haCked ! by eboz

ben77 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 10 1813.0 Cash Points

Hi guys, after reading about Midnite's ordeal, I think I have something to say which really peed me off.

I ordered a car from the guys here from a dealer stock instead of an auction because I really liked it. Anyway, the nightmare started when it took nearly 9 weeks to arrive in the UK.

Finally when the car arrived at the docks, I went down with a mate to collect it and lo and behold, the front bodykit on the driver side was damaged (definitely caused by loading onto the vessel on japan side) and it also damaged both the front wing panels.

To make matters worse, the gear knob and Apexi RSM GP meter which was in the car in Japan was also missing.

The colour of my car is sort of factory toyota storm blue which has a slight flip effect on it. The local bodyshop guy had seen the damage and said that I'd be better off to buy a new front wing panel for the driver side and repair the passenger side wing panel. He would also repair the front bodykit. Because of the nature of the paint, he would need to blend the colour onto the door and also onto the bonnet to get a good match, if not it is going to be dead obvious.

The repair job is quoted at around ?500 + the cost of a new front wing panel from Mr T (?125 + VAT).

The car has just been registered and gotten it's plates.

Where do I go from here? I have photos of the car in Japan and also photos of the car and damage at the docks. I have submitted to BSL and the reply is that I might not even be compensated at all. The items that were nicked from the car will at least cost ?200 to buy.

Here are the pictures of the car in Japan:
[url=http://www.pbase.com/benyeo/ss2]Initial Pics[/url]

Here are the pictures at the docks:
[url=http://www.pbase.com/benyeo/st202_collect]Collection Pics[/url]

It looks much worse than it seems in the pictures. Believe me on that.

So, guys how should I proceed. This is really causing me to dig really deep into my finances as my initial estimate has ballooned out of proportion.

Tony/Tez if any of you are reading this, please let me know how to proceed.

msdunn · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:48 am Post subject:

i once had a cd stolen from a car somewhere between purchase and collection.
i am certain it happened in the uk docks area.
i was told it had an aftermarket cd in - and when it arrived it had a standard radio cassette Crying or Very sad

its no help but i would suspect your damage and missing parts happened whilst in the care of the shipping company.
they will never admit this - as it will open a can of worms.
the only way to prove anything would be to have signed declarations on every step of the way.
i tried to persue it but got nowhere.

its a shame - just hope your painter can match/blend the flip

masong · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 2:06 pm Post subject:

What a nasty taste that left!
Although marked, i didnt bother proceeding with the blemishes on mine (lime green paint on all four corners?!) But you have a slightly stronger case!
Romeo did things the right way with regards to before/after damage.
Blending through is the only method to guarantee a paint match or else it isnt worth doing.
Try and get it on the road, pay the money (if you can) and enjoy it! Will make the process of chasing who's at fault a little less bitter.

ben77 · Joined: 12 May 2005 Posts: 10 1813.0 Cash Points

Guys, thanks for the replies.

Well, I did make sure that the damage was documented at the port on the papers upon receipt to make sure that it was stated in black and white and received with damage.

I just hope that it there is some reprieve on it.

Ben

MidNite-D · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject:

Hey Ben,

I dont want to sound bitter and twisted, so I'll try not to. The main issue I had was in the descriptions I got in the translation. I think there should be some way of defining what is minor and what is major when it comes to damage. I also think that we should be given some way to ensure that after the car leaves the auction it will looked after properly.

In a way its like the baggage handlers for air travel, they don't care what's in the cases they are throwing around they just want to get them moved as quickly as possible. If Advan could have one of their people around when vehicles for there customers are being transported, that I think would help to some degree.

I think that this issue is mainly one of establishing proper procedures and protocols to follow when dealing with what is to many a dream come true, the disappointment that can follow when a car arrives with an unexpected problem can be immense and spoil what should be a hugely enjoyable experience.

Thats my twopence worth and I hope it sounds positive and constructive.

MidNite Cool

glanma · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject:

That's a real shame Ben & unfortunate to have happened to what looks like a very nice motor. I think you'd be best going along the same route as Romeo did, ie. putting it in the hands of the Advan guys to investigate for you. Although we don't know exactly how things were resolved for him I think he was satisfied in the end with the outcome, and made it clear that it wasn't Advans fault. However as your agent they should take this on for you - and as it seems to have happened more than once lately it would be in their own interests I think. I do hope you get somewhere with it though, and at least you have the before and after shots to work with.
Good luck!

msdunn · Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:17 am Post subject:

i have been thinking and all is not lost

its pretty irrefutable that your car went from this

[img]http://i.pbase.com/o4/79/50479/1/56867941.1.jpg[/img]

to this

[img]http://i.pbase.com/g4/79/50479/2/60415946.CIMG0318.jpg[/img]

especially as you got the damage certified at the dock (well done).

my earlier point was that it is hard to pin the blame on someone as it is difficult to prove exactly at what point the damage occurred - and therefore who had responsibility at that time.
but that was from my point of view - where i buy via an agent in japan - and they deliver it to the japanese docks and the shippers then take over.

in your case - advan bought the car - and were responsible the whole journey until you collected it from them - so i guess they should shoulder the responsibility.

Mathieu69 · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject:

Hey man im pretty much new to this whole importing car thing and i am trying to find a rx-7 and i cant really find my away around this website its kinda making me angry so if u have any hints on this website would u please let me know thx very much

-Brandon