Cali issues, please help!

[bob-on]

The saga continues......

I know it's been a while since my last update but I've had to wait for any news from Hatfield.
Anyway, I got a call on Wednesday whilst at work (we're not allowed calls) and told that the van was finally ready. I said I'd call later as couldn't talk at that time.

I was late out that night so tried Thurs lunchtime, he wasn't there and the same Friday lunchtime so left dead on 17:00 Friday to call and confirm all jobs done.

They've not replaced the cooker which I thought they were doing but they have got it clean, at first they were going to clean it with Brillo pads but decided to clean it with t-cut! I've asked for a pic or two because surely it would just make it polished when it should be mat?

When I asked about the dents they said they'd had dent specialist in and they couldn't see any dents!! I told them where to look and they went off to look again. I got a call later to say they'd looked again and spoken with sales manager and he was happy there were no dents! I said I wasn't happy because I can see them.

Luckily I'd taken a video before I took the van back, so here's your chance to tell me if you can see them. I've parked their van in exactly the same place with the same reference point next to it (our old Passat) for a direct comparison.

If you look at the reflection of their van then the Passat reflection doesn't distort but then look a our van and tell me how many distortions you can count.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=p5c3fAcjVrw
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&v=nK380DAHRWc

This is beyond a joke now, really apologise if you're bored with this thread coz I am!
Cheers

 

[Californiaman]

Perhaps consider an inspection by an independent third party such as the AA or RAC.

 

[gatvol]

I think that I can see two. I don't have the answer for you here, but is it worth going to a body shop that is vw approved and asking for a written quote to repair the damage that specifies where the dings are?

This could be sent to Hatfield and vwcs as written evidence of the dings, backed up by your video. This could also be used in the small claims court or passed to which magazine, top gear etc if you want to try that line of action

If you are lucky, vwcs might just cover the ding removal on the back of the quote so you don't have hatfield doing any more work than necessary.

 

[Meoncoast]

I have looked and the footage you posted a couple of times but I cant see the dents. All the issues you have had I would expect for the dealer to fix ie if they said they will clean it - they should clean it. BUT

A second hand car is second had and will not be new and will have been used and may have some cosmetic wear and tear, I have looked at second hand cars that have that look brand new but are 4 years old and I have looked at second hand cars that are 4 months old and look worn out

All should be working and fit for purpose on your Cali but minor cosmetic wear even a small dent is something that may be something that is part of the vans history of being second hand

When we bought our second hand Cali ( pre registered 99miles on the clock) I spent ages looking around it (and less time driving it) to satisfy I was happy with its condition looking over it in day light on a dry day. The only thing I did not check as much as I would today if I was buying today would be the bellows as I was not aware of bellow tear issues until finding this website which was after buying our van

Good luck with getting your van how you want it, you have hand so many issues you may find it has lost its sparkle but I hope not :hello

 

[bob-on]

Hi folks,

It's been a while since I updated so best sit down for this........

I was given a brand new 180 Cali whilst mine was being sorted, the passenger window switch was broken, the batteries have a 'Voltage Plausability Fault', the elec side sliding door gets half way closed and then jams and re-opens itself but best of all was on Sunday when trying to get home quickly with a sick 10 month old baby who'd just popped out with measles the van broke down!

The fuel pump had failed meaning it couldn't be fixed at the roadside and I had to be recovered by a flatbed due to the DSG gearbox. 3.5 hours after breaking down I got home with an out of action van.

However, I've finally got my van back today!

Now before you jump for joy lets just say that I can't believe what they brought back to me. First thing I noticed when I walked back to the van was the 5 inch scratch on the drivers door! Followed by the STILL filthy cooker. The seats still dirty in places, they'd rubbed so hard in some places that the fabric has gone fluffy but the dirt still there.

I found further scratches on both sides of the van and a semi-circle of scratches on the rear but the best was still to come. When I opened up the roof to check for the missing mattress...... A nice slit cut in the roof fabric! When I called to service manager to complain he had the cheek to ask if I'd had the roof open!! They've had it for almost 6 weeks!!!

I can honestly say, NEVER bother buying a Cali from Hatfield.

Gutted beyond belief, my wife can't even bare to look at the van.

 

[BerndRos]

I think........


We live in this world of false customer service etc.......

About time VW took their ' independent ' dealers to task.......and also realised that they VW have a responsibility to their customers rather than the ' prattle ' that passes for customer service..........

 

[Stu]

That's really tough mate.

I don't condone violence but I am lead to believe there should be a senior representative of VW at the event this weekend who may have a sympathetic ear.

What's the next move? What do VW CS have to say about things?

Funny actually, I was about to start a thread on the perception of VAG brand quality :doh

 

[bob-on]

That's really tough mate.

I don't condone violence but I am lead to believe there should be a senior representative of VW at the event this weekend who may have a sympathetic ear.

What's the next move? What do VW CS have to say about things?

Funny actually, I was about to start a thread on the perception of VAG brand quality :doh

I know Stu, I thought I kept myself quite restrained today too given the situation.

I've not had chance to talk to VWCS as yet but will be. Not a clue what to do next, totally in shock at the moment.

Don't ask me to contribute to your thread of VAG build quality just yet, I don't wan to get banned from the site! :censor

 

[Andy]

I would demand a refund of money, use of curtesey vehicle whilst you find & buy another cali.
Be interesting to hear what W CS have to say about this shocking service.
Am glad I didn't buy from there.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bob-on]

Well it's been a long time since I posted anything up. This time I'm glad to say that it's all sorted, Hatfield agreed to purchase the van back from us minus £500 as I wanted to keep hold of it a few weeks longer in order to travel to Hessisch Oldendorf in Germany for the best aircooled VW show I've ever been to!

The van has gone back but we've been able to find a brand new unregistered van at Liverpool van centre, pretty much the same as the last van...... Just without all the faults!
Needless to say one of the first mods was to add the Cali owners club stickers to the side windows!

Got plenty of mods planned as and when funds allow, off to the Lake District this weekend to test it out so can't wait.

 

[bob-on]

Here's the old van going, I'll be getting the new van sorted with the black wrap on the front lower panel because I think it looks much better.


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[bob-on]

And the new van.... Same but different!

Monster mats, seat covers including all bed sections, bumper protector, Mudflaps, wind deflectors and a strip of chrome for the lower front grille, memory foam topper, roof cover, thermo screen cover, Brandrup tea towel rail and Brandrup water carrier with clip for side rail.

I think the accessories run away with you, I'm addicted! Bike rack on back order so waiting for that to arrive late August.


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[dex14]

New van looks great. Glad you can start to move on from your nightmare.

What did you think of Liverpool for sales? I get mine serviced there but they didn't exist when I bought it.

Martin

 

[Linda]

Hurrah! I love a happy ending. Best of luck and fun with your new van.

 

[Stu]

Finally a good outcome. We should wait for the stories from the next person they sell it to :laugh2

 

[jts46]

And the new van.... Same but different!

Monster mats, seat covers including all bed sections, bumper protector, Mudflaps, wind deflectors and a strip of chrome for the lower front grille, memory foam topper, roof cover, thermo screen cover, Brandrup tea towel rail and Brandrup water carrier with clip for side rail.

I think the accessories run away with you, I'm addicted! Bike rack on back order so waiting for that to arrive late August.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Please let me know where you had seat covers from?

 

[Barryjm]

I like a happy ending! Proves what a fantastic vehicle the Cali is when you are prepared to buy another after the fiasco of the last one! Enjoy [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]


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[Andy]

As others have said, glad this had a good outcome & you can now get on with the California lifestyle.