Great Car - Pity about the after sales service, or should I say lack of service

[woofy]

There are no other Skoda dealers left in Perth if I am recalling correctly, otherwise I suspect they would.

[brad]

People are filmed or in some way monitored (GPS tracking / voice recording) at work all the time. Why should it be any different at a dealership? If you aren't doing anything wrong then what's the issue (sure, you might be pegged picking your nose. Big deal).

It would be only a voice recording, unless the cameras are pointing inwards or sideways. If the bonnet is up then what will you see?

Why put yourself through all this for a relatively trivial car servicing issue, ie a faulty sunroof operation? Just take it to another mechanic.

What part of "the only Skoda warranty provider in Perth" don't you understand?

Why should the OP pay for both the warranty repair of the sunroof and the rectification of damage done by the dealership mechanics? I've known of 3 year old cars to be written off due to sunroof issues.

[sillyboy]

I hope this gets rectified for you as soon as Skoda Aus/VW Aus got notified, I believed you have done the right thing sharing your experiences with us.

[bobski]

I love how quickly people throw their privacy under the bus. Because you can secretly film someone doesn't mean you should - if you'd said "I'm filming in the car, do you mind?" and they agreed it might be a different story. I'm no lawyer, don't know if its legal or not - but just don't buy into the "if you aren't doing anything wrong, you shouldn't worry". The mob doesn't give two sh*ts about that and that is all the internet and social media is, the Mob running around lynching people.

As for the problem, that's absolutely terrible service and you have every right to demand more. I feel like if you have a problem outside their ability, companies are much better off being straight up about it instead of wasting your time over and over.

[Transporter]

Yes, I agree. There is a reason for the message you hear when you call your telco company..."this call is being recorded for training and other purposes, please tell the operator, if you don't wish to participate".

...and for sure it's a different story, when you have set up camera somewhere outside of your residence that secretly records and you aren't part of the footage. It's very likely illegal.

[ZinbAd]

I think the poster did the right thing by warning other potential buyers in WA...
Why should he foot the bill for a warranty issue and the resulting damage caused?

Not all dealers are bad.. My VW dealer did some warranty work with professionalism and respect for me being a customer..
Which in this case seems to have not happened..
The parent companies are very strict about feedback nowadays mainly due to the bad rep they can get via social media so it is vital to make them aware of this..

As for the use of a dash cam.. I am thinking of getting one.. What is the rule?
If a dash cam records a person damaging my vehicle and talking about it, is it illegal?
If the footage was handed over to the cops will I be arrested for violating the privacy of the person who damaged my vehicle?

[Hillbilly]

I think the poster did the right thing by warning other potential buyers in WA...
Why should he foot the bill for a warranty issue and the resulting damage caused?

Not all dealers are bad.. My VW dealer did some warranty work with professionalism and respect for me being a customer..
Which in this case seems to have not happened..
The parent companies are very strict about feedback nowadays mainly due to the bad rep they can get via social media so it is vital to make them aware of this..

As for the use of a dash cam.. I am thinking of getting one.. What is the rule?
If a dash cam records a person damaging my vehicle and talking about it, is it illegal?
If the footage was handed over to the cops will I be arrested for violating the privacy of the person who damaged my vehicle?

If you use it as intended, on public roads there is no problem as you are allowed to film in public places or on your own property. If as done here you use it in a company's workshop it is private property and you may be in trouble.
I found mine had been on at my last service because for some reason the ignition was on for nearly an hour. i didnt do it, they did but I got to see the video. Dont know why it was left on for that time and not really happy about it.

Some places have notices now saying no cameras in workshop

[Bayman]

Email Paul Gover from Cars Guide, I think his email that still works is Paul.Gover@bigpond.com or Paul.Gover@news.com.au with all details of your gripe. On Melbourne radio this week he was stating how he thought Skoda was a great brand of Car which is unusual for him as he normally only promotes Kia.
He (if he wants) will take your case to the MD of Skoda and seek a resolution on your behalf. Stay calm as only having one dealer is not a great situation to be in. I'd suggest avoiding the make for that reason, but we are well over due for lemon laws in this country.

Keep pounding regardless, people have had cars replaced under confidentiality agreements in the past so you can always take your case to a tribunal or at worst legal action, especially with the evidence you have. I'm sure a current affairs show would love to run your story, providing they don't have Skoda as an advertiser .

Good luck. Get Paul on the case.

[Yagadan]

I'm also an RS owner in Perth. We are very limited with options for warranty work. Ill be getting all my general servicing done at a VW private mechanic I trust

[parisfrance]

As the eternal optimist we have been convinced to bring the car in for one more go at repairing the various problems with the car.

In the Service Manager's own words, "we have the $1200 roof lining part here so why not let us at least fix it at no cost to you".

We have agreed to let them have the car for up to eight calendar days, during which time we will have use of a loan car. Note the loan car includes a $2000 excess payable by us if damaged; I will be checking the documentation before driving off to ascertain whether this is payable only if we are at fault or also includes damage by a third party. Including when the vehicle is left unattended, which happened to us once in San Francisco when our hire vehicle was side swiped while parked on a street. Fortunately we had full comprehensive insurance coverage with minimal excess and walked away only slightly out of pocket.

Wish us luck. Fingers crossed they can provide us with professional service this time and actually fix the problem rather than creating new ones.

For those of you who thought it necessary to offer unsolicited legal counsel; despite it being unnecessary and ignorant of facts both proffered and withheld, I leave you with the following.

https://xkcd.com/386/