tyre fitting
Semple garage in Lochgilphead fitted four new tyres which I supplied to my Chevrolet Astro van reg ME02WOT. All four were constantly deflating at different speeds. Semple re sealed 2 of the tyres on 2 separate occasions.They continued to be problematic , needing checked on a daily basis. On 3 Jun 2024, I was driving at approx 35 mph when without warning, the front nearside tyre completely deflated . The RAC recovered the van to Semple garage which was nearest to the point of breakdown. They changed the tyre for a new one, without any reference to the cost. I collected the van the following day , I asked for a breakdown of costs as I thought it was excessive and that they had charged for changing the tyre and balancing which I believe is not the garage policy. They had informed me previously that they covered that aspect on a tyre which they supplied.The manager would not explain the costs, there was no reference to fitting and balancing on the invoice. The matter became a heated argument. I said I would not be paying until the costs were broken down. The manager then told an employee to move the van out of the garage, jack it up and remove the tyre. He then walked away to another part of the garage. I went to the van to record the mileometer reading for future reference. The manager then came back and showed me the wholesale cost of the tyre, which was circa £178. The bill was circa £100 more than that. After VAT, there remained a difference of circa £55. The van door was open, the manager reached in to grab the keys. I got out of the van and to avoid further confrontation, I paid the bill in full. My daughter bought a car from Semple in 2019, had it serviced, MOT and repaired there annually. She had it booked in for a repair or service the following week, she was told by Semple that they had cancelled her appointment due to the difficulty with her father. I reported this to the Motor Ombudsman. The input from Semple was unbelievable. I wad accused of dragging an employee from the van and assaulting him. I was further accused of endangering the manager by attempting to reverse the van out of the garage with the door still open. That did not happen , the van was not moved at all. The statement from Semple was Libel and defamation of character which I intend to challenge in court if need be. I went to see the owner Peter Semple in the head office at Inveraray. He told me that he would believe his BOYS before the likes of me. I asked him to comment on a man of nearly 78 as I am, dragging someone considerably heavier out of a van. His reply I dont know.