Dealerships charging extra for Covid cleaning!

[Velma's Dad]

So coming back on topic, yes we can expect to see all sorts of charges cropping up to recoup extra outlay. Campsite fee's probably another example.

Yes unfortunately this is now going to get silly. The latest ONS infection survey stats (https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...onaviruscovid19infectionsurveypilot/5june2020) show that in England at any point in past two weeks only about in 1,000 people is infectious with C19, and that is falling steadily.

Even if that one-in-a-thousand person happens to work on my vehicle, and coughs on some hard surfaces, I would guess the chances of my thereby catching the virus, would be reduced more or less to zero by a quick steri-wipe over of the main surfaces (steering wheel, door handles etc), that would take maybe 30 secs?

And by the time the campsites re-open in a few weeks (hopefully), I'm guessing that the probability of contracting C19 from shared loos will be so low as to be negligible.

Just my views.

 

[dynamicstall]

Just had my Cali delivered back from a very expensive job (we won't go there) - service excellent, delivery guy wiped down all insides he had touched and keys etc, social distance etc all good
but then I noticed a charge of £6 for covid deep clean on invoice...apparently Listers Group has introduced this across all their dealerships not just VW...
It's nice to know they are taking care and doing their bit properly and thoughtfull,y but if everyone started adding extra for cleaning...most are just doing it per se as part of new normal I thought..
I know it's small sum so am I just being picky and grumpy? Anyone else's dealer doing this?

Yes I got stung 10 quid in Exeter.

 

[Nick Stubbs]

Ours was serviced a few weeks back (Parkway) no cleaning charge.

 

[AnneMarie]

Our went to Listers Coventry yesterday and they added the charge. I refused to pay. They were a little grumpy, but I explained that as they hadn’t informed me ahead of the work I wasn’t paying. I get their problem, but they were still offering free tea, coffee, wifi etc, I get a video of the inspection, nice but not essential, so I would argue they could recoup the money elsewhere.

 

[vwsween]

The answer is when collecting your vehicle you take an invoice for them for £20 for the even deeper deep clean you did prior to bringing the vehicle in. After all you like them and wouldn't want them to catch anything from your vehicle. Then of course there is the £6 waste disposal fee.

 

[David Eccles]

slight update
took my Beetle to Listers VW Nuneaton (same group as the Cov Van Centre) who cleaned down it when I arrived and then again in workshop and again at hand back. NO MENTION of a charge, or anything tucked away on invoice!
Listers Van Centre have yet to come here to collect payment and I shall simply deduct £6 from total and pay that. No response from Listers HQ in Banbury re the charge yet however...surprise surprise...

 

[calibeach76]

Just had my Cali delivered back from a very expensive job (we won't go there) - service excellent, delivery guy wiped down all insides he had touched and keys etc, social distance etc all good
but then I noticed a charge of £6 for covid deep clean on invoice...apparently Listers Group has introduced this across all their dealerships not just VW...
It's nice to know they are taking care and doing their bit properly and thoughtfull,y but if everyone started adding extra for cleaning...most are just doing it per se as part of new normal I thought..
I know it's small sum so am I just being picky and grumpy? Anyone else's dealer doing this?

Will they do this every flu season for a virus that is not only more prevalent but proven more deadly? I seriously do question how as a society we have become so weak and cucked by big government.

 

[Perfectos]

Surely the point of the clean ( I doubt very much it’s deep) is to cover the dealers risk assessment for its employees welfare and its requirements to meet government guidance.
It has little to do with any benefit to the paying customer.
Why should the customer be expected to pay for the dealers protection of its employees and compliance with H&S guidelines to allow it to trade at all ?

My earlier sarcastic comment with regard to the clean ! I would suggest you look closely at the interior of your van when you get it back, mine always has some nice dirty marks on the trim when the dealer gives it back! Should the garage not be doing the clean as part of their work schedule?

 

[VW Kev]

Carrs VW in Cornwall charging £12 for the clean ! Scandalous behaviour - so will not get any more business from me. SIMPLE.

 

[Karlos]

Was the vehicle cleaned/sterilised before it was handed over to the garage for service?

I’m not supporting the charge but one could say it works both ways.

I was at a motorhome dealers last week with work and they were telling customers if they wanted to book their vehicle in for work it would have to come in a week early (full 7 days) to sit before staff would go near it. Not sure what they were doing when handing vehicles back.

 

[WelshGas]

I was at a motorhome dealers last week with work and they were telling customers if they wanted to book their vehicle in for work it would have to come in a week early (full 7 days) to sit before staff would go near it. Not sure what they were doing when handing vehicles back.

Maybe leaving the vehicle for 7 days after finishing the work before getting the owner to come and collect?

 

[2haw]

Booked mine in for a service with SMG Tonbridge yesterday and were advised of a cleaning charge of £12.

 

[Borris]

I really don't see how any garage can force you to pay such a charge and anyway once the VAT element is removed just how much exactly and what specifically will they be cleaning for £10. Given their hourly rates I suspect it's no more than door handles, bonnet catch, steering wheel, hand brake and driving controls. Anything in the engine compartment or underneath is unlikely to have be touched by the owner. Anyway all this is rather beside the point because if they are following normal H and S practice then the mechanic should be wearing disposable gloves. (You can get an entire box containing 50 pairs for around £10). Anyone else who touches a customers car should do the same. Most good garages even protect the seats with a disposable plastic sheet thingy. So unless the service involves licking the steering wheel etc I dont't really see the point. It looks like an @r$€ covering, money making scam to me.

If the charge is to protect the customer from their covid ridden staff then again I don't see the point. Most owners in the current Covid climate aren't going to drive off in their vehicle before first giving it the once over with disinfectant wipes for their own peace of mind. They would do better by issuing a disclaimer and providing the customer with complimentary disinfectant wipes on collection.

 

[ArunAlec]

Wonder if they are quite so scrupulous about cleaning when you are buying?
I had a test drive in a couple of cars at a non VW dealer at the weekend and although they were being cautious and keeping distance etc they certainly weren’t swabbing down the car‘s interiors Or keys before or after my partner and I were in them. The test drive set up was fun though! We were allowed to take the cars on the dealers “dynamic test route” ... we had to follow the salesman who was driving the “pace car”. Sorry @soulstyledevon ..... went for the 718!

 

[Rich20]

I tried charging my boss £12 for deep cleaning my mates lorry before I drove it. Guess what his response was

 

[2haw]

Just realised that I have been asked to pay £15 to cover the insurance on the courtesy van, I wonder if I have to pay an additional £12 to Covid clean that aswell!!

 

[WelshGas]

Just realised that I have been asked to pay £15 to cover the insurance on the courtesy van, I wonder if I have to pay an additional £12 to Covid clean that aswell!!

Check that your California Insurance doesn’t include cover for courtesy vehicles whilst your vehicle is undergoing repairs/service. Mine does. The Dealership just photocopies my Insurance certificate.

 

[2haw]

Check that your California Insurance doesn’t include cover for courtesy vehicles whilst your vehicle is undergoing repairs/service. Mine does. The Dealership just photocopies my Insurance certificate.

Ok, cheers, I’m with Comfort but I believe it’s probably a standard non negotiable charge just so the dealer gets a few extra quid..

 

[WelshGas]

Ok, cheers, I’m with Comfort but I believe it’s probably a standard non negotiable charge just so the dealer gets a few extra quid..

Never had a problem. They just want to ensure the vehicle is insured when in your possession .

 

[Perfectos]

Ok, cheers, I’m with Comfort but I believe it’s probably a standard non negotiable charge just so the dealer gets a few extra quid..

You are paying to reduce the excess, is what I was told, you don’t want to know what the excess was without the charge!

 

[Ricotansky]

Hmm seeing as I have had to clean the oily fingerprints and black marks from the carpet every time the van has been under the care of a VW dealer, maybe I should send them a bill...

 

[soulstyledevon]

Wonder if they are quite so scrupulous about cleaning when you are buying?
I had a test drive in a couple of cars at a non VW dealer at the weekend and although they were being cautious and keeping distance etc they certainly weren’t swabbing down the car‘s interiors Or keys before or after my partner and I were in them. The test drive set up was fun though! We were allowed to take the cars on the dealers “dynamic test route” ... we had to follow the salesman who was driving the “pace car”. Sorry @soulstyledevon ..... went for the 718!

The GT4, spyder or new GTS...
Not one of the 4pots surely....?

 

[ArunAlec]

One way or another they will charge you. Whether it be a separate charge or a hidden uplift in labour charges.

True, thats the problem with itemised billing Many Years back a mate had his Merc serviced at a main agent and the bill showed the ridiculous charge for “wiping auto radio aerial”

The GT4, spyder or new GTS...
Not one of the 4pots surely....?

Afraid so!
Forgeting the less “dramatic” sound I found it an easier car to drive without needing to thrash it. The 981 had a few things that just didn’t add up, like the door plates, one “Boxster” the other “Boxster S”.

 

[soulstyledevon]

True, thats the problem with itemised billing Many Years back a mate had his Merc serviced at a main agent and the bill showed the ridiculous charge for “wiping auto radio aerial”

Afraid so!
Forgeting the less “dramatic” sound I found it an easier car to drive without needing to thrash it. The 981 had a few things that just didn’t add up, like the door plates, one “Boxster” the other “Boxster S”.

Im sure you will enjoy it.
I take it you went for Boxster, by the above statement.
The 718 interior is the best around. Very nice place to be.
Enjoy

 

[ArunAlec]

Im sure you will enjoy it.
I take it you went for Boxster, by the above statement.
The 718 interior is the best around. Very nice place to be.
Enjoy

Cheers... it was a sunny day, so yes Boxster!