Grrr - mechanics hurt my T4

**Deeceer** · 16-02-2009, 10:23 PM

So cheesed off, I just had to vent - I had a gear shift assembly bush break last Thursday on my way to work so I got the breakdown service to take my T4 straight to 'my' mechanics, ie. the shop I've had do a couple of services on it. Had no problems with the time they needed to do the job as I'd lobbed in unannounced, even got them to do a service while they were at it, and well pleased with the price but... as I was walking out to the van I noticed the seam on the under-edge of the body under the passenger door was completely folded up, quite obviously by a jack or lift arm. They'd done the same to a much lesser extent at the rear. The chief mechanic, who was walking out with me, of course denied it could possibly be anyone of his team but it plainly was - the damage wasn't there before they got it - and the speed with which he offered to 'straighten it up' for me (bend the seam back down into a vaguely straight but now subtlely upward curving line with a pair of long-handled plyers) was a real 'tell'.

Grrr - I'm so peed off. Quite aside from the way damage like that becomes an instant rust magnet, I've really liked dealing with these guys but now there's no way I can continue with them. I just can't trust them anymore, not only because it's such a stupidly fundamental stuff up but also because of the 'are you sure it wasn't there before?' ploy. If they'd admitted they'd stuffed up or had an accident I'd have been cool; even a non-committal 'I find it hard to believe one of our guys did it but if they did, I'm sorry' would have got them off the hook.

Sorry for going on but it's so maddening.

**Jmac** · 17-02-2009, 06:17 AM

Without doubt that is hoist damage. Seen it heaps, there is a special spot to lift these vans, if you lift on the sill they will fold.

**Deeceer** · 17-02-2009, 08:49 AM

Indeed, it was quite plainly hoist damage and I was disappointed by the way the chief mechanic reacted because the business makes a big deal of trustworthiness.

For various reasons I left the van at work overnight (though it's not a work vehicle, it's private use only) and I thought I'd sleep on it before coming to a final conclusion about how I'd go forward with it today but then I pulled into my work garage this morning, looked at it again and hit the roof afresh. What I'd persuaded myself overnight was a 'subtle' curve is in fact a very obvious arc of rippled metal and the lesser damage at the rear is quite obvious too. It's made what was a remarkably straight vehicle for its age begin to look decidedly ordinary.

I'll be talking to them about it again today.

**tapsy** · 17-02-2009, 11:18 AM

go for it! although some garages have signs that no liability accepted for damage,
but they should come good, if they are honest and sort it out for you
Good Luck

**jets** · 17-02-2009, 03:53 PM

Unfortunately you are not the first & wont be the last to experience this type of damage to your van.It's down to lack of training & care. It happens in the states as well.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4193237&page=1
I have read where someone in the US who highlighted the depressions for the lift points & instructed the garage/tyre joint when he dropped the van off.
I have a mechanic friend in western Sydney that when he needs to have tyres fitted he removes the wheels & takes them in his ute to avoid damage to his car.
I certainly feel for you ,I would be furious too. It's a pity we can't name & shame on this forum.

**Baytown** · 17-02-2009, 07:19 PM

My tail gate on my T5 now barely clears the rear bumper due to Bob Jane in Townsville jacking the van up by the tow bar. I now cant fir a bumper protection strip. Of course, not their fault even after I saw the van jacked up that way!
Next time I'll lay the law down, or take my $2000 tyre purchase somewhere else.

Ken.

**Deeceer** · 17-02-2009, 08:41 PM

Well, good news, kind of. I sent a gently phrased email this morning, just expressing disappointment in what had happened, and received a call back a couple of hours later with a very conciliatory tone, still not openly accepting responsibility but offering to share in getting the damage properly repaired. I can't really afford part of a panel beating bill but it's better than the whole thing, and I feel much more kindly disposed towards them again. I suspect the head mechanic knows what happened.

**Seano** · 19-02-2009, 10:04 AM

Might I suggest that you take up the issue of the damage with your insurance company....it should be considered 'not your fault' and the insurance company WILL do a very thorough job at recovering their costs from your mechanics insurance company.....