Mechanics broke car key

Hi all. The below might now be a moot point/question but it’s irking me. Bill paid in full as was only a small amount I was querying but it’s not sitting well with me at all.

I left a classic car in for repair in Oct. had car towed to garage. Told the guy I was in no rush as I’m trying to find storage for the car anyway.

A number of queries out of interest in Nov/Dec to see how it was coming along. Twice told he wanted it out by end of the week so was working on it etc etc.

Dropped by yesterday as was passing and paid a hefty amount of estimate bill as had cash. Was told one or two more issues to sort and would be ready today to collect. He said one of the issues was the key. When queried he said ‘it broke trying to start the car’.

got invoice today for balance amount and charged 60 euros for key replacement.

I queried the charge thinking they broke it, nothing wrong with it when I gave it to them plus they’ve had the car since oct so have moved it/started it plenty of times.

the guy got really short with me questioning why I was querying it and was taking offense in the manner I was asking about it. Then said collect car tonight (despite me already arranging collection tomorrow) .

email from him said ‘What can I say - It broke in half trying to start the car. Its an old car.

The amount is not what’s bothering me it’s the principle. I know 60 quid sounds cheap for a car key but it’s a classic car so these can be got for around 15/20 quid.

my point is. They broke the key. I thought it was a bit rich to be charging me for it.

he got quite narky and aggressive on the phone despite being a gent every other time I’ve dealt with him. I ended up paying in full as I didn’t want the hassle.

then I began thinking of other charges (customs and duty and vat on parts ordered from UK) when these could have been ordered in Oct/Nov without these extra costs. I didn’t mind these originally but the key thing has annoyed me.

I was going to write a review about it but am wondering if I’m being unreasonable and just cranky or if I am right feeling a little peeved.

I’m probably best forgetting about it and moving on.

Thoughts?

by the way if this should be in consumer issues thread I apologise in advance

Yes best to move on. You’re in no rush to have the work done as your looking for storage.
Do you realise that free storage for you means lost income for the garage while your car takes up the space of another potential customers car?

Smoneen said:

Yes best to move on. You’re in no rush to have the work done as your looking for storage.
Do you realise that free storage for you means lost income for the garage while your car takes up the space of another potential customers car?

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yes I did think about that but it’ didn’t sit in his garage. It was parked outside in his yard for 3 months. Might have well sat in my drive for all the good it did the car really with the weather we’ve had.

Anyway you are right. I’ll move on.I think I’m more annoyed about the aggressive tone he took and throwing the toys out of the pram when I asked about it. To top it off he said the car would be cleaned and ready to go. It was covered in weeks of bird poo so he obviously had gotten the hump so didn’t bother.

rustbucket said:

my point is. They broke the key. I thought it was a bit rich to be charging me for it.

Thoughts?

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I don’t think it is fair to say they broke the key, what happened was the key broke.

As the mechanic has pointed out, it broke in half starting the car, it’s an old car.

I would expect to be charged for a new key.

Des Pondent said:

I don’t think it is fair to say they broke the key, what happened was the key broke.

As the mechanic has pointed out, it broke in half starting the car, it’s an old car.

I would expect to be charged for a new key.

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i wouldn’t have thought the age of the car has anything to do with it. Keys generally don’t break unless the my are hundreds of years old, rusted or damaged. This wasn’t. Now if something went in the ignition barrel then fine. That’s age related. If a pipe rusted out that’s age related. The car is old so I get that.

the key was relatively new compared to the car. Had it cut in a very reputable locksmiths about 4 years ago. I never had an issue.

the reason most keys break is either they are damaged, the lock is damaged or they are misused. (I’m no key specialist so maybe I’m wrong).

anyway the point is now the attitude and manner of how he dealt with the query. I’ve paid the bill in full so I guess I’ll just chalk it off to a difference of opinion.

Would the key not have broken no matter who started the car that day ?

No need for the mechanics narky and aggressive attitude though.

Des Pondent said:

Would the key not have broken no matter who started the car that day ?

No need for the mechanics narky and aggressive attitude though.

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it might have. Who knows. But conversations with him saying things like ‘tried to start it 100 times’ don’t fill me with confidence. I imagine it was force that broke it.
Anyway. I was just a tad annoyed by it. I just will go elsewhere next time.

Perhaps your biggest mistake was that you told him you were in no hurry with having it repaired.

Black Sheep said:

Perhaps your biggest mistake was that you told him you were in no hurry with having it repaired.

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Yes indeed. That probably didn’t help

You said the key was ok when you gave it too him.he took the key and it broke,he would need too replace the key.
Maybe time too find a new garage

Pinoy adventure said:

You said the key was ok when you gave it too him.he took the key and it broke,he would need too replace the key.
Maybe time too find a new garage

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Yes I thought that would have been the logical approach but apparently not. You are right. New mechanic for me