Problem with HiQ Banbury ( Cartec Ltd )

[pmw5]

Hi everyone - advice needed please!

 

My car had a battery fitted by HiQ Banbury, owned by Cartec (GB) Limited, in March 2011 by the previous owner of the car. When I bought the car from the previous owner in June, she passed on the invoice which states the battery has a 4 year warrantee.

 

The battery has been giving us problems. Over the last few weeks I've had to spend £60 on a car battery charger, and then I paid a local garage an hours labour to look for a battery drain and do a drop-test to see if the battery was faulty.

 

The local garage has confirmed the battery failed the drop test, and that HiQ fitted an inadequate battery to my car - i.e. the battery does not have enough cells to power my type of car.

 

I mistakenly thought HiQ was a nationwide chain, and thought I could get the battery sorted at my local HiQ in Surrey since I don't live near Banbury. My local branch of HiQ told me I had to sort it with HiQ Banbury.

 

HiQ Banbury initially were helpful, they called my local garage who had tested the battery and then accepted that an inadequate battery had been fitted to my car, and that they would give us a refund for the cost that was paid by the previous owner, £149.99. The only thing is we have to return it to them, up in Banbury, which would be a 3 hours round trip. We can't take it to our local HiQ as they are all franchises and separate businesses.

 

We have tried to raise our complaint with the owner of the Banbury franchise, Cartec Ltd, but over several days we have always been told he is in meetings, and he never calls us back.

 

Recently the staff on the phone have said we have no claim as we were not the people who paid for the battery last March, citing that the warranttee is not transferable. (I have seen no T&Cs to confirm this).

 

I have said actually it's not a case of warrantee, it's more a case that they have accepted the wrong type of battery was fitted and now they are washing there hands of it. My view is that they don't need the battery back to inspect, since they know from the invoice part number which make and model battery was fitted, and have confirmed it wasn't suitable for the vehicle.

 

Does anyone know where I stand on this situation?

 

Should I just write it off? I'm currently tempted to make a claim against them not just for the battery of £149.99 but also the diagnostic work I've had to pay my local garage to test a battery that had nothing wrong with it except it was inadequate for the vehicle, even though it had been fitted by a so-called high street specialist.

 

Many thanks for any advice.

[dx100uk]

no go get them under SOGA 'not fit for purpose'

 

[ps it wont be anything to do with the 'cells, it will be the Ah rate

that will be stated on the battery, check what Ah rate your car requires in its manual or on the internet]

 

the Warranty is IN ADDITION to your statutory rights

 

http://www.oft.gov.uk/business-advice/treating-customers-fairly/sogahome/forcustomers

 

dx

[Gusco]

In my opinion, the contract was between the seller and original purchaser.

 

I really can't see Hi Q changing their stance unless bad publicity arises

Edited January 21, 2012 by Gusco

[dx100uk]

yes i suppose that could introduce problems unless they can get the original purchaser to help?

 

dx

[Gusco]

For some reason I can't post a web link.

 

But go on the Hi Q website , scroll right to the bottom of page and click terms and conditions.

 

Read paragraph 13 - very clear that original purchaser can use warranty and it cannot be transferred to new owners

[dx100uk]

yes fair comment, but the warranty is in addition to SOGA

and there is a clear case here of 'unfit for purpose'

if the Ah rate is NOT correct or lower than what the car needs.

 

however as you have ;pointed, p'haps the purchaser needs to give them a ring and complain.

 

dx

[oddjobbob]

£150 for a battery? Is it made of Gold?

 

I think you're on a loser here OP... HiQ wil prob claim that the original purchaser insisted on the wekaer battery being fitted as it was all he could afford.. AND the warranty is not transferable either.

 

despite the soga I think you'll fight with this one

[dx100uk]

i would think for £150 it IS the correct one.

 

unless you are running in truck!

 

dx