Is it too much to ask?

[ackee911]

The AA damaged my car when they recovered it last week. They accepted responsibility, and asked me to get a quote from a bodyshop. I went straight to Mercedes Bodyshop. I've got the quote back now-its £949.41.

Is it too much to ask that the AA pay me direct? Mercedes say they need the car a few days, and although they are offering a courtesy car, I don't have the time to get it done any time soon, but want the AA to pay asap, so nothing is changed and forgotten.

Too much to ask?

 

[Seamster15]

Could you not use the Audi A4 while the Mercedes is in the garage?

 

[ackee911]

Could you not use the Audi A4 while the Mercedes is in the garage?

I don't have an A4.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

They would probably want to settle with the garage directly and will most likely want a VAT receipt, no harm in asking them though.

Why not get it in writing that they accept the charges (using your quote) and book in at a mutually convenient time. There's usually a lead time for body work anyway so you should have time to plan / make arrangements.

 

[Spinal]

I think what AA are worried about is that you don't get the work done, or maybe get it done elsewhere at a cheaper cost and thus "make money" from their mistake...

 

[ackee911]

I think what AA are worried about is that you don't get the work done, or maybe get it done elsewhere at a cheaper cost and thus "make money" from their mistake...

Even if I was this way inclined, why would this matter to them? They made a mistake, they have to pay. Whether I keep the money or the garage, does it matter?

I DO want the car repaired, and the difference between Mercedes and an independant place is only roughly £150.

 

[Benzowner]

I think A AvantGarde touched on the reason, VAT. If the AA send you the money, as you are probably not VAT registered, they can knock off the VAT, MB wont knock it off to you so you may be out of pocket, and as he suggected, the AA will want a VAT receipt for the works.

 

[verytalldave]

I doubt very much whether the AA will agree to pay you directly, although there is no harm in asking. I would have thought they would pay the repairer direct - the same as any other insurance repair job.

 

[Dieter]

Hi,

The AA will deal directly with your garage and (possibly/probably) agree a lower sum than you have been quoted.

I scraped my car and the estimate (from garage) was NOT what the Insurers paid.

They'll fix your car properly so what it costs them is irrelevant to you....isn't it?

that's life.

Cheers,

 

[NicDale]

If Mercedes are offering a courtesy car i don't see the problem, i can see the inconvience of not having to drop off and pick up the loan car though.

I personally would let the AA pay Mercedes directly as if additional work is required (something damaged that can't be seen without bodywork being removed perhaps?) then the AA will be obliged to pay the extra, leave it a few months and the additional work could leave you out of pocket perhaps?

 

[st4]

Could you not use the Audi A4 while the Mercedes is in the garage?

LMAO.

 

[Rob77]

Even if I was this way inclined, why would this matter to them? They made a mistake, they have to pay. Whether I keep the money or the garage, does it matter?

Presumably, they take the view that they are happy to put you back in the position you would have been in but for their "mistake", ie pay the garage a reasonable sum to put right the damage. I doubt they will be agreeing to be "penalised" for the mistake.

If you elect not to fix the damage or go somewhere other than the place you were quoted, then you appear either to be saying the damage isn't worth bothering about or that the quote is excessive. Either way you would sound like your intention is to penalise them.

So, if I were the AA, yes it would matter to me.

 

[ackee911]

Presumably, they take the view that they are happy to put you back in the position you would have been in but for their "mistake", ie pay the garage a reasonable sum to put right the damage. I doubt they will be agreeing to be "penalised" for the mistake.

If you elect not to fix the damage or go somewhere other than the place you were quoted, then you appear either to be saying the damage isn't worth bothering about or that the quote is excessive. Either way you would sound like your intention is to penalise them.

So, if I were the AA, yes it would matter to me.

I'm not saying I don't want the car fixed, or I want to go elsewhere-I'm simply saying, the AA have inconvenienced me, yes they are willing to fix the car, but I want it done under my terms. So if they will pay for it to be fixed when I have time, then fine, otherwise I want to be paid now, directly.

Paying me directly, will mean less trouble, because I have the money and therefore am in control of what happens next.

Yes I see that I could take the money and run, but thats not their concern-as far as they (should) be concerned, they have corrected a problem they caused.

 

[Rob77]

the AA have inconvenienced me ... I want to be paid now, directly.

Yes I see that I could take the money and run, but thats not their concern...

Ok, it sounds then that you feel entitled to an additional sum for inconvenience. In that case, you will need to set out the extent of that inconvenience and put a value against it.

I can see that the AA might not be disposed to accept a view that there has been unsubstantiated and unquantified inconvenience that should be settled by immediate payment of a sum that you might not even spend.

With all due respect, it is not for you to say what is or is not the AA's concern. I can see you will be agrieved by the damage but I'm sorry I don't think your proposed solution sounds very reasonable.

You invited comment as to whether you were asking too much. I think you are.

 

[ackee911]

Ok, it sounds then that you feel entitled to an additional sum for inconvenience. In that case, you will need to set out the extent of that inconvenience and put a value against it.

I can see that the AA might not be disposed to accept a view that there has been unsubstantiated and unquantified inconvenience that should be settled by immediate payment of a sum that you might not even spend.

With all due respect, it is not for you to say what is or is not the AA's concern. I can see you will be agrieved by the damage but I'm sorry I don't think your proposed solution sounds very reasonable.

You invited comment as to whether you were asking too much. I think you are.

They have damaged my car-is that not inconvenience? The fact that its spent a day in Mercedes getting an estimate, and the days they will take to repair it-not inconvenient?

I'm not p'eed off at your reply, I quite like the fact that you are thinking at things from their point of view, when I obviously cannot.

My main point is, that £x will be paid out by the AA. Does it matter if they pay me or the garage? No, the money they pay out is gone no matter who they pay.
All it means is I feel more comfortable to have my car repaired when I feel I have enough time to waste, and while getting the repair done, maybe (and just maybe) have other things done and pay the extra. (e.g. since the front bumper has to be replaced, and painted, I may have stone-chips on the bonnet sorted etc)
So is it too much to ask, that I deal with the inconvenience at a time that suits me?

 

[robert.saunders]

Can you post some photo's of the damage, perhaps that will help opinions

 

[Dieselman]

Too much to ask?

Yes, because the AA will only pay on invoice for tax and audit purposes.

I'm amazed you have time to post this with your life being too busy to drop the car off at a bodyshop..

 

[hawk20]

The AA damaged my car when they recovered it last week. They accepted responsibility, and asked me to get a quote from a bodyshop. I went straight to Mercedes Bodyshop. I've got the quote back now-its £949.41.

Is it too much to ask that the AA pay me direct? Mercedes say they need the car a few days, and although they are offering a courtesy car, I don't have the time to get it done any time soon, but want the AA to pay asap, so nothing is changed and forgotten.

Too much to ask?

I should be grateful that they are willing to pay for an MB approved bodyshop, which means you will get the correct MB paint and keep the 30 year rust guarantee intact for future owners. And that you have been offered a courtesy car. Seems a fair deal.

The fact that you want the cash certainly gives the impression that you don't intend to have it done at an MB bodyshop. False economy IMO. And no reason why they should pay if you are going elsewhere and cheaper.

 

[ackee911]

The bodyshop is on the other side of London. The AA are giving me the hire car not mercedes. Which means
1) An hour long drive to mercedes
2) Train back
3) Go to local avis branch-again another hour journey
4) Pick my car up (train journey)
5) Return hire car
6) Train/Bus back.

All for their mistake. And you're all (mostly) making out I am being a pain in the ass?

Whereas, if they deal with me directly:
1) I don't want a hire car
2) When my car is due a service, or whatever, I will go there and leave the car. Can book a courtesy car with Merc's
3) Done when I choose/have more time


And if I'm saying I will have the work done, no-one has the right to say I'm a liar, and just want the money.

The funny thing is, I TOLD the recovery guy to be careful because of the suspension, and he should wait until the car rises all the way up. But he (obviously) didn't listen and wanted to finish things as quickly as possible-even though after he had taken my car, he had parked around the corner and gone into a cafe for over an hour.

And you're all convinced I'M in the wrong, and just being awkward?


oh and:
And no reason why they should pay if you are going elsewhere and cheaper.
What are you on about? No reason they should pay if I'm going elsewhere and cheaper? They should pay full stop, and since they're paying, I'll go to the highest charging bodyshop in the whole of England if I choose.


What I was intially asking was, is it too much to ask that the AA pay ME instead of mercedes-simply so I have more flexibility?

 

[ShinyF1]

I would chill, recognise that the VAT is recoverable by the AA, take the courtesy car and repair ASAP and be glad someone else is paying [and be thankful it isn't the alternative, which would really give be cause to have a chip on my shoulder]

Hey but what with the real troubles out there - jobs under threat etc - I could be less bothered about a scratched car...but what do I know!

I'm just suggesting it's a matter of priorities, and mine would be slightly different.