Am I just over reacting?

[Eila Voo]

I just really need to vent right now and other peoples opinions are more than welcome on this.
My DH and I just spent $4000 on getting repairs done to our car, went and picked it up this morning and everything seemed fine with the car. My DH drove the car to work only 10 minutes away and still everything seemed fine. His car sits at work all day without being touched or moved etc. After work today he gets in the car drivess for 15minutes to find flames coming out from under the bonnet. The Battery was on fire, the insulation on the top of the inside of the bonnet was on fire, the battery brace was on fire. There was fire everywhere. My DH being mechanically minded put the fire out with some quick thinking and called me to let me know what had happened etc. My immediate response was fear and then anger. We had paid $4000 total on fixing the car, only to have a careless error made by them ruin it all. What would have happened if our 18month old daughter was in the car? Or my pregnant MIL?
My sister seems to think that I am over reacting by being angry and wanting to call and abuse the people tomorrow. My sister does not have any children by the way. So my question is Am I just over reacting, should I not call them tomorrow and am I being a Chopper Mum.

[waterlily]

You are NOT over reacting!!! Call them!!!!

I'd be absolutely furious!!!

[Eila Voo]

and how would you react to your car bursting into flames whilst ur partner was driving it alone, or if u urself was driving it?

[Lynken]

Fear and anger are perfectly acceptable responses to a situation like this. Calling and abusing them is not.

Speak to your insurer first - you may find that they will deal with it if it is shown that shoddy work caused the fire. If not, then you will need to speak to them yourself. Explain what happened and tell them what you want (repairs, full or partial refund, your excess paid, apology etc).

By all means, be firm. Phrases like "I am appalled that you would allow this to happen" or "I am horrified that my family was put in danger" express your feelings without yelling or being rude. Most people will respond far more favorably if you approach them calmly rather than screaming abuse at them.

[Jakois]

Holy heck! I would be beyond furious.

I don't think you are over reacting at all!

[trishalishous]

what lynken said ^

and id be furious too!

[lulu 2]

I would be just as angry and have been with mechanics ,but it is best not to tackle it angry. Try ringing consumer complains they have a motor section with people who know about cars and they could give you some info on what your rights are as a comsumer just so you go to the mechanics armed with knowledge on what they should do for you in this situation.

[emzluvbub]

Agree with PP. I'd be very angry BUT chances are the person you speak to, didn't touch your car. So 'abusing' them is rather silly and unnecessary.

Calling them and informing them of the problem however is perfectly acceptable.

[GM01]

Put something in writing to them, then contact your consumer protection body in your state. That is awful and you have so many rights - you are NOT overreacting at all!!

[waterlily]

Fear and anger are perfectly acceptable responses to a situation like this. Calling and abusing them is not.

Speak to your insurer first - you may find that they will deal with it if it is shown that shoddy work caused the fire. If not, then you will need to speak to them yourself. Explain what happened and tell them what you want (repairs, full or partial refund, your excess paid, apology etc).

By all means, be firm. Phrases like "I am appalled that you would allow this to happen" or "I am horrified that my family was put in danger" express your feelings without yelling or being rude. Most people will respond far more favorably if you approach them calmly rather than screaming abuse at them.

This!! I should add I wouldn't call and abuse them but I would NOT be dropping the matter!

[Bgirl]

def not a over reaction ! your expect work dont right , looks like they be up to plenty of free work for you. I would be talking to your insurance company to

[Eila Voo]

Thanks for all the replies. We did call and tell the mechanics what had happened and we are taking the car back in on Tuesday for them to fix. We were polite, yet firm. There was no swearing or raised voices at all. Lol I am rather proud of us, because I was so furious on Wednesday when it happened. The only down side is we will be without a car for who knows how long while they fix it- which means having to borrow a car off my dad (something I hate doing). The mechanic that worked on the car was actually the Head Mechanic and incharge of the entire workshop. We recieved a verbal apology on the phone and I assume we will be getting another 1 on Tuesday. Thanks again for the advice.

[waterlily]

Thanks for all the replies. We did call and tell the mechanics what had happened and we are taking the car back in on Tuesday for them to fix. We were polite, yet firm. There was no swearing or raised voices at all. Lol I am rather proud of us, because I was so furious on Wednesday when it happened. The only down side is we will be without a car for who knows how long while they fix it- which means having to borrow a car off my dad (something I hate doing). The mechanic that worked on the car was actually the Head Mechanic and incharge of the entire workshop. We recieved a verbal apology on the phone and I assume we will be getting another 1 on Tuesday. Thanks again for the advice.

Excellent! I hope it doesn't take too long for your car to be fixed.

[Kaybaby]

I would be asking the mechanical workshop to provide you with a replacement car for the time it takes to be repaired, or to cover the costs of a hire car. I think this would be the least they could do for the inconvenience and danger they placed your family in.

[Sweet Tooth]

Yes i would be furious. And completely scared that my DH was in the car by himself whilst it is in flames.

That seems to be a good outcome to a horrible situation.

[Eila Voo]

So the idiot mechanics are refusing to fix the car! They said they didnt touch the battery at all, even tho it is basic knowledge that when dealing with a car with a computer you have to disconnect the battery. We have reported them to the Department of Fair Trading and are just waiting to hear back from them. I am beyond furious at this point! How can they blantantly lie like that? And then the mechanics were swearing and trying to get physically into a fight with my DH. What absolute morons!!!!! I can not believe the stupid, stupid, stupid people at Sydney Diesel Centre. Yep I am naming and shaming them! They should take some responsibility and just fix my car. We have lost income because we have had to run around trying to fix this car, and we have had to borrow my dads car and call him in from work early to pick us up after the car broke down on us. Its ridiculous. We didnt spend $4000 on the car for them to friggen break it on us!!!!

[Solarberry]

All I can say is good luck.

A few years ago my car went in for a brake replacement etc. Anyway, all good and well, paid my money, went home to pick up something and then went to a friends. I was turning to enter the freeway and all of a sudden my brakes failed! I pressed right down on the brake and it went to the floor and I was still going. Of course I freaked out and didnt know what the hell to do. I went into the emergency lane of the free way and rolled to a stop. I had to call my parents who came and looked and managed to get it home. I called the place the next day and went off at them saying I could have had an accident. All I wanted was them to fix the problem and I thought it was fair that they give me the money back since they didnt fix it. Well a bunch of letters and calls later, all I got was my problem fixed. No sorry, no compensation for being without a car, none of my money back, nothing. I swore I would never deal with them again and I havent.

[Eila Voo]

Oh my goodness that is just disgraceful. The very least they can do is apologise for the mishap! People really annoy me sometimes!
We have heard back from Consumer Affairs and they said that our service was incomplete as they did not do the tighten up the bolts properly and they are liable for all damages caused. We are just waiting to hear back from the Mechanics now but honestly I do not want to take my car back to them to fix. I would much rather take it to another mechanics altogether. We chose to take the car to the Sydney Diesel Centre in the first place because they are Diesel Specialists and we have been treated like crap. I would not trust them with my car again ever.

[lulu 2]

Is the car under insurance? I would contact them aswell as it is not just mechanical that has to be fixed but the paint work and bonnet will need to be done too aswell as a full check of all hoses and wiring that may have become damaged in the fire.
I wouldnt want to take it back to them either but with DCP they give the business the chance to fix it first , ask them if you still have to take it to these ppl if they have threatened or abused you?