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"Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

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"Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 1:02 pm

OK well I have been a bit foolish
One of the first mods I did on my E85 when I first got back in July was the clear rear brake light. I was new to the forum back then and so when I saw one for sale direct from BMW through Ebay at their official vendor Shop BMW on Ebay I thought why not, like you do.
Delivery was supposed to be on a Monday and it did arrive on a Monday, unfortunately that Monday was seven days after I was told I would have it!

At no point did they ever advise I need to fit the replacement springs/nuts with this part so I used my old ones.

Fast forward 6 months and I notice the light had what looked like a string of black sealant dropping prominently into the clear lens. I contacted BMW on Ebay about a replacement. I got no response at all to my complaint so after a week I complained again and this time contacted Ebay. This time I got a response claiming to have previously responded and "they had no idea why I hadn't received it". (Ebay later confirmed this to be rubbish) BMW Ebay eventually told me you cant return it to them you have to go into a dealer which for me was a bit more of a pain.
Anyway whipped the light off and noticed that as well as the sealant failing the light was actually starting to separate all the way around between the clear lens and the black plastic rear piece. When I found time to go into BMW with it, the parts department first tried to fob me off and tell me it had to be still attached to the car and be booked in through service and their warranty people would make a decision on it. Once I pointed out the ridiculousness of this he agreed to get the warranty people to have a look at it now it was off the car and when they did they told me the warranty would be invalid if not fitted with the new springs.
This was the first I heard about new springs!
They even went on to show me on screen on their parts system that when they go to order one it flags up that the part must be sold/fitted with replacement spring and nuts.

They advised I take it up with BMW Ebay as they should be advising this but as you can probably guess when I eventually got a response from those Muppets it was a standard, "sorry you have to go through our dealer network". They didn't even actually approach the question I had asked them regarding why they hadn't advised me properly and what recourse they would offer.

So other than have a go at glueing it back together I'm on the hook for a new one and this is really where I want to slap myself for being stupid! A friend of mine runs a local repair garage and I usually get him to order bits for my cars as he gets them for me at trade, but for some reason I impulse purchased this on Ebay and waited a good week longer than I should of and a week longer than it would have taken my mate to get me one!
But the real kicker is I've since discovered if I had got my friend to get it I would have also paid less for it than I did, even with the new springs/nuts!!! :headbang: :x
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by srhutch » Sun Mar 06, 2016 1:12 pm

I bought mine at my local stealer, but at no point did they advise about the revised springs. It failed 2-3 months later along the top edge. Took it back and they replaced without too much issue.

I always try and use my local dealer and get them to price match, as it it easier when things go wrong, but don't see you did anything wronf from buying online from them. Guess they are bending the rules to suit them though. :thumbsdown:
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 2:39 pm

srhutch wrote:I bought mine at my local stealer, but at no point did they advise about the revised springs. It failed 2-3 months later along the top edge. Took it back and they replaced without too much issue.

I always try and use my local dealer and get them to price match, as it it easier when things go wrong, but don't see you did anything wronf from buying online from them. Guess they are bending the rules to suit them though. :thumbsdown:
Thanks,

Its one of them where you just want to kick yourself because you went about something a certain way when a quicker/easier and now it proves cheaper option was available. That's the most annoying factor!
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by mmm-five » Sun Mar 06, 2016 2:59 pm

Don't mean to come across harsh, but isn't this a case of the buyer not knowing what is actually needed to do the job properly? If you don't know how to do the job properly, then pay someone to do it, so that you have some comeback if things go wrong?

I've had examples in the past where the forums have said how easy such & such was to replace, so I've gone and bought the parts only to find out in the middle of the job that I should also have ordered some spares for bits which usually break when they're removed.

Sometimes the parts guys will tell you that you'll need some other bits, but how many of us will assume that they're just trying to sell us more bits than we need - or will take their free advice and buy the parts for a discount elsewhere?

For example...I took my Alfa 147 for an oil change yesterday - despite me normally doing interim changes myself (on the Z4M). What was quoted as a 30 minute job took 2 hours, as their motor factor had supplied the wrong oil & filter initially, and then had found the 2nd filter was also incorrect. It took them 30 minutes to realise the filter they had received was correct, but a previous owner had put a filter from a 146 on it which didn't match what the fitters had in their hands.

If that had been me, I'd have been stuck, as the motor factors won't deliver a new filter/oil to me in 30 minutes, and I'd have had the issue of trying to argue the toss with the motor factors over who is right. In this case I'd have been in the wrong due to a screw up by a previous owner.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 3:26 pm

[quote="mmm-five"]Don't mean to come across harsh, but isn't this a case of the buyer not knowing what is actually needed to do the job properly? If you don't know how to do the job properly, then pay someone to do it, so that you have some comeback if things go wrong?

Yes that is harsh, not the case, quite ridiculous and quite frankly insulting. I really don't know how you can arrive at that conclusion. Doesn't sound like you are actually familiar with this task. :headbang:
At which point did I not know how to the job properly?! Its unscrewing and removing three nuts and removing three springs under them, hardly rocket science! Plus I did not over tighten them when I put them back, I put them back to the same tension.

The real issue here is that BMW has deemed the springs already fitted to my vehicle are not fit for purpose, but they neglected to tell me that and the replacement brake light must be fitted with the revised parts or the warranty is invalid.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by mmm-five » Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:00 pm

MACK wrote:The real issue here is that BMW has deemed the springs already fitted to my vehicle are not fit for purpose, but they neglected to tell me that and the replacement brake light must be fitted with the revised parts or the warranty is invalid.
I am genuinely sorry if I am coming across harsh, and most people on here will tell you that I've got no love for BMW dealers :thumbsdown:

Did BMW provide you with, or did you ask for, any instructions in what you needed to do the job properly, or did you just assume it was simple and you couldn't go wrong? How can the guy in the parts department know your level of skill or understanding? Did you ask for the specific part, or did you just look the part number up and order it off ebay?

Of course, you can say that how would you know to ask about something you knew nothing about. That's were specialist knowledge comes in. Was there no information anywhere in your research that said the spring should be changed at the same time?

My point is that - as you have since found out - buying & fitting a single part is not necessarily 'doing a proper job'. It's like buying brake pads and not being specifically told that you need to change the wear sensor too, or doing an oil service and not being told that you'll need to buy some kit to reset the service indicator. Are these also the problem of the ebayer/dealer/factor that you bought the from?

If I fit something, and some issue comes up later (whether warranty or otherwise), then I take it on the chin as I had the choice to put that risk onto a dealer/specialist/indy but chose to take the risk myself.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by Mark555 » Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:05 pm

MACK wrote:
mmm-five wrote:Don't mean to come across harsh, but isn't this a case of the buyer not knowing what is actually needed to do the job properly? If you don't know how to do the job properly, then pay someone to do it, so that you have some comeback if things go wrong?

Yes that is harsh, not the case, quite ridiculous and quite frankly insulting. I really don't know how you can arrive at that conclusion. Doesn't sound like you are actually familiar with this task. :headbang:
At which point did I not know how to the job properly?! Its unscrewing and removing three nuts and removing three springs under them, hardly rocket science! Plus I did not over tighten them when I put them back, I put them back to the same tension.

The real issue here is that BMW has deemed the springs already fitted to my vehicle are not fit for purpose, but they neglected to tell me that and the replacement brake light must be fitted with the revised parts or the warranty is invalid.
Couldn't agree with you more, I thought it was a rather insulting comment too :x Sure he doesn't work for BMW???????????? :poke:

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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 4:52 pm

mmm-five wrote:
MACK wrote:The real issue here is that BMW has deemed the springs already fitted to my vehicle are not fit for purpose, but they neglected to tell me that and the replacement brake light must be fitted with the revised parts or the warranty is invalid.
I am genuinely sorry if I am coming across harsh, and most people on here will tell you that I've got no love for BMW dealers :thumbsdown:

Did BMW provide you with, or did you ask for, any instructions in what you needed to do the job properly, or did you just assume it was simple and you couldn't go wrong? How can the guy in the parts department know your level of skill or understanding? Did you ask for the specific part, or did you just look the part number up and order it off ebay?

Of course, you can say that how would you know to ask about something you knew nothing about. That's were specialist knowledge comes in. Was there no information anywhere in your research that said the spring should be changed at the same time?

My point is that - as you have since found out - buying & fitting a single part is not necessarily 'doing a proper job'. It's like buying brake pads and not being specifically told that you need to change the wear sensor too, or doing an oil service and not being told that you'll need to buy some kit to reset the service indicator. Are these also the problem of the ebayer/dealer/factor that you bought the from?

If I fit something, and some issue comes up later (whether warranty or otherwise), then I take it on the chin as I had the choice to put that risk onto a dealer/specialist/indy but chose to take the risk myself.
Look I not really looking to get into a big debate or fall out with anyone about this, but this really is very clear cut.

If you/I/ a trade customer or even one of there own BMW technicians went in to a BMW Parts Department to order a new led rear brake light their parts system warns them you need to fit the revised springs with the new brake light as the original springs have now been identified as the cause of the brake lights cracking and failing. This is due to the spring tension being too strong, hence why they have brought out a revised part that is not as strong and the original part is no longer available.

This is not a case where other items can wear and need replacing at the same time, like pad wear sensors etc. This is a part that no matter how experienced a specialist/technician etc you are, you would not normally replace or expect to replace when fitting a new brake light unit.

My point is simply this BMW know the original springs, although not something that would normally be replaced (or expected to replaced) is actually badly designed and causing failures. BMW have recognized this and warns people (public and trade) about this at Dealership level when replacing the light, you need to replace the defective springs as well. No doubt a duty of care to its customers.

However they do not give their internet (ebay) customers the same warning, which is stupid in the extreme.

This is why, in conjunction with their poor customer service I am advising people to steer clear of BMW Ebay shop and stick to the dealers etc.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by Nictrix » Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:42 pm

If these lights are supposed to be fitted with new springs etc they should be sold with the light as a kit and that would solve all issues.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by markplant » Sun Mar 06, 2016 7:01 pm

Nictrix wrote:If these lights are supposed to be fitted with new springs etc they should be sold with the light as a kit and that would solve all issues.
Was about to say similar, well put
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by Angie4m » Sun Mar 06, 2016 7:19 pm

Usually if you need other parts to do the job the eBay store blurb advises as its basically a carbon copy of what's on BMWs systems.

The fact that srhutch had the exact same issue buying directly for a Dealer tells me that at no point will it probably be mentioned or flagged on the system that these parts are needed because A) the part is NOT fit for purpose hence the failure level of them and B) BMW correctly assume you'll be swapping the part over using the exsisting and un-damaged fixings.

What I still can't get my head around is that BMW did a enhancement to the E88 third brake light for the exact same reason but it's never been done on the E85/E86.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:30 pm

markplant wrote:
Nictrix wrote:If these lights are supposed to be fitted with new springs etc they should be sold with the light as a kit and that would solve all issues.
Was about to say similar, well put
Precisely!
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:37 pm

Angie4m wrote:Usually if you need other parts to do the job the eBay store blurb advises as its basically a carbon copy of what's on BMWs systems.

The fact that srhutch had the exact same issue buying directly for a Dealer tells me that at no point will it probably be mentioned or flagged on the system that these parts are needed because A) the part is NOT fit for purpose hence the failure level of them and B) BMW correctly assume you'll be swapping the part over using the exsisting and un-damaged fixings.

What I still can't get my head around is that BMW did a enhancement to the E88 third brake light for the exact same reason but it's never been done on the E85/E86.
Well what can I say. I didn't make it up.
I can only tell you folks what the BMW bods told me and that was the system was telling them you need to use the newer springs.
This was the first I had heard of newer springs.
When I got home I did a search on here and found plenty on the topic. Only wish I done that before I bought the dam thing!
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by MACK » Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:05 am

Well just to update this after staring this thread I decided to have one more crack at "Shop BMW on Ebay"
This was my fifth attempt to get this sorted, but I aked for a management response this time. I expected the same fob off or non response I had had previously but amazingly they have just contacted me to say that they note my comments regarding the dealership warning me to use the revised parts and they did not and after management intervention they are finally actually going to send me a replacement part! RESULT!

Don't know what changed from last week when I told them exactly the same thing! All I can think is just got fed up to back teeth of me!

I've had the car off the road for a couple of weeks now since I took the part off to show the dealers and eventually its getting sorted but I will definitively never be using them again!

Now I'm just waiting with bated breath to see what actually turns up in the post. Knowing my luck with this it will be the red version!

I do have to admit I am very surprised, I 100% though I was shelling out for a new one and only actually tried again because a friend of mine I bored with the story nagged me into it.
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Re: "Shop BMW on Ebay" Don't Use!!! MUPPETS!!!Terrible service all round!!!

Post by Mark555 » Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:34 am

:D Ah well, fingers crossed then

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