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Author Topic: Is this the world's most expensive battery?  (Read 4825 times)

FullLeatherJacket

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Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« on: March 05, 2009, 08:24:19 pm »

Just had the buggy serviced today.
 
One item on the invoice caught my eye - "Battery - Trans   £9.55 EACH" Imagine my surprise to find that the battery in question is the lithium coin cell in the "plip" thingy; Code #CR2016; price from Component Shop £0.40 EACH, or £0.25 if I were to buy 5. Even Craplins only charge a couple of quid for these, and the existing battery was working fine when I locked up the car on their forecourt.

Add to that the 10% discount for booking the service on-line and the £20 Courtesy Voucher - neither of which seemed to make it through to the invoice; the 1 Litre bottle of engine oil left on the seat (unopened; not ordered, and apparently £10/Litre according to the charges for the stuff which they did  put into the engine) and you can see that a certain Toyota dealer in Nottingham is going to have a big, angry problem at 11.00am tomorrow.

Why do they do it, guys? Is it so hard for them to make money moving metal that they feel they have to rip off customers like this over trivial amounts?
Am I alone in thinking it's beneath contempt to behave like this, or are all motor dealers aspirant Sir Fred Goodwins?

Does anyone else have examples of such breathtaking hubris?

FLJ
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sheerline

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2009, 08:35:50 pm »

FLJ, they do it because they think they can get away with it. You just used a maindealer didn't you? Well, I had a bit of a rant over main dealers on a recent thread... they are just rip off rogues in my opinion and experience. I NEVER use them!
Imagine the number of uniformed clients they get who simply trust that they are being looked after and pay up in complete ignorance. The only thing that lot are doing is looking after your wallet mate! >>:-( <*< :police:
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tobyker

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2009, 09:15:12 pm »

I used to go to main dealers - then my daughter found out where the local taxi drivers go, and the Indian restaurant takes its van, and I've stuck with Kevin ever snce. I'm glad to say his business is increasing.
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The long Build

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2009, 09:27:51 pm »

Had my wifes car in for an mot , failed on one wiper  <*<  they wanted to charge £ 31 pounds for 1 blade (no where else seemed to sell them) so tried another branch oft he same dealer  he told me they sold a twin pack for £35.  When I phoned back the other dealer he said I will just check and then came back and said oh yes we do do a twin pack fpr a special price... >>:-( 
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toesupwa

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 09:58:46 pm »

I took a Mini Cooper (the Rover one) to a main dealer for a service.... once...

I thought £22 for a gallon of oil was a bit steep.. especially as the MDC next door had a big ad in the window for Duckhams at £9.99 a gallon.

Never again...  >>:-(
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malcolmfrary

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2009, 10:23:52 pm »

FLJ, I had you figured as a smart sort of guy,  O0 but to not figure out who is paying for all those thick carpets and huge plate glass windows..........  {:-{.
Main agents are generally for people with more money than sense and corporate bodies run by accountants (same thing, really) and the terminally desperate and those on a contract.  Like a previous poster said, find out where your local tradespeople go.
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gingyer

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2009, 10:37:54 pm »

company I work for have been installing equipment that run off 2x yuasa standard 12v7Ah batteries
went to get replacement batteries for them from the people who supplied them in the
begining......£180 + vat they wanted for the 2  O0

guess where they were told to do..........................yip ;D ;D {-) {-)
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chingdevil

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2009, 10:46:42 pm »

When I got my latest car it came with a three year warranty, as soon as I got the car I complained that the headlights were not adjusted correctly, they checked them all ok, this had gone on for three years. Last year I did not renew the warranty, guess who was charged £45 to adjust his headlights. Needless to say I was hot a happy bunny!!


Brian
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2009, 11:16:57 pm »

Well, maybe I'm bucking the trend but I have my Mondeo serviced at the local Ford main dealer in Horsham and they have never ripped me off at all. Compared to some, their hourly rates are quite reasonable and when I recently had some bodywork damage repaired at my own expense to save an insurance claim the cost was pretty fair too. When I bought the car it came with free MOTs while I own it. I just took it in for it's first one and they passed it no problem. No "make work" items such as new windscreen wipers or lots of things that they could have "invented" needed doing.

Colin
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FullLeatherJacket

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2009, 11:49:44 pm »

It wasn't the price of the service that annoyed me; that was a straight £78, which doesn't sound too bad if you say it quickly. It's the sauces and side-dishes that go with it - much like that nice Mr O'Leary wanting to charge you extra if you need to wee-wee while on one of his aeroplanes. That £78 - plus the inflated £40-odd for an MOT which HMG has decided to sting us all for - eventually turned up a touch over three hundred quid. That's on the same day that another  grand a year dropped off our income c/o the Bank of England, and HMG upped the NHS prescription charge to an eye-watering £7.20 a pop.

Smart guy? Nah - just another victim.

I've used back-street traders for car servicing, and we still do for Liz's little C3, but I ain't found one who knows a damn about Toyotas - largely because the cars don't go wrong very often so they never get to practice on them.

Fear not, good citizens! I shall get my revenge upon these snake-oil merchants. Their last Parts Manager had an involuntary career-change when he decided to try humiliating me in front of a showroom full of other customers (I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti etc). I found also that 'they' go very pale if you mention the "customer feedback" you're going to send to UK HQ.............. then there's that new Verso for which we've now decided to "get a few quotes from elsewhere first"  ok2

Watch this space.

FLJ
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portside II

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2009, 12:56:27 am »

You keep at it Dave ,i remember when i had a peugeot estate and some nice driver decided to knock the drivers door mirror off , so its a phone call to the local main dealer who told me that a new one would be £140 inc vat fitted (for 1 manual mirror  >>:-( ) . On breaking the price down i said ok i will fit it myself  to which he replied "oh i am sorry you can't do that without the specialist tools" yeh right a hollow star bit , how did he think i took the old one off in the first place .
A phone call later to the local salvage yard sorted it out , one off a brand new car for £15 or £10 if i gave him the broken one.
The thig was this was a mobility car and when it was returned at the end of the 3 years the dozy inspector at the garage looked at the near side mirror and tried to make out that i had fitted a unifit one and i would have to pay for an original one to replace it , he soon retracted his words and the charge when i pointed out his mistake .
daz
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OMK

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2009, 07:10:01 am »

...that was a straight £78, which doesn't sound too bad if you say it quickly.

Anyone with the ability to write spontaneous wit like that surely has to be a God in disguise!

Mr. Jacquette, sir, I swear I would trade all my limbs, my guitars and my boats to have the chance to be there when you go back for revenge.
With your inimitable talent, your vocabulary, your ability to know when AND how to string together a decent put-down, means them crooks surely do not stand a chance.
What I wouldn't give just to be there, to listen, to learn from da Mastah! :}

Good luck, man.

On seconds thoughts, you don't need luck. Instead, to coin an Americanism....... KICK  A S S, buddy!!
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MikeK

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2009, 08:41:02 am »

Normally I go to the dealer only when the car is still in warranty (on the rare occasion I am flush enough to buy new) The latest is a Skoda (pauses for jokes) which has its computer set to start giving you electronic hints when the next service draws near this is then reset at the service. I assume that when the warranty period is over, should I go to my friendly local garage he will not have the necessary plug ins to do the same. Consequently the dealer has me by the short and ringlets - or I put up with an increasingly indignant car  O0

Mike
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cbr900

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2009, 01:35:12 pm »

FLJ,

I ordered a Toyota Tarago in October, and was given a written quote
of twenty thousand dollars, ready to go, registered insured, dual air
everything we wanted, we were informed after three weeks that the colour
we wanted was not in Australia, but would be ordered from Japan with
only another month waiting period, then with what ever other problems
they could find the vehicle was ready for pickup in January, we went to the dealer
and went for a test drive, no air in the rear, they said it was not on the original
deal, pulled out the quote and showed them dual air, car went back to dealer
for air to be fitted, I get a phone call to say the vehicle is ready, so we go over there
that afternoon and are informed that the new price was 26,000 Dollars, pulled
out the quote again and shoved it under there nose 20,000, there answer was
it is now this years model not last years, so I told them to stick it where it would
be uncomfortable and walked out, two weeks later they ring me and say they
have reduced the price to 23,000 dollars and it was now registered in our name,
the answer they received was, I don't care if its registered to the Queen its
not what was quoted and hung up.
Two weeks later they rang again and said the vehicle was ready for pickup at
20.000 dollars, we went over there with a bank cheque and did the paper
work, I said to my wife to have a look at how much fuel was in the car, when she
came in and said it was just above empty, I said to the manager can you fill the
tank with fuel, he said no we are losing enough now, I folded the cheque and
put in my shirt pocket and said to my wife lets go home, the manager then said
to the salesman to go and fill the tank, when he came back we checked that it
was indeed full then finally gave them the cheque...........

In other words don't take any of there crap as they will back down..............

Roy
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FullLeatherJacket

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2009, 02:00:22 pm »

Thanks, Roy...........and I didn't.......and they did.

No blood; no undue embarrassment; no shouting, but they've had their battery back for a full refund (£9.55 + VAT) and they also corrected the "misunderstanding" about the discounts. I even got a referral  for Iain Lewis @ Component Shop when they saw how little he sells CR2016 lithium cells for (£0.40 Incl VAT). That has to be worth a pint at Sleepy Maggots Shepton Mallet.

Shame the battery was so small, really; it would have been a waste of time shoving it where I'd wanted to. I doubt if that chap will forget the computer accounting systems lesson I gave him...........that's if he understood a word of it! However, I shall best remember the occasion for when Mr Service Manager realised in abject horror that he'd completely forgotten to charge me for the extra 1L bottle of oil which they left on the seat.............@ £10/Litre. "We'll keep that b***** then" says I, tucking it back into my pocket.

"Priceless" indeed.

Jacket 1  Toyota 0
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John W E

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #15 on: March 06, 2009, 02:36:24 pm »

Hi FLJ

 

Is this the same car that you are on about ? The one That you tried to bend a Geordie lamp-post with – poor thing  ;)

 

When you come up North for the show – I have asked the Council to pad all the lamp-posts in the surrounding areas  {-) {-)

 

aye


bloobs
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FullLeatherJacket

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #16 on: March 06, 2009, 03:06:40 pm »

Bloobs

There are some times when you are as funny as a burning orphanage. This isn't even that  good................

I shall have to put on the personalised number plates in your honour.

UPU 2   ;D

FLJ
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tobyker

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #17 on: March 06, 2009, 05:08:55 pm »

Mike - anyone should be able to reset the service counter - Kevin (who is not in the back street any more) does it for my Picasso which does the same sort of thing.  I think it's a question of how long you hold down which button while the ignition is on - or off. You can probably find out about it on the www somewhere.
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tolnedra

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #18 on: March 06, 2009, 05:22:27 pm »

Oi Dave, what's with this "sleepy maggots" then? And I thought you were a friend! Sympathise with your vehicle problems though, shysters I think is the appropriate word!

Danny

PS Do we need to put padding around our lamp-posts etc down here too?
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OMK

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #19 on: March 06, 2009, 05:34:30 pm »

Oi Dave, what's with this "sleepy maggots" then?

Nottingham-speak, innit. Robbing hoodies having a poke at country bumpkins.
Fret ye not, though. Come the day of the Shepton Mallet gig, I'll zap his CR2016 with a Gigawatt of invisible RF.  ok2
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FullLeatherJacket

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #20 on: March 06, 2009, 06:36:42 pm »

Danny
Nothing personal, old thing. Don't forget that I was apprenticed in good ole Mangotshire (it was Filton, actually). Apart from the skinheads, Barnwell Hall and Courage beer it was a delightful experience. Ref lamp-posts; oblate spheroids should cover most eventualities.

PMK
"Be still, my beating heart......" Just BE THERE, OK?

FLJ
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DickyD

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #21 on: March 06, 2009, 06:57:40 pm »

Oi Dave, what's with this "sleepy maggots" then? And I thought you were a friend! Sympathise with your vehicle problems though, shysters I think is the appropriate word!

Danny

PS Do we need to put padding around our lamp-posts etc down here too?
Only when my son is reversing Danny >>:-(
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MikeK

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #22 on: March 07, 2009, 09:17:03 am »

Mike - anyone should be able to reset the service counter - Kevin (who is not in the back street any more) does it for my Picasso which does the same sort of thing.  I think it's a question of how long you hold down which button while the ignition is on - or off. You can probably find out about it on the www somewhere.

Good old Mayhem - you got a query about just about anything - and someone will come up with a good answer  :-)) Thanks for that Tobyker, I wil have to ask my local man if he knows about it. Certainly don't want to spend the next few years in the expensive grip of the dealer !  >:-o
regards

Mike
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cbr900

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #23 on: March 07, 2009, 11:49:05 am »

Mikek,

Mate I have been told that if you disconnect the battery for several
hours then reconnect it will reset the computer in the car automatically
I tried it as mine was idling at the wrong revs and the thing now idles
perfectly and no warning lights are on..............

Roy
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MikeK

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Re: Is this the world's most expensive battery?
« Reply #24 on: March 07, 2009, 01:32:22 pm »

Thanks Roy, Ive got another year before the warranty expires, then all things can be tried  :o

Mike
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