writeoff

I just had a phone call from the repairer. The car is ready to go! Yay - about bloody time! It was booked to go to my mechanic (Manta Racing) today but the repairer won't release it until the account is settled. I expressed my view that they had failed to meet 5 deadlines set by them, the first being for December last year, and failed to meet my expectations as a customer. I mentioned the visits, phone calls, emails and finally a visit from a PI that I had to go through before the repair would contact me. I asked why this occurred and why they just ignored me. For this I was given no explanation. He asked what I wanted and in the end I was given an some sort of apology and a $200 discount on my account. He stated that he painted the mirrors and number plate holder for free and rewashed the car and has it sitting under a cover inside the building. He said that for personal reasons his head is in two different places and would not discuss it further. Bottom line is the car is ready and once I pay the account I can collect it. I have rebooked the car in with Manta for Friday so hopefully by the weekend I will be able to go boosting (although I have a busy weekend planned).

I just reread the thread from the link I provided regarding my Bentley accident. The insurer is mentioned there but all my comments are positive. As the post is over 2 years old I cannot go back and edit it.

The insurer had only contacted the repairer after I called the insurance company to complain about the delay. In each case the insurer was given a date by when the car would be completed and the insurer passed this onto me. These dates elapsed each time and the insurer failed to follow up and find out if the car had been completed or if I was finally in possession of my GTR. However, today I received a phone call from the insurance company's National Claims Manager (NCM) and he has spoken to the assessor who will drop in on the repairer tomorrow. The NCM said that he will call me tomorrow afternoon. Interestingly I have also been chasing up a claim from an accident in 2007 when my Bentley was written off in an accident http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Be...&hl=bentley I had sent in a letter to the insurer on 6 March, 2007, that the insurer had stated to me repeatedly that they never received. Amazingly this letter was discovered by the NCM today and he has agreed to send me out a cheque for the loss/damage of personal items in this accident.

I don't have my car. It is still at the repairer. I have not had any contact with the repairer since Friday morning.

I just had a phone call from the insurer's National Claims Manager who is looking into the matter and going to get the assessor to drop in unannounced on the repairer tomorrow. He also is going to get me a number for the Motor Vehicle Repair Industry Council where I may be able to lodge a formal complaint against the repairer. I had the car booked in at Manta (my mechanic) tomorrow to inspect the car and change the oils, filters etc. I contacted them to say it was unlikely that the car would be ready by tomorrow. Manta called the repairer to ask them directly and was given no answers as to when the car would be ready or what the hold up was other than we think we're awaiting on a battery and that I am yet to settle the account.

My email from 5 May, 2009. "Another 3 weeks have passed since my last email to you and you have again failed to contact me! I find your customer service appalling! I have attached below an email from (Editted) from (Insurer) claims department sent to me on 15 April, 2009, where he states that you believed the car could be finished by Friday 24 April, 2009. Again this date has elapsed and I am still waiting for my car with no indication of a completion date from you. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EMAIL AND CONTACT ME!!! I still want answers to the questions I asked in my earlier emails dated 15 April, 2009 & 16 March, 2009. David" Today I contacted Consumer Affairs and was given a number for the Finance Industry Complaints who then transferred me to the Insurance Division who then gave me a 02 number in Sydney for the Internal Dispute Resolution where I left a message on voice mail. You gotta love the gov't run-around.

To give you a better understanding of some of the things that I have dealt with this is an extract from my email sent to the repairer on 15 April, 2009. Clearly the tone of this email is angry but I felt justified at this stage in being angry. I will use **** instead of naming the repairer. "It is now 1 month since your email and I have not received any updates on the work to my car at ****! I did receive two phone messages from you to inform me that the BBS wheels had arrived and that the Kumho tyres had not, but these are updates regarding other businesses, not about the issues I mentioned in my email below dated 16 March, 2009. The car has been at **** since July 2008. WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG!!!? The only reasons that I have been given so far are: * "We don't know where to get parts from". I opened the Yellow Pages and looked up 'Motor Wreckers' and found several places that deal with Japanese and/or imported cars. Most came from the Hotline 40 - I'm sure you have heard of it seeing as **** has been in the industry for 25 years! I forwarded this information in an email sent on 20 August, 2008, listing 6 places in Adelaide with their name, address, phone number and email that stock 2nd hand Skyline parts. * "We don't know where to get the wheels from". I opened the Google search engine and typed 'BBS wheels Australian distributor' and discovered on the first page a place in NSW that supplies BBS wheels. Again I forwarded this information in an email dated 24 November, 2008, and provided the exact model number, size, and website of the Australian distributor. * "We have other customers screaming at us to fix their cars". I tried this once...it made no difference what-so-ever. * "We lost interest". I don't know how to respond to this. Could you please update me with the progress of my car? Could you please give me a date by when it will be finished. I have been given 2 dates previously but both have elapsed? Could you please provide me with some reasons other than the four I have listed above as to why it has taken over 9 months and my car is still not finished? Is this the normal turn around for a car at ****? Is this the industry norm to repair a car? If not then why have I been waiting since 20 June, 2008, when the accident first occurred? I also raised the issue of the missing locking wheel nuts from my BBS wheels. Have these turned up? Did you order some from the BBS wheels distributor I listed in the email dated 24 November, 2008? Have you been in contact with (editted) the (Insurer) accessor who I believe used to work at ****? I look forward to your response."

Iron Chef: The damage from the crash was being covered by the insurer. I decided that I would get the entire car painted as I felt this would be easier than trying to blend new paint with paint that was 20 years old and produce a better looking finished product. I am paying for the respray of the passenger side, boot, roof etc. The battery needed to be replaced because it had not been turned over (nor was it disconnected) for 11 months and thus some cells had dropped. It is my understanding that the insurer agreed to pay for this last Friday 15 May. I sent the insurer a carbon copy of all emails with the repairer. Demonstrating financial loss is more difficult and unlikely to satisfy legal requirements. Sorry for being vague as I have tried not to name any parties involved and stick predominantly to dates and facts which can be demonstrated. dan_the_man: No late fee was ever agreed to by the repairer.

It has been 10 months since the car was delivered to the repairer! It is now 6 months since the date they said it would be finished by.

Some of you may remember that back in June, 2008, I crashed my R32 GTR into a guard rail on Lobethal Road. The damage was not major and I was able to drive the car for about 15km until a hose connecting the intercooler came loose (which I couldn't see at night in the pouring rain). After the insurance company did a investigation which cleared me of any wrong doings other than driver error I took the car to a crash repairer. The car arrived at the crash repairer on 20 July, 2008. I still don't have it back! About 1-2 weeks after the car was delivered to the crash repairer I had a conversation by phone with the staff member who was in charge of my car and was given a completion date of early December, 2008. At some stage later I made a note in my 2008 diary that the car would be ready for painting on 27 November, 2008. During the third week of January I went back to the crash repairer and expressed my anger at the car being no where near ready for collection. At the time I mentioned that I would be charging a late fee to the owner and was given a completion date by said owner. On 16 March, 2009, I wrote an email to the crash repairer after viewing the car at my mechanic's workshop. I listed several problems on the car that had not been when the car was delivered on 20 July, 2008, ie they had occurred since being at the crash repairer. I received a reply that same day from the crash repairer stating "No problem we will attend to these issues when vehicle returns back here." The car was returned to the crash repairer on 19 March, 2009. A month passed before I wrote another email to the crash repairer. This email received no response. My insurer contacted the crash repairer and was given a likely completion date of 24 April, 2009. Another 3 weeks passed and I wrote another email to the crash repairer and again received no response. Two days later I contacted my insurer again and they called the repairer and were given a completion date of 11 May, 2009. By this stage, and on the advice of a friend, I contacted a private investigator regarding my car and asked him to look into the matter. He was given a completion date of 8 May, 2009. On 11 May, 2009, I was finally contacted by the repairer regarding my car - the first contact I had received from them since the email on 16 March, 2009. I was informed that the car was completed and I was sent an invoice. I viewed the car the following day and discovered: Both side mirrors on the car had not been painted. I had asked for the entire car to be repainted. The battery charge indicator was completely red. I had suspected that this battery would be unfit for use and mentioned it in my email sent on 16 March, 2009. The horn did not work. The owner was aware of this and had organised an auto electrician to work on the car 14 May, 2009. The bottom front spoiler was not quite fitted correctly on the passenger side. The oil catch can and air compressor for the air horn had been fitted to the wrong hole thereby not allowing the pole that holds the bonnet up to click into place. There was a minor paint imperfection on the front upper lip of the rear spoiler. There was a minor paint imperfection on the bonnet on the passenger side. On the morning of 15 May, 2009, I received a phone call from the repairer to say that the car was ready for collection and I was queried as to what payment method I would use to settle the invoice. I asked about the battery and after a few more phone calls was informed that a replacement battery had been approved and the repairer would contact the auto-electrician to see if they had a suitable battery in stock. I have not heard from the repairer since. My question and the reason for this thread is that I feel I am entitled to charge a late fee. Do you agree and if so what would be a suitable and realistic fee to charge? Bear in mind that the repairer has failed to meet 5 deadlines that they themselves set. The repairer completely ignored me and disregarded my pleas for them to contact me. The repairer has been (IMO) extremely unprofessional in many regards other than those mentioned within this post. It is now over 6 months from the original completion date I was given and I still do not have my car back!

I saw my own car today for the first time since March and the car in 1 piece for the first time since June 2008. Pity it's not ready yet but it is close. Looked f**ken tough too. I can't wait to get it back.

I volunteer at the RSPCA every Wednesday and last week the last dog I walked was a Border Collie. In the notes it said that he liked playing with a soccer ball so I took one down to the paddock and kicked it for him to chase. What amazed me was once he got to the ball he started dribbling it with the side of his face. He had great ball control and was still running pretty fast - dribble speed and skills! I wanted to sign him up for my Monday night indoor soccer team. Pity I didn't have a video camera to record it.

You've got 4 days off and you're bored already Cara?

Keep the SIR032 - make the young 'uns show some respect to their elders And you're already showing the wisdom that comes with age by your advice. Keeping the Skyline community safer.

In short Dennis has changed jobs, sold his house, met a girl, made a baby (20 weeks in), bought (I think) and new place and just started a new job a month ago. He was thinking of selling his GTR and buying a WRX but thankfully has decided to keep the GTR after all. Dennis said he has been peeking at SAU when he gets a quiet moment at work so I knew he was lurking around but I couldn't recall ever seeing him post before. Maybe with the new SAUSA he will be more of a regular. Next weeks member profile will be on ....

Is Sir032 his forum name or just his number plate? Reuben asked me and I didn't know. It was nice to meet a few more people from here and to finally see SLED's bike! There was mention of another Japan trip and cheap airfares... Martin & Shane. Maybe an annual pilgrimage to Japan could be a SAUSA event?

The OP was asking about getting mods done rather than a service. I went to Willall after I spun a big end bearing on my R32 GTR for the engine rebuild. Peter Hall spent a lot of time with me in formulating the parts list for the rebuild. Peter begun the work on my car but unfortunately left Willall quite suddenly and left my car in pieces with no-one to work on it. Peter recommended Steve from Manta and I had the car delivered there and the engine arrived later in lots of boxes - like a jigsaw puzzle - for Steve to put back together. Many parts were missing and Steve was required to go back to Willall on 3 separate occasions to look for these parts. All this cost me a lot of money and lengthened the time that my car was off of the road - although this seems to be a common theme with my car but that's another story. Steve did a great job on the rebuild and I was able to get very good power levels from relatively low boost on smallish turbos with extremely low levels of knock indicated on the PFC. Steve is very pedantic, sometimes frustratingly so, but I listened to everything he said and trust his opinion more than most mechanics I've dealt with. You can see my mod list and dyno graph in the Forced Induction sticky for RB26s (page 7 post 136).

I've used Boostworx, Willall, Tillbrooks, Adelaide Fours & Rotories, G-Tek and Manta Racing. I only go back to Manta.

I formed the opinion years ago that all these small block homes in housing estates with no trees over 3 feet high, where everyone is packed in together and neighbours are less than 1m from each others walls would be a breeding ground for serial killers. This may be a little naive given that houses in pretty much every major city in the world share walls but Adelaide produces quite a few serial killers already... this may just increase their development. Anyway... I totally understand the appeal of a new home as I am facing considerable renovations to my current place that was built in 1985 and I have no tools, knowledge, inclination or physical ability to do the repairs/renovations myself. However, I always want some space between myself and my neighbours. One garage would be real inconvenient and it is nice to have some sort of outdoor area to have a BBQ in summer and sit and enjoy the evening. But to help with your own decision Penny you need to consider your own circumstances and perhaps answer some of these questions. How long do you intend to live in the house for? How many people will be living there? How many bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, carport/garage will they need? Do you currently have or intend to get a pet? A big dog will need some space to move around in &/or will need to be properly exercised twice a day (beyond a simple walk). Do you plan on expanding your family in years to come? Remember that this is your first home, not your dream home. Economic predictions are that homes at or below the $250k mark may artificially rise in price in the next 2 months as demand increases by first home buyers trying to take advantage of the grant. After June 30 these homes will most likely drop in price as the demand suddenly drops and Adelaide's real estate market is predicted to plateau or decrease in price for another 6-12 months.

What did he have to forget (the last comment under the bears)?

1... 2... 3... You're outta there!

Aspirin + seagull are funnier... supposedly.\ For more footy talk than you could ever devour try http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/

My condolences to the family and friends of those killed and my best wishes to those injured. I hope you have a fast, painless and as complete a recovery as is possible. As someone who has had to recover from injuries due to car crashes on 3 different occasions - 1st took 5 years of rehab, 2nd took 4 years, 3rd 2 years and still going - I know how slow, painful and frustrating it is. It still amazes me how 2 bad decisions (1 by each of the drivers) can effect sooooo many lives and cause soooo much heartache. + 1 for a legal drag strip to remove this kind of behaviour from the streets.

I know your pain and will gleefully acknowledge your happiness. Congrats and I hope the smile per mile ratio is really high. Enjoy.

Thanks for providing that link blags as I rarely go onto NS.com Which tyres did you go for - the KU36? I was quoted $251 per corner for 275/35/18 plus $85 delivery to Adelaide. The RRP on the Kumho site for these tyres is $438 each. http://kumhotyres.businesscatalyst.com/pcrku36.htm I haven't been able to find any reviews on these tyres yet. Have yours arrived? What are your initial impressions and how old are the tyres? (just wondering why they are so cheap) I am also going to enquire about the Kumho Ecsta V70A http://www.fsport.com.au/fsport_siteroot/p...kumho/v70a.html which has had great reviews (from Feb 2005) http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/autob...tyre-review.htm but are only available from selected dealers http://www.fsport.com.au/fsport_siteroot/dealers.html Also going to enquire about the $ for Dunlop DZ03G that did well in Wheels or Motors tyre test late last year.