4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Tessa the Duchess]

Last week our VW van went in for it's MOT. It failed They failed it because we have a tiny crack in the wind screen, which was there last year and it passed. It failed on the brake discs and pads and because some of the lights weren't working. Now DH is an ex VW engineer he 'knows' VW's inside out, he said he checked the discs and pads and he and I went through all the lights the night before the test, they are lying

Last week I managed to drop my beloved iBook and crack the screen I phone up our nearest Mac repair shop and they quoted £100 to £150 to replace it, I thought it expensive but really wanted it fixed. I took it to the shop and they said they hadn't got one in stock but they would 'phone me when they had. They 'phoned me today saying that a new screen would be £299 plus vat, but they had a second hand screen which would be £175 plus vat!! I feel totally ripped off, but what can you do, they have your car/laptop you can't fix it yourself they have you over a barrel.

 

Tessa

[chickenanne]

How annoying!

I guess for your lap-top you could tell them you don't want to go ahead, and try somewhere else for the repair. Actually, same for the van if you're MOT hasn't expired, I think. At least ask for the parts back: the windscreen you could get done through your insurance for free if you're fully comp, and if they're replacing parts I think they legally have to give you the old ones back if you ask for them before they do the work. That way you can at least see if they were right in needing to replace them.

[Seagazer]

Is there no way you could replace your iBook screen? I had a crack in my laptop screen which altered what you could see on the screen. We looked at getting it repaired and it was really expensive.

 

OH took the screen off, got the part number and ordered it and put it back together himself. I've never seen an iBook so I've no idea if this could be done.

 

You do feel held to ransom sometimes by some firms/people don't you.

[Chucky Mama]

My darling son broke my laptop screen and I bought a new one off ebay for much much less than I would have paid elsewhere. It was very easy to fit.

[Guest]

If you have accidental damage on your household insurance then you can claim off them for the laptop repairs - they will send it to their approved repairer though.

 

As for the van - can't hubby do most of the work? Windscreen will be covered on the insurance but its NOT free - it has an excess and can also affect your NCD.

[Tessa the Duchess]

As for the van - can't hubby do most of the work? Windscreen will be covered on the insurance but its NOT free - it has an excess and can also affect your NCD.

 

 

DH could have done the work to the van, but as far as he was concerned it didn't need doing. We did claim for the windscreen on insurance, had to pay £75 excess.

 

I never thought of replacing the laptop screen myself, am a total numpty and would have been scared I would do it wrong

 

The van is back with an MOT, it is the last time I will ever use an MOT tester with a repair garage attached

 

Tessa

[Willow]

It's definitely worth looking at your household insurance to see if your iBook is covered.

 

Whilst it was different thing I discovered when I broke my glasses they were covered. Even though I'd stupidly knocked off as I tried to feel for them to pick up after washing my face and they hit the toughened glass scales in the bathroom so the (glass) lenses smashed so I felt it was my fault rather than an 'accident' if you see what I mean. But I got a very nice new pair of glasses (due to my perscription my lens cost over £200 before I even look at frames) and it was all very easy.

 

I'd really recommend FirstDirect home insurance BTW they were so nice to deal with.

[Seagazer]

We tried our household insurance but they wanted a huge amount in excess from what I can remember and we repaired it for far less.

[chickenanne]

Penguinmad: I had a windscreen chip, which was pretty bad. The whole windscreen was replaced (autoglass) and it was definitely free - no excess amount, with no impact on no claims. I think I was insured with Direct Line at the time, but not sure- was couple years ago. As almost all insurers and policies are slightly different, it is odd to suggest that windscreen repair is never free.

 

I hate taking my poor old car in for MOT: he's pretty elderly now and I always expect it to be £££ ....I think good, trustworthy garages and mechanics are worth there weight in gold! (maybe not literaly)

 

Did you get your lap-top fixed in the end?

[Leicester_H]

Penguinmad: I had a windscreen chip, which was pretty bad. The whole windscreen was replaced (autoglass) and it was definitely free

 

I think chips are free - whatever the solution - but cracks are not.

 

Autoglass are good. I had a chip, which they fixed (free to me, no effect on insurance) - approx 8(!!) years later, chip repair started to crack. Their guarantee lasts for as long as you own the car, so they then replaced the whole windscreen (again at no cost to me).

 

H

[stoice]

I think chips are free - whatever the solution - but cracks are not.

 

Yep. As far I know chip repairs are fee and replacing the windscreen costs an excess. (Think mine is £65 with swiftcover but it was £50 with a previous company)

[Leicester_H]

replacing the windscreen costs an excess. (Think mine is £65 with swiftcover but it was £50 with a previous company)

 

EXCEPT if (like me) you get CHIP fixed and it later cracks - then autoglass guarantee covers it - which after 8 years, I thought was a good deal.

 

H

[stoice]

Yes very good! My OH chip looks a little iffy despite them repairing it so that's good to know.