Technical Problems now cost money!!

[T14086]

True although there are quite a few inderpendent garages there that are doing well.However despite having the monopoly Fiat are not stupid and are 'cracking' down on them to improve customer relations & implying strict new guidelines,hopefully all north of the border will see the benefits soon.Sadly there are some excellent technicians working north of the border,it's the management that let the side down!

 

[cmc]

must agree AC are awful. I've had to make suggestions to them about how to rectify faults on a number of occassions to get work done properly.

My experience of the third year warranty is to argue over every point unless it is clearly excluded from the 3rd year documentation exclusions list. If need be, phone the Fiat 3rd year warranty team for clarification.

I've been told (don't know if its true) that the garages are not allowed to recover full charge out rates for the technicians time spent when billing fiat. This might be a motivation in itself.

ps can you buy the 4th and 5th years retrospectively or does it need to be done at the time of buying the car new?

cmc

 

[T14086]

No better or worse than any other orginisation I suppose,I have dealt with others & despite what they say/act they are after your money and thats the end of it.Sadly the customer these days must be 'clued up' on cars to a extent so they dont get ripped off.I am quite happy to explain to the customer exactly what work I have done if required,infact this is how it should be.
Just a thought though,how many of us question the bill from the plumber/electrician/builder/surveyor/solicitor? We know we are getting ripped off but dont complain,so what is the British mentality about complaing about garages? We buy houses for £150,000 without even looking at them closely yet go mad when that secondhand car costing £3500 has a tiny scratch on it & the glovebox light doesn't work

 

[Stu DemonD]

ps can you buy the 4th and 5th years retrospectively or does it need to be done at the time of buying the car new?

cmc

You used to be able to, because I was going to buy it when I bought the Ulysse from new in 2003, BUT was told by the salesman to wait until 3rd year is up.

HOWEVER, this practice has now stopped, and my dealership has basically given me a number for a 3rd party warranty body, and told to sort it myself. NICE

 

[Rothwell999]

i have the worst luck ever, i am sure of it. my car is booked in on thursday to have repiars carried out. but the seats that were going to repaired by the re-trimmers has, wait for it gone bloodly bust. cant believe it. so now there is a compay handling all of its warnnty work but that is in wolverhampton. about 60 - 80 miles away from me and fiat say he told them there is no way he can bring the equipment needed to fix the seats leather to me, so i would have to go all the way down there. ( this guy is not even english so they had trouble talking to him )

well everbody any sugestions would be helpful as i am dumbstuck what to do as it is this time only that its not fiats fault.

 

[T14086]

Could you try a local sofa upholster? I used to work for a small company & most of there money came from leather car seats,worth a phone call?

 

[1.8Stilo]

I hope that the garage are going to pay your travel expenses if your going to be traveling 60-80miles! Sounds like a raw deal; i should think the garage would be able to get somebody closer to re-trim the seat! Maybe hassle them to try a sofa company like suggested!

 

[Rothwell999]

finally the car has been sorted, they:

re attached the cable to door lock.
tested fan and ordered a replacment ecu
re fitted air vent in dash
no luck with the seats but they said one of the mechanics has a brother who does upholstery so he could do it cheap and its local!!

anyway just got to book it in with fiat for new ecu.
thanks for all your replies to this thread