First problem arises with my new skoda laura (it's just 2 weeks old!)

namit · 27th February 2007, 22:16

Even Rats are obsessed with Skoda i guess.........

karthik247 · 27th February 2007, 22:32

A rat moving the belt outta position explains the quality of it... "Skoda, Obsessed With Quality"

stick_shift · 28th February 2007, 01:40

I agree that the dealers just wanna rip off all their customers in any way that they can!

I guess, I may have been lied to by the mechanics.

I was charged (believe it or not they charged Rs. 1,235.00) for the refitting the belt. Now I think if I would have not accepted their
explanation they might have done it for free. I was just so thrilled to hear that they could fix my problem within a few minutes that i just did not bother arguing with them about the cause.

Godfather · 28th February 2007, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick_shift

I was charged (believe it or not they charged Rs. 1,235.00) for the refitting the belt.

You said that your car was 2 weeks old... and for re-fitting a belt they charged you??..And you Paid??

Godfather

chanapli · 28th February 2007, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick_shift

I was charged (believe it or not they charged Rs. 1,235.00) for the refitting the belt.

That hurts me too. Check in the bill for service hours rate. For few minutes job how could they charge 1235/-?. If I am correct, usually 90 - 150 Rs per man hours is standard!.

Vid6639 · 28th February 2007, 08:26

Shouldn't that be done under warranty? If they say that it will not be under warranty as it is a rat problem, tell them to prove it in writing and send a copy to skoda. A verbal reason is not good enough.

TSEA · 28th February 2007, 09:11

How can someone be charged for Labour for a car that is not even Two Weeks old

and that too for this nature of job.

I had a similar experience with my Indica, which was nearly 8 months old. I was not charged for any labour and spare parts (under warranty). For that matter, they didn't even charged me for the tow away (breakdown) fees.

Hmm. guess these service center folks work only with a money-centered mind.

Just wondering, whether you observed any difference in Steering and Brakes.

And that must be some rat

!

benbsb29 · 28th February 2007, 10:59

They really do have u conned there.. first a ratty (read fishy) story, and then making you pay for it !!! Also, for a 2 weeks old car, how could u agree to it?

Sam Kapasi · 28th February 2007, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by stick_shift

The problem arose because of the belt that drives the alternator moved out of position and stop turning the alternator. The mechanics told me it was due to a rat crawling up from under the car that may have moved the belt out of position. At first i could not believe this but they showed me some rat hair (or something that looked like rat hair) attached to the belt.

Let me get this straight. A Skoda certified mechanic told you, that a rat moved moved the highly tensioned belt that turns the pulley of youe alternatior???

And then left ONE hair there??

This I'm gonna remember. Thanks for making this a fun morning.

Unfortunately, as everybody has already told you, that's a really stupid lie. Ask this mechanic, that if a rat could move it (assuming, safely that this rat had no tools), could your mechanic move the belt with no tools either?

What hurts is that they lied to you, repaired a 2 month old car and then charged you. I suggest you write a letter to Skoda India, explaining what happened. I am sure you will get a refund and an apology.

chanapli · 28th February 2007, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSEA

For that matter, they didn't even charged me for the tow away (breakdown) fees.

8 months old Indica had to be towed?.

esteem_lover · 28th February 2007, 11:19

Quote:

Let me get this straight. A Skoda certified mechanic told you, that a rat moved moved the highly tensioned belt that turns the pulley of youe alternatior??? And then left ONE hair there??

Dont laugh guys, probably that was Mickey Mouse. Now who wants to pull the mickey out of the skoda ???

benbsb29 · 28th February 2007, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Unfortunately, as everybody has already told you, that's a really stupid lie. Ask this mechanic, that if a rat could move it (assuming, safely that this rat had no tools), could your mechanic move the belt with no tools either?

What hurts is that they lied to you, repaired a 2 month old car and then charged you. I suggest you write a letter to Skoda India, explaining what happened. I am sure you will get a refund and an apology.

Sam, the thread header says its a 2 weeks old car.. which makes the case all the more difficult to believe.

As about the rat/s having tools.. could be a member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Rodents, for all u know.

Godfather · 28th February 2007, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Unfortunately, as everybody has already told you, that's a really stupid lie. Ask this mechanic, that if a rat could move it (assuming, safely that this rat had no tools), could your mechanic move the belt with no tools either?

What hurts is that they lied to you, repaired a 2 month old car and then charged you. I suggest you write a letter to Skoda India, explaining what happened. I am sure you will get a refund and an apology.

Hahahahahaha...Nice one Sam..

The car was 2 Weeks old... Not months..

Godfather

TSEA · 28th February 2007, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by chanapli

8 months old Indica had to be towed?.

Well the power steering and brakes went dead (as one of the Pulley's gave away along with the belt coming out), didn't wanted it to be driven all the way to service center

veyron1 · 28th February 2007, 19:31

You've been taken for a royal ride, dear "stick shift".

It seems as though the alternator pulley or power steering pulley was misaligned (a single serpentine belt turns the power steering, alternator and A/C pulleys) from the beginning, i.e., from the moment you took delivery of your car. Probably due to improper PDI. Those "rat hairs" are strands from the belt, nothing else- they come out if the belt grazes against the outer rims of the pulleys.

Get your alternator belt changed under warranty. Claim a refund. Speak to the manager of Autobahn or get in touch with the marketing/sales dept. at Skoda. If you're running the same belt, chances are that the belt won't last long; and the mechanics will probably blame these same "rats" for "gnawing" through the steel-reinforced belt.

Your car is barely 2 weeks old. You have every right to kick the living crap out of Autobahn's/ Skoda's family jewels.

27th February 2007, 22:16	#16
namit BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 403 Thanked: 55 Times	Even Rats are obsessed with Skoda i guess.........
	() Thanks

27th February 2007, 22:32	#17
karthik247 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR, HYD Posts: 2,710 Thanked: 30 Times	A rat moving the belt outta position explains the quality of it... "Skoda, Obsessed With Quality"
	() Thanks

28th February 2007, 01:40	#18
stick_shift Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 7 Thanked: 0 Times	I agree that the dealers just wanna rip off all their customers in any way that they can! I guess, I may have been lied to by the mechanics. I was charged (believe it or not they charged Rs. 1,235.00) for the refitting the belt. Now I think if I would have not accepted their explanation they might have done it for free. I was just so thrilled to hear that they could fix my problem within a few minutes that i just did not bother arguing with them about the cause.
	() Thanks

28th February 2007, 08:26	#21
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,757 Thanked: 43,812 Times View My Garage	Shouldn't that be done under warranty? If they say that it will not be under warranty as it is a rat problem, tell them to prove it in writing and send a copy to skoda. A verbal reason is not good enough.
	() Thanks

28th February 2007, 09:11	#22
TSEA BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 420 Thanked: 854 Times	How can someone be charged for Labour for a car that is not even Two Weeks old and that too for this nature of job. I had a similar experience with my Indica, which was nearly 8 months old. I was not charged for any labour and spare parts (under warranty). For that matter, they didn't even charged me for the tow away (breakdown) fees. Hmm. guess these service center folks work only with a money-centered mind. Just wondering, whether you observed any difference in Steering and Brakes. And that must be some rat !
	() Thanks

28th February 2007, 10:59	#23
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 10,027 Thanked: 13,591 Times View My Garage	They really do have u conned there.. first a ratty (read fishy) story, and then making you pay for it !!! Also, for a 2 weeks old car, how could u agree to it?
	() Thanks

28th February 2007, 19:31	#30
veyron1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,424 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	You've been taken for a royal ride, dear "stick shift". It seems as though the alternator pulley or power steering pulley was misaligned (a single serpentine belt turns the power steering, alternator and A/C pulleys) from the beginning, i.e., from the moment you took delivery of your car. Probably due to improper PDI. Those "rat hairs" are strands from the belt, nothing else- they come out if the belt grazes against the outer rims of the pulleys. Get your alternator belt changed under warranty. Claim a refund. Speak to the manager of Autobahn or get in touch with the marketing/sales dept. at Skoda. If you're running the same belt, chances are that the belt won't last long; and the mechanics will probably blame these same "rats" for "gnawing" through the steel-reinforced belt. Your car is barely 2 weeks old. You have every right to kick the living crap out of Autobahn's/ Skoda's family jewels.
	() Thanks