Should we ask for compensation ?

[Tugger67]

Hi , we recently took our new MH back to the dealership as the rear view camera wasn't working correctly. After a couple of days we had the call to say it's ready to collect . As we walked up to the service reception I could see our van was parked right up tight to a small grassy bank . I noticed that one of the rear bumper panels was cracked and split and I wasn't very happy. . The dealership apologized, they've repaired the damage and ordered a brand new replacement for fitting when it arrives. Should we accept this and move on or should we ask for something more ? .

 

[Richard n Ann]

Accept and move on. You might need them again

 

[David and Sally]

Accept and move on. You might need them again

Ditto.

 

[Cobnarowl]

Need more info.Was it 2nd hand. Is there more damage elsewhere.Is there a habitation report if not new.There are endless questions if you dont trust the dealer but was is it under warranty

 

[Tugger67]

Need more info.Was it 2nd hand. Is there more damage elsewhere.Is there a habitation report if not new.There are endless questions if you dont trust the dealer but was is it under warranty

It's a brand new MH , our first , we collected it in September last year, they've not charged us for the work. My concern is, and I know accidents happen, but shouldn't they have been taking more care and diligence with our vehicle.

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[Nanniemate]

It's a brand new MH , our first , we collected it in September last year, they've not charged us for the work. My concern is, and I know accidents happen, but shouldn't they have been taking more care and diligence with our vehicle.

You really don't want to know what they do with your pride n joy when your not looking.

Don't leave biscuits in the cupboard

 

[Cush]

I wouldn’t be comfortable asking for anymore than for it to be made good again. Although if you have lost earnings or holiday time then there may be a case to answer via insurance.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Accept and move on

 

[nicholsong]

Hi , we recently took our new MH back to the dealership as the rear view camera wasn't working correctly. After a couple of days we had the call to say it's ready to collect . As we walked up to the service reception I could see our van was parked right up tight to a small grassy bank . I noticed that one of the rear bumper panels was cracked and split and I wasn't very happy. . The dealership apologized, they've repaired the damage and ordered a brand new replacement for fitting when it arrives. Should we accept this and move on or should we ask for something more ? .

From a legal point of view, you are entitled to be put back into the situation before the damage. The dealer has done a temporary repair and will replace the part. You will then be in the position you were in before. There is no further claim for compensation.

From a customer relationship point of view, the dealer has admitted their mistake, done temporary repairs and will replace the part. Admirable customer service in my opinion.

They might even offer you a cup of coffee while they fit the part. Would you like 2 lumps or 3 to sweeten their service more?

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

I concur with nicholsong.

Only, if there would be a lower resale value due to the damage, would I think the pursuit of compensation reasonable. They've agreed to make good, the damage and pushing it might hurt you more long-term if, for example, you need their services in the future.

My 2p

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[Minxy]

No extra for the damage assuming it is correctly repaired however if it means an extra trip and expense for you they should cover that as it's not your fault you're having to go back again.

 

[Coolcats]

It's a brand new MH , our first , we collected it in September last year, they've not charged us for the work. My concern is, and I know accidents happen, but shouldn't they have been taking more care and diligence with our vehicle.

If a dealer makes good the damage they caused that should be sufficient compensation. When I was a young apprentice I took a fiat 500 out for a test drive the flipping suicide door latch was a bit iffy (or maybe I had not closed it properly and the darn thing flew open, now being a Fiat 500 you wouldn't thing it would be going fast enough to do proper damage...oh yes the Door had a very nice dent along with the rear pannel.

I also recall a steel wheel on an Alpha Sud caught a small pot hole..I swear those wheels were made from butter they bent almost by looking at them they were so soft.

My take on this is no one sets out to damage a vehicle, who ever drove your MoHo may be on a warning personally I wouldn't escalate as the individual could loose their job, as I started out saying the dealer is fixing the issue and that should be sufficient. The only thing I would suggest to the dealer is that if a fitter causes any damage they fess up before the customer finds it....

In case your not aware this is a Fiat 500 with a suicide door

 

[Coolcats]

No extra for the damage assuming it is correctly repaired however if it means an extra trip and expense for you they should cover that as it's not your fault you're having to go back again.

or a maybe a discount on servicing and damp check....

 

[Tugger67]

Accept and move on

If a dealer makes good the damage they caused that should be sufficient compensation. When I was a young apprentice I took a fiat 500 out for a test drive the flipping suicide door latch was a bit iffy (or maybe I had not closed it properly and the darn thing flew open, now being a Fiat 500 you wouldn't thing it would be going fast enough to do proper damage...oh yes the Door had a very nice dent along with the rear pannel.

I also recall a steel wheel on an Alpha Sud caught a small pot hole..I swear those wheels were made from butter they bent almost by looking at them they were so soft.

My take on this is no one sets out to damage a vehicle, who ever drove your MoHo may be on a warning personally I wouldn't escalate as the individual could loose their job, as I started out saying the dealer is fixing the issue and that should be sufficient. The only thing I would suggest to the dealer is that if a fitter causes any damage they fess up before the customer finds it....

In case your not aware this is a Fiat 500 with a suicide door

View attachment 1042275

I've never seen a Fiat 500 with a suicide door before, #intrigued

 

[Tugger67]

No extra for the damage assuming it is correctly repaired however if it means an extra trip and expense for you they should cover that as it's not your fault you're having to go back again.

It would mean another trip back to the dealership as it happens, also , the original issue (rear view camera) is still open for debate as we don't know if that's been sorted out yet either.

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[suavecarve]

It would mean another trip back to the dealership as it happens, also , the original issue (rear view camera) is still open for debate as we don't know if that's been sorted out yet either.

The irony of the broken rear view camera and the dealership reversing into a bank is not lost on me.

Accept and move on.

 

[carolyn]

I think you should consider yourself lucky that you noticed it before you left and not when you stopped en route or when you got home. They’re fixing it no problem. Just move on. By the time the new bit comes in you’ll know if the rear view camera works. It sounds as if they’re being entirely reasonable whereas if you start wanting compensation you will just look greedy and unreasonable in my book.

Accidents happen.

 

[eddie]

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask them to collect and re-deliver the motorhome for the repairs to save you the inconvenience

That gives them two goes at writing it off completely

 

[Shrimp]

Wouldn’t bother with compensation, you would be just ‘poking the Bear’, as we decided when we took the Cathargo back, it’s just not worth it!

 

[dunnah01]

I've never seen a Fiat 500 with a suicide door before, #intrigued

The early N & D versions had suicide doors until the later L & R versions went to normal doors from about 1968

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[Sue and Rick]

I always wonder, would they have told you about the accident if you hadn't seen it?

 

[jumar]

They broke it and will replace it... annoying for sure...but all parties should act in a reasonable way...they could have acted differently, perhaps denying it... I'd be happy with a replacement after I poked the driver in the eye with my finger..

 

[Odd-no-more]

If a dealer makes good the damage they caused that should be sufficient compensation. When I was a young apprentice I took a fiat 500 out for a test drive the flipping suicide door latch was a bit iffy (or maybe I had not closed it properly and the darn thing flew open, now being a Fiat 500 you wouldn't thing it would be going fast enough to do proper damage...oh yes the Door had a very nice dent along with the rear pannel.

I also recall a steel wheel on an Alpha Sud caught a small pot hole..I swear those wheels were made from butter they bent almost by looking at them they were so soft.

My take on this is no one sets out to damage a vehicle, who ever drove your MoHo may be on a warning personally I wouldn't escalate as the individual could loose their job, as I started out saying the dealer is fixing the issue and that should be sufficient. The only thing I would suggest to the dealer is that if a fitter causes any damage they fess up before the customer finds it....

In case your not aware this is a Fiat 500 with a suicide door

View attachment 1042275

I had a Fiat 600 with those doors, if I took a corner too fast a door would fly open. It was a bit of a wreck, I bought it for £5, so couldn't complain

 

[Odd-no-more]

I always wonder, would they have told you about the accident if you hadn't seen it?

Years ago I bought a mini metro when I collected it I noticed a slight dent on a door. They booked it in and gave me a loaner whilst it was fixed. When I went to collect it again the dent had been fixed. But there was a similar dent on the other door. I showed them and they fixed that too. The moral of this is always check the vehicle before you get in it.

 

[TDub49]

It's a brand new MH , our first , we collected it in September last year, they've not charged us for the work. My concern is, and I know accidents happen, but shouldn't they have been taking more care and diligence with our vehicle.

Accidents happen. It seems the dealer is doing the right thing - temp repar, full replacement at their cost. What more do you think they should do?

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[Jimbohorlicks]

As Coolcats suggested ask them for a discounted service for your inconvenience etc the next time you need one. It won't cost them anything but a marginal reduction in their profit

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

If your dealership is a fair distance away, let's say a 3 hours or more round trip I would be looking for the cost of getting there (twice) and any costs for a second vehicle following you there to bring you home if they can't do the job while you wait. My dealership offered me that without me asking because they had missed something which should have been picked up on their pre delivery inspection

 

[fishplug]

I would personally accept and move on.

Building a good relationship with the people that look after your vehicle pays dividends.

I always bring some snacks or beers for my lot, I've been known to swing by on a hot day and let them choose some ice creams from the van freezer just because I was passing.

So, when my Sprinter blew up, they had it in for a day to assess the damage and seeing as it was bad news (mechanically possible but financially stupid) they didn't charge me for their time or the oil they'd had to put in.

They also do things like scan the wife's car when it threw up an error and because they couldn't fit me in for the work they told me what part to order from Euro Car Parts (two doors down) and gave me tips on how to fit it. Cost to me for their time and consultation -zero.

Same with my bike. Bought it 20 years ago and it's still dealer serviced. When it got written off (I stopped at a red light, the minicab behind me didn't...) it was left with them over the winter to do 'bits and pieces' on when the workshop was quiet. Took about 6 months and I never once asked them how they were getting on with it. Net result was a labour bill that was around a quarter of what it should have been. I'd got to know them to the point that I was invited to the Sales Manager's 50th, and his 60th, and went to his house with some fish & chips when he'd been taken ill.

It's partly the way I view the world I guess, but I do believe that you reap what you sow in life so I'm quick to be nice to people and help where I can and I'm slow to engage in conflict and argument.

I pick my battles carefully. Life is too short and stress kills.

 

[Peterd82]

I consider goodwill is important and keeping a good relationship with the dealer, especially with a motorhome. You are probably going to need them again, possibly at a bad time. You hope that if something needs sorting as you are about to go away that they will fit you in as an “emergency” whereas if you don’t have a good relationship they might be booked up for weeks.

 

[Wildbill]

Just accept and drive on maybe they will give you a free coffee.
WB