What would you do? [unable to get my car as someone is ill]

Akagi

Akagi

Akagi

Caporegime
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29 Jul 2011
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In acme's chair.
So my car went in for welding & alignment work a two and a half weeks ago, and it was expected back last Monday at the latest. The total cost of the work is £200.

The work was completed on time, but unfortunately the person who completed the repairs has fallen ill, and is unable to leave the house (an inner ear infection meaning he feels disorientated or something). The car is locked up in his yard (away from his home) which has guard dogs, and I have been told that for this reason I can't simply get the key and retrieve the car from the yard myself.

Due to this I have so far been without a car for over a week longer than expected, which has caused great inconvenience, and getting to work has cost me £50 in train fares so far, as well as making me feel quite down, and I have no idea how long it will be until he is fit enough to accompany me to the yard so I can retrieve my car.

If the delay was because he was being bone idle, I would simply refuse to pay the full amount, but because he has fallen ill, I feel like it would be unkind of me to do this.

He is a friend of the family, but not a friend of mine personally. So I know think his reasoning is genuine, but at the same time, without meaning to sound blunt, I don't really care what he thinks of me.

What would you do OcUK?
 
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I'd be asking for a refund of the costs. A week without your car is hardly reasonable, and he really should have been able to make provisions to get you your car if he's so ill he can't leave his home. Someone will or should be making trips there if there are guard dogs, as they'll have to be fed. So it really doesn't sound reasonable at all.
 
One would assume that the guard dogs don't live there and feed themselves, so why could you not just go with whoever is looking after the dogs?

edit - damn you
 
At £200 you were probably getting the job done cheap anyway. From somebody who has had loads of experience with huge delays trusted mechanics that end up messing you about and all the rest. I would suggest the following, chalk it up to experience, take it on the chin and wait. Next time either do it yourself, or go yourself and find a reputable place, you might even surprise yourself and find some brilliant local businesses as I did.

Things get complicated when its friends of the family or even family sometimes.
 
As already said, either the guard dogs are dead or somebody has access and is feeding them, this surely should be the route to retrieving your car back.

As for the cost, perhaps he will offer you a discount as means of goodwill, ultimately its not his fault he's ill but, nor should you be out of pocket either.

Rather than a full refund, if he covered your train fares and gives you a drink for the inconvenience then all good imo.

You get what you pay for, this wouldn't have arisen at a Main dealer or regular garage business but they would have more than likely charged a fair whack more.
 
I didn't arrange for this work to be done, it was arranged by a certain family member, without my knowledge, and without them even knowing how much it would cost.

I have essentially said that they need to get it back within what I deem to be a reasonable time, or things might become a little more complicated for them.

I have also made it very clear that I never want them to interfere in business relating to my car ever again...
 
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I think you post too much about your private life, 90% of the above was unnecessary. Same goes for your last thread which descended in people bringing up information which had nothing to do with your original question/point.
 
That's gratitude for ya, dad sorts out a job on the cheap trying to help you out. Didn't work out so well this time... My original post still stands :)
 
I'm not a doctor but I'm calling BS on can't leave the house for an ear infection, can't drive probably but he has an ear infection for christs sake, not like he's had his legs amputated is it.

Sort out someone to drive him to the lock up to get the keys and it's sorted.

Unless he's ****ed your car up and is stalling to find time to fix it :p
 
I did wonder if he has ****ed it up and is stalling for time... If he has then Dad is in on it as well.
 
shauncr91 said:
I'm not a doctor but I'm calling BS on can't leave the house for an ear infection, can't drive probably but he has an ear infection for christs sake, not like he's had his legs amputated is it.

Sort out someone to drive him to the lock up to get the keys and it's sorted.

Unless he's ****ed your car up and is stalling to find time to fix it :p
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Having had bad ear infection I can tell you that even standing up can be problem, you can be laid in bed and only have to move your head slightly and it looks like the room is spinning in front of your eyes.
 
Does he bare knuckle fight?

Does he like dags?

Scrap that bloody car and replace it already, with something more solid and reliable.


Like a Princess or an Allegro.
 
Neil777 said:
Having had bad ear infection I can tell you that even standing up can be problem, you can be laid in bed and only have to move your head slightly and it looks like the room is spinning in front of your eyes.
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Fair enough.

Still doesn't change the fact that someone is obviously spending time where his car is or the dogs would be dead by now from starvation so there's something he isn't letting on.
 
shauncr91 said:
Still doesn't change the fact that someone is obviously spending time where his car is or the dogs would be dead by now from starvation so there's something he isn't letting on.
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Nah, the dogs are still feasting off the bodies of everyone who has been there and tried to steal your car...

It's an inconvenience for sure but is it all that serious? Probably not, it sounds as if you're getting the work done quite cheaply so perhaps you just need to contact the guy and say that the next time someone goes to take care of the dogs you'd like to pick up your car at the same time. That way you're giving him a reasonable way to sort it out and deal with his obligation to you.
 
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