Some Hick Grease Monkey Smashed My Skirts!

[JP80]

so yesterday i was about to get in my car and head out when i noticed that i had a flat - and i mean REALLY flat, almost on the rim

it was just after 12:00 so like nothing was open (like many things in the glorious SW)

so i rang around and found a guy at a local Ampol that can fix flats at that time of w/e, i get out the compressor,

fill the tyre enough to get going and head downsome bearded man meets me out the front, he says he'll get the wheel off and dip it

to see what the drama is and to leave it with him as he has to finish up on some (hick's) ute he's workin' on

i come back, he tells me it'll be $35 and that he's dipped it and found that it had a large piece of metal buried in it and that he's plugged it.

i look over the tyre to make sure i have all my lug nuts and such. then i go home, park the car and go inside

- retiring the weekend as wasted, although my tyres are good to go.

getting something out of my car today i notice a rattle as i close my drivers door.

the friggin loon has used a two post hoist (i suggest) incorrectly and crunched my skirts!!!

my drivers side worse, but both damaged!

i called and took the car in, but he was closed today.

before i use of swears and ruin my chances of him sorting this out in a civil manner, what leg do i have to stand on?

i feel as though it's not my fault and why should i replace them (or even have them fixed) when i asked for a puncture sorted, not skirts smashed!

any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

[infamous_t]

Got insurance presumably? Most policies have coverage(no excess) for theft/damage from workshops, might be the go.

[DiNoBoNeS]

did u tell him 2 use that hoist? if u did i do not think there is much u can do because u gave them the go ahead 2 do it!

good luck with it all just remember

that u get more flys with honey than vinegar. in other words do not blow your top at them and try to sort it out with nice words

[JP80]

did u tell him 2 use that hoist?

nah, he mentioned he was just going to jack it up and get the tyre off

i thought nothing of it after that, i didnt even think of how he may have done it until i remember seeing the hoist

[JP80]

Got insurance presumably? Most policies have coverage(no excess) for theft/damage from workshops, might be the go.

you serial? well, i guess i have a backup plan there... hopefully

thanks

[sam5709]

dam idiots, i hate when places like this stuff up our pride and joys,

basically act polite and go in there, tell him what has happened and ask him how HE wants to fix it, be firm about what your talking about, talk with confidence but still use politeness if ya get me haha,

if the hick makes up a story and tries to knock your allegations back, take it a step further by going into more formal approaches,

similar thing happened with my mates commodore, went into a workshop to get something done, came out with a big paint chip on the door with what looked like touch up brush paint that was so noticeable, was on the passenger door so my mate didn't see it, he jumped in the car and found it about half a day later this place has been known to push people around if you sound soft, go in there be polite but firm and confident and things should hopefully work out, worked for my mate

hope this helps a bit........

sam

[adoraa]

I know I know... come back to Perth!

but other than that I have no suggestions... sorry

[BROCKDOE]

+1, move back to perth

[bryno]

I've come back from most workshops with a new scratch somewhere, so I know how you feel... nearly

[NA_Goodness]

That is dodgy. I'm SOOO scared about f**king up someones side skirts. Even with a 2 post hoist you can avoid the side skirts. Like all these guys have said, go back and talk to him about it. Its his fault, so he should fix it.

[Nastazia]

Legal leg = negligence on his behalf. You paid him, he had a duty of care towards you as his customer - with that comes a certain standard of care that he must uphold. He was in breach of that by screwing up your skirts. So yes to legal leg - try talking to him about it, if it goes nowhere cheaper/easier option for you = insurance claim.

My 2c anyway

Edited April 1, 2008 by Nastazia

[Steve]

If you didnt notice the damage at the workshop, I am afraid you havn't a leg to stand on what so ever UNLESS he admits liability.

Bottom line is you have to prove he smashed them, as you didnt notice the damage straight away, he could reasonably argue that the damage wasnt there when you picked up the car.

Best bet, go and see the guy, ask him if he put the car on a hoist or not, if he says he used a hoist, you could point out the damage - he may be a decent guy, and like you, didn't notice the damage straight away, and be willing to fix it.

Good luck

[upgarage]

agree with steve

it is your responsiblity to check over the car before leaving