How can some people be so useless? VW Van Centre, Manchester

[Nige_g]

As I have mentioned in other threads, my van, when in at VW Van Centre, Manchester for service, got damaged in their carpark by another vehicle scraping along the side of it. It was, we believed sorted out at the time, but on better inspection, wasn't. To cut a long story short, it was in their body shop this week and I picked it up yesterday. The crease had gone and they had resprayed part of the side of the van. It was chucking down with rain, the van was wet, but it looked to have been repaired well.

The rain had stopped today and as it had dried out there is a large area of overspray, very visible on the top rear quarter to the right of the window. It is so damn noticeable in the dry. How on earth did that leave the bodyshop, which is dry, without anyone noticing it, when it was the first thing I saw when I went outside, not even looking for anything on the van?

TBF, the actual van centre and the guy I have been dealing with have been good, but the guy on the bodyshop needs to improve.

So, it'll be another trip into the centre as I am certainly not going to be trying to remove it.

 

[Nige_g]

There are overspray marks on the 2 black side windows as well. Just been out to check it now there is a break in the rain again. The dent was less noticeable!

 

[Paynewright]

I think the problem is two fold - no pride in workmanship and ‘it’ll do’ mentality probably driven by the the accountants wanting to make money.

The second being lots of customers just dont care - their vehicle is fixed, so the body shop get away with the former most of the time.

 

[Nige_g]

As for your first, yes. I also think it was a rush job.

As for point 2, I cannot believe anyone would be happy with dull blotches of spray on the bodywork and glass!

They stand out like sore thumbs and can't see how it wasn't noticed before they took it back to the Van Centre for my collection.

Untitled by Nigel G, on Flickr

Untitled by Nigel G, on Flickr

Spread out on 2 windows, just above my head. they aren't clouds.

Untitled by Nigel G, on Flickr

And at the lower area of the windows (in the area of the reflection of my phone and my hand)

by Nigel G, on Flickr

 

[B.different]

That's poor that they have missed something as obvious like that. But to be fair it not that they don't want to have pride in there jobs it's just that they don't get enough time for the jobs. It doesn't matter if its insurance, sales or private, all 3 don't want to pay buy want a first class job doing. Unfortunately it's the way the trade has gone.

 

[VanDamMan]

I feel your pain….had a recall years back …they damaged paintwork……sent it to Denton repair Center from Manchester VC …it took 3 visits to get it correct….

never went back…..So happy with Liverpool VC

hope you get it sorted

 

[The black mamba]

Years ago we were told to handover the poorest conditioned cars in the rain. It's an old motor trade trick. They did know how bad the repair was on your van for certain, it would be impossible not to see it with a trained eye.
My advice would be very careful at believing anything they say.

 

[FerrisBFW]

Its not just the car trade, every trade, so many people just cant be arsed. You find the good people and stick with them.

 

[RNelson]

… mentality changes because it is a van, that’s my take on it, unless you take your pride and joy to a specialist entity who loves all things vans and rely strongly on reputations as a business.. just like the traders on here, I’ve used a few of them personally (CRS and Bognor) both I wouldn’t have any hesitation using again or recommend if asked.

Most places have the attitude of it just being a “van”, a commercial work horse and equally the vehicle gets treated the same way, no love given, attention to detail goes amiss, workmanship substandard etc. sadly some dealers, garages have those attitude, quick turnaround work is more priority than quality work.

I first experienced this when I needed new tyres, took my van to a local tyre shop… said to the guy to ensure the rims are not damaged, (I’ve experience damaged alloy previously from a main VW dealer) the reply I got, it’s only a van mate, what’s the big deal !.

Car parks are the same, people are more likely to take care around a “nice car”.. a van, maybe not.

Anyone else experienced this ?.

 

[cgtmiles]

I made the mistake of getting chips away to repair a scratch on the NSR quarter. After the first visit it was left with over spray all over the tailgate and a blob of something (lacquer I think) on the sliding door and a pretty patchy repair, second visit, better tailgate but still not great, marks on the sliding door and better but still rattle can look to the repair. I then escalated it so they sent someone else, he was no better, he tried to polish it all out but basically it seemed his main qualification over the first guy was better small talk. I then gave up and now try to live with it until I can find a trusted body shop to take it to. The bonnet really needs doing now and I have a scuff on the bumper so it’ll be a full respray soon!

My bmw before the van was damaged during a service and that repair the garage did was substandard too.

 

[DXX]

The title says ‘How can some people be so useless?’. My take on it is as a business why waste productive time and money on qualified employees when the vast majority of the British public are too scared / embarrassed to complain directly about a shoddy job. Only in the safety of their own home do they become keyboard warriors.

 

[Cupotea]

I made the mistake of getting chips away to repair a scratch on the NSR quarter. After the first visit it was left with over spray all over the tailgate and a blob of something (lacquer I think) on the sliding door and a pretty patchy repair, second visit, better tailgate but still not great, marks on the sliding door and better but still rattle can look to the repair. I then escalated it so they sent someone else, he was no better, he tried to polish it all out but basically it seemed his main qualification over the first guy was better small talk. I then gave up and now try to live with it until I can find a trusted body shop to take it to. The bonnet really needs doing now and I have a scuff on the bumper so it’ll be a full respray soon!

My bmw before the van was damaged during a service and that repair the garage did was substandard too.

Have to say Chips Away have done a fantastic job for me but obviously depends who you get.

 

[Jerry100]

I can totally relate to your frustration. I had a similar overspray issue with my car's repairs. The van centre should be understanding and willing to fix it for you. Just take it back, and they'll likely make it right. Good luck!