Thread: Disappointing lack of Service by repair organization

Your Son should have asked that the missing nut be replaced when he dropped the car off and as long as the work he requested/paid for was done then you really cant complain.

Originally Posted by superquag

Youngest son, owner of a ford ranger (not worth upper case...) - the one who paid squillion$ for an engine re-build... had sent it off to a well known, nation-wide tyre & suspension company to get tie rods, idler, wheel balances and other things done. Brought it home today as they're going off for a 3 hour drive to the coast tonight (Friday)

Bill was over the $1k mark.

But I notice that one wheel nut is missing.
Likewise the plastic tyre valve cap on that wheel, and yes, it had one when it went in. - the brass 'thread' is clean and untarnished.

Yes, it did go in with a missing nut, (either lost or nicked)... however I would have expected "them" to notice... at least ring the owner and get authority to replace before letting it out of the shop. - He would cheerfully let ford take him for whatever they charge for a $2(?) nut.

I'll be dropping by the shop in the morning to mention my disappointment, but before I'm tempted to escalate to State or National level, what does the Forum think ?

- Acceptable 'Service' ?
- Should they have 'Phoned for permission to purcha$e replacement?.
- Just gone ahead and added it on, - $20 is a tiny % of the $1k+ bill and neither Son or Grumpy Father would have objected, seeing as it's an essential safety part, and it went in without it.

No, we don't expect them to do it as a freebie.

Any repair shop worth more than a plugged nickel should not have let the car go in that state. At the very least advise the customer, who then has the option of fix or leave. Bloody poor show. Doesn't say much for their grasp of OHS or whatever it is called these days.

I know you can't but worthy of a name and shame.

Agreed. He should have mentioned the nut as logically, a tyre store would be well able to source a replacement - even if it meant 'genuine'... and a big Dealer is only minutes (drive) away;.

Personally and like most of my vintage, I would have sorted the problem if/when I first noticed it.
- Then grumbled about the co$t and being alive to do so !

Originally Posted by superquag

Agreed. He should have mentioned the nut, as logically, a tyre store would be well able to source a replacement, even if it meant 'genuine'... and a big Dealer is only minutes (drive) away;.

Seriously, This is a storm in a teacup.
All your son had to do was to replace the wheel nut that he KNEW was missing when he got the car back and any 4WD'er worth their salt always carries spare wheel nuts and studs anyway
Maybe you should be placing the blame for this at your sons feet because he knew the nut was missing and did nothing about it himself.

Originally Posted by superquag

Agreed. He should have mentioned the nut as logically, a tyre store would be well able to source a replacement - even if it meant 'genuine'... and a big Dealer is only minutes (drive) away;.

Personally and like most of my vintage, I would have sorted the problem if/when I first noticed it.
- Then grumbled about the co$t and being alive to do so !

Bit hard to see how the wheel balance (for which it was specifically booked in for) could be effective with a wheel nut missing. Certainly sub standard work in that respect.

Originally Posted by BathurstTom

Bit hard to see how the wheel balance (for which it was specifically booked in for) could be effective with a wheel nut missing. Certainly sub standard work in that respect.

Depends upon if it was an on or off car balance.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Seriously, This is a storm in a teacup.
All your son had to do was to replace the wheel nut that he KNEW was missing when he got the car back and any 4WD'er worth their salt always carries spare wheel nuts and studs anyway
Maybe you should be placing the blame for this at your sons feet because he knew the nut was missing and did nothing about it himself.

No, I have to ass/u/me you are missing the point entirely - its all about poor service/professionalism.

It sounds about what you’d expect from one of these places - remembering that they pay minimum wage and I would highly doubt a Mechanic is employed there or did the work, rather the tyre fitters have done the whole job including tie rod end replacement, etc so expecting this standard of work from a place like that isn’t something I would do personally. Crappy eye for detail? Yes, but not beyond what you’d expect from these places.