Are garages obliged to show proof of purchase for expensive parts they claim to have fitted or do we just have to take it on trust when they say a part needs replacing when for all you know they ve just done a quick fix and charged you for an expensive part that you did nt really need - asking for a friend - cheers
Proof of purchase
- Thread starter DJS
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CatmanV2
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I have to say, I've never had that happen, but I've certainly heard it becoming more common. Digital cameras I guess. There's a element of trust, of course. Feli has never sent me photos, but I do trust him after eeeek years
C
spkennyuk
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No. Most reputable garages will retain the original part so that you can inspect it if you wish so that you can see the damage if it mechanical and have the option to take them away.
If its electrical its not always obvious that its a failed part but they will still have it available if you want to see it or take it for repair.
They should have to prove they have in fact bought anything they charge you for - once heard a story about a mechanic who used to keep some old parts to show people especially women who would nt know a starting motor from an alternator - gotcha - double gotcha in fact !!
lifes2short
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zagatoes30
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As above most reputable garages have the removed parts for inspection especially big value items
midlifecrisis
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A couple of garages will show you the parts they have replaced and the new parts going in.
Nowadays, with technology, I'll set up a WhatsApp group with the garage technicians to allow them to send me pictures of the work being carried out.
If they have nothing to hide they'll oblige. It helps them too as they can report as they work. There's nothing worse than having to stop a job to answer the phone only to be asked when you're going to finish!
Nowadays, with technology, I'll set up a WhatsApp group with the garage technicians to allow them to send me pictures of the work being carried out.
If they have nothing to hide they'll oblige. It helps them too as they can report as they work. There's nothing worse than having to stop a job to answer the phone only to be asked when you're going to finish!
MarkMas
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Well, I suppose he is looking for ways to remove the doubt. Otherwise it is just faith or testimonials, isn't it?
MarkMas
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I think this is a legitimate concern, although I'm sure most garages are pretty honest.
No obligation, but I suppose you can ask to see both the new part beforehand and/or on the car (plus paperwork) and the old part once removed. Or buy the new part yourself on their behalf (you could claim to be able to get a special deal, if you wanted to save face for everyone). I suppose they may already have the part (new or nearly-new) in their stores, but they should own up to that.
One Maserati specialist (no longer operating) billed me for replacing drop-links after delivering my car back to me after a lot of suspension work, and then a year later at a service showed me on the ramp that my drop-links were variously damaged, broken and/or seized and told me that I needed to book a day to get them replaced. While I was querying this over the next few weeks, they got huffy, then closed their business down completely, and I couldn't be bothered to sue what was left of them.
Thanks Mark - I mean lets face it theres not many businesses where they have no obligation to prove they have even bought or replaced parts they say they have - especially when parts for our cars can cost hundreds of £ss and we have take it on trust .The other factor is finding honest garages is hard enough but finding one to work on Massers that are nt the other side of the country is even harder - and they basically have you by the short and curly s because you re not going to take it to some backstreet garage for a service etc. and they know that .The industry should be regulated to provide proof of purchase that can be checked via the net by the customer - whats wrong with that I ask
Zep
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It seems your friend has their answer. Yes, the industry should be regulated, but if your garage says you need new parts then you can ask up front to see the removed parts once replaced.
There are plenty of business models where parts are replaced without an obligation to show them, boiler repairs, air conditioning, electricians, plumbers, washing machines. In fact, at work when I talk about a lazy approach to fault finding, where part after part is replaced instead of identifying the root cause, I call it a “washing machine repairman” approach (no offence to washing machine repairmen).
If I have a pressure switch replaced on my boiler or A/C system do I then ask for the old one for testing? No, ain’t nobody got time for that. But then I wouldn’t have it replaced unless there was a self evident fault, so perhaps this is the lesson, always witness a fault before repair.
There are plenty of business models where parts are replaced without an obligation to show them, boiler repairs, air conditioning, electricians, plumbers, washing machines. In fact, at work when I talk about a lazy approach to fault finding, where part after part is replaced instead of identifying the root cause, I call it a “washing machine repairman” approach (no offence to washing machine repairmen).
If I have a pressure switch replaced on my boiler or A/C system do I then ask for the old one for testing? No, ain’t nobody got time for that. But then I wouldn’t have it replaced unless there was a self evident fault, so perhaps this is the lesson, always witness a fault before repair.
philw696
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For me I'm always happy to show worn or failed parts that I have changed but the invoice is mine as I paid for them.
They can have my invoice for me supplying and fitting said parts.
Happy for the customer to have the old parts to look at and dispose of instead of me.
They can have my invoice for me supplying and fitting said parts.
Happy for the customer to have the old parts to look at and dispose of instead of me.
2b1ask1
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Geo
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You could always ask for the old one to give to the dog.
Scaf
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A number of years ago my wife took her car to have a puncture repair, they said it needed replacing and recommended changing the other side as that was not much better and changed them both.
She rang me to tell me and I was suspicious so I told her to get them to put both old tyres in the boot.
They then said the fitter had made a mistake and they refunded her (left the new tyres on), I never did get the old tyres and we have never been back.
She rang me to tell me and I was suspicious so I told her to get them to put both old tyres in the boot.
They then said the fitter had made a mistake and they refunded her (left the new tyres on), I never did get the old tyres and we have never been back.