Hi Guys
We phoned a Brake Repair Centre in San Diego last Sunday and booked the Focus to have the brakes repaired at 10.30am yesterday (Wednesday).
I double-checked they had the parts as we were talking a new 2006 model and most places don't seem to carry such new parts. I was assured they had them.
So, we arrived at the Repair Centre at 10.30 - and they had no record of us coming - and they had no parts in stock.
But, they assured us it wouldn't be a problem and they could get them in 2hrs - making a 4hr repair in total.
They telephoned the parts dept at the local Ford Dealer - who confirmed the parts were the same as the 2005 model - so the Repair Centre ordered them.
Of course, when they arrived at 2pm, the 2006 parts were NOT the same as the 2005 parts they sent.
We were then told the new ones would arrive the next day.
The Manager of the Repair Centre offered to drive us the 16 miles to our campground and then collect us today, when the repairs were done.
So, the Manager drove Ann-Marie and myself to the campground 16 miles away...........
......wait for it !!
......... around 100yards from the entrance to the campground, a little voice could be heard from the back seat of the car - "the keys to the RV are still in our car !".? :-[? ;D
So, the Manager had to drive us the 16 miles back to the Repair Centre.
As we felt bad, we asked if there were any real cheap budget motels local to him, to which he assured us there were.
When we arrived back at the Repair Centre, we managed to check-in to a 'budget' motel at $77!
At least we could go for a meal and have a few drinks and it would avoid paying for a taxi.
This morning we arrived at 10.30am and waited for the parts to arrive at the promised 11am, so we could be away around noon.
Well, the parts finally arrived at 3pm and we left at 4pm.
Now all we have to do is get Ford to reimburse our $1100 bill.
Regards
Paul