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Damaged chassis


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Hi,

I am now the proud owner of a shiny new galvanised chassis that was finally delivered before Xmas, but it's obvious that due care and attention wasn't adhered to during its travel "in the back of a lorry" consequently it has suffered a few impact damages and I’m most likely going to have to fix it myself or order another one and hope it doesn’t fall into the same fate as this one.

I decided to get the chassis from Marsland Chassis as I didn't really fancy the extra weight that Richards Chassis make. Also Richards had a lead time that would have meant it would not have arrived before Xmas.

Marsland Chassis so far have said, we don't do repairs, we buy the chassis from the factory, you bought it via Paddocks you deal with them or you fix it yourself, locally.

According to Paddock Spares, they are still looking into it, 3 weeks now. Their latest advert says "Export specialists - from small packets to 40' containers"

 

As you'll see from the photos, a few of the sticky out bits were hit, my main concern is the damage to the front cross-member. As far as I can tell, the front cross-member is an important part for structural integrity. Now it has a weak point in it, will it fold at that point, in an accident? Don't know, don't want to test it either.

The rear cross-member damages are at the extremities, but for now, I've no idea how to go about fixing them. Any one up for ideas?

 

Whilst I'm waiting for Paddocks to make a decision on something and before I attempt to make some form of repair, my question to those that know more than me, is it fixable/worth it?

All I know, if it is fixable, welding is required.

How do I get galvanising back on the inside of the affected area?

Will the front of the chassis move, upsetting the position of the suspension/steering fix-points?

What sort of jig will be needed to keep the chassis aligned during welding?

 

So far, this lump of metal has cost a total of £2600, from Paddocks and to get it delivered, in France.

 

Front Crossmember - under label 2.jpeg

Front Crossmember 1.jpeg

Front Crossmember 3.jpeg

Front Crossmember 4.jpeg

Front Crossmember 5.jpeg

Front Left Outrigger.jpeg

Front Right Dumb Iron 1.jpeg

Rear Crossmember -  Scratch.jpeg

Rear Crossmember - Left Corner 1.jpeg

Rear Crossmember - Left Corner 2.jpeg

Rear Crossmember - Right Corner 1.jpeg

Rear Crossmember - Right Corner 2.jpeg

Rear Left Spring Hanger.jpeg

Right Rear Outrigger Bent 1.jpeg

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Replacement from vendor at no expense to you , that is some rough handling :o , It'll take time but at £2600 I'd be prepared to wait  (read keep hassling for appropriate action)  for it to happen .

I'm sure someone will be along soon to explain about buyers right's in more detail hopefully

cheers

 

Steve b

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That's really frustrating. My Marsland was OK on arrival but I bought it direct from Marsland, I believe the delivery was performed by them too (not sure on that). Doesn't help you though.

Surely if your "contract" is with Paddocks you should be complaining to them, or off the insurance for the shipping.

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Marsland deliver from there location direct to you,with their own vehicle/driver,  or you collect [I collected my chassis, as it was easy for me & their driver was off to his holidays] You need to get Paddocks to replace with a new chassis at thier [paddocks] cost including delivery & return of the damaged chassis. 

the transaction is between you & Paddocks, as they are the seller. 

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Paddocks should get you a new one for free. That is some awful damage.

When I bought my rear crossmember with extensions, I opened the door and watched the courier hit it on every step on the way down to my door. I got some money back rather than replace, as it was mostly superficial and I was going to repaint it anyway. It wasn't Paddocks though.

IMGP6045.JPG

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I wouldn't be messing about, just ask paddocks when they intend delivering your new chassis and do they want to arrange collection of the damaged one or do they want you to dispose of it locally.

They will just claim of the courier so just stand your ground as its not acceptable.

 

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2 hours ago, western said:

Marsland deliver from there location direct to you,with their own vehicle/driver,  or you collect [I collected my chassis, as it was easy for me & their driver was off to his holidays] You need to get Paddocks to replace with a new chassis at thier [paddocks] cost including delivery & return of the damaged chassis. 

the transaction is between you & Paddocks, as they are the seller. 

Marsland dont deliver abroad, I don't think they deliver anymore. It's palmed off to Paddocks now, I think.

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1 hour ago, GW8IZR said:

I wouldn't be messing about, just ask paddocks when they intend delivering your new chassis and do they want to arrange collection of the damaged one or do they want you to dispose of it locally.

They will just claim of the courier so just stand your ground as its not acceptable.

 

Thats the problem, still don't know what they are going to do yet, it's been 3 weeks. Xmas holidays put everything on hold.

All I know, today, finally, it's escalated up to the Manager. Whomever that is?

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Quote

Whilst I'm waiting for Paddocks to make a decision on something and before I attempt to make some form of repair, my question to those that know more than me, is it fixable/worth it?

Don't touch it because as soon as you do you will have complicated the situation and Paddocks can argue you've damaged it. As everyone else has said, your contract is with Paddocks. Paddocks will have to refund or replace as it has arrived to you not in a useable condition. Make sure all of your correspondance is in writing. If you speak to them on the phone ask who you are speaking to, note the date and time of the call and then sumarise the call in a letter or email to them asking them to respond in writing so everything is logged incase you need to use anything as evidence later on. Keep on them so they know you are not going to go away.

This link may have some helpful information. If you are getting no where, write to trading standards attaching your pictures with Paddocks copied in.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/return-faulty-goods/

Hopefully all this will be unnecessary and they will sort you out a replacement and apologise to you with suitable gesture of good will.

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If Paddocks can prove the damage was done while 'in transit' to your location, then they [paddocks] should claim from the transport company & ensure you get a undamaged replacement either in exchange or outright, leaving you the damaged chassis if they don't want it returned to do with as you see fit.

lets hope for a very satisfactory result.

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5 hours ago, PaulN said:

  Will be worth the wait in the end. :o

Hate to be the barer of bad news but I think it will be a long wait. 

 

Paddoks costomer care with regards to refunds is terrible. They ignored my emails and when I eventually got through on the phone the only thing that got them to shift was me offering to come up and sort it.

 

i really do hope that they deal with this quickly and the way they should. 

 

Best of luck

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1 hour ago, dangerous doug said:

You have clearly never called paddoks

Only the once for a simple enquiry. I couldn't tell you how many times I was passed round until someone could answer my question!

 

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I had the same problem with some hoodsticks from them a few years ago. Same problem with lack of response and inaction. Sent them back recorded delivery, but they denied they had received them. Eventually only got the money back as luckily I had paid by Barclaycard.

I never heard from them again,

I will never, ever deal with them again.

You should do as others have said, and should at least get refunded, and I would NOT under any circumstances send it back at your own expense, AND if it is collected, get the drivers name (not just a signature) and the vehicle details.................just in case. And a photo.

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If you are in the UK, then write to them (recorded delivery), explaining the damage and give them 14 days to respond. If you are still not satisfied, issue a county court summons. It will only cost you £30 ( I think), and you will get that back in a successful case (which is highly probable). Some of the damage in the pictures takes considerable force and in my opinion it's scrap.

A few years ago I took delivery of one their rear crossmembers and the quality of it was appalling. I did a thread about it -

When I bought a chassis, I got it from Richards. It was superb quality.

 

Les

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That chassis would need extensive repair in a jig and regalvanising.  It is damaged well beyond any semblance of acceptable levels.

Your contract for sale and delivery is with Paddock.  Marsland and the delivery company are not anything to do with your contract, so don't try speaking to either (except perhaps Marsland to get them to confirm that the chassis is damaged beyond use).  The "remote selling act" and UK "sales of goods act" apply because the point of sale was in the UK, regardless of where it was delivered to.  Therefore, they are entirely responsible for ensuring it got to you in satisfactory condition.  Where specific blame lies is immaterial to your contract - they can later try to claim damages from the shipper, but that is their problem, not yours, so don't let them try to convince you that you need to chase the shipper.  They must, by law, give you a full refund or replace it within reasonable time frame (I'd allow a week).  Frankly, I'd tell them to collect it and take a full refund, if given the choice, and go to Richards (who make far better chassis), but the choice is Paddocks, as long as they agree free replacement in a timely fashion.

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I agree with Snagger.  I'd be doubtful of the strength / quality of the chassis if it has sustained that much damage in transit, no matter how it was treated by the carrier.  How much damage is it going to sustain when it's fitted to a vehicle?  I'd push for a refund.

Si

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As Simon says, for it to sustain that damage it must either be sub-standard or have been hit VERY hard by something - seriously, to puncture steel like that would take a hell of an impact with something hard & heavy. Also I note it's caused the galv to flake off which suggests poor galvanising.

Either way it's clearly compromised, getting it repaired & back to fully galvanised would not be trivial.

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Another (crucial) angle IMHO is the insurance implications. You are effectively building up a vehicle onto what could be considered a defective chassis. Any subsequent 'incident' involving a claim for, eg crash damage caused by another driver, could result in your insurer and the offending party's insurer having a legitimate excuse to not pay out, even though you claim to have 'fixed' it. On that basis alone I'd reject it. BUt all the above also is valid - contract with vendor, THEY have the contract with the shipper. Stick to the vendor for immediate remedy.

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Paddocks get them delivered to themselfs then dropped off on their Yard unloaded with their fork lift truck then carried 3 at a time I think into their warehouse then as they are sold they fork lift them onto the Customers / Currier's vehicle, my guess is they have dropped it somewhere between it being unloaded in their yard on arrival from marslands and it being loaded up onto the Curriers truck destin to be delivered to you, so it's Paddocks fault.

Personally if it was me and lived in the U.K. I would drive there and speak to someone, I understand with emails and phone calls they seem a bit layed back but when speaking to them face to face they are totally different bend over backwards for you and really do pull strings, but that's me as I hate phones

 

 

 

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