Wow. I've seen it all now.

Booked 2 front tyres for our Octavia VRS through Blackcircles, and chose the nearest fitting center to us - Oak Tree garage on the A167 from Northallerton to Darlington.

Upon arriving at the garage, I made sure they were to take care with my 18" gloss-black alloys, as they (like my Ford Focus RS) have no damage/kerbing to them. This was the first tyre change on the Skoda since buying the car in Late 2012, the front tyres having done 15500 miles from new.

I should have guessed something was wrong, when after waiting an hour I still hadn't gotten my car back. When I asked if there was a problem I was told no, "he is just taking his time so not to mark the alloys"

Finally, after another hour (yes that's 2 hours in total) my car was pulled around to the front, and my keys were handed to me. I had a quick look, couldn't see much wrong (there was loads of white tyre-slip splattered around tyre) and left for home. I wasn't asked to sign a job sheet.

This morning, I decided to go and clean up the alloys and tyres. I discovered to my horror, that they have damaged both alloys, the passenger one being worst. It's been done from the tyre-machine. But that's not the worst thing...

They have tried to paint over the damage with black paint to hide it.

That's why it took 2 hours to fit 2 tyres.

I very nearly jumped into my car to go there, but decided to call Blackcircles. They are now going to investigate it. However, seeing as the garage have been as dishonest as they have, there is no way they will admit it. Luckily, the damage is such that it couldn't have been done by us on a kerb. I'm totally fuming.

Blackcircles are now on the case for me. I have emailed them detailed pictures of the alloys.

Edited 15 March, 201412 yr by Thehulkster

Hopefully you get your wheels back to the condition they were in before you went there.

Well, I'm not going back to that garage - they wouldn't be able to do it anyway. They tried to cover the damage up with black paint for gods sake!

I'm hoping Blackcircles will send some sort of assessor out followed by a mobile repair company or something.

I feel your pain... but hopefully not literally.

 

Mine are currently at the tyre fitters getting new tyres, I told them there is no rush whatsoever (they are my ‘summer’ wheels) and mentioned that I am real OCD about my (mint) wheels... to the point that I have already removed the old weights and cleaned them ready for them to be sealed before fitting.

 

SWMBO had a puncture repaired on her winter wheels there and to be fair they never marked the wheel.

I'd have been straight back to the Garage

 

Hope you get it sorted

Good news. The garage had admitted liability. Oak tree garage are getting someone out to look at their machine so it doesn't do it again. Wonder if they'll get some new paintbrushes and paint to cover up any future damage they want to cover up again as well?

My wheels are to be repaired, so now I need to find a decent specialist in the area....Blackcircles are paying.

Romax in Stockton on Tees? Anyone know of somewhere else nearest to Northallerton please?

Thank god it's getting sorted though, even if it will cost me a days holiday to sort it out along with the stress.

Good news. The garage had admitted liability. Oak tree garage are getting someone out to look at their machine so it doesn't do it again. Wonder if they'll get some new paintbrushes and paint to cover up any future damage they want to cover up again as well?

My wheels are to be repaired, so now I need to find a decent specialist in the area....Blackcircles are paying.

Romax in Stockton on Tees? Anyone know of somewhere else nearest to Northallerton please?

Thank god it's getting sorted though, even if it will cost me a days holiday to sort it out along with the stress.

Excellent news, at least they admitted there mistake

Vasstech in Darlington changed my tyres from winter back to summer last week during a service. They cleaned the wheels up afterwards too and there was no evidence of mis-adventure on the machine.

It's not exactly next door and they are franchises (I think) but I've heard good things about the one near me

 

http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/locations/durhamsunderland/

Ok guys. Just wanted to round off this sorry little tale with a happy ending.

I ended up taking a day off work with my wife Hannah, and on Friday we dropped my Octavia off at TWS in Durham.

I have to say, from start to finish it was a slick operation. Very professional. I was shown what they were going to do, and from their attitude I felt ok leaving my car with them.

When we picked the car up, Danny (the gaffer) had a natter with us, and I decided I am going to take the RS back to them soon for a change of alloy colour. Can't decide on whether to get mine done gloss black (mine are matt black) or anthracite or even back to silver.

I cleaned the car today, and after a good inspection of the front wheels I can happily confirm they have done a cracking job.

Me and Hannah went for a walk round the metrocenter for the day while the wheels were getting sorted, and I can also confirm the massive gourmet burger I had at the Harvester restaurant there was also very nice!