratted pothole, so they didn’t have to look very hard.

Luckily, the little monster won’t need to be serviced for another 12 months, so I won’t have to deal with them again. And if I need any work doing before then, my colleagues have recommended a local garage where the fleet cars (and their own private cars) are worked on.

That is good enough for me – I have not had the best experience with this new dealership, and the stress and hassle this has caused me, and the rest of my family isn’t worth this.

Time to call this quits – my lunch break is coming to an end.

Back later…

Karen

Look now the circus is here
Too many clowns
Waiting for freedom to disappear

At last. The monster is ready to come home… Tomorrow.

Well, I can now confirm that the part(s) have landed and are being fitted to the little monster, meaning that I can collect it tomorrow. I could have pushed for this evening, but it would have been my luck for something else to break and delay the collection.

I will admit, I did apologise to the lad I was dealing with for being grumpy – but I think that he could understand my point of view. So, I will give them benefit of the doubt, but will be rather careful the next time the car has to go into them for any work.

Now all I have to do is hope that nothing else happens before I collect the monster – and more to the point make it up to Mum for the last three days of early starts… 

 Especially as I start work in Banbury at 08:30, so we have to leave home at about 07:35… The traffic is hell once you get into Banbury – reminded me of having to fight my way through Leamington – something I did for the last 18 years or so.

Ah well, time to call this quits – got things to do and people to annoy.

Back tomorrow – hopefully with the monster…

Karen

I gave no thought to wisdom

It all but vanished in the haze

This fragile hand of fortune

Had changed and turned it all to grey

Waiting for an update

As I type this, I am waiting for information on the monster.  Which is still with the dealership, waiting for the part to arrive.  

I don't think the car will be ready today, so it is yet another day that it hasn't been sorted.  I know that they have to wait for the part, but not being able to offer me a loan car either???

I pointed out that the issue with the bearing was one thing, but missing that the hub was damaged as well is unforgivable in my book. 

It wasn't like I hadn't warned the dealership.  I told them when I booked the car in that I had hit a pothole, so common sense dictates that you check the whole assembly - not just one part.

I understand that the loan cars are pre-booked.  Fair enough.  But not being able (or willing until I pushed the issue) to sort out a car for someone like me who is out of the area, and was expecting the car today...

And I have to admit I am somewhat disappointed with the lack of communication.  

If the dealership had kept me informed, I wouldn't be as angry / fustrated as I am now.  It seems to be me having to chase for updates - which was something I began to hate about Arbury....

I am expecting a call at 16:00.  Hopefully with good news, or the offer of a suitable loan car...

Back later with good news - I hope.

Karen

You always take the hard road
And people say you're a bad seed
Take the hard road
You always take the hard road
That's really something you don't need
Take the hard road