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Legal matters

Where do I stand with charge for car service?

12 replies

WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 17:12

I bought a new car three years ago, it came with 2 free services. I don't do much mileage so the first 12kmiles service was as 18 months. I took it in for its second service this week at 21kmiles as it's due an mot next month and I wanted to make sure it would get through.

I phoned the dealership who did the first service and the girl said it was my second free service, I booked the car in, they did the service and I picked the car up with no mention of a charge. They have since phoned me to say that the offer was 2 free services within 2 years and as I brought the car in 'so late' I will have to pay for the cost of the service.

I said that they told me it was free and they failed to mention when I dropped the car off, or picked it up that there was a charge so it isn't fair to call me up days later and ask me to pay. They knew how old the car was when they booked it in, they knew the date of the last service so they should have known at the point of service if I had to pay or not.

The girl has said that she will have to pass this on to her boss, but can anyone tell me where I stand on having to pay for this?

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 18:02

Bumping

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scurryfunge · 22/02/2013 18:05

What does the terms and conditions say?

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 19:05

I don't know where the original documentation is so they may be quite right that the two services had to be done within the first two years. But my argument is that when I phoned up to book a service they told me it was free, serviced it without mentioning anything, let me drive off with no mention of a cost. Surely they either had to tell me there was a charge when I booked it or when I turned up on the day, or even when I collected the car. Not days later.

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KatieMiddleton · 22/02/2013 19:14

I would think the contract with garage is the verbal one you agreed. You have them the information they told you no charge. If they had informed you there was a charge you may not have taken the car there for its service. It's tough luck to complain after the work has been done.

Regardless of the legal position from a service position they should honour the agreement to do it for free. It was their error. They should sort it out. Tell them you're very sorry but the agreement you had was for a free service. If they have problems managing their administration that is their problem, not yours.

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KatieMiddleton · 22/02/2013 19:14

Gave not have. Stupid phone.

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NotADragonOfSoup · 22/02/2013 19:20

I think a service is usually performed at a time interval or distance, whichever is shortest so your first service should have been at 12 months and the second at 2 years... The timeframe they say was part of the T&C.

However, I don't know what the legal stance is on them "forgetting" to charge you. Part of me thinks its their problem but this may not be the case.

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 19:25

Thanks, that's what I was hoping. If they'd corrected themselves when I turned up that would be one thing, as I would then have the choice to go elsewhere, but telling me after? I just didn't know if my gut feel was right.

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 19:27

Sorry x posted with soup.

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 19:29

Soup it isn't that they forgot, they told me it was free. I'm confused now!

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monkeyfacegrace · 22/02/2013 19:40

Tell them to stick it.
They cant make you pay.
They are trying their luck.
Relax and ignore.

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fedupwithdeployment · 22/02/2013 19:42

I would stand your ground. Say that the verbal agreement overrides whatever the written agreement said (not that you are aware that it disentitles you to a "late" service). Anyway, what are they going to do about it? Sue you? I would be very nice and polite but clear.

Good luck.

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WitchOfEndor · 22/02/2013 20:29

Thanks both I'm going to stand my ground and hope that they back off. I don't want to piss them off because they are my local dealership but I don't want to pay for something they told me was free (especially as I need to get new tyres and get it through an mot soon)

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