Don't Tell They're All Like This

[cugsy]

I bought a 1.9tdi auto ghia galaxy from autotrader - 2001 on an X plate with a genuine 97000 miles and lots of service history. There are receipts for the gearbox rebuild (with 12mths warranty from june this year) and a cambelt change this year. There are other bits. But the lad selling it is quite a unique one too. He's a psychiatric nurse and even though the car had MOT until november he decided to put a full ticket on it. That cost him over £400 - new shocks and the airbag light was on and needed fixing.

 When I went to see the car it was almost mint- a few scuffs. But the engine was spotless and it drove really sweetly. The only problem was that there was only one key and it wouldn't lock all of the doors. He agreed to take it to a Ford dealer in Stevenage (no names yet,eh?) and get a quote for a new key and have it coded. And a blown fuse..dealer price £190 or so. Needed it for an hour..Feck I thought.

   Well, I'll split the cost with him. Anyway, he duly takes the galaxy to the dealer at 8 this morning with the wife and kids for the expected hour. By 1.30 he was getting very annoyed. After being quoted £190 he finally got stung for nearly £400. £4 f##king hundred to sort a key. They arsed him about with diagnostics and wiring checks and even said they need to order parts - despite not knowing the actual problem. Then they had the cheek to ask if he wanted to part ex the galaxy...

  He's bringing the car over tonight and he's satisfied that the car locks and opens and is secure. But,he's still reeling from the Fraud franchise dealer who conned him out of £400.  Tell me this isn't typical for Ford...is it? Has he been conned? If so I want him sorted out and the dealer taken to the trading standards.  John

  

[gregers]

yep seems so.

very expensive to get a key from,but there are a few other ways.

[cugsy]

It was only £300. My mistake. I've seen the invoice and it seems they took the opportunity to 'mot' the car for him and charge. It was only just MOT'd elsewhere. The truly annoying thing is that it is still in the same state as it was when it went in. You have to open the passenger door first to deactivate the alarm and then open the drivers door. Sounds like its had a 'new' door to me. Any ideas?

  Oh, they did give him a quote for 3 tyres at £108 plus vat ....each. Gates Ford of Stevenage.  I might send Dom round to get even.