[D/SCooperS]

I don't know where to turn.
I recently had to call MINI emergency out due to strong smell of fuel both inside and outside the car. After two phone calls they eventually turned up ( well a third party did) about 1 1/2 hours late. The chap that came was aggresive and rude to me. To much to go into. I immediately phoned them to report how rude etc he was. He never even filled in any paperwork with me.
My car eventually turned up at the garage about 3 hours later????? ( where was it all that time). The fuel problem was sorted and i went to collect my car two days later.
When i got in my car the stereo had been broken, to the point of it no longer works. The dealership said that it arrived to them like it.
I have been in regular contact with MINI Emergency and today i have been offered £50 from the third party who collected my car and £50 from BMW as a good will gesture for the manner in which i was spoken. The problem is that nobody will accept responsibility for the damage to the car. I have spoken also to MINI Customer Services who are investigating it but feel that the only way this is going to be resolved is to go to the poilce.
My argument with them is that when my car was collected i handed my car to BMW and in my opinion its BMW's responsibility to sort this out. Yes £100 is ok for the attitude etc but i am not going to claim on my insurance or be out of pocket because of this.
I have spoken to the police and they said it would be very hard to investigate.
Help me what should i do, i feel i am smacking my head up a brick wall.
Advice needed.

[DNV122]

You need some legal advice.

Do you still have membership of the AA or similar. They have legal services on offer. The alternative is that you call a lawyer and discuss - they usually allow a free initial consulation to make an assessment.

Unfortunatley, facing facts, the easiest thing to do is get the button fixed anyway and anjoy your MINI again. £100 may do it (probably not at BMW dealer).

Good luck.

[D/SCooperS]

I do not have membership to the AA unfortunately.
I am going to get legal advice but concerned about the cost.
I also do not know if the stereo is repairable.
Thanks for your advice.

[Goonery]

PM with detalls/events of recovery company pls, the Masked Avenger wants to pay em a visit.
Discalimer:
I am in no way connected with the Masked Avenger, or even a good friend, but we do drink in the same pub, and its in the West Midlands.

[TyZ]

hi D/SCooperS,
sorry to hear about your problem.
just a suggestion, iam currently studying law (1st year).
i think you could scare the 3rd party recovery guys out of their pants by going to your county court getting a claim form for damages (something on those lines, the clerks at courts are all ways helpful just ask they will give you more info and the right form), fill it in, then a copy gets sent out to the person in question so it would be defendant (3rd party guys), your claimant . Hopefully the site of this would result in them sorting something out. By the way you dont need a solicitor to represent yourself and the courts are really understanding and helpful when the public represent themselves. at the end of the day someone has caused damages to your property and its their negligence, so they owe you .
i hope it helps, never tried my self but its how i was taught be my lecturer. Sometimes the solicitor would charge you for just answering the phone becareful

[D/SCooperS]

goonery
Might take you up on that offer. Keep a look out for a pm.

Tyz
Many thanks for your advice its something to consider.

Regards

Claire

[Lorri]

Citizens Advice Bureau might be worth a try too

[D/SCooperS]

I am getting absolutely know where with MINI Emergency and MINI Customer Services. I have an appointment with Citizens Advice Bureau on Friday and i have also contacted Watchdog. I am sick of it for 3 weeks now i have had no stereo.

Regards

Claire

[scooperman_uk]

best of luck. could try small claims court?

[D/SCooperS]

To be honest i am that disappointed in BMW that i am considering getting rid of the car.

Regards

Claire

[scooperman_uk]

i had hassles with parts failing just outside of warrantly like 2 days with renault and i kept hasseling CS.. it took 12months but in the end i got the costs back...

[WarGod]

D/SCooperS
- If you have own your own house, check to see if your household policy has a legal helpline, equally you may have access to legal advice through your motor car policy - do you have a policy which includes legal expenses - check with your broker. As for the first option (household policy) i had issues with my employer regarding a new contract of employment - they were very helpfull. Good luck and dont let them get away with it. Ps - i am a very big fan of writing directly to the Managing Director when i have problems which have not been sorted out to my satisfaction - to obtain the MD's name go to companies house at http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/info/ you'll be surprised how many things get resolved instantly when you start contacting the big cheeses !!!