Where do I stand? Garage rip-off

[Nasir]

Well to say I'm a bit pissed off is an understatement, the so-called VW specialist has just ripped me off. The story is as follows:

I booked the car in to investigate the window fault, this morning when I dropped it off I asked him to just give it a quick scan with VCDS to see if there was a fault still as the last time it was scanned there was a window fault. He said no he can't right now (getting a bit arrogant) so I said ok.

He then said there is a diagnostic charge which I thought meant to diagnose the fault and this would get knocked off if I carried through with the work (how it happened last time and how most garages operate).

So he rang me saying the fault is the regulator as the cables are rusted, the part will be there on Monday. So I said that's £150 all in right (we agreed on this before, 2 hours labour + the part). No he said it's £180 + VAT, £30 for the VCDS, but he never mentioned that the VCDS was £30. He's adamant that he told me about the VCDS charge but he must have meant the diagnostic.

So now it's £208 inc VAT, £12 less than VW. I told him not to carry it out and I'll pick the car up, so it's £100 now, 1 hour for taking it apart, 1 hour to put it back together and this stupid VCDS charge. The fault isn't fixed still. The garage is EGR autos in Birstall, Leeds. Avoid them!

Shall I just pay them the £100 so far? Or do I tell him that I didn't agree to the VCDS charge and it's £70 (2 hours labour). I want my car back and don't want to leave it there another second. Advice appreciated guys.

[stealthwolf]

Did you not have the work written down?

he told you there was a diagnostic charge. He didn't have to deduct it. Might be a bit difficult since even if you go elsewhere, you'd have lost money.

Is there a repair warranty? if the fault isn't fixed or if it returns, will he repair free of charge?

[edd666999]

id push for what was agree'd originally.

[swf7y]

I'd just tell him to do it and NEVER go back again! 

As Stealthwolf said, you've lost out anyway. By going elsewhere you will lose out even more.

[Nasir]

Did you not have the work written down?

he told you there was a diagnostic charge. He didn't have to deduct it. Might be a bit difficult since even if you go elsewhere, you'd have lost money.

Is there a repair warranty? if the fault isn't fixed or if it returns, will he repair free of charge?

Foolishly not, I should have but it was over the phone. The only warranty is on the VW part that he was going to use.

To give you an example of the character he is. We took my sisters car to him (Audi A3 TDI) for the turbo refurbishment, £600 so a fair bit of money and he really pushed the warranty on it. Once we sold the car and I went to him to initially talk about my window problem, we got talking about the A3 and he said the warranty is not worth anything and the people that refurbish the turbo cover the warranty and they always refuse claims.

I'm thinking to just do it myself and get a salvage part for £50. That or definitely let Darren do it.

[Nasir]

Ok some good news, I've hopefully sourced a 3 door regulator of a 2008 Golf. For £30 he said, so hopefully he'll stick to that.