I keep reading a lot about Car Supermarkets. Are they good or bad?

I understand you cant test drive the car, and haggling is pretty much not available (given that they have low prices anyway). I've also heard of cars being imports without paperwork, or dents etc, but I wondered if they get a raw deal? Read more

Just wondering what other Backroomers would make of this, maybe I\'m being a foolish customer, or maybe this car accessory shop is taking the mick, I\'d like your opinions!

I needed some decent cloths to clean the interior fabrics of the Fiesta as there were a few marks starting to appear, so whilst I was in the accessory shop I picked up a packet of Valeting cloths. They say that they are lint free and that\'s about it. No directions for use, or comments about suitability for different areas of the car. However, as I\'ve always been fairly happy with their own brand stuff in the past, I bought them.

Now I know that they are unsuitable for use on paintwork \'cos they contain some polyester, which to my mind, if you can\'t use them outside, means that they are to be used for valeting the interior.

But when used on either fabric or even the dashboard, they leave white fluff everywhere which needs hoovering out. Not much use. So I tried returning them:

Front Desk repsonse - \"They\'re for outside use only\", it doesn\'t say that on the packet, so he referred me to the supervisor.

Supervisor - \"You need lint free cloths for interiors, so these are no good, you should have expected white fluff\" My response to that was that it clearly says \"Lint Free\" on the front of the packet, he didnt say much but referred me to the manager.

Manager - \"Not going to argue with you, we can\'t resell them so you can\'t have an exchange or refund\" He even dared to suggest that it was the fault of the fabric cleaner that I used, but gave up when I told him that it was Auto Glym.

Anyway, he gave me the head office address and said that they could have the product sent away for testing and see if they think it is also faulty.

I wouldnt normally bother, but they\'re response was so pathetic that I\'m going to write in, the only thing I\'m afraid I didn\'t think to ask was what exactly are the cloths suitable for, \'cos you certainly can\'t polish with them due to the polyester content, or use them on dashboards or fabrics. What else is there to valet?

Am I been unreasonable, or are they being very unhelpful? I should point out that I didn\'t even insist on a refund, but merely to swap for a different item...

Advice/Opinions please!

Blue Read more

Does anyone know where I could buy HT leads over the net?

Thanks. Read more

I have a second hand 1995(M) Ford Escort Saloon - 1.6 16v engine (had done 60k when bought and now has 90k on it). In the 18 months I've had I've spent in excess of £1000 just to keep it on the road. This includes (not exclusively!) New brake drums, disc, shoes etc, two new sections of exhaust, new cam-belt, several sections of suspension, blocked radiator, new radiator fan, new power steering fluid tank, not to mention the locking system that's been serviced once already - now only one key unlocks every door other keys unlock varius other things except the boot!! etc. etc. etc.

On top of all that, the suspension although virtually replaced is lousy (rolls like anything, is like being on a ship at sea over speed bumps even at low speed).

Mileage is appalling and gets worse with age, currently get approx. 25-28mpg on motorways. In town uses fuel like anything.

Just wondered if anyone else has had similar problems!!! Read more

What price guidebooks are the motor trade using nowadays? CAP and Glass's were once used, with CAP being the most widely used as far as I knew. Is this still the case? Where can you lay your hands on them and at what cost?

Thanks


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