Towsure's bad practice

ChrisWolverson
ChrisWolverson Forum Participant Posts: 8
edited June 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Just changed my car to a BMW X1.  BMW recommended Towsure for fitting electrics so I called them and explained what I'd got.



They've supplied the wrong electrics, sending a universal kit instead of the dedicated one, even though I specified neither and wasn't guided to either. 



The fitter said (after fitting it) that he knew it was wrong and wouldn't work but is instructed to fit it anyway.  I could at the point have sent it back.



Car doesn't start with the caravan plugged in, other problems with lights and I gather it doesn't talk to the vehicle stability programme.



Will they put it right?  No.  Demanding £395 plus fitting to supply and fit the correct part.  A significant exchange of e-mails has taken place and I've now taken to Twitter for the first time ever to shame them.



Anyone sufferred similar?  Trying to find out my rights.

Comments

  • dwlgll20
    dwlgll20 Forum Participant Posts: 139
    edited June 2016 #2

    Have a look at the Consumer Rights Act 2015. There has been a lot of good discussion about it on this forum. Have a look

    here.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #3

    Citizens Advice centres seem a good place to start or go and get a free initial consultation with a solicitor. Seems totally absurd!

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
    100 Comments
    edited June 2016 #4

    I would also have a conversation with BMW as this was their reccommendation if you have already done so.

  • ChrisWolverson
    ChrisWolverson Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited July 2016 #5

    It's turning into a fight now.  No response from Towsure for over two weeks.  I've now had it removed and the fitting was appaling - including a live wire draped under the trim and over a bulkhead presenting a significant fire risk.  They also removed -
    and took away - the crash bar from behind the bulkhead.  That should have been left with me once removed.



    On the other hand, brilliant service from Salop Towing who removed it, are writing an engineers report and who fitted a Witter towbar and electrics which work brilliantly as expected.

    Small claims court coming up, I reckon.  I will also be appraising BMW in full as I doubt they realise how bad it was going to be.  Oh, and note, Towsure are not members of the NTTA.  With good reason on the basis of this experience.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #6

    Even NTTA fitters drill your car to fit their own earth rather than what  the manufacturer fitted just 18 inches away. NTTA just sat on the fence

  • AutoAddict
    AutoAddict Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited July 2016 #7

    Had a similar experience with an outfit called CDF towbars, recommended by the dealer I bought my car from. Wiring was wrong and positively dangerous.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #8

    BMW are getting a lot of negative posts regarding towbars and especially the electrics, Audi have also been in the frame, our Merc factory fit retractable towbar / electrics have been excellent so some German car makers can get it right.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited July 2016 #9

    Sounds like a case for the small claims court. The cost of defending for them is higher than paying you so I think you will be safe especially with the expert report.

  • ChrisWolverson
    ChrisWolverson Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited August 2016 #10

    Happy to say this finally got passed up the chain - I think the person who originally dealt with it got fed up of me - and reached the right person.  He was horrified and promised to sort it and has proved to be as good as his word.  Towbar now returned,
    refund given and also promised to pay for supply and fitment of the bumper crash bar.

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