Halfords Auto centre Doncaster

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Halfords Auto centre Doncaster

2ombieboy

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Hi guys been looking at this forum for years and now finally signed up. I wanted to share my experience with Halfords auto centre Doncaster. which unforchantly is still ongoing.

Ok On the 20th of june was setting of in my car to take my daughter to hospital she had broken her hand at school. and went to put in to first gear. the car made a huge bang and the clutch pedal went to the floor. super my clutch cable had gone I thought. jumped out and called my dad to take daughter to fracture clinic. called aa out aa arrived and told me my car don't have a clutch cable and its hydraulic. so thy towed me to Halfords auto center Doncaster. I have used these before no problems. arrived and talked to the guy who told me they would hopefully have a look at car on the 21 or 22nd and get me the cost to repair. happy with that got a taxi home.

Now the 21st june got up to sort the kids out for school. kids went off on there way an I sit down with a brew. phone rings. Hello mr wilkinson its Halfords auto centre. there's been a little bit of crime with your car! so he tells me that my cars had its windows put threw and my alloys stolen. :mad:

So I say to the guy what do I do how the hell has this happened. he has no answers for me. with in 10 min the police call me to get my details. so now I am in shock and not a clue what to do so I call my insurance company for advice. (Admaril) so I talk to there claims team and they make a report and tell me thay can have the car recovered and fixed for me. I told them to leave it with me till dinner time. it was around 10 am at the moment. I call Halfords head office and talk to a guy called arron who tells me fear not mr Wilkinson we know about this and will fix your car and put new wheals on. super so I call Doncaster back to get a time scale. so I talk to the guy there he tells me hes not Shure how long it will take he has to prioritize customers cars. I got a bit pissed off and said am I not a customer now all of a sudden.

so a week go's by of me getting on at them to fix my car and getting no where its now Monday the 26th of june. he tells me that the master cylinder of the clutch has broken and the cost to fix it. I say just sort it fix my car. he also tells me that the glass was fixed on the 24th of june and the wheals had arrived.

Ok 27th june I call them around mid day and was told that I should be ok to pick the car up at around 5:30 as glass was fixed and wheals where on but thay had not got centre caps yet but hoping they would arrive in time. so 5:30 comes around and I get to Halfords. talked to the guy in reception says canter caps arrived and there on the bay finishing the car. take a seat. so I sit down and 5 min later he says cars out for you take a look and see if its all ok for you. I walk out and see the car for the first time since the 20th. I see my car and all the driver side of the car has the paint scraped off like someone's crashed it in to a wall. so I go I and kick off. he says oh it was like that when it came in. and I say it certainty was not. luckily I had taken photos of my car when it was dropped off as I was updating my friends on facebook. showed him my pictures and also told him that aa had pictures too when I was getting towed. he says ok we will get that fixed too.

So I go back to check the car all my cds and satnav mount phone charger are gone out of the car there's still glass in the car on the seat and when I put key in ignition glass flys out of the air vents. look in the boot my tool box and spare tyre are gone also. look at the wheals that's been fitted there not to bad little curbed but no more than the ones on before that's when I see my break discs. there all stoved in on the edges. asked him about this he tells me the thief's used my jack and it broke while taking the wheals off dropping my car on the disks damaging them.

so I go back in and do the paperwork with him ways he will sort my tool kit and spare out and spray the car. but before he relices car to me takes a payment from me of 278 quid for the clutch work. I pay on go on my way

on my way home from town car screen and dash light up warnings out the arse. I pull over and call Halfords back there all gone home so called aa out again. 45 min later aa arrive and do there thing tells me that the sencers are not connected to the new wheals and more than likely that's the problem. I ask aa guy if I am ok to drive it he says yes. so off I pop home

its now 04/07/2017 and I called the auto centre again for a time scale and just get given the run around. there not going to cover my cars contents or give me any compensation or anything. I am totally pissed off and just want my car back as it was when it went in but with the clutch pedol fixed.

Sorry for long post but I just needed to get this of my chest and warn others about the poor service I got. I would realy like to know what you guys think I should do now as I am at a loss. mot is in a week and would like it sorted before then.

Oh and admaril say I will always have a claim report on my file wich I now have to declare even tho my no claims is safe and I made no claim on my insurance :bang:

Alan
 
That's hell of an experience, is there an ombudsman that oversees garage businesses, surely Halfords have gone about this all wrong.
While the car is in their care they must be fully responsible.
Not much help i know but I don't know what else to say.
Hope you get it sorted.
 
If they are keeping the car for a few days, I would expect it to be either in a safe compound, or inside the workshop at night. I would therefore expect them to properly sort all the issues, including properly hoovering out the inside to remove all the broken glass. They also need to replace the brake discs.

Also talk to the AA. They chose the garage? So they have some responsibility, at least to help you get properly sorted with Halfords.

Be firm with any dealings. Don't lose your cool. Visit in person at their busiest time, and talk loudly in reception. They will be incentivised to sort you out before too many customers depart.

Good luck.
 
Christ! That's a horrendous experience and I'm really feeling for you.

I agree with the above, the responsibility falls on them, as they had custody of your car at the time. At the least I would expect it to be locked in the workshop or some form of safe storage. Being left to get mauled outside, which lets face it when they broke the windows, removed the wheels and had the tools out the boot as well as robbing the contents out of your car can't have happened in a blink of a eye.

At the least the paintwork damage was either caused by them or the theft, the car being left on its disks is going to have damaged them, the glass in the car, the windows and the tools along with your wheels all happened while the car was in their hands. So therefore it's only fair they should fix these matters.

Incidentally I would not only complain but mention that not only have the Autocentre team tried to palm you off with "it was like that before" but they returned a car with damaged brake parts which if they failed while driving it could have killed you or someone else.

Agreed on the plan of action. As mad as you must be, keep cool as much as you can. Make them aware that you will not accept anything less than the car back to the same condition it was given to them in. I would also consider asking for a refund of the work they completed on your car as let's face it, it was bust up on their property, they returned a car in a dangerous condition and furthermore attempted to lie their way out of it by saying it was partially damaged before the event.

Also agreed with Bill......a good time to vent your spleen is while there are a few customers around. Most times this will force action as they want to protect their reputation.

Keep us informed and good luck.
 
Absolutely shocking story in so many ways. I can only concur what has been said already, but it's worth mentioning, I would contact the board of directors/head man & explain your situation in letter/typed. This can have an effect. If this falls on deaf ears I would tell them you are going to the Press with the shabby way you have been treated.


Best of luck.
 
Thanks for the reply's so far guys. talked to them again today. I have to have the car sent to 3 garages now. as they cant do the remaining work them self's. has to go t a fiat specialist for the wheal sencers and another guy to spray it and then finaly when that's done back to Halfords for them to sort the locking wheal nuts. been told they will need the car for a few days to sort it all out. :( got mot on Tuesday but at a new garage a friend recommended.

Alan
 
Thanks for the reply's so far guys. talked to them again today. I have to have the car sent to 3 garages now. as they cant do the remaining work them self's. has to go t a fiat specialist for the wheal sencers and another guy to spray it and then finaly when that's done back to Halfords for them to sort the locking wheal nuts. been told they will need the car for a few days to sort it all out. :( got mot on Tuesday but at a new garage a friend recommended.

Alan

So they are providing you with a loan car then? They should really. If not I'd expect a big discount on the clutdh repair.
It also sounds like they put secondhand wheels on too. What about the tyres? There is no way I would accept used tyres on any car. They should be at least as good a brand as what was on before, new and all matching.

Robert G8RPI.
 
So they are providing you with a loan car then? They should really. If not I'd expect a big discount on the clutdh repair.
It also sounds like they put secondhand wheels on too. What about the tyres? There is no way I would accept used tyres on any car. They should be at least as good a brand as what was on before, new and all matching.

Robert G8RPI.



Agreed. Used wheels are one thing (which personally I wouldn't accept but none the less) used tyres are not acceptable. New tyres are the least I would ask for.

Incidentally is it the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System that's playing up? Because depending on what Fiat you have, it could be a indirect system. If it's indirect it means the system detects under inflation or blow out using the ABS system and wheel speed sensors to detect variation against its internal data banks. In that case there are no sensors to reset per say and can be reset using the on board computer system. Might be worth looking into.
 
the tires are used that are on and look to be warn unevenly outside edge. the car is a Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Sport. so has the sensors on the wheals its the valve things ive been told by the aa. when the aa came out the second time to me they checkd the car on the computer and told me that the new wheals don't have them on. explained they should be short metal valves not the standed long black ones.

Alan
 
Hi all. Horrendous !!! You've got a lot more patience than me.
I would send your original thread to the chief executive of Halfords as written. Tell him how you feel and cutting to the chase tell him exactly what you want, new wheels? tyres , discs, and the car back to how you want it.
What concerns me is what damage was done to the suspension and steering when the car fell off the jack as the discs seem badly damaged.
As for paying for the original work.
 
Thanks for letting us all know. I have been a customer of Halfords for 50 years and have over this time spent a Royal Fortune with them. Until I hear you are sorted and entirely satisfied that you are back to where you should be they will not see me or my wallet anywhere near any of their shops or outlets again. This story is not only staggering but entirely disgusting!

Please do let us know if this is resolved as it should be.

HALFORDS PLEASE NOTE THIS SORT OF BEHAVIOUR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
 
the tires are used that are on and look to be warn unevenly outside edge. the car is a Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Sport. so has the sensors on the wheals its the valve things ive been told by the aa. when the aa came out the second time to me they checkd the car on the computer and told me that the new wheals don't have them on. explained they should be short metal valves not the standed long black ones.

Alan

Hi,
You should insist on four new good brand tyres and new TPWS sensors (these are not cheap) properly set up by someone who knows what they are doing.
If the brake disks are actually damaged thats new disks and pads.
You also need to have the underside checked for damage. The scroats won't have cared where they put the jack. there could be crushed structure, pipes and or damaged underseal leading to corrosion later.

Robert G8RPI.
 
Agreed with all the points made so far.

It's lousy to fit used wheels and I wouldn't be happy, but to either fit or leave on a used set of tyres? Not acceptable. I agree on getting the car checked properly and make sure there are no surprises. Oh and getting the TPMS dealt with, I'd expect them to get this done properly. Even National Tyres can do that so the fact that Halfords can't manage it makes my brain hurt!

Like Peter I've spend a amount of money that doesn't bear thinking about in Halfords over the years. If they don't play ball I am more than happy to write to them myself and tell them that they can jam the trade card and I won't be buying from them again until they resolve the matter completely. After all there is NOONE liable in this other than them.
 
Speak with the insurance provider for the Auto centre. Explain what's happening and the area manager for the centre too. Give them a letter explaining that they have 14 day's notice before you can take them to small claims court. List anything you need to in the letter and then let them come back to you.
 
Wanted to call in at Halford's today for some plus gas and cleaning products. Thought of this post and decided not to bother,and drove past, so thats about £15 they lost out on today. Will go to the local autofactors instead. Less convenient but often cheaper. The great thing about shopping is that once you find a new place to go quite often you never go back. I have emailed Halford's my post off here for good measure.
 
New Update got the car inspected and mot'd at a new garage last week. and he was shocked to find a v large screwdriver in my engine bay with Halfords written on it. :mad: anyway Halfords have picked the car up today to be taken away to be sprayed. hoping to have it back in a few days fully painted sensors on the wheels done. and the spare wheel and tool kit replaced. all the other stuff there not doing. passed mot on brakes but on my advisory at there damaged. had to have suspension springs fixed but that's no Halfords fault. new garage treated my car like a princess and me like a king. was so impressed with the new place my dads taken his car there for his work done.

Anyway will update when I get the car back.

Alan
 
Well I am glad there has been some good news. I would suggest going to get some legal advice to get those wheels, tyres and brakes sorted. (Especially the brakes, the mot saying they are damaged is good ammunition to take them on with) They were not your responsibility so I can't see why then can't sort them.

Good luck and keep us informed!
 
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Picked car up as it6 was apparently done now. the only thing that's done right is the spare and tool kit is back. this is how they handed the car back to me. the tire pressure still not working the the valves are on. the pain you can still se where they crashed it in to the wall. the centre caps where brand new on look at the state of them now. I just got in the car and came home I am done with them now. going to get it all fixed and try to sue them. any one got any advice for me. will take more pictures of the brake disc damage too still not fixed

Alan

paint.jpg
centrecap.jpg
tp1.jpg
tp2.jpg
tp3.jpg
 
Throughout all this, do you have anything in writing from them about the incident? To take legal action against them, even a small claim, it would work better for you if there was something tying them in. Currently, they could claim that all the current damage has been sustained since you collected it, but the tyre pressure monitoring system is difficult for them to defend.
Don't do anything to repair it until you have sought legal advice, try Citizens Advice, but as soon as possible. Meanwhile don't put too many miles on, as each mile reduces the chance of proving the condition was due to them.
First thing might be to write a letter to their head office, stating simply what still needs to be done to return it to the condition it was in when you first delivered it to them. Include estimated costs if possible. State you hold them responsible, but after however many attempts, you no longer trust them to carry out the work, so intend to get the work done elsewhere and claim from them. Request they reply within a reasonable timescale, perhaps one week.
Don't repair anything until they are advised of your intentions, as they can argue that they were denied the opportunity to fix it.
Lots of photos, dated, will help here.
 
I have in righting that they are to fix the paint and a verbal contract for the other damages. and have a report from the aa about the tire sencers.

Its taken over a month and still the cars not back in the condition it was when they got it

Just contacted my legal team and have an appointment on Tuesday to try and see what to do

Alan
 
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