The Good - Holts Motors & Home Hardware Swan hill.
The Bad - Bond Batteries.
The Ugly - Me.

Headed off for a two week shake down run in the new van.
First morning the car only just started. Whoops! Battery problem or a discharge somewhere.
Arrived in Swan Hill, Booked in to a park (Ensuite Sites $23/night).
Now Id only had a new Bond battery fitted a few months ago, so I phoned my mechanic for Bond Batteries phone number in Ballarat.
Phoned them and explained what had happened the bloke said he would phone me straight back.
What a fool I was. I actually believed him.
The next morning the car wouldnt start, flat battery.
On to the Web for a local Bond agent. Two phone numbers in Bendigo, so I phone the first one to find out who the local Swan Hill stockist was. Bloke listened to my dilema then told me Id phone their retail outlet and that I should phone the other number.
By this stage Im getting bloody irate to say the least.
Bloke on the second number tells me that I should speak to the local rep for the area, but unfortunately hes on holiday. Irate doesnt even come close to what Im feeling at this stage.
He gives me the name of two retail outlets in Swan Hill.
Holts Mechanical Repairs and Murray Valley Bearings. Well, I think Ill go to the mechanical repair place first as they probably have a better idea of the problem Im experiencing.
Good choice. It turns out to be the local Mitsubishi Dealer. They couldnt have been anymore helpful. Did a full electrical diagnostic check. Their finding were that the battery was stuffed as it wasnt holding a charge, there were no discharges other than the radio standby etc. and that the alternator was charging correctly. Unfortunately they didnt have the correct replacement battery in stock.
They then rang Bond batteries and were told that someone would return their call in a few minutes. It didnt happen. They then rang again and spoke to the owner David Bond, and he said that he would look into it and have some call back ASAP.
What a load of crap, as there was no return call.
Holts then rang Bonds Bendigo Office and were told the send me to Murray Valley Bearings. They did all of this at no charge. Well done guys.
The bearing service turned out to be Home Hardware.
I tell a salesman there my complete story and he tell be that I should go to the front counter as he has no idea how warranty claims are handled. OK, Ill do that, as Im now read to murder someone. The poor lady at the front counter listens to my rude tirade and then suggests I calm done a little and shell get the boss.
The boss then listens to my story (told more calmly) and tells me that if Id purchased the battery from him there would be absolutely no problem, but as it was purchased elsewhere it wasnt his legal or moral duty to assist. But, and this is aBig Buthe would do his utmost to help me out.
He left a message with the local Bond rep asking him to return his call. He took my phone number and told me hell call as soon as he had some news as he needed the reps permission to replace the battery. Yep! Same story, different bloke.
Back to the caravan park with the understanding that in the morning Id be going to Battery World for a new battery as my own cost. Best part of the day was dinner special at the Swan Hill Club. Fish & Chips for only $5 each.
The following morning before I can even get into the shower the bloke (Paul is his name) from Home Hardware calls to say come in and hell replace my battery.
Forget the shower, Im in the car and off into town. Paul tells me that the local Bond rep was on holidays (Yep been told that before)but that he would replace my battery of his own accord and make a claim with the rep on his next round.
What a lovely helpful man that went out of his way to help a stranger that had never bought anything in his store and probably never would. Thank you Paul (And staff) you're a true gentleman.
So if youre ever in Swan hill call by Home Hardware (Murray Valley Bearings) and tell Paul about the old bloke with the Bond battery problem. The same goes for Holts Mitsubishi.
Cheers,
Ozjohn

Glad you finally had a result.

It goes to show how persistance gets results.

I will visit those premises when In Swan Hill next.

Better up date your van pic (avatar) now that you have a new van.

Cheers Dodg.

There's truth in the old adage "the squeekiest hinge gets the most oil"   Good result Oz

Didn't go to Echuca.
Been there to many times over the years.
One more time and I think I would cut my wrists.

Dodg.
As soon as we get a sunny day I'll take a few pics of the van.

Cheers, OJ

Well done John, frustrating but a good outcome in the end......