Hi,

 

Still having problems with my garage. until I can collect my car (in bits) they are telling me i owe them about £8000 this is a new development.

 

Of course we have questioned what that £8000 is for. They have sent me two invoices which they believe i owe them the money for.

 

The first invoice was garage services which i have got checked out no problems.

 

the second invoice is for engine machining costs and head work.

 

Is there anyone who would help look over the hours they have put down for the work done.

 

for example: they have charged 40 hours to "Labour: Cutting new valve seats, fitting new stems, porting head, fitting springs"

 

There are other items also.

 

What I need is someones or places i can ask about 8 items i have been charged for on this invoice for how long they would take.

 

Solicitor said i need 3 different machine shops to comment. At this point i am asking a favour and will not ask you to stand by me in court.

 

This is purely for us to see how long things take to do.

 

Garage one was easy but engine services i need some ideas of who to ask.

 

thanks....

 

 

Yes this is still going on!!! didnt pick my car up friday although they promised a smooth hand over. £8000 for bags/boxes of bits. A car with no engine in.

 

The engine also in bits.

Holy Crap.. good luck. Just be carful of going legal as it could cost you another 15K in costs if the claim is over 15K and take a year to get into court if it is Multi track claim then you need to enforce payment as well.

 

IMO just pay the external labour part and a "reasonable" amount for anything else. You need to get off them in writing why exactly they have failed to complete the build. Otherwise in court they will say they were unable to complete the contract reasonably because you took the car or failed to pay a bill etc.

here mate give this guy a bell on 01245 362625 (BGV Engineering)

 

Very old school and not alot he doesnt know about fine tuning with a bridge port :)

 

i use him alot for all my machining.

worth a shout

http://guideto.iaea.org.uk/default.htm

 

cheers

Thanks......

 

 

This is the email i have sent out.

 

Please comment if anyone works for a machine shop or able to comment.

 

 

 

Can I ask how long the following items would take to do?

 

The garage who has been doing my engine has stung me on hours for workshop labour. I also believe this may be the case on the machining. 40 hours for number 6. Below seems a very long time.

 

I have been charged for a dummy build which they have sent a pic to me of and for 20 hours I feel allot was missed off as if they were pulling a fast one. Pic attached with my comments on. Even so 20 hours is a very very long time just for a dummy build.

 

The engine is a V6 with 4 cam shafts and two heads.

 

 

1…Crankshaft: Regrind Crankshaft (per journal) QTY 6 @ £30.00 each £180.00

2…Crankshaft: Crack Detection QTY 1 @ 15.00 each £15.00

3…Engine Block: Balance V6 rotating components QTY 1 @ £182.00 £182.00

4…Labour: Dummy builds: Modifying performance parts and PTV clearance checks HOURS 20 @ £50.00 per hour £1,000.00

5…Labour: Cutting new valve seats, fitting new stems, porting head, fitting springs HOURS 40 @ £50.00 per hours £2,000.00

6…Engine Block: Deck cylinder head surfaces (perpendicular to crank centre line) QTY 2 @ £150.00 £300.00

7…Engine Block: Cylinder Hone and Bore (per cylinder) QTY 6 @ £35.00 £210.00

 

 

How much would you believe the above mentioned would take.

 

1…

2…

3…

4…

5…

6…

7…

 

Any more information of comments would be gratefully received.

 

Regards,

 

Chris.

strange how Items 3 & 4 are nice round numbers ...

 

you can also try CTM engineering to give you ball park figures

you need Jimmer to comment on this bud.

worth a shout

http://guideto.iaea.org.uk/default.htm

 

cheers

 

Yeah That looks good, will send them a letter thanks.

 

They dont have a email address.

We have just rebuild a corvette c3 V8 engine full rebuild borred out etc this is what we were charged, 2 extra pots and alot less then that.....

 

 

New Crank inc adjustments

New Bottom end shells

Block acid dipped and painted

New Valves/Stems/Springs Ported + Polished

Block Bored out from a 350 to a 355

block and heads skimmed

New expansion plugs fitted

all built ready to just drop in the car.

 

full rebuild labour cost £500 excluding parts

 

We have just finished running the engine in and its awsome... this garage of yours need a reality check!!

 

Craig

1…Crankshaft: Regrind Crankshaft (per journal) QTY 6 @ £30.00 each £180.00

2…Crankshaft: Crack Detection QTY 1 @ 15.00 each £15.00

3…Engine Block: Balance V6 rotating components QTY 1 @ £182.00 £182.00

4…Labour: Dummy builds: Modifying performance parts and PTV clearance checks HOURS 20 @ £50.00 per hour £1,000.00

5…Labour: Cutting new valve seats, fitting new stems, porting head, fitting springs HOURS 40 @ £50.00 per hours £2,000.00

6…Engine Block: Deck cylinder head surfaces (perpendicular to crank centre line) QTY 2 @ £150.00 £300.00

7…Engine Block: Cylinder Hone and Bore (per cylinder) QTY 6 @ £35.00 £210.00

 

Biggest load of tosh ive ever heard!!!

 

1 - Crank regrind should be no more than £100 - ask to see his invoice fo this work as they are unlikely to do it themselves

2 - OK will give them that

3 - WTF??? think there charging you for new equipment there bud

4 - LMFAO so their expecting for YOU to pay for them to train themselves??? if there not competent to do the build in the first place they should have never took it on!!! dummy build my arse

5 - LOL pi55 take even if you took your time it should take no more than 8 hours for a decent mechanic with all the right facilities and tools, even if you rounded it upto 10 hours.

6 -Should cost no more than £150-200

7 - Again very expensive should cost no more than £150

 

There trying to rip you off plain and simple so stick to your guns bud

 

Mike

Thanks...

 

If you like that i have something even better for you.

 

Should see my other invoice.

 

That is machining which i was unsure about.

 

But the garage service bill i even laughed at after all what happened.

I know the last time i was at this garage, no way they had the facilities to do this machining work, some basic stuff perhaps. so they must have invoices for the work they "sent out"

smithy

Thanks Paul.

 

I dont think they have all the facilities still, they do have some however.

 

My owner concern would be, could they bump the price up if they had words with the machine shop.

well everyone has to keep books, so providing the receipts are all genuine with vat and reg numbers etc and details and how paid, then you'll have to take it as that i guess.

Kirbz is pretty spot on with prices he mentioned, CTM prices being specialist in this field of work is what i would take as pretty average and reasonable.

 

Your garage were always mappers 1st and mechanics 2nd. I blew a piston there some years ago and they didn't want to know about a rebuild.

smithy

Really sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations, it does sound like they're trying it on.

 

One thing that I would suggest, if you are going to send out that email, is to remove all references to being stung, them taking too much time and all the rest. You need to ask for your estimates in as neutral a way as possible, to avoid accusations of bias. (It's not as if people aren't going to guess there's a dispute, but there's no point in handing ammo to the opposition)

 

I'd really look into contacting the ieae (contact details http://guideto.iaea.org.uk/contact.htm) as Uno suggests, this is exactly the sort of thing they're around for.

 

Hope you manage to get a bit further this time around!

Cant believe what they have charged you mate:nono:

 

I had my heads skimmed decked ported and totally rebuilt with the plenum and inlet manifold ported to match for £550

 

Bottom end rebuilt bored and honed to fit larger pistons and the engine built for about £750.

 

Really hope you get to the bottom of this because they are clearly taking the pi$$

Deffo take this to IAEA Chris - these people are seriously taking the pi$$ bud :headvswal

 

Good luck!

 

Steve :)

fookme who, is doing the work bud, id be fuming, would prob end up in court myself for battering the fookers lol

Couple of those prices on the list are ok ish some are:shock:

Hi,

 

Still having problems with my garage. until I can collect my car (in bits) they are telling me i owe them about £8000 this is a new development.

 

Of course we have questioned what that £8000 is for. They have sent me two invoices which they believe i owe them the money for.

 

The first invoice was garage services which i have got checked out no problems.

 

the second invoice is for engine machining costs and head work.

 

Is there anyone who would help look over the hours they have put down for the work done.

 

 

 

 

for example: they have charged 40 hours to "Labour: Cutting new valve seats, fitting new stems, porting head, fitting springs"

 

There are other items also.

 

What I need is someones or places i can ask about 8 items i have been charged for on this invoice for how long they would take.

 

Solicitor said i need 3 different machine shops to comment. At this point i am asking a favour and will not ask you to stand by me in court.

 

This is purely for us to see how long things take to do.

 

Garage one was easy but engine services i need some ideas of who to ask.

 

thanks....

 

 

Yes this is still going on!!! didnt pick my car up friday although they promised a smooth hand over. £8000 for bags/boxes of bits. A car with no engine in.

 

The engine also in bits.

 

 

I really feel sorry for you, mate.

I have had the same experience with my engine and a hopeless "expert".

You are stuck now, an engine in parts probably without any additional value for you, a huge bill and the worst: solicitors. A conflict is probably unavoidable.

I recommend you to do the following: Let your solicitor write a tough letter to them with an offer to pay say 30-50% of their huge bill, claim the parts, and let another engine builder finish the job. If this is of no interest for them, put forwars a threat to take them to court immediately and claim the full amount back. This will perhaps soften them and they are more willing to compromise. I can promise you that the end of this will be two loosers. What can become worse, is that you will have a car in parts for a long time, perhaps years if you don`t play hardball with them now and get a fast solution. They are probably incompetent on your engine, so forget to let them try to "fix" the engine into a proper condition.

Can you reveal the name of the engine builder? (use my private mail if necessary):x:

im sorry to say this but im probly going to grt in trouble .not that im anyway sugestion this but.the place would be in cinders.i woulnt let these ****kers get away with it ; sorry ive changed my mind ,what there doing is holding your car as ranson ,not sugest kiddkapping there famliy but if shit hits the fan ,well what can i say i would not stand for it.

im sorry to say this but im probly going to grt in trouble .not that im anyway sugestion this but.the place would be in cinders.i woulnt let these ****kers get away with it ; sorry ive changed my mind ,what there doing is holding your car as ranson ,not sugest kiddkapping there famliy but if shit hits the fan ,well what can i say i would not stand for it.

 

It is hard to understand your message. Could you clearify, please?:confused:

It is hard to understand your message. Could you clearify, please?:confused:

 

He would burn the place down:x:

I fear it will be very easy for them to justify the prices they have charged if it goes to court unless you have an estimate for the work before they started

Ask for a complete breakdown of the work done to hours per job you also need to find out how much of the work was subbed out,if they give this to you then you might stand a chance,as we all know there is no set prices as companies all charge different

I do have a estimate of the work before they started and they decided to up the price several times along the way to a point where they doubled the original quote.

 

I am not taking this lightly. I have reported them to several public medias. Luckily i work for a firm with it's own PR department and will be taking them public. A company with their reputation should not be allowed to take advantage and rip someone off who is vunurable.

 

I have been in talks with all the main TV channels for shows like Watchdog and Rogue Traders. I have been in contact with Conusmer direct and as suggested IAEA. I am at a point where we have responded to their invoices and with adviced and input from our solicitor and consumer direct sent them a reply. Depending on their reply comes the next step.

 

I am prepared to take it all the way if needed. I am a decent guy and giving them a chance to sort this reasonably between ourselves and if i am not satisfied i will be letting the dogs out and persuing with the Media route and get it resolved publicly.

 

The choice is now theirs.

 

I don't think they are aware that I am willing to take it all the way. I am just waiting for them to get back before like i said follow up conversations i have had with the media. and consumer action via media tv channels.