I'm so furious!!! Update & Photos

Grendel

Grendel

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OK I don't normally do rant posts but I just have to get this one off my chest, sorry :(

[RANT ON]
My car really needed cleaning this weekend but I just didn't have the time. You know how it is, sometimes time just gets away from you and you can't do all the things you want to, so something has to give. So...

As I was going to town anyway I thought I'd ask the car park car wash guys to clean it for me. £7 for a fully exterior wash :shrug: I parked it in one of their bays and the guy said I had to leave the keys with him so they could move it to the wash area and re-park it. At that point every instinct in my body said NO WAY!!! (it's a very "desirable" car :)). But like a tit I ignored my instinct at handed over the key and my £7.

Returned a couple of hours later and, I have to say, very impressed with the job they'd done. Even glossed up the tyres lol :).

However, I parked up in the supermarket on my way home this evening and, on returning to my car, noticed for the first time that the front offside wheel has been really badly curbed :annoyed:. And I mean badly!!! I know for a fact it wasn't me, you know if you clip a curb don't you? No one other than me has ever driven the car since I bought it, until yesterday.

I'm so bleeding angry! Probably more with myself for being so stupid as to leave them the keys to my car, but also with them for treating it with so little respect.

Of course there's no point it challenging them about it because they'll only deny it.
[/RANT OFF]

Thanks for listening :) I feel a bit (not much) better now :(
 
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i've always wondered about the liability side of these car wash outfits

I've used them occasionally but i think they're a disaster waiting to happen

I'd still go and have a word with them
 
I use the valet service at our local supermarket.£10 inside and out --superb.
Ive been using them for the last year---------brilliant-----and yes I do leave a tip.Lets face it its a hell of a service for peanuts.
Are you 100% sure it was them.If it was get them to pay for a new wheel.
Pete.
 
sorry to hear about the damage, I would go back and see if there is CCTV about then ask to see the footage due to damage being done and you may hit lucky
 
hypnotic said:
Can you not swap it for the spare Paul? .... :shrug:
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Nope, no spare at all mate, not at the price of one of those wheels! It's one of those new pump it full of foam jobs :(

TheWombat said:
Are you 100% sure it was them.If it was get them to pay for a new wheel.
Pete.
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No doubt at all. As I said in my post, no one but me has driven the car since new, and I know it wasn't me! Believe me, I'd know if I'd hit a curb!

IanC_UK said:
I would go back and have a word Paul, specially if the damage is obviously new !
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Yeah but the trouble is they will just say I must have done it on the way out of the car park and I'm trying to blame them :(

munkie said:
sorry to hear about the damage, I would go back and see if there is CCTV about then ask to see the footage due to damage being done and you may hit lucky
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Hmmm I must admit I didn't consider the possibility of CCTV. Worth looking into that :)
 
Chalk it up as experience m8, it'll only eat away at you otherwise.

Maybe next time you could use a bribe of a nice curry as payment for a full Valet ;)
 
TBH, you have driven away Paul - not got a leg to stand on even if it was them, like DF, I would advise chalking it up to experience. However, for future reference, and whether its a car wash, garage, whatever, if you are leaving the vehicle and keys with them, always insist on a body check with them before you leave the car and written agreement on existing damage, obviously followed by same check on collection - any reputable company will agree to this happily, as it covers their ass as well as yours [people have been known to damage their own car and then leave it for a valet or service and try and blame the company they left it with so they dont have to pay out of their own pocket/insurance]. Its a bummer I know, but a lesson learnt :(
 
Yes, you should definitely go back and confront them and request CCTV footage if the deny any responsibility
 
Photographer of the year and not even a pic to support the thread :)
 
Would have been fine if it was a Ford...you know how much people hate those cars of yours...lol

Seriously, that's bad...had that been me I'd already be in jail for assault...
 
There are places that can refurb a wheel, saves the cost of a new one .

Usually around 20 - 30 quid a wheel.

CLICKINGTONS
 
Surely to operate in a car park they have to have insurance.

I would go back, get the name of their boss, and speak with him.
Say it like it is, your car was damaged while in his car wash and you wish to claim of his insurance to get the damage fixed.

Is it a supermarket car park? If you get problems I'm sure the supermarket would not want cowboys operating on their grounds...

(Am I the only one who wants to know what said 'Desirable' car is? :) )
 
Thanks for the words of advice guys. Much appreciated :)

One of the problems is they only operate in the car park at weekends, so a whole week will have passed by before I can even challenge them about it. They won't accept responsibility in a million years. I think, in the cold light of day, I'm just going to put it down to experience and learn my lesson about leaving my car in other people's hands.

Yvonne, I think you're absolutely spot on in that I should have agreed an inspection before & after. Just not something I would have considered for a £7 car wash. The benefit of hindsight eh?

Mal, I'll take the reprimand on the chin and try and get a photo up later ;)

Borat's Baby - Thanks for the link for wheel refurbs. I'll have a look at that :thumbs:

Oh and Richard, it's a 58 plate M3 convertible ;)
 
RichardtheSane said:
(Am I the only one who wants to know what said 'Desirable' car is? :) )
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Nope. Me too.

The lack of spare wheel might be a clue. I have a new shape Civic which has no spare just the repair kit. Could be the Type R :love:
 
Grendel said:
Oh and Richard, it's a 58 plate M3 convertible ;)
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Grenders you left these plonkers the keys to your M3???? I bet you didn't check the mileage reading. It isn't a question of IF they went for a blat in it - just how far!

Fail! :D
 
CT said:
Grenders you left these plonkers the keys to your M3???? I bet you didn't check the mileage reading. It isn't a question of IF they went for a blat in it - just how far!

Fail! :D
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I know, I know, I know :bang: And, as I said, every instinct in me said not to! I WILL learn to trust my gut in future :bonk:

Funnily enough, because it's a new car I do actually know the mileage and they hadn't taken it anywhere other than the car park. I think what happened is that, to move it from where I parked it to the wash area, they had to take it round the car park one way system and curbed it on the way round. It is a tight multi story.
 
I'd be gutted. I just curbed a wheel on the Type-R after 2 years, but at least I can only blame myself. :shrug:
 
Yeah I think that's what makes it hurt. The fact that someone else did it to my pride and joy :(. As you said Cedric, at least if I'd done it I could only blame myself.
 
I just don't get it - a new M3, and you happily hand the keys over to "some guy in a car park", who will then drag a dirty sponge and chamois over it?

Do yourself a favour and call your insurance company and ask them if they will pay out if you hand the keys to someone who then drives off in your car.

These places are unlikely to have any insurance etc - did they examine the car before hand and get you to sign a damage form? Even if you'd noticed the wheel on your return, what comeback have you got if they say they didn't do it and the damage was already there?

Sorry, but it's a chalk it up to experience from me too - the experience is that you should never use one of these places again!! They do an ok job bearing in mind the kit they use is covered in dirt and WILL scratch your paintwork, but it's just not worth the risk IMO.

I do feel for you though.
 
OutLore said:
Sorry, but it's a chalk it up to experience from me too - the experience is that you should never use one of these places again!! .... but it's just not worth the risk IMO.
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Yup, :agree: completely :|
 
I would not have left them the car let alone the keys.
My car is no M3 nor is it a Type R, it is a Civic Estate, 8 years old and worth less than £2000 but I have looked after it since the day it was bought new and to me it is mint. I am the only one that has ever washed and polished it and would never allow anyone else near it with a sponge and bucket. It always has a full wash before going into the dealers for servicing and they are under instructions not to give it the complimentary wash. It only takes one bit of stubborn grit or rust in the sponge from the previous car wash to ruin your pride and joy.

I even take my alloys loose to a tyre bay as I do not trust some careless tyre fitter with those guns they use to take the wheel nuts off, they are also inspected before and after.

If you want to see a pic of my car I will post one in the relative thread;)

A lesson learnt I'm afraid
 
Nice motor :)

I personally use the local hand car wash that operate off an old service station forecourt.
They have all the right gear and operate properly - I've seen them washing range rovers, bmw's and there is an aston and a bently that go there.

THey do a seriously good job, and you wait with the car while they do it. If I don't have time to wash my motor (Which is not as swish as yours!) I will gladly let them do it.

Maybe see if you have one local to you that look ok.
 
Really sorry to hear the dirt bags have damaged your car,

I know that I should trust people i don't know but i can't! most of the time everything is fine, you were really unlucky to get someone who took advantage of the situation. I would go back and knock them into next week!

I definately don't have the ability to trust people with my car, and it's only a Mini! I always take a note of (photograph, timed and dated) mileage if I park at an airport and have to leave the keys!

As for having it cleaned, i sit in it til its done!


NAME AND SHAME THEM! Word will soon spread!
 
You gave the keys to a 58 plate M3 to a random guy in a supermarket car park?!! Madness.

I don't trust anyone to drive or wash my cars (well, I'm on a company car at the moment, so I don't really care....but when it's MY car I do).

I'm one of those sad anal types than can spend an entire day cleaning car bodywork though.
 
OK Guys, can we stop with the "Grendel is an idiot" posts please :shrug:

I have said countless times that I realise I made a bad error of judgement and no one knows it more than me.

The point of the thread was to help others learn from my (stupid) mistake, not to get reminded how stupid it was again and again :(

Thanks :)
 
Ok I understand how you feel, sorry.
 
No chance the car park had security cameras I suppose? or that the management would let you see recorded footage?
 
Steep said:
No chance the car park had security cameras I suppose? or that the management would let you see recorded footage?
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I've sent an email but not holding my breath
 
Poor Gren, please can I still go round and give them a good :bat: :bat: :bat:


:D

or better still, they hit your car....... you hit them WITH your car! (or mine ) :)



I'm not usually violent, bad people just really get to me! grrrrr
 
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Ladybird said:
Poor Gren, please can I still go round and give them a good :bat: :bat: :bat:
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Absolutley! :lol:

Ladybird said:
I'm not usually violent, bad people just really get to me! grrrrr
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That's just how I feel!

I've emailed their head office to "invite their comment" and the shopping centre office to see if there's any CCTV footage but, like I said above, not holding my breath :(
 
Good Luck!

:) Let me know how you get on!
 
Grendel, you have seen 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' haven't you? :D

Seriously (again) over a certain price-point, one does one's own washing and detailing...helps you 'bond' with the car...

Mmmmm...Meguiar's...
 
Arkady said:
Grendel, you have seen 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' haven't you? :D

Seriously (again) over a certain price-point, one does one's own washing and detailing...helps you 'bond' with the car...

Mmmmm...Meguiar's...
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PMSL Rob :)

Oh we've been bonding beautifully mate, really we have. I've been rubbing her in all the right places every weekend ;)

This was actually the first (and last) time I let someone else near her. My desire for her to be clean was over taken by my lack of time on the day I'm afraid. Next time she can just stay bleedin' dirty lol ;)
 
Grendel said:
PMSL Rob :)

Oh we've been bonding beautifully mate, really we have. I've been rubbing her in all the right places every weekend ;)

This was actually the first (and last) time I let someone else near her. My desire for her to be clean was over taken by my lack of time on the day I'm afraid. Next time she can just stay bleedin' dirty lol ;)
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That's the way I am with my cars - and they have all been company cars for the last 5 years or so - I treat them as if they were my own.
 
Very bad news mate, I dont trust anyone with my car either and its nothing fancy.

Do you think you will pursue it? I was left with envy stripes (keyed car) on my old car whilst I left it outside my inlaws house,her dads CCTV caught it all and the neighbour who did had to pay for all the damage to be repaired - over £800 on a new paint job when it was only worth about a grand!! So its worth seeing if they have CCTV.

BTW everyone knows proper BMW's have 6 pots ;) (green eyed monster talking :p)
 
Hi Lee :)
I've emailed the (so called) valet company to ask for their comments and the owners of the car park to ask if they have CCTV but not holding my breath. Neither has replied yet.

And hey, what's a couple of extra pots between friends ;)
 
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