I have a simple rule in life. Salesmen lie. Politicians are salesmen.

In both cases, they often don't take the trouble to learn the subject they're talking about - you don't have to be much of an anorak to know more about a car in the showroom than a car salesman.

There may be good salesmen and good politicians - how on earth can you tell though, in advance ?

I suppose anyone could be deceived inevitably, simply because not everyone is expert on everything. I worked for a medical imaging software company as a software developer and I was disgusted and shocked to see how some of the managers and salesmen could easily lie to their customers about their sham products. I did speak out eventually as I couldn't stand it any more, and will continue to do so. The point is that the societies, regardless of the geographical location, have suffered and will continue to suffer from lies, be it from salesmen or politicians. The only way to counterbalance this, is to stand to these lies by any means that one can. For example, I am sure that whoever reads the discussions here, will advise his or her relatives and friends in case they happen to be visiting the Cargiant. Now, this is counterbalancing. Even though may look small, but one should not underestimate the power of knowledge.

Edited by SK12 on 06/07/2013 at 18:13

why not just do a moneyclaim online?

www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

Well that's a partial result isn't it?

But what's happening with the faulty injectors/coil pack/spark plugs?

Have you also got them to put these things right too?

Edited by 72 dudes on 11/07/2013 at 10:18

The BMW main dealer diagnosed the problem as fault with two of the injectors and ignition coils. Also they said when these components are replaced the relative spark plugs need to be changed so the optimal performance is maintained. However, they couldn't tell what could have caused this, which seemed reasonable since it didn't happen to all of the six injectors at once!. I paid the cost of repair myself, the Cargiant refunded the AA warranty.

As for the AA warranty, basically from all the information that I've gathered since my encounter, it is misleading.. Apart from all the headache that they caused me I also realised that they charged my credit card without my knowledge. I honestly don't understand how they are allowed to operate as such. It is very infuriating.

Edited by Avant on 17/07/2013 at 11:28

What do you call it when someone take your money without your knowledge or approval?

I have recorded my calls to the AA, the guy even didn't tell me his full name when I asked! Surely they must know they are doing something illegal that their attitude is like this. I have reported this to my credit card company as an unauthorized transaction. So I think instead of worrying about naming and shaming we should do this naming and shaming more often so big corporate such as AA stop treating people like sheeps.

My son specialises in BMWs of all ages and types believe me you can just change one coil if thats all is needed .

Didn't work for my old Compact, alas. Maybe there was more to it as we did try!

If you would like to be pedantic I can give you the exact definition of “fraud”. According to various English dictionaries “fraud” means “deceit, breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage”. Quite right actions were taken, but by myself not the other parties concerned as they were the one at fault. It was those actions that brought some resolution to this matter. I can tell you from experience now that every single complaint and exposure counts. Unfortunately not enough people complain and take action when it matters.

(Edit - Para deleted. I'm sorry but we simply cannot accuse someone (be they individuals or corporations) of fraud on a public forum.

Edited by Avant on 19/07/2013 at 23:47

I know there are site like this full of shared experiences as such, but it didn't occur to me at the time of buying the warranty that I would be given false information to such unbelievable extent. False information caused this big headache for me otherwise I read all the papers that was given to me. I can guarantee you the papers are very different to what they say on the phone and even different people on different departments say different things. Do you really think if they weren't at fault they would have refunded me?. To also clarify, when you sign up to a contract and they asked you for a credit card detail, it doesn't mean that they automatically have the right to make transaction unless you have standing order or direct debit set up. Every other single payment needs to be authorized by the account holder. I have seen more to this story believe me or not. If the quality of my recorded calls to these bunch, AA warranty, Prestige and others involved, was good I would have uploaded the conversation to some sites. I am sure that would cause them some misery. But unfortunately my phone's recording app wasn't very great :(.

Edited by SK12 on 19/07/2013 at 10:38

"I think they refunded you, that is Car Giant (not AA) refunded you because you did a decent job of persuading them"
"No of course it doesn't give them any right they have to have that right accorded them in the agreement which I bet is in black and white in your agreement and provides for them to take the first and subsequent payments at certain dates. Why else would you willingly hand over your credit card details?"

I am afraid you happen to be wrong. Cargiant refunded me because they misled me on the description of the AA warranty. Whether these things are intentional (easy profit) or due to ignorance is not for me to investigate. As far as I was concerned I had been deceived. Also it wasn't a simple matter of persuading them. the issue was reported to a number of related authorities including trading standards, FCA, CAB and some others. I was also about to initiate a litigation after gathering professional advice from the relevant authorities at which point the Cargiant got in touch and offered to resolve the matter before it goes any further.

The AA took my card detail for booking with their designated garage I trusted them and gave a card detail. There was no intention or word about charging me upfront, which by the way would be meaningless as they did nothing apart from wasting my time and money. What gave them right to charge me is neither for me to speculate nor to investigate. Again as far as I was concerned I was led to believe that they only need the detail for booking and then later on they let themselves to charge me, for what?. After giving me unnecessary headache, then late yesterday they informed that the charge will be return back to me.

I think the best thing is to be always skeptical, also someone said here it is like having a cynical view of life. It is better this way rather than being deceived and then deal with the problem.

Regards