How much do chips away (types) charge

[Tom B]

An odd one;

While on the school run (walk) today it has been alleged i have damaged (5" light scratch to wheel arch) as I walked past the car (parked on the pavement).
They tell me they have tried to TCUT it out and it remains - though it also appears they've applied the T-CUT to the filthy car without cleaning first.
I was carrying a child carrier backpack and the driver reports I caught the frame of this on the car.

Its a newish Landrover SUV, id expect on a PCP hence why theyre a bit precious about it.

I remember going past the car and having to duck around a bush at the same sort of area. I dont recall any contact and you generally feel any touch or contact with the bag.

I have told them I will have a look at it later. But essentially I dont think ill be entertaining it unless they have some dash cam or something and can tell me the mark wasnt there before.

I might however be minded to make a contribution to a chips away type job if they have dash cam or simply to keep the peace.

Does anyone have any experience of chips away type companies and what theyd charge.... Google suggests about £100 but that seems a bit low.

 

[ianrauk]

If he was parked on the pavement then he can do one. His fault whoever caused the chip.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Tell them you did not leave the pavement and therefore could not have possibly touched their wheels. It sounds like they are trying it on, after curbing the wheels themselves.

 

[I like Skol]

I would firmly and bluntly tell them to 'jog on'! Parked on the pavement at an obstruction in a stupid 4x4 status symbol..... Say no more. I'm all for respecting peoples property etc, heaven knows these things cost an arm and a leg. I also have a 4x4 myself so my anti-4x4 stance might seem a bit odd, but really, it's the real world and if you use your car stuff will happen and they were in the wrong place anyway. Tough on them, suck it up!

 

[DCLane]

@Tom B - if it's parked on the pavement and there wasn't a double pushchair width to get past them it's their fault for poor parking, not yours.

It's a civil case, not criminal, unless it's intentional damage. And it's highly unlikely a court would entertain them, or they would try.

Personally I'd be telling them to park on the road in the future. With photos of their car on the pavement kept just in case.

Offering a contribution admits some culpability as a minimum.

 

[I like Skol]

In fact, tell them if they are parked there again obstructing the pavement it wouldn't be a surprise if someone snapped off their mirror and tossed it in the bush!

 

[Electric_Andy]

Do not even entertain giving them any money or looking into it further. As others have said, if they were parked on the pavement then it's their fault. If they were parked on the road then it's just bad luck on their part. I hope you have not given them any of your details. If they persist then just ignore them, and if anything goes further then report them for harrassment

 

[Drago]

I'd tell them to kiss my arris.

 

[winjim]

If I was feeling mischievous I might ask them to make contact via their insurance company. Otherwise I'd just shrug and walk away.

 

[Alex321]

Tell them you did not leave the pavement and therefore could not have possibly touched their wheels. It sounds like they are trying it on, after curbing the wheels themselves.

He said Wheel arch, not wheel, and it was parked on the pavement.

But if ii was parked on the pavement, then it is their fault for parking there, as others have said.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

The car was parked on the pavement causing to be put in a position where you were forced to “duck around a bush”!!

The problem is entirely of their own making. Two words for them and the second one is “off”.

 

[CXRAndy]

From my limited experience, having used chips away once. They were half the price of the main body repair paint centres.

 

[Drago]

I'd wait until it's dark and go and sheet on his bonnet.

 

[Tom B]

@Tom B - if it's parked on the pavement and there wasn't a double pushchair width to get past them it's their fault for poor parking, not yours.

It's a civil case, not criminal, unless it's intentional damage. And it's highly unlikely a court would entertain them, or they would try.

Personally I'd be telling them to park on the road in the future. With photos of their car on the pavement kept just in case.

Offering a contribution admits some culpability as a minimum.

It would be a without prejudice offer with a signed agreement highlighting no acceptance of culp to that end. Unfortunately as it was not brought to my attention at the time I have no photos.

Do not even entertain giving them any money or looking into it further. As others have said, if they were parked on the pavement then it's their fault. If they were parked on the road then it's just bad luck on their part. I hope you have not given them any of your details. If they persist then just ignore them, and if anything goes further then report them for harrassment

I'd tell them to kiss my arris.

That was my first thought but Mrs B doesnt want to upset schoolyard relations - i on the other hand am less bothered.

If I was feeling mischievous I might ask them to make contact via their insurance company. Otherwise I'd just shrug and walk away.

Interestingly when I checked with my house insurance (that i am covered as personal liability), that was their suggestion. "Get their insurance to contact us if they make anything of it".

Actually the whole thing got me wondering, many of us have cycling insurance that would lap this sort of thing up so i looked, and nothing exists for walking!

 

[Ajax Bay]

I have told them I will have a look at it later.

Do not. Good advice upthread.
There is zero evidence that you caused the scratch, and even if you did - obstruction etc as above. This is a random assertion ("the driver reports") and picking on you 'cos a fellow parent (assumed).