BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-28-2014, 07:52 PM   #23
Zuzu
Major General
Zuzu's Avatar
Australia
2809
Rep
7,635
Posts

Drives: M2C HS 6MT
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Knightelf View Post
BMW ruined my trim removing seats and the service manager had it fixed no problems after a scathing letter form me.

It works to be a pain in the backside, so let them know you're not gonna let it go easy and play hardball. Trust me eventually they'll do anything just to be rid of you!
Agree... Stick to your guns..Dont back down.

The last thing they would want is bad publicity in this industry.

I stuck it up my BMW dealer over a service issue with my M, and in the end negotiated a further 3 year BMW warranty..

Never say never, and never backdown on what you truely believe to be a injustice to you.
Good luck.
Appreciate 0
      04-28-2014, 11:51 PM   #24
Kkuba
Private First Class
24
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: N54 135i
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: VIC, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zuzu View Post
Agree... Stick to your guns..Dont back down.

The last thing they would want is bad publicity in this industry.

I stuck it up my BMW dealer over a service issue with my M, and in the end negotiated a further 3 year BMW warranty..

Never say never, and never backdown on what you truely believe to be a injustice to you.
Good luck.
Thank you. Yes, I do not plan to back down.

I am still putting together my argument before I call him.

The only thought I had was, perhaps it is reasonable for him to ask for the difference between what he would charge if i gave him the car, compared to what he charged when I just gave him the seat.

This, I would think, should definitely be no more than $50, as it took me less than 10 mins each way.

Thoughts? Do you guys agree? Would you guys pay that?

Thanks in advance.
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2014, 07:36 PM   #25
Kkuba
Private First Class
24
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: N54 135i
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: VIC, Australia

iTrader: (0)

So, spoke again today. No discussion of price, I guess that can happen when I bring it in. But basically, he said I need to bring in the car, and leave it with him for an hour, and he can fix it all.

I have my doubts that he can fix all of that in an hour... so I don't know what to do. I don't want him to cause more problems. *sigh*
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2014, 07:38 PM   #26
ItsHectic
But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear!
Australia
57
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: at a reasonable speed
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NSW

iTrader: (0)

There is no way he is fixing that in an hour, I think you should not bother talking to him any more, I would of pressed him on how he could possibly fix it in only an hour.
__________________
135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS.
Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2014, 09:21 PM   #27
Smiley1175
Major
Smiley1175's Avatar
Australia
281
Rep
1,017
Posts

Drives: M2
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kkuba
So, spoke again today. No discussion of price, I guess that can happen when I bring it in. But basically, he said I need to bring in the car, and leave it with him for an hour, and he can fix it all.

I have my doubts that he can fix all of that in an hour... so I don't know what to do. I don't want him to cause more problems. *sigh*
Give him the rope that'll become his own noose.
If he says an hour run with an hour.
When that doesn't happen, then you can add this to their unprofessional approach. It'll help you if/when dollars be discussed.
Your stance will be this additional time correcting their original mistakes is costing you time and money and if there should be any payments made it should be to you.
Good luck and I hope it gets all sorted and you can move on having gotten what you've paid for.
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2014, 09:40 PM   #28
ItsHectic
But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear!
Australia
57
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: at a reasonable speed
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NSW

iTrader: (0)

I dont think this is a good idea, its too risky sending your whole car this time to him.

On top of that it would be much harder to complain about a guttered rim or scratched paint from a leather upholsterer than the current damage, they might say its an insurance issue.

If you do do this at least call your insurance 1st, make sure that they note on your account the situation.
__________________
135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS.
Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.

Last edited by ItsHectic; 04-29-2014 at 09:45 PM..
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2014, 12:16 AM   #29
Kkuba
Private First Class
24
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: N54 135i
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: VIC, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ItsHectic View Post
I dont think this is a good idea, its too risky sending your whole car this time to him.

On top of that it would be much harder to complain about a guttered rim or scratched paint from a leather upholsterer than the current damage, they might say its an insurance issue.

If you do do this at least call your insurance 1st, make sure that they note on your account the situation.
Since it "should only be an hour" I am going to stick around and watch him do it. Although, I have doubts that he will let me...

The thing is, if I don't give him an opportunity to rectify the issues, I think, in the event of any proceedings, my recourse could be affected.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2014, 12:39 AM   #30
ItsHectic
But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear!
Australia
57
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: at a reasonable speed
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NSW

iTrader: (0)

Well is he saying he will replace the plastic bits in that hour too, he needs to offer to rectify the situation before you can give him a chance to.

The problem I see with your approach is you are escalating the situation without any advantage, by agreeing with him for something improbable then asking to watch him, you are both not standing your ground and angering him further.
__________________
135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS.
Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2014, 07:06 AM   #31
Hash
Private
28
Rep
66
Posts

Drives: 11' 135 DCT
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Had the lemon leather on the drivers seat replaced under warranty earlier this year at my local dealer, left it there for the day and they did a great job of it. It's only a slip on cover, therefore I can't see why your local dealer didn't fit it to begin with. Note that they are at fault for taking on the job with no power to the seat, so hold them accountable on that front. If they realised they couldn't do it right, then doing a poor job whilst damaging the surrounding plastics is not acceptable. Just to add, the majority of creases will come out once the seats have been exposed to sunlight and heat.
Appreciate 0
      04-30-2014, 06:20 PM   #32
Kkuba
Private First Class
24
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: N54 135i
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: VIC, Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ItsHectic View Post
Well is he saying he will replace the plastic bits in that hour too, he needs to offer to rectify the situation before you can give him a chance to.

The problem I see with your approach is you are escalating the situation without any advantage, by agreeing with him for something improbable then asking to watch him, you are both not standing your ground and angering him further.
I see your point.

I am going to go to see him to discuss in person, as I feel more confident when I am talking to someone in person and I can look them in the eye and vice versa. I will see what he has to say to me about the seat and how he plans to fix it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hash View Post
Had the lemon leather on the drivers seat replaced under warranty earlier this year at my local dealer, left it there for the day and they did a great job of it. It's only a slip on cover, therefore I can't see why your local dealer didn't fit it to begin with. Note that they are at fault for taking on the job with no power to the seat, so hold them accountable on that front. If they realised they couldn't do it right, then doing a poor job whilst damaging the surrounding plastics is not acceptable. Just to add, the majority of creases will come out once the seats have been exposed to sunlight and heat.
I didn't buy the leather from the dealer (they were asking almost 3k for just the cover, for one seat! eff that!), so I had to make the choice myself about who was to fit it.

And I don't think it's as simple as a slip on cover, as I mentioned the tie-down, as an example.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2014, 04:27 AM   #33
335i-boy
Lieutenant
15
Rep
457
Posts

Drives: E92 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kkuba View Post
I didn't buy the leather from the dealer (they were asking almost 3k for just the cover, for one seat! eff that!), so I had to make the choice myself about who was to fit it..
I didn't know you didn't buy the seat cover from the dealer. It shouldn't matter but is that why the dealer recommended you go to Blackman's. $3K bloody hell!!!
__________________
2008 E92 335i M-Sport | Sapphire Black | Sunroof | Creme Beige | Poplar Grey | Logic 7 | 6AT | 19" AG M359's | Michelin PS4S | LUX V3 | MHD V5 E40 | Steve AZ Walbro inline | Vishnu DCI | BMS CP | AR Design Catless DP's | Forge DV's | Helix IC | (Stock Cat. back) |
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2014, 08:51 AM   #34
Z2TT
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: E39 M5
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

They state that they could not do the job properly as the seat was not electronically adjustable being out of the car, and proceeded with the job which shows that they did a subpar job and were careless.

They should have refused the job, instead of using that as an excuse against you.

ACCC cannot make anybody give you a refund, all they do is collect information from both parties and talk to both parties, like a middle man. That is all.

If you honestly believe the service was bad, and they are unwilling to fix it for you, you would have to take them to court and also prove the service was subpar.

I think you should not have waited to see what solution they can offer you before starting this thread and naming a business before they have a chance to solve your problem.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2014, 09:17 AM   #35
ItsHectic
But your honour it's my Affluenza I swear!
Australia
57
Rep
533
Posts

Drives: at a reasonable speed
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NSW

iTrader: (0)

The ACCC can take action against a company, I have read about it on their site where they returned money to people.
__________________
135i M Sport DCT. BSM/Oyster/GP trim. FBO Cobb, Bilstein EDC coilovers, M3 bushings, PSS.
Knowledge of the Tapa Tapa Tapa street race start.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2014, 06:08 PM   #36
racer_x
Second Lieutenant
racer_x's Avatar
13
Rep
226
Posts

Drives: When He Has To
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Sydney

iTrader: (0)

I thought the ACCC was there to enforce competition laws and the like. I think you might be mixing it up with Department of Fair Trading or similar.

Either way, if they could not do the job because the seat was out of the car, they should have said so before butchering the seat.
Appreciate 0
      05-01-2014, 06:49 PM   #37
Knightelf
Captain
Australia
87
Rep
886
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 135i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by racer_x View Post
I thought the ACCC was there to enforce competition laws and the like. I think you might be mixing it up with Department of Fair Trading or similar.

Either way, if they could not do the job because the seat was out of the car, they should have said so before butchering the seat.
ACCC took over consumer protection duties from State government departments when the Competition and Consumer Act came in force a few years back.

ACCC can enforce the law and not just act as the middle man although logically they will try to resolve the dispute first. And the law says (in a nutshell) if a consumer guarantee has been breached then they have to refund or repair. That is not to say they will definitely take action (or act promptly, if at all), but it is one path you could take if the service provider fails to make good.

Take everything with a grain of salt from "advice" you get on the internet and go read the ACCC website.

Last edited by Knightelf; 05-01-2014 at 06:55 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-02-2014, 05:17 AM   #38
Z2TT
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: E39 M5
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Australia

iTrader: (0)

My mistake, I am talking more about Consumer Affairs departments, in WA there is one and they deal with complaints like this. I'm unsure what it is called in different states, but the ACCC is not going to pursue somebody in court or force them to pay where a customer isn't happy with the fit and finish of seats, hamburger has too much tomato sauce etc, heaps of these reports are made very day. You will most likely have your report put to a consumer affairs department which will ask the seller/repairer to meet your demands, and it's the sellers choice what they decide to do, I have been through the same situation a few times where I have had substandard work done.

I'd say sort it out with the business, simply ask them :

"If you had a BMW, would you expect this sort of result, and would you prefer the repairer to ask or not ask you about the position of the seat making the job more difficult before proceeding"

As for things being broken on the seat that definitely should be replaced as it's damage to the seat.

Last edited by Z2TT; 05-02-2014 at 05:24 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-06-2014, 08:33 PM   #39
Kkuba
Private First Class
24
Rep
101
Posts

Drives: N54 135i
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: VIC, Australia

iTrader: (0)

UPDATE:

I took it in yesterday, they fixed a lot of issues with the leather. It does look a lot better, not as good as I'd like it but:

It seems the leather trim is not perfect, and in fact, I can see that the foam is 'too big' for the leather in some places, and that was what was causing some of the imperfections in the finish.

For example, the 'tips' of the bolsters were being 'crushed' by the leather trim, and that was what was causing the creasing of the material that was visible down the side of the bolster, it was the foam compressing and bunching up.

The hinges are still exposed, and he said there is nothing he can do about that. It genuinely seems that the seat-back cover is too small for the foam/seat frame.

The imperfection around the airbag cover is also due to poor stitching. This was pointed out by Blackman's person, and concurred by my father (10+ years as a seating engineer in the automotive industry), and he is definitely not one to let something slide, in typical ethnic immigrant fashion.

I believe they have done the best job possible with what they have been given. And they did not charge me any more for any of the follow up work.

Regarding the plastics:

They seem to have fixed the release lever (in regards to how it seemed dislocated), but otherwise, they did not do anything, but the plastics seem to be reasonably retained, so I am just going to settle for this, I am just glad that overall the seat cover looks a lot better (at first glance), and really, as best as it can, I believe.

I am just glad to put this whole ordeal behind me (as there was more to the story prior to this, including what resulted in the requirement for a new seat cover... but I won't go into that).

I have to say, the owner was reasonable when I came in to speak to him, and handled it quite well, so props to him. I think most of the time it takes a polite, face-to-face conversation with the person to get things sorted.

Overall regarding Blackman's, I would say, not ideal that they broke clips of the plastic trims, and that the leather had grease marks on it, which it still has, and this was a bit of a disappointment. But, otherwise, I expect that they actually specialise in trimming up seat covers from scratch, which is a different process to what I asked them to do, and perhaps this is where their experience lies.

Thank you once again everyone for taking the time to give me advice and support on how to handle this.

Last edited by Kkuba; 05-06-2014 at 08:38 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-06-2014, 08:56 PM   #40
7smurfs
Captain
7smurfs's Avatar
Australia
137
Rep
902
Posts

Drives: M3 CS
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Melbourne

iTrader: (0)

Good to hear you got a decent result!
Appreciate 0
      05-06-2014, 09:29 PM   #41
Knightelf
Captain
Australia
87
Rep
886
Posts

Drives: M235i
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Brisbane

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 135i  [0.00]
So the OEM leather cover had fitment issues and stitching problems? Sounds like you probably would've had a better result getting them to do it from scratch. Anyways good to hear it's all behind now.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
blackman's, leather, seat

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST