New rear Tail Lights

My drivers side rear tail light is cracked, and my search for a replacement inevitably led me to Renault. I called renault Wolverhampton and asked for the drivers side rear light for the D500. I was told that they were only available as a pair and that they had them in stock in the UK and would arrive at the dealership the following day. I duly paid the asking price of 333.70 and sure enough they arrived at the dealership.

My Dad collected them for me, as he travels past this particular dealership every day on his way to work. I went round to his house to collect them and he told me that they even came with a replacement rear grill!! How pleased was I?? Very, until I opened the box and realised that what i had actually got was 2 A610 rear lights and an A610 grill!

I duly called the dealership and explained that what they had in fact given me were A610 lights. The guy checked the part number against there systems info once more and advised me that the A610 lights had superceeded the original GTA items. I told him that If i'd wanted A610 lights then obviously I would have ordered them and that in fact the lights I now have are of no use to me because I want to keep the car original and obviously that means it needs GTA lights. I told him in no uncertain terms that I would be sending them back!

So today, my Dad took them back and was told that they would not refund the money or accept the lights back as they were a correctly ordered part and the part number is designated for my car as far as there system is concerned. No amount of persuasion on my Dads part would convince them that the lights weren't identical to what was already fitted.

So this afternoon I took the rear light off the car and returned to the dealership to show them that blatantly they were different lenses...But still they would not refund the money or have the lights back, even though the parts are blatantly different!

We then saw the manager and my Dad was just about ready to rip his head off(Paid for the lights on his Credit card )! And although the manager accepted that the parts were obviously different he still said they wouldn't refund the money but would call Renault in the UK to see what could be done.

As you can imagine, by this point we were both fuming as we ordered GTA lights but got something different! The lights were then left with Renault, and we're waiting to hear what he comes back with tomorrow.

Does anybody have any ideas about what to do, or even better does anybody know what the renault part numbers are for the lights on the GTA???

Thoughts and opinions appreciated.

The answer seems obvious mate - go through your Dad's credit card to claim the money back. They didn't give you all the required info. FYI The A610 is a D503 and they should have TOLD you off the bat that yours were superceeded.

I know -my- dealer would have advised me on the spot that they were "superceeded" (which sounds like flannel to me). Tell you what, I'll give my lot a ring tomorrow and see what they find on their computer. I don't pay for stuff until it has arrived, and when the wrong stuff turns up, I don't have to pay for it. Still..... I spend quite a lot with them so they probably stretch a point for me.

As i thought TBH mate, but will the CC company reverse the payment that easily? If you could give your peeps a call mate, that would be great. FYI if they come as a pair then they are almost certainly the A610 lights.

Contact the credit card company, they should be very keen to sort this out on your behalf - they where very interested in when a carpet I had laid was faulty yet the shop disputed it. Full refund ensued!

IF they cant help, and I'm sure they can, then small claims court is always an option. Its all about being reasonable and fair. You placed an ordered for replacement lights for a GTA yet they supplied lights for a completely different vehicle. A A610 is not a GTA maLord!

Please let us know how you get on.
Rgds Paul.

I thought you only had to pay for "special order" parts in advance.
As the parts were already in the UK, then I don't think that they are special order. Just goes to reinforce your feeling that the dealer is trying to get one over on you.
I think I read a post before that suggested speaking to Renault UK HQ about dealer mis-behavour/pricing-problems could often get a good resolution.
Good Luck

edit: found it, see the 7th post here
http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=560&highlight=customer

I've claimed back through my bank, never a credit card. Quick synopsis:

- Joined RAC, signed form to pay for years membership over 6 months.

- My company got taken over by cable and wireless, now get insurance through work, with full RAC cover as standard

- Ignored renewal letters from RAC, figured my own membership would lapse.

- RAC debited money for following year's renewal (at the full rate, not the discounted one I'd had the year before)

- Rang them, told them I was now a member twice over, demanded refund. No Way Jose, they said, I'd signed the form.

- Rang the bank, with no more than a phone call, the payments were immediately refunded, and they claimed it back from the RAC

- RAC write to me to say "you appear to have cancelled your direct debit" - no shit sherlock - "your membership will lapse if you do not continue payment..." blah blah blah.

AFAIK even the threat of claiming through your card might be enough to the dealer to think twice.

Here's a little suggestion though: The blue one AlpineRob has just bought has mint rear lights. For a greased palm, he -may- be interested in swapping just to have funky A610 lights. Can't speak for him, but I worry what will happen to those new 610 lights if you hand them back.

I'll give my friendly dealer a ringo tomorrow.

It's amazing the amount of business I've gained with nothing more than a clued up Renault dealer prepared to go the extra mile on parts sourcing.

Well, called Renault UK customer services who as good as agreed with the dealership, that they had ordered the right part and that the lights had been superceeded and basically I've got to wear it....But the argument still holds that I ordered GTA lights and what I got was A610 lights!

Trading standards and credit card company next!

Did Renault UK Customer Services think that you would recomend the dealer to any one E3SE in the future , or ever use them again yourself?

So short sighted of them, I propose we all boycott Renault Wolverhampton?

I wouldn't mind, but my Dad brought a brand new Laguna from them some years ago, and a load of his friends have also purchased cars from them!

Had a word with my lot and the guy I normally deal with told me that he got put in the same position. At the end of the day, the dealer is at the mercy of Renault UK or France and special order items are non-refundable to them (unless Renault themselves make a mistake). The rear lights -are- officially a superceeded part, and legally they are perfectly okay. Sooooo long and short: You can't get originals new and if you try, you''ll get A610 ones. You won't get a refund because your dealer will take it in the shorts. MY dealer knows about this and will advise future customers - but only because he found out the hard way too.

However I also had a word with AlpineRob and he's happy to do a strait swap - his rear lights for your 610 lights and grill. Here's a shot of the asp of the car - and Steve can bare witness to how nice it is

http://www.delorean.co.uk/DSCN2800.JPG

(NB the car was still dirty from its trailer ride home when this photo was taken - the lights really are in superb nick - the car has been garaged since 1995)

[stephendell]

I checked on the renaultp@rts system this morning.

The LH GTA lamp has not been superseeded

LAMP ASSY LHR GTA
Part number : 6001016293

HOWEVER The RH GTA lamp is no longer available and has the following note attached

REAR WARNING LIGHT & LIGHT RENAULT ALPINE

SEE 77 11 163 519
Part number : 6001016294

REAR WARNING LIGHT & LIGHT RENAULT ALPINE

KIT LAMP
Part number : 7711163519 £284+VAT

Presumably this is what you received.

There would be no reason for the dealer to expect that the lamps were different until the kit arrived.

It would therefore seem that they followed the correct proceedure in the circumstances as you had ordered a pair of rear lamps. They should however have informed you that you would be receiving a kit rather than a pair of lamps, but no-one would have know what was in it until it arrived and of course they probably wouldn't order it until you paid!

It would seem that you are the first person to order the new kit so know we all know, although that doesn't help you.

You can't get the RH GTA lamp any more so unless you want odd ones or a s/h lamp probably best to fit it all. It will still look quite good and at that price the grille (which is much better) was effectively thrown in free.

If you are still unhappy see if you can talk them into a free 'ALPINE' badge for the grille if it didn't come with one:

BADGES ALP
Part number : 6001019302

Did the kit come with the new brackets for the grille by the way?

No Stephen, so I can't even fit the grille.

TBH I don't like the lights, the original GTA items have got an 80's looks about them, totally in keeping with the original design of the car... The A610 lights look decidedly 90's and do nothing for me when fitted to the GTA.

My agreed value classic insurance also dictates that the car has to be totally original with no deviation from the original design. The agreed value pics I sent the insurers were with the original lights, so in the event of the unthinkable happening fitting of the A610 lights may well cause trauma with making a claim.

Will see what happens when the credit card company get involved. Trading standards have advised that Renault Wolverhampton are in breach od the sale of goods act 1979 (amended) and that the credit card company are also liable under the consumer credit act 174 section 75.

We'll see what a stern letter to both parties will yield, before trading standards get involved again.

[stephendell]

My personal preference is for the GTA lamps with the A610 grille as I prefer the 'smooth' look of the original lamps.

Let us know how you get on.

Regards
Stephen

The fact that as it stands you can't fit the grille may actually be of assistance.

If you can't fit the kit then I'd interpret this as the goods "are not fit for purpose".

A very precise letter quoting legislation and mentioning the small claims court usually does the trick I find. At least it did for me and £600 worth of dining table and chairs! Not from Renault I might add but I thought paying £120 for the whole lot was a bit of a bargain. (Oh and about £10 for some clamps and PVA to fix the leg of one chair broken during delivery)

To be fair, you can't even fit the A610 lights wihout modification. There are slightly raised lugs on the top and bottom of the lights which need to be cut off to allow fitment. Already tried to fit them to see what they looked like!