32 replies to this topic

[GJK]

Dear all,

I wish my first post on The Mini Forum could be something positive. Unfortunately, I must warn everyone of the risks in doing business with Classic Minis in Littlehampton, run by Mike Raven.

I would recommend avoiding this firm at all costs.

This is why:

I'd previously used Classic Minis and found Mike Raven helpful and reasonably-priced, with the work done to a good standard. However, I took my Cooper MPi Sportspack to him in July 2010 for accident damage repairs to the rear end. In addition, I asked to have the rust dealt with on the front right wing. I got the car back in August 2011. During the year, he was very difficult to get hold of; at one point, I had to phone a neighbouring business to enquire as to his whereabouts. In addition, upon collection of my car, the following was wrong:

1. The front foglights were missing, and the front spots were connected to the front fog switch.

2. A different set of wheels were fitted. Instead of Yokohamas all round, it came back with Continentals at one end and Bridgestones at the other.

3. Some of the wheel nuts had been removed and replaced by an incorrect type.

4. A different kind of fuel filler cap had been fitted.

5. An external bonnet-release grille had been fitted.

6. The front number plate had been mounted in a bodged fashion.

7. The chrome front windscreen surround had been replaced by a knackered equivalent.

8. The wheelnut brace was missing.

9. The spare wheel, with unused tyre, had been replaced with a heavily-used example.

10. The standard air filter and filter housing had been replaced by a K & N non-standard type, which was not asked for.

Due to the fact I deployed to Afghanistan with the Army weeks after discovering this, I had no choice but to take my car back as was and deal with it myself. Meanwhile, I will do everything I can to make sure others do not end up with their cars used as apparent donor cars, and set about getting this extremely dodgy business closed down.

John Cooper would turn in his grave if he knew a former employee behaved in this way.

Greg.

[M J W J]

As I have just put in another thread, have you contacted the business and asked them to rectify the problem?

Before going off and taking someone to court and trying to ruin their reputation and close there business down, a phone call/conversation can go a long way.

It does sound like they are trying to take you for a ride though.

[Frisco]

Are you sure its the same car?

[tekon1984]

Greg,

I feel for you bud.

TMF should set up a forum thread specifically for the use of shaming corrupt businesses and dodgy sellers. If this is done, we can all share our experiences and help each other out to avoid this sort of thing happening.

[Ethel]

ahem - http://www.theminifo...p?showforum=191

[GJK]

As I have just put in another thread, have you contacted the business and asked them to rectify the problem?

Before going off and taking someone to court and trying to ruin their reputation and close there business down, a phone call/conversation can go a long way.

It does sound like they are trying to take you for a ride though.

I have brought these issues to his attention, but as I mentioned, I am currently in Afghanistan, where I have limited internet and telephone access. Also, having waited a year only to be confronted with further problems, I am not inclined to leave my car there again, or give a second chance to someone who clearly does not deserve it.

Greg.

[GJK]

Are you sure its the same car?

Thankfully, yes I am. As I discovered these dramas, I was fearing the worst had happened!

Greg.

[GJK]

ahem - http://www.theminifo...p?showforum=191

Terribly sorry - I'm new and only have a limited amount of internet access a day!

Greg.

[Brams96]

You should write a list of all the things wrong/not the same & send it to the business telling them you want them to replace the items or reimburse you for the cost of you to replace them. Give them a time limit like 2 weeks to reply in writing stating what their intention is or you will proceed with legal action against them at which time you can start a small claims settlement. If you have pictures of your car before the accident showing some of the things like different wheels then thats good as it proves your right. Do you know what the milage was before & after you took it to them? If they have been driving it then you could claim for the wear & tare on the car in your costs. If it gets to court & they don't show up you win & they will have to pay the costs & have a CCJ against their business.
Let us know how you get on.

[GJK]

You should write a list of all the things wrong/not the same & send it to the business telling them you want them to replace the items or reimburse you for the cost of you to replace them. Give them a time limit like 2 weeks to reply in writing stating what their intention is or you will proceed with legal action against them at which time you can start a small claims settlement. If you have pictures of your car before the accident showing some of the things like different wheels then thats good as it proves your right. Do you know what the milage was before & after you took it to them? If they have been driving it then you could claim for the wear & tare on the car in your costs. If it gets to court & they don't show up you win & they will have to pay the costs & have a CCJ against their business.
Let us know how you get on.

A very good plan. Unfortunatly, as I'm serving in Afghanistan, I do not have access to all of my information and photos to pursue this. Certainly, I have reciepts that prove the tyres I was running were different to the one I got back, and photos that show the lights, screen surround and radiator grille issues. As i'm not due to retun until April next year, I've ordered the parts myself, as I am not prepared to leave my car with him whilst I' out here.

Anyhow, I appreciate the advice.

Thanks.

Greg.

[fourwheels]

It sounds to me that by cutting your losses on this you've done exactly the right thing! sometimes it's just not worth the argument and like you say your in Afghanistan so it's not physically possible to sort this out directly with the garage. i hope it works out for you in the end!

[charliedurrant]

I run a business myself and I make mistakes all the time. When things go wrong we have the following types of customer:

1) Those who say nothing

An entirely British response. Such customers are frustrating for businesses as you might make a product but you don't know there is a problem

2) Those who go crazy but say nothing to the business

An entirely 'frustrated' British response. As above, but worse as they actively damage your reputation

3) Those who go crazy and shout at the business indirectly on the internet

If all other avenues have been investigated then this is okay, however if the business has not had a chance to put it right then it's a nasty vindictive route to take. I have seen a post on here about a vendor on this forum. The poster in that case ranted (because he could hide behind the vail of the internet) and because the vendor is a respected member of the forum the post was deleted. I'm not saying deleting it was right and shared comments have their place but poeple have a lot of power now with the internet and it should be used wisely.......(we all have bad days).

If you can't say it to their face don't say it on the internet.

3) Those who go crazy and shout at the business directly

Understandable - today we have little time and ultimately you have paid your money for someone else to do the work. We always apologise straight away and make it right. It can be a bit of a journey though.

4) Those who rationally contact us to resolve the problem

The best way to be. The result will be the same as 3) but everyone will be 'happier' more quickly.



As a customer of a small business I would just try to remember that people are people and they almost definately have other stuff going on (I myself have customers chasing me as my wife currrently has a brain tumor). Just be reasonable and remember that everyone has off days and and off months. Also remember businesses have employees who really don't care too much if things are done right and your car is just another pain in the back side. The boss pretty much has to monitor everything and things slip through the net. I expect every member of this forum has slacked off at least once while on the job...(no pun intended)

If their service is justified to be bad tell them as they need to know but tell them nicely. If it really is going pear shaped and you are getting nothing back (having to contact the business next door I think justifies it) then simply take out a claim in the small claims court online. It takes 5 minutes and costs some £ but it will get results. I have had to do it with businesses I purhase from as a last resort. Every time they have refunded within days of receiving the court documents. In this threads case I would follow it up. It would take less time to complete the small claim online than to write the original post.

Charlie

Edited by charliedurrant, 14 November 2011 - 10:24 AM.

[Frisco]

There is a difference between making a mistake and basically stealing bits off the blokes car though. Everything above points to the business being honest which the one in the op clearly isn't.

[Shifty]

I agree, threads like this are a last resort.

We(TMF) do tend to remove them, especially when they involve 2 members or appear to just be sour grapes?

I removed one a few weeks ago regarding MRA minis as after some investigation it transpired that the poster was a disgruntled ex-employee and was also a banned member on here.

None of the complaints had actually happened and he wasn't even a 'real' person.

I also tend to be much more suspicious of people who just join up and start threads like this as well.

Theres another similar one(which I think I'm going to close now) at the moment.

If i had a little more time I'd investigate a bit more but just can't at the moment.

[GJK]

I can assure you I am neither 'mouthing off' nor trying to start a vindictive vendetta. My intention was to share my experience with fellow Mini users in order for them to make an informed decision when it comes to selecting a garage to look after their car. I do not want anyone else to end up with the same problems that I have.

I am not the only person to have had issues with this firm - http://forum.minicoo...ead.php?t=15384 shows this. Meanwhile, should the moderator chose to remove this thread, then I respect that. Meanwhile, I am disappointed that people should question my motives; I am currently in Afghanistan, with very limited telephone access and limited internet access. This is the only way I have of alerting anyone to a potential banana skin. The legal route is not open to me, as I have no way of getting evidence to anyone who may request it. I have informed Mr Raven of the problems, but, as I had experienced for 13 months, he is very difficult to contact. I can only reiterate my intent - I wanted to alert people to my experiences so they can make an informed decision before entrusting their cars to this garage.

Regards,

Greg.