Independent Mercedes Specialists

[flango]

I can't believe the crap that goes on over on the other forum after reading that thread and that is why I am not a member. I reckon I could bring loads of business in to our place from there. But with T*ssers like that denigrating professional people who would want that sort of business?

All I'll say is Mod's top job for keeping this forum the way it is and long may it continue

Cheers guys proud to be part of it.

 

[renault12ts]

That thread was started by Undeckedhomer aka Big John (banned from here), purely as a way of continuing his two man vendetta against a member there and here. The only good thing is that people can barely read his imbecilic drivel.

 

[flango]

That thread was started by Undeckedhomer aka Big John (banned from here), purely as a way of continuing his two man vendetta against a member there and here. The only good thing is that people can barely read his imbecilic drivel.

Ah that explains it didn't realise it was BJ, cheers Renault12TS for the inside track

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have just read the complete post and others. In the other posts the 500SEL was returned to the customer in a better condition than it arrived in. The 190 was returned to the customer who proceeded to rip me off. Water under the bridge and lessons learnt. What surprises me is some of the so called pm's that tv had. If people were unhappy, why pm him instead of contacting me? Navs car was repaired and paid for by me. Ady employed a solicitor and when presented with the facts by my solicitor dropped whatever action he was planning. So to have a register of Indies would be hard to complete. I like to think, rightly or wrongly , that I give value for money. I have learnt a lot over the last couple of years. As for qualifications. My ex apprentice is ATA recognised and I have applied for the Good Garage Guide. All my spare parts are now from Mercedes. I would guarantee that EVERY Indie has had a couple of misshaps. Its just fortunate for them that they have not been made public.

Its times like this that I just feel like giving up, but I wont because if I do it will be seen that they have won.

 

[219]

I would guarantee that EVERY Indie has had a couple of misshaps.

It is probably fair to say that dealerships have them too .

 

[renault12ts]

It is probably fair to say that dealerships have them too .

Masterful understatement Derek.

 

[neilrr]

There's some hilarious reading in that thread:

"Some guy on the internet - Television / Malcolm, What training or qualifications as an MB technician do you have?"

"Diesleman -
It was a general car report and not specific enough to provide sufficient evidence of any particular fault."
"Dave Brooker (who he?) -
So the cars owner lost on a technicality?"

"Dave Brooker - The 124 works forums loss is this forums gain, they banned Malcolm, we ended up with him."

Ian is there anything you can do legally to stop carloss, undecked homer, TV & Dave Brooker from continually spreading malicious lies?

 

[219]

I'm not sure whether the Internet is considered as 'print' or 'speech' legally , but something defamatory which could be PROVEN to be untrue could be regarded as either Libel or Slander accordingly .

There is also a charge 'defamation of character' which can be brought in certain circumstances .

Besides the authors of anything which was proved to be libelious/slanderous/defamatory being open to charges , the owners/admin of any website which allowed such content to be displayed could also be held responsible .

It all comes down to what can be substantiated and proven in a court of law .

I expect Ian ( flania1) 's wife could give a definitive answer as to how the law would regard such matters .

 

[Ian B Walker]

Ian is there anything you can do legally to stop carloss, undecked homer, TV & Dave Brooker from continually spreading malicious lies?

I don't think there is a lot I can do. I do think though its time to put this in the hands of a solicitor. Trouble is I do not want another forum closed down, that does no one any good. Do I ignore them as I have been doing, or do I fight them. Part of me says fight, the other says let the little people play. I am not going to sink to their levels as I believe I am bigger than that.

 

[markmifsud]

I am not convinced that thread was created to have a dig at Ian, although he was dragged into it again. The old adage of "stones and glass houses" fits in pretty well here I think.

I think we all make mistakes at some stage of our careers, and we learn from them. As for whether they are MB trained should not really be an issue as there are plenty of skilled mechanics out there who are trusted indies who have never received formal training via MB.

Theres as much "crap" on all forums. after all, most of the members here are members on MBO, and quite a few others.

 

[neilrr]

I am not convinced that thread was created to have a dig at Ian, although he was dragged into it again. The old adage of "stones and glass houses" fits in pretty well here I think.

Of course it was! These two guys, carloss & undecked homer, are on a mission. They are zealots involved in a vendetta. One trick ponies, they often post anything they can think of that is anti W124Works regardless of the thread topic, the same as they did under their IDs of big john & alfie07 before being banned here. It's really tedious.

I've noticed that lately they've been receiving flack from long established & respected members who are tired of it.

I think we all make mistakes at some stage of our careers, and we learn from them. As for whether they are MB trained should not really be an issue as there are plenty of skilled mechanics out there who are trusted indies who have never received formal training via MB.

Regarding your first sentence - Is that not he case with Ian & W124Works? Most MB indy's are perfectly competent to work on new & newer Mercs & haven't had any MB training on the cars at all. They have to be up to speed or they'd be out of business in no time.

I thought the TV question funny because this 'lack of MB training & quals' bitch is leveled at W124 Works in every rant, yet the training & qualifications free TV, who replies to most posts with "it's the MAF" or "It's the CPS" or "I'll send you some bumpf," is revered as a God over there.

Theres as much "crap" on all forums. after all, most of the members here are members on MBO, and quite a few others.

That one is damaged by the constant ranting of a one gobby, disgruntled, unsuccessful & very bitter litigant against W124Works & a couple of his pals who cannot get their heads around the fact that their boy took their complaint to Court & had it thrown out.

TBH, I think the owners of that site mustn't be aware of what their Mods & Admins are allowing to be said on it. If I owned that site I'd be terrified!

 

[crockers]

The best post on that thread was by whitenemesis -- closing it......

 

[st4]

I just wish I could use a specialist and not invalidate my used car warranty.

I just find the, as nice as they are, service desk advisors a slow and awkward way of dealing with the issues that cropped up on my car.

 

[renault12ts]

I am not convinced that thread was created to have a dig at Ian, although he was dragged into it again. The old adage of "stones and glass houses" fits in pretty well here I think.

I think we all make mistakes at some stage of our careers, and we learn from them. As for whether they are MB trained should not really be an issue as there are plenty of skilled mechanics out there who are trusted indies who have never received formal training via MB.

Theres as much "crap" on all forums. after all, most of the members here are members on MBO, and quite a few others.

It was even more transparent than a broken window.

 

[flango]

I'm not sure whether the Internet is considered as 'print' or 'speech' legally , but something defamatory which could be PROVEN to be untrue could be regarded as either Libel or Slander accordingly .

There is also a charge 'defamation of character' which can be brought in certain circumstances .

Besides the authors of anything which was proved to be libelious/slanderous/defamatory being open to charges , the owners/admin of any website which allowed such content to be displayed could also be held responsible .

It all comes down to what can be substantiated and proven in a court of law .

I expect Ian ( flania1) 's wife could give a definitive answer as to how the law would regard such matters .

The posts I read and pointed out to SWMBO are what are classed as "internet libel" it is an offence and can be prosecuted but is very difficult to prove. The definition of "Internet Libel" is :-

Statements that are published on websites, forums, social networking sites or blogs that were known to be false by the writer and can be shown to have caused harm to the party at which they were directed.

Cases of internet libel are usually very complex time consuming and hence costly and rely on various legislation according to where the site is hosted from etc etc.. SWMBO says it is an absolute minefield and not one an individual or small company should venture into because of the excessive costs that could be involved.

SWMBO helped a memeber on here a while back in a reverse of this where an Indie had read something a member had posted and had sent a solicitors letter advising if he did it again they would sue for internet libel in court. A letter was drafted and sent back to the Indie acknowledging to comply with the requests in the original solicitors letter and that was an end to it. So in short I guess the message is think before you post?

SWMBO did say that if the individuals were ex customers and had known addresses then there would be nothing wrong with sending a solicitors letter threatening to sue for internet libel as in the case above and asking for retraction of the posts and removal from the website involved.

Hope that helps

 

[flango]

most of the members here are members on MBO, and quite a few others.

I'm not for the reasons I stated, sure all Forums have their crap but some more than others. The Mod's on here try to keep this place a crap free zone and do a good job, don't think I have ever been a member of a forum as long as I have on here as they usually do get choked up with crap & slander

 

[bpsorrel]

most of the members here are members on MBO, and quite a few others.

I'm not either. This is the only "car" forum I belong to and only because it's very well moderated and NOT packed full of troll posts.

Actually, I wonder how members cope with being on so many forums! I certainly don't have the time!

As regards the thread in question, I agree - the best post was the one closing it! Life's too short for all this bickering!!

 

[BlackC55]

It does worry me if I ever get negative feedback on the forums. All it takes is just one post or thread to ruin my reputation.

Is it worth the risk?

 

[bpsorrel]

What negative feedback Olly?????

 

[st4]

It does worry me if I ever get negative feedback on the forums. All it takes is just one post or thread to ruin my reputation.

Is it worth the risk?

I cannot answer that for you.

However, think about whether being a forum advertiser generates more business than 1 bad post/thread would lose you, and also the social aspect of being a valued member on here.

I saw another indie on the other forum (based in Somerset) just get a customer with a CLS on the basis of his post and a subsequent recommendation. He'll be looking after that car for the forseable I would bet.