Disgracefull service

My experience at formula 1 Cheltenham was one that left me shocked at angry aswell as up set. I took my car to the garage for work to be completed , I drove the car approximately 3 miles when I noticed something wasn't right. I payed to have a steering rack, new lower arms and bushes fitted, new track rod ends and tie rods, also to be carried out was 4 wheel alignment. The work was carried out and approximately 3 miles later I looked underneath the car and noticed there was rubber on the new lower arm rear bushes hanging out. I took pictures and contacted the garage. They advised me to take the car down for them to look at. I took the car down and had it on the ramp, I was informed the loose rubber parts was excess rubber which should of come of when manufactured. Unhappy with there response and a little un sure I decided to get a second opinion. I took the car to two more garages and both were left shocked at what they witnessed, the work was of a poor quality. I returned to formula one and asked the manager for the work to be corrected free of charge to correct the issue with te poor quality of fitment or what ever caused these to split, I was then told if I bought the bushes they would fit them, however angry at the work not being done correctly the first time round I told the manager I was not prepared to spend more money and they fitted the parts wrong and should correct it with out a further cost to me. Again I was refused , I then carried out the replacement of these bushes myself and also had to replace the lower arms again. This cost me more than double the price the whole job should off. Following the replacement of the parts I returned to the garage to have the tracking rechecked , the front wheels were adjusted, I asked for a print out of the tracking and notices a further problem I contacted the head office with my complaint including a break down of costs incurred due to the poor quality of there workmanship. This matter was investigated and I was accused of never having my car in there premises because the manager denied any knowledge of the car being there, when other employees were interviewed they admitted my car had been there and the manager then changed to I took the car with out payment. I then understood that he had taken the £170 charged to fit the parts and not put this through the company, (my mistake was not getting a receipt , which at the time I didn't think about) . I carried on with my complaint and was repeatedly told I did not pay, when I pointed out my car had been back in the work shop several times following the work and why would the manager allow this if I did not pay. Many excuses later from the area manager and also the managing director I was getting more upset with the matter and decided to take the matter to trading standards . I informed them of this and they have since made me a payment in admittance of there poor workmanship of £529 in total, this is still some what over £400 short the whole job cost me including 4 days i was unable to work because of this matter. I have not received a apology from this company , which I feel is disgracefull , I have been called a liar by the people in charge and had accusations made against me , and even now I've been paid a small sum in relation to the works carried out incorrectly and think this is far from how a company like formula one should act. I have also been told I am no longer allowed into the depot , which again when I have done nothing wrong feel this is unfair. The bottom line is to not trust formula one garages, the manager is corrupt and I believe has been moved from 2 other branches for similar offences, however he has once again managed to keep his job as manager. The director jon butcher and area manager Ian keeley also spoke in a disgracefull way towards me and continually tried to point the finger that I was in the wrong . I'm not the first person to experience this attitude from formula one Cheltenham manager or head office staff and I feel the staff of formula one is disgracefull . Do not use this garage , I have reported them to as many people as possible and do not feel that the £529 paid is no where near enough for the stress and hassle I had to go through for over 3 weeks. If something had happened to me while in the car with my 4 year old daughter they could of been looking at manslaughter. Disgusting company and would never ever reccomend Cheltenham Location

Gary Mcdonald - 04/09/2012 | report this review