t999cuk

I'm after a bit of advice please guys and girls about the time scale enclosed in a forged rebuild.

To cut long story short a little over 12 weeks ago I dropped my car off at a very well known and respected engine builder. After already agreeing on requirements,price and spec I was quoted 4 weeks to do the work as they were very busy. Which to be honest I thought was a fair time.

I would like to think of myself as a patient and quite laid back person and I even managed to hold of the "how you getting on call" until exactly 4 had passed. I called anticipating to arrange collection and payment. I was told there had been a big problem with another order of 3 engines that were booked before mine which had caused a back log, but my engine was out on the table waiting to be worked on. A bit disappointing but obviously things happen that can't always be helped and I took this on the chin.

I called back 3 weeks later (as i went away) now at the 7 week mark, to be told my engine was next and would have a call at the end of the week. This call never came.

I called back the next week, now week number 8 and with lots of apologies I was told that my engine had essentially been forgotten about(even though I'd called enquiring) and that they would get it done ASAP but in all honesty it would still take a further 3 weeks. Obviously a bit depressed now and a little annoyed not to mention getting nagged from my other half!

So at week 10 I received a call that due to Subaru replacing the engine 10k miles ago somehow one of my cams had been damaged, an expense I didn't expect but couldn't be helped and by now way the engine builders fault. I assumed this may set them a bit so I left it till this week.

So I called today now being 12 weeks and 2 days to be told that not only was it not yet ready, that my block was off being machined and even if it was back by the end of this week it wouldn't be put together till next week and not in till the week after!

So that will make nearly 16 weeks with no car, that I'm paying £300 a month finance for, £100 insurance and not to mention I've just put 6 months tax on it for £269. Now I'm totally aware subaru ownership is expensive but I'm not even getting to use the damn thing!

Is this a reasonable time scale or should I be complaining like
Mad by now? Bear in mind I was originally told it would take just 4 weeks to complete.

Please help
Tom

barnshaw

iTrader: (1)

I know how you feel mate, however that is taking the mick a bit, the fact you have to keep doing the chasing yourself is pretty poor though to be honest, i dont see what else you can do to be honest as i presume your car or engine is in bits, maybe go and visit them and let them know and ask them for better communication.

Steve's Sti

iTrader: (2)

that seems quite a long time, was you already booked in advance to have engine done? my mates car took 2 months to get rebuilt due to another garage making a right job of it, although saying that mines took 13 days turn around, 16 weeks is along time without the car, hope it all ends well

nyscooby

iTrader: (12)

bolloxs to them mate. they have let you down...

if you book the work... do the work..

4 weeks for a rebuild?? you what...!!

chances are they are having staffing issues... not your fault but your problem...

i wouldnt pay them a penny after work is done....

nyscooby

iTrader: (12)

name and shame

DrDiesel

You have the patience of a Saint,
which has worked against you!

Re-negotiate the price mate. (afterwards)

Ginola

iTrader: (25)

Who is doing the build for you fella? seems like a very long time.

scooby87

iTrader: (5)

That is a very very long time! I would definitely be re negotiating on the price factoring in your other costs you still have to pay without being able to drive the car

Sad times, I would also be worried about it being rushed now.

t999cuk

Cheers for the replies guys, seems you all essentially feel the same as me, if I'd been told originally that this was the kind of time scale I'd be looking at I would have probally have gone else where.

I'm not gonna name and shame because this is a public forum and I know the builders are members and regular visitors and to be honest while they still have my engine on the table I'm kinda scared I'd make it worse.

Thanks for the help I will certainly be looking at wanting a good discount when I get to the end of all this and ill keep the thread updated.

Thanks Tom

john1979

Personally, I can't see you getting a discount (just my 2 cents)
John

AndyBaker

You should absolutely get a discount they are taking the ****, I appreciate why you won't name and shame but they should also be grateful you haven't. None of this is down to you. If I ran my business like that I wouldn't expect to be in business for long

john1979

I'm not saying its good practice at all, I'm just not confident a discount is on the cards. Nice going if your successful though.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I think you should go and see them in person and have a chat with the main man, explain the situation with regards the extra costs you have incurred, as in if you knew it was going to be 4 months you could have suspended insurance and sent your tax disc back and sorn'ed the car, be nice, don't make any threats or jump up and down, I'm sure they are well aware of the consequences of having their good name sullied on this forum and others.

I for one and i'm sure many others, will be very interested to see how this plays out, because if they are not seen to be doing the right thing by you then no matter how good their name is, it WILL put people off using them if customer service is seen and indeed proved to be poor.

Fair is fair and i'd be expecting a substantial wedge to be knocked off the labour for this level of inconvenience as would most, in fact i'd want it dropped all together as they are effectively in breach of contract.

Ok there were certain un-forseen circumstances with regards your cam, but lack of communication and total disregard for a customer is in-excusable.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

This time scale is not acceptable, things can go wrong & jobs can run behind schedule, but it sounds to me that you have been put to the back of the que for the benefit of others possibly due to priority been given to big customers & race cars etc. I think a big discount is deserved but if it were me I'd trailer it away in bits to somewhere more competent as it'll now end up as an under pressure rush job.

wiley

iTrader: (63)

mine was done in 2 weeks. from the day it left on the trailer, to the day it was picked up. i was regularly updated with photos too.
forged 2.1

wiley

nyscooby

iTrader: (12)

if we dont find out who this is we are all at risk of the same treatment from this trader.

LouisB

iTrader: (8)

Impressed you waited that long. Fair enough if it was a few weeks over, but 3 months over and still have to wait for a few more weeks. Taking the ****.

Definitely talk to them and see if they will give you a discount or throw something in for 'free'.

sivo

iTrader: (30)

I would have to agree, its a hard job trying to find someone to trust.

Parting with your hard earned for a rebuild is something the majority of us will have to do but it would be a lot easier knowing who to avoid

I would name them, if they fcuked me about i would **** them about.

Simples

hodgy0_2

The old adage "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" runs true it seems

veerinder9

iTrader: (1)

My rebuild took one week. Was updated everyday with pics of engine being removed into bits cleaned new bits in to every nut back in car and all complete.

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

Mine took 2 weeks & what a great job was done in such a short amount of time!!
I was constantly updated & got a technical spec sheet at the end with pics.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

mine took nine months. By agreement.

sivo

iTrader: (30)

I'm really happy for all that get good experiences, I understand not wanting to name and shame for obvious reasons but if your build was a good one then let us know how many miles since rebuild and who did the work.
Cheers
Siv

jaypSTi

iTrader: (1)

Do a search on the OP's previous posts

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

If you are told that's how long it will take & are happy to wait that long then that's fair enough, but when the job takes more than 3 times the agreed time then something's wrong. In the building trade if you fall behind schedule there are financial penalties.

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

Oh, bit of a surprise.

sivo

iTrader: (30)

Interesting

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Tut, tut, tut, tut, tut.

This is going to be interesting, subscribed.

Popcorn at the ready.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

Is it.... really.

hpoolsteve

iTrader: (4)

Oh dear. I think with the reputation of this particular builder (if it is who we think it is) then i think the OP will be looked after now after this mess around