Last July. Newcastle. Electrical problems in my beloved 1991 Mazda T 3500 motorhome. They said it needed a new started motor, relays, cranking battery, plus new "home lite" batteries. Right, all fixed, except that I had to go back there four times to get it done properly. The auto electrical mob are right in the middle of Newcastle. Price, was just a tad over $1,000. oo.
November. Esperance. WA. Electrical probs; again. A short in the system. They fixed it, at a cost of $408,oo. Immediately after, the high beam kept coming on without turning the switch on. I fronted them, and the answer was, "Dunno what's wrong". Naturally, they kept my money. The firm is in the industral area.
March. Kalgoorlie. Alternator seems to be leaking oil. $250, later and it was going to last for years , or so I was told. Less than a hundred K's north, and it started to leak, again. They are in the local industrial area.
April. Alice Springs. They "found the problem" For a start, their "Fully qualified mechanic" dipped the oil in the Mazda, but didn't do it correctly, and overfilled the sump, plus I was charged for the oil. I fronted them, and was told that they don't make mistakes. End result, one new alternator, about $1,500,oo. The firm is to be found right in the middle of the industrial area.
June. Longreach. My little Mazda hadn't been starting very well for a few days. Problem started in Richmond. Qld. Fortunately, all I have to do is put a tow rope on to Jennifers motorhome, she moves a few feet, and my bus starts. We end up at Longreach Auto Electrical service. The bloke who owns the show is Ian. He finds the problem. Starter motor. Ian rang the mob in Newcastle, who in turn rang the people who supplied the new starter motor to the mob in Newcastle. They wanted to know if the vehicle had been over wet roads. Yes, was my answer. They told Ian that, as a result of wet conditions, there was no warranty. About $500. to replace it. This mob are very busy, but all right. Nothin' like spreadin' the money around.
Kathy is right about the warranty. Theyre feeding you liquid brown stuff ! Even though you've paid for it, you can still go and get a successful outcome through consumer affairs in your State or the ACCC. Motors, including the starter motor, are designed to get splashed with water (so long as you didn't take it for a swim somewhere and they can demonstrate you did lol).
Don't let the bastards rip you off !!
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Thanks Kathie, and Bruce.
But, Jennifer and I did drive from Laverton to Ayers Rock a few weeks ago. 1100K's of dirt and mud. I'm not too flush with a quid, but I wouldn't have missed that drive.
Life goes on.
Regards.
Pipes.
