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Post by danie on Apr 10, 2010 16:07:34 GMT 2
Due to too many uncertainties and questions about these "rebuilds", I decided rather to remove all Links to their website from this website , for the time being.
Danie
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Post by marius on Apr 10, 2010 17:44:51 GMT 2
At least you know they checked the clearance 9 times ;D This is actually a little sad - I myself had a nightmare experience with shoddy workmanship during the warranty period. My wife and I celebrated the day when the warranty expired! I remember when I visited Jan for the first time he showed me all the shoddy workmanship he had to deal with and what he did to correct some serious mechanical and safety issues. I was very impressed and so was a lot of other Lada owners from LOCSA. His workmanship (though expensive) came highly recommended. This is indeed sad to see that things have changed for the worse
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Post by ronnie on Apr 10, 2010 18:21:13 GMT 2
Hi Danie
When I visited Centurion last month I did bring up some of the points on my list but getting no response or any interest in my questions I decided it was better to leave as I was starting to feel I was wasting my time. Fortunately I am in the position that I can correct all the defects myself. I thought when I arrived there they would have asked how is the Lada?. No such luck.The last thing I wanted was to get into an argument, and say something I would regret. I think I said before use them for spares and do the rebuilds yourself.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 10, 2010 18:25:00 GMT 2
Hi Marius
If you live close to the dealer it is easy to pop back if you have a problem with them. It is 700KM from my house which makes it very difficult.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Apr 10, 2010 19:06:21 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie At the time when Lada SA pulled out I was 1500km from the nearest dealer! Now that I'm a little closer things are not looking good and very soon it might be 20 000km for all of us What happened to the guy in Pinetown?
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Post by danie on Apr 10, 2010 20:09:20 GMT 2
Hi Marius
As far as Chris Swales Motors (the guy in Pinetown) is concerned - he still keep Lada spares in stock, and still work on many Ladas in this area.
He did some small repairs / maintenance on my Lada twice - during times when I was too busy to work on the car myself.
To be honest, I do not have any reason to complain about the quality of his workmanship. Only problem though - in my opinion they are extremely expensive, and they tend to replace parts even when still in good condition. Their labour costs are very high, because they charge high labour fees on every single thing they touch !
I would advice anyone who wants to make use of their service, to get a quote from them before any work gets done. Be very specific about what needs to be done, and never give them a "free hand" .....................or you might get the surprise of your life !
Regards
Danie
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Post by marius on Apr 10, 2010 20:41:17 GMT 2
Thanks for the info Danie It would appear that the snake got hold of it's own tail. Fortunately the Lada is easy to maintain and getting spares elsewhere is not such a hassle and a lot cheaper. I remember the nightmare trying to get spares in Cape Town when Lada SA was still going. Back then a waterpump would set you back R1500! In the beginning prices were very reasonable though- you could get Russian tires for R250! I can kick myself today
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Post by danie on Apr 11, 2010 7:55:20 GMT 2
O, I forgot to mention - if the guy in Pinetown do replace parts, don't forget to ask for the old (replaced) parts, to get it back. Take it home - and put it back in your Lada if still in good condition. The new spares can always be sold to someone who really needs them, and some costs could be recovered..........or use the spares to build up another Lada........... regards Danie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 13, 2010 20:12:44 GMT 2
Hi Marius Your comments re service during the guarantee period are the opposite to mine. I only remember having on major problem with it jumping out of gear and it was attended to straight away. I think the problem with agents who them selves know what they are doing pass the work onto their semi skilled workers and forget to check the work as it progresses. By the time they look it is too late and every thing is closed up. . At the end of the day I will end up with a Lada as good as new. Started to day to paint the under side before any rust appears. All the box sections and brackets black hammer-tone and the rest under seal. Regards Ronnie
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Post by marius on Apr 13, 2010 20:18:27 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Unfortunately my experience was a real nightmare - to long for this thread. There is a saying though - "You buy a new Lada - then you fix it!"
After that it is just the best thing EVER!
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Post by danie on Apr 18, 2010 11:30:07 GMT 2
Well, I have been notified about another unacceptable standard of "service" by one of the Agents.
Anyone who does get treated with disrespect by one of the Agents, please feel free to let us know.
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 18, 2010 13:02:35 GMT 2
Hi Danie Sorry to hear of some one else having bad service, , at least I am not alone. Please keep us informed. Regards Ronnie
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Post by ronnie on Apr 22, 2010 19:23:36 GMT 2
Hi Danie
I seem to spend a lot of time bitching about what I consider to be very bad service / workmanship. Today I paid a visit to Chris Swales Motors and even though I know nothing about them I was impressed by the workshops , clean neat and tidy and not like the other dealer I know of which looks like a typical scrap yard. There was 2 or 3 Ladas in 2 were 1600`s
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Apr 22, 2010 20:30:54 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
I also found their workshop very neat, and they definitely look professional. I also haven't heard Chris "blowing his own whistle" in an attempt to gain customers for himself.
As far as Ladas are concern, I think Chris has perhaps been the "underdog" for too long. Only thing - I will not give him, or any other workshop a free hand to work on my vehicles again.
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on Apr 23, 2010 6:35:17 GMT 2
Just another comment about Chris - I do not have any reason to believe that he is not a fully qualified mechanic.
I have never heard him passing any comments which does not make technical sense.
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on Jun 5, 2010 16:44:10 GMT 2
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 5, 2010 16:57:17 GMT 2
Yipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
That is good news for all of us.
Ari
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Hercules
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
Posts: 785
Location: Gauteng
Town: Benoni
Registered: Oct 2, 2009 11:55:41 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
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Post by Hercules on Jun 5, 2010 17:34:27 GMT 2
I agree, nobody is going to mess with us nolonger when it come to our babies. The agents must get there act together now.
Thanks Danie.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by danie on Jun 6, 2010 18:07:16 GMT 2
Hi All
Unfortunately I do not have any choice, other than to report yet another unfortunate incident:
I became aware of another very unhappy Lada owner, who took his Lada to an Agent with a very basic request. When this owner collected his Lada, he discovered that the Agent did a lot of other repairs to his Lada, because (according to the Agent) "there were a lot of other problems on the Lada". This owner obviously faced an enormous bill.
But this is not the end of the story - since the owner got his Lada back, it started giving problems which has never been experienced before.......which could be pure co-incidence of cause..........
I would advice all Lada owners to be very specific with instructions to any Agent, or any independent dealer - when your Lada is due for a service, or repairs.
Again, be very, very careful..........
Danie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 6, 2010 18:16:46 GMT 2
Hi Danie My father tells me this has happened often on the lada scene. He says what they like to do is to push and pull on the fan and then the bearind or impeller breaks and they say that there is too much play and it should be replaced when they are the ones who actually broke it. TERRIBLE Ari
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 6, 2010 18:19:56 GMT 2
Hi
If that happens to me I will only pay for what I asked to be done and then drive away. They will soon learn that it does not pay to do this kind of thing.
Ari
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Hercules
Veteran Niva Petrol Head
Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
Posts: 785
Location: Gauteng
Town: Benoni
Registered: Oct 2, 2009 11:55:41 GMT 2
Karma: Exalt | Smite
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Post by Hercules on Jun 6, 2010 18:38:35 GMT 2
Any place of repaires can only repair what you ask for. If any other faults or breakages is noticed, they must first contact you and inform youof such breakages or faults and also giv you an estimate to repair or a quote. Only you can deside to agree and give the repairer the go-ahead to repair or leave the work.
The best when you sent your vehicle in for repairs, is to get a quote firts before any repairs is carried out.
Regards.
Hercules.
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Post by danie on Jun 6, 2010 19:07:36 GMT 2
Hi All I thought long and hard about this nonsense all day, because I am also aware about more incidents like this. What really worries me, is that the information on this website seems to be the tip of the iceberg. The good news though, any dealer will face serious problems if thy try to continue this "ambush" tactics when the Consumers Protection Act comes into effect on 24 October this year.
Paragraph 8 of the next brochure (below) clearly indicates : "This includes the right to receive information in plain and understandable language to ensure that customers understand the agreements they enter into and to help them make informed decisions about goods or services. Suppliers will also have to provide consumers with transaction estimates, display the prices of any sale goods, and give the consumer a sales record containing certain prescribed information after every transaction."www.hg.org/article.asp?id=5884Hopefully the new laws will stop this nonsense for once and all ! Danie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 6, 2010 19:18:34 GMT 2
Hi Danie I don't think it will stop until there are a few expensive court cases and the consumer wins ,that they will start changing, unfortunately. Ari
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Post by ronnie on Jun 6, 2010 20:26:18 GMT 2
Hi Ari The problem is when you go to collect your vehicle the garage have possession until you pay. In the short term if you want your car you have to pay. Regards Ronnie
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Post by danie on Jun 6, 2010 21:14:52 GMT 2
I agree with you Ronnie.
Many owners desperately need their cars for daily commuting purposes. They have to make special arrangements to collect the car, and only realize they have been ambushed when they face the bill !
That usually takes place late in the afternoon, and the Dealer will not let the car go without removing all additional spares !
So what happens ? The owner is hard pressed and has to make quick decisions while he / she is under pressure. Usually they cave in simply because they need the car desperately !
Danie
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Post by Kobus on Jun 6, 2010 23:09:37 GMT 2
This is certainly good news. I must however add that I make use of 'The Extra Mile' and i have not had any bad experience with them. Williams Hunt is a different story.
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Post by ronnie on Jun 7, 2010 10:21:24 GMT 2
Hi Kobus Nice to hear from you . Thanks for giving us the opportunity to have a successful forum. Hoping to hear more from you. Regards Ronnie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 7, 2010 10:41:19 GMT 2
Hi Kobus
I agree with Ronnie, you shouldn't be so scarce.
Ari
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Post by ronnie on Jun 16, 2010 17:51:49 GMT 2
Hi All, The rebuilt vehicles are supposed to have had the intermediate shaft greased. I stripped out mine today and found a horrific mess. I don`t think the cv joint has been touched since it left the factory. The gunk in the joint could only be cut with a stanley knife. It was like a block of hard rubber. I could not even move the joint to strip it. No one should buy one of these rebuilt Lada`s under any circumstances. . They look good on the surface. Check this picture. Regards Ronnie
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