I Need Your Advice: Minor Bodywork Repairs - Any Recommendati...

[Debs2]

Hello all,

After recently taking our one-year-old Pageant Burgundy Series 5 back to a local dealer for its third set of front window seals to be fitted (hopefully these will finally be watertight!), we were horrified to learn that a 3 and a half inch, "fresh" scratch had appeared on the offside of our beloved van. The dealer, bless, had actually tried to phone us to inform us of said scratch less than an hour after we'd dropped it off (which was kind of them, hey?). Unfortunately we weren't at home to receive the call as we'd just left the dealers after having a look at the new vans (as one does). I digress. The damage has been caused by a sharp, thin, and most likely, metal instrument and it's peeled the paintwork off down to the aluminium body. (In fact the little coil of paintwork was still attached to the end of the scratch, so they were right about it being freshly made!).

So I finally get to my point: has anyone out there been unfortunate enough to require the use of a Bodywork Repair Specialist (perhaps a mobile repairer)in the Dorset area and can you recommend them to me? Let me know if they did a good (or indeed a bad)job on your pride and joy. The work will probably go through our Insurer but a rough idea of cost would also be helpful.

Thanks, in anticipation.

 

[Bernie_5110919]

Hi Debs

I havent used this branch but we used a local to us branch when i was in the motor trade

they say "we paint the scratches NOT the car" give them a try

Bernie

http://www.chipsawaydorset.co.uk/

 

[Debs2]

Thanks Bernie. We'll put them on our list.

 

[JackieandSteve_5080688]

We had minor body repairs on our caravan recently and when calling places like chips away we were told they would never touch a body of a caravan as it's a completly different material to a car.

We eventually took it to a local caravan shop and although admittedly it's not cheap they done a fantastic job on it.

He also had a Bailey Caravan there that had had quite a bit of damage to the back as the lady had let it slide back into a wall and you would never have known it had been damaged he done a great job.

Cost wise we were quoted by one large company in our area (Berkshire)

 

[AnnM1]

Hello Debs

As you said the damage was caused when you left your 'van at your at your local dealership so I assume it is their responsiblity for putting the damage right. Why should your insurance company be affected by their negligence? Or have I missed something in your thread.

Ann

 

[Debs2]

Thanks for this. Interesting - I've since found out that our local dealer have recently started using the services of "Chips Away". Hmmmm ....

 

[Debs2]

Hello Debs

As you said the damage was caused when you left your 'van at your at your local dealership so I assume it is their responsiblity for putting the damage right. Why should your insurance company be affected by their negligence? Or have I missed something in your thread.

Ann

You haven't missed anything Ann. The original conversation I had with the dealer made it perfectly clear to me that there was no way they were going to admit liability (understandable, I suppose), so it's a bit "their word against ours". I just found it rather strange that they felt the need to phone me about the scratch not an hour after we'd dropped it off. Surely if they weren't to blame, why would they feel the need to tell me of a scratch that I would have already been aware of?!! Unfortunately, according to them, they don't fix scratches at their new, 6 bay, workshop! (Hell, it would probably come out with more damage than it went in with!) I wonder, has anybody had a similar experience after leaving their van in others' hands?

 

[Bazz1]

Hi Debs,

we used our supplying dealer to do the service and body repairs, the cost was less than the access on the insurance. Ask for a quote, we did and had them complete the job and cancelled the ins/claim. We had some low life through bricks at the window, unfortunately they missed, haveing had several attemps. It was the bodywork that copt it. Job was done as I said whilst we had the van serviced, to a good standard and they even repaired the dent I put in whilst washing it, well plaesed. This was Campbells at Preston. Bazz.

 

[trucker]

If you left your caravan in their charge and they didny bother to check over it, and mark down any damage it is there responsability. As you say its their word against yours, I would not let them get away with it, why did they phone you, as you said. Go for it, seek legal advice first 1/2 hour free at a solicitors, they may give you the answer in that 1/2 hour.

dont roll over, sort them out contact/see the Managing director, christ I would be going up the wall if they damage my van.

I do however insist they look over the van and agree any dents ect. (i have 2)

Kevin

 

[AnnM1]

Having dealt with numerous dealerships during my life (which is considerably long!!!) they have always looked around the caravan and made a note of any problems at the time of taking delivery from me (us). They have never found anything (so far) but, as they complete a form, I would have been asked to sign a document cover for any damage seen beforehand.

I cannot understand why, within a short period of time, a dealership would ring and say this has(d) occured (or they had found it). I would have a chat with the local Trading Standards.

Don't bring in your insurance company until you are actually satisfied that the damage was NOT caused by the dealership. Difficult, I know, but stick to your guns.

At the end of the day it is your insurance premium that will be loaded not theirs!

Good luck.

Ann