General Compensation from Fiat???

[dougl65]

I have been without my then 4-day-old car since Monday 21st April due to a non-functioning Blue and Me system. I have a case file open with Fiat Customer Services. I got the fully functioning car back tonight after having had the Blue and Me computer replaced.

While the car was in I had a Grande Punto 1.2 Active as a loaner, for which I had to pay £17.50 to obtain insurance via the dealer.

Do you think I should ask Fiat for compensation and if so what sort of compensation should I seek or expect?

Any realistic opinions and hopes appreciated.

Doug

 

[306maxi]

You have a warranty. Not a guarantee that your car will be without fault. At most, Fiat should give you your 17.50 back. I know it must be frustrating having that issue with a new car but when any electrical good is new that's when it's likely to fail.

 

[dougl65]

Thanks for the reply. They were however giving £250 of vouchers for delayed cars with the HG problem. And that probably didn't cause as much delay as this!

 

[306maxi]

Thanks for the reply. They were however giving £250 of vouchers for delayed cars with the HG problem. And that probably didn't cause as much delay as this!

That's great I would ask for that and see if you get lucky

 

[custard]

so you paid £17.50 for insurance?
no other out of pocket expenses?
well maybe you will get that,but what else?
you have the use of a car and unfortunatly faults are fact of life withcars

 

[Italian Coke Can]

You should of seen how fast 2nd gear got in the punto.

 

[Scrogg]

You have a warranty. Not a guarantee that your car will be without fault. At most, Fiat should give you your 17.50 back. I know it must be frustrating having that issue with a new car but when any electrical good is new that's when it's likely to fail.

so you paid £17.50 for insurance?
no other out of pocket expenses?
well maybe you will get that,but what else?
you have the use of a car and unfortunatly faults are fact of life withcars

You guys don't know how refreshing it is to see that not everyone on a car forum is of the opinion that they are automatically entitled to some sort of financial gain every time something goes wrong.

I thank and salute you both!

 

[dougl65]

I'm actually expecting very little. But it has been a rather large inconvenience and has cost considerably more than just £17.50 in terms of time, tube fares and calls.

 

[306maxi]

You guys don't know how refreshing it is to see that not everyone on a car forum is of the opinion that they are automatically entitled to some sort of financial gain every time something goes wrong.

I thank and salute you both!

I've worked in the IT industry for a while so I've heard people yelling for compensation. Not referring to the OP but people don't understand what a warranty is

 

[andy armitage]

Like scrogg says it's just one of those things, annoying but there are people going through far worse in life with illness etc, they will sort it out for you and then things will be great again

 

[Scrogg]

Like scrogg says it's just one of those things

I didn't say that...

...well, not on here anyway!

 

[dougl65]

I'm beginning to feel like a Pariah for even suggesting this....

Just a bit p***ed off that this could have been missed on the PDI. The mileage was flashing as I drove away so it was wrong on delivery.. and what's a PDI for.

The dealer and Fiat CS have been DREADFUL with communication and any semblance of politeness. Having come from a series of different cars I am a bit shocked. Mercedes to be fair were worse, Hyundai and Honda streets ahead and couldn't do enough.

Fiat need to improve their dealer network and their CS. Promised phone calls just do not happen.

I am sure there are some very good guys out there like Simon form Wessex, but when the majority are poor, what is the customer to do?

Of course the answer is probably not buy another Fiat.

Still, I am relieved to get my car back functioning as it should after a week from hell. (I got knocked off my 6 week old motorbike by a white van man who was not paying attention... bike is a write off and I am severely battered and bruised). So, no car, no bike and feeling a bit miffed with the world in general.

To be fair the dealership were absolutely first rate this evening, but they need to be like that all of the time!

 

[white 500]

I'm actually expecting very little. But it has been a rather large inconvenience and has cost considerably more than just £17.50 in terms of time, tube fares and calls.

claim for tube fairs extra call costs incured the £17.50 plus about £50 for inconvenience if they don't go for that try for a free service and valet

 

[dougl65]

A free first service would be absolutely spot on....

 

[Scrogg]

claim for tube fairs

Agree with that.

extra call costs incured

And that.

the £17.50

And definitely that.

plus about £50 for inconvenience

But not that.

if they don't go for that try for a free service and valet

Or that.

 

[dougl65]

Ok, so we've had the Fiat insider point of view.... what does the general populus think?

 

[Scrogg]

Ok, so we've had the Fiat insider point of view....

Working for a Fiat dealership doesn't influence my view in the slightest.

 

[baldrick500]

Ok, so we've had the Fiat insider point of view.... what does the general populus think?

Like others have said that is what a warranty is for. You have been provided with a replacement car. The defect didn't stop you using the car so it could have been a low priority, especially if all the courtesy cars had been booked out. To me it sounds like thay have looked after you ok. Something to help out with the insurance would be a nice gesture. Did they give you the option of risking a large excess on their insurance or using your own?

Note that some insurance companies will give you cover for courtesy cars whilst yours is in the garage, which is quite a good deal as many will sting you if your courtesy car is higher value than your own when it goes in.

Cheers
Baldrick

 

[306maxi]

Ok, so we've had the Fiat insider point of view.... what does the general populus think?

I'm part of the general populace and I agree

The warranty for your car covers repairs to the car within the warranty period. If Fiat sort it then they've done all they're obliged to do. If they give you compensation then consider yourself lucky

 

[roadster1_98]

I'm beginning to feel like a Pariah for even suggesting this....

Just a bit p***ed off that this could have been missed on the PDI. The mileage was flashing as I drove away so it was wrong on delivery.. and what's a PDI for.

The dealer and Fiat CS have been DREADFUL with communication and any semblance of politeness. Having come from a series of different cars I am a bit shocked. Mercedes to be fair were worse, Hyundai and Honda streets ahead and couldn't do enough.

Fiat need to improve their dealer network and their CS. Promised phone calls just do not happen.

I am sure there are some very good guys out there like Simon form Wessex, but when the majority are poor, what is the customer to do?

Of course the answer is probably not buy another Fiat.

Still, I am relieved to get my car back functioning as it should after a week from hell. (I got knocked off my 6 week old motorbike by a white van man who was not paying attention... bike is a write off and I am severely battered and bruised). So, no car, no bike and feeling a bit miffed with the world in general.

To be fair the dealership were absolutely first rate this evening, but they need to be like that all of the time!

Don't feel like this at all my friend going by this forum Fiat people are quite happy to put up with a Pish product. I was told on this forum that the fact my indicators didn't self cancel was down to character FFS!!

My car was off the road for 2 weeks and I was told I would be sent vouchers or such like I'm still waiting My 500 was bought on the promise of improved dealers and quality. No car is perfect that I know from experience its the way the problems are dealt with that makes the difference take a leaf out of others books Fiat and quickly.