A reader named Siobhán, from Cavan, called us in connection with problems she has been having with the 2014 Nissan Qashqai she bought new from Cavan Motors.
It had to have had a new engine installed in March due to a noise problem. There were also problems with the car’s rear brakes, which resulted in the car rolling backwards out of a driveway.
The car needed new thermo plungers installed and she identified a rattling noise under the car on the driver’s side.
“My car again last night had a ‘chassis control system fault’ flashing on the dash, which stopped after 10 minutes.”
She now feels she has no choice but to get rid of the new car. “I was quoted €8,500 to change this car but, following a complaint to Nissan Ireland, I am now told that Cavan Motors can do a change for €6,500. I hadn’t planned to change my car at this stage, but unfortunately I see no other avenue at this time,” she says.
In spite of the offer of a new car for €6,500 as opposed to the €8,500 it would normally cost if someone was trading up a car that was two years old, she feels “that they haven’t taken into consideration the stress and the danger my car has left me in since I purchased it. I feel they should be offering me a better deal at this stage for all the inconvenience caused.”
We contacted the dealership. A spokesman said the “car has been fixed and to the best of my knowledge it is okay at the moment. It is okay and we would not let it out of the garage if we were unhappy with it,” he said. “We have done our best to help this customer out. I know that the customer is always right but there is nothing wrong with the car, so what more can we do? We are offering her a brand-new 161 or 162 car at a higher spec for €6,500. I don’t think that is a bad deal.”
Kildare Village keeps customer in the loop
Catherine Kilbride is hopping mad – literally, having torn a cartilage in her knee. But that is not why she is cross. She is cross with Kildare Village and its gift card company.
“I got a voucher for birthday last May. I lost sight of it among the birthday cards. Then recently I found it and my plan to use it was delayed because I tore the cartilage in my knee.”
Then last week she noticed it had expired on April 17th. Last Wednesday she telephoned and was told there was nothing that could be done.
We contacted the retail outlet and are happy to report we have good news for our reader. A spokeswoman said the “position stated by your correspondent in respect of the unused funds is the official position with respect to ‘closed loop’ gift cards. The Kildare Village gift card is a ‘closed loop’ gift card, and the gift card issuer’s terms and conditions do reflect the official position.”
However, she said, Kildare Village does “as a gesture of goodwill, and where possible, refund the unused funds to customers in such instances”.
“It is regrettable it does not appear our own policy was followed in this instance, and we apologise to your correspondent for this oversight. We would be most grateful if you could have your correspondent make contact again with Kildare Village and we can issue an appropriate refund,” she added.
Ryanair in flying form
Last week we featured a good-news story starring Ryanair. Here's another, this time from Robert Sillery in Limerick. "Recently I double-booked flights from Shannon to Faro with Ryanair. I contacted the company via a chat line and within 10 minutes or so was advised that I would be refunded within five to eight working days. The refund arrived in my account four hours later. Best service I ever experienced."
High praise indeed.
