Hand car wash issues.

So I put the golf up for sale a couple of weeks ago because I want a T4 whilst the bay is in progress- took some piccies but it wasn't it's cleanest.
Its important to note, it has been through various hand car washes - standard car washed etc etc without issue
and here is what the front looked like.


So yesterday, I thought Id stop being tight and take it to a recommended hand car wash and have it cleaned inside and out and get some new clean pics updated.
I left the car with them for 2 hours.
Here is what I was left with.


I am absolutely gutted, I feel like I've been kicked in the knackers.
I'm not stupid enough to think there wasn't any imperfections, little stone chips etc on the front, but In my opinion this should not have bloody happened.
Clearly they've used a pressure washer too bloody close to the front.

Now am I being unreasonable here? if its called a hand car wash, do you not expect it to be done by hand?
It didn't go in like it and shouldn't come out like it?

I went back last night to complain but they had closed an hour early.

Went back to the hand car wash this morning:

I pointed out that the car wasn't in that condition when it went in.

They replied with, we don't remember you, it didn't happen here, our pressure washer isn't powerful enough to do that.
They said it wasn't their problem.

I used my Lethal powers of persuasion firstly , and offered them the option to argue with me at court, Arrange for it to be fixed at their cost, or pay me a specified sum so that I can sort it out.

I also pointed out that their signage states hand car wash not pressure washer car wash.
I jogged their memory a bit with pointing out that i left the car with them for 2 hours yesterday, thats when they remembered my dad who is a regular there.


Apparently they will be phoning me back in the next two days and will be arranging for a friends garage to under take the work ( we shall see if that materialises)


So am I being unreasonable?

 

I would be upset if that was my car.

And to me the phrase Hand Wash , means hand wash.

Not un-reasonable

 

Its a tough one when all the lacquer peels off the car.

This happened to my wifes old car when we took it to a hand wash place and they used a pressure washer a bit too close. As it happened it was an old car and we were not too bothered. I just used some cutting compound and blended in the edges and it looked ok.

I don't think you are being unreasonable though as it was not like that when you took it in. If they arrange for it to be fixed then I think that is all you can ask.

Hope you get it sorted.

 

not at all - the very fact that they call themselves a hand car wash and not a hand and pressure washer car wash would leave them with a difficult case to answer in small claims court based on their advertising of the business. i know all these places would argue that the hand wash aspect defines it as being non automated but when the scouts advertise charity hand car washes they dont use pressure washers. any threat of small claims action should help them along.

 

It's been poorly painted before, the pressure washer has lifted off already loose lacquer. This happens all the time and it's not really the valeters fault you car had bad paint

 

hmmm, looking at the stone chips on the bumper in the before picture the laquer doesnt look like it was stuck all that well, the car must have had front end paint at some time factory paint never peels like that, however if it was caused by them have them pay for it though you may have a battle on your hands as thats probably £2-400 worth of paint

 

(in my opinion) if it said hand car wash then that"s wot u should get/expect ,further, a bit of forethought by them would be in order, i.e. geezer asks me to change brake shoes on vehicle, i see vehicle is like say 10 years old , i ask him if he is aware if the return springs are the origional ones cos they may be "tired" and could perhaps do wiv replacing, same with valeters , should look at age of vehicle , look at condition of paintwork closely,ask questions then decide how to proceed , the people taking on any job of work should know the score. And now his mate is going to repair it? keep us informed, (those pressure washers in wrong hands.......

 

This was a hand car wash place wasnt it? I don't see how that exempts them from using a pressure washer as well. Did you pay for a full on pro valet job gently working in the carnuba or a bunch of minimum wagers? Were they hiding the pressure washer when you dropped of the car? Sorry to be a bit harsh here mate but I think this one is a case of 'caveat emptor'. I hope you get something out of them but if they decide not to give you anything then it's a tricky one in court.
cheers
s

 

This is why I wash my car myself.

Hope you get it sorted

 

Thanks for the replies and balanced views folks.

 

the term "hand car wash" simply means it not automated. it does not mean that a pressure washer can not be used

 

A car wash place near me used advertise 'Hand jobs £5' I never took a chance on it though.

 

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