Rear window stickers warning

[madog]

This is a warning to Leon owners and other makes and models with the aerial filament on the rear screen.

I purchased my car new from Lifestyle Europe Brighton about 15 months ago.

I noticed a few weeks after purchace that the FM radio would go off whenever the heated rear screen was on. DAB radio kept losing signal as well all the time.

I decided that I could live with it until visit to garage needed for something else.

When summer came the aircon wasn't getting cold, so booked car for both things to be done under warranty. Garage rang me and asked if I had removed their sticker from rear window, which I had soon after getting car. (I have had several new cars and always remove the free advertising stickers)

I was then told that I had caused damage to aerial when I removed sticker. I argued that I didn't ask for sticker to put on so it was there fault. which they dispute, although, the handbook clearly says do not put stickers on rear window.

I argued the point and later they called back and said they had repaired it, however the DAB still lost signal. A couple of months ago the same problem occurred and they insited it was my fault and I would have to pay for new screen.

I have contacted Seat customer care and although it is not a warranty issue, they offered £100 towards cost of £435. Lifestyle Brighton wanted rest of cost from me.

Then I contacted Lifestyle Europe head office to complain about garage. I later received a call from the garage offering to match the Seat contribution of £100 which I have grudgingly accepted as I want car sorted, but am considering taking them to small claims court.

 

[morini]

Sorry to hear about your pain. I too hate dealer stickers but I made a point of requesting the dealer didn't put them on before our car was delivered. I know from past experience they can be a pain to remove completely.

Hope you manage to get it sorted.

 

[GrahamFR]

first thing I ever do is remove the sticker, i'm not a mobile advertisement board for some stealers after all, but ive never heard of this. What did you remove it with, a rock lol?

 

[madog]

"What did you remove it with, a rock lol? "

The way the garage spoke to me I think they suspected me to have used a metal scaper!

I did explain to them that as I removed it on the first or second day of ownership that it would still be soft and peel off easily.

Also when I said that I didn't ask them to put the sticker on, their reply was "well you didn't ask us not to put it on"

As they ignored the warning in handbook not to put stickers on back window, does that mean they can ignore everything else and, for example, put cheap low grade oil in the engine?

I actually believe that the screen was faulty from new and the sticker removal did not cause the problem, but I can't prove it.

 

[Briant566]

I have just removed on my month old Leon and I was very wary as it was over the Thin line and was a sod to come off
Every thing seems to be working

But Garages should not Put Them on

Just been out and rechecked DAB with Heated Screen on at same time seems OK

 

[andrewpain]

you would think the dealers would know better. and to try and stiff you for £435!
speechless....

 

[Briant566]

Rear Head rest

Hi
sorry wrong post

 

[KebabWarrior81]

This is unbelievable that they have the nerve to ask you for £435 to sort a problem that they ultimately started. Have always taken the sticker out of the back window as most people.

 

[Rob66]

This is a warning to Leon owners and other makes and models with the aerial filament on the rear screen.

I purchased my car new from Lifestyle Europe Brighton about 15 months ago.

I noticed a few weeks after purchace that the FM radio would go off whenever the heated rear screen was on. DAB radio kept losing signal as well all the time.

I decided that I could live with it until visit to garage needed for something else.

When summer came the aircon wasn't getting cold, so booked car for both things to be done under warranty. Garage rang me and asked if I had removed their sticker from rear window, which I had soon after getting car. (I have had several new cars and always remove the free advertising stickers)

I was then told that I had caused damage to aerial when I removed sticker. I argued that I didn't ask for sticker to put on so it was there fault. which they dispute, although, the handbook clearly says do not put stickers on rear window.

I argued the point and later they called back and said they had repaired it, however the DAB still lost signal. A couple of months ago the same problem occurred and they insited it was my fault and I would have to pay for new screen.

I have contacted Seat customer care and although it is not a warranty issue, they offered £100 towards cost of £435. Lifestyle Brighton wanted rest of cost from me.

Then I contacted Lifestyle Europe head office to complain about garage. I later received a call from the garage offering to match the Seat contribution of £100 which I have grudgingly accepted as I want car sorted, but am considering taking them to small claims court.

Thanks for heads up I am there tomorrow finalizing my order.

 

[Ocularis]

Sorry to hear about your pain. I too hate dealer stickers but I made a point of requesting the dealer didn't put them on before our car was delivered. I know from past experience they can be a pain to remove completely.

Hope you manage to get it sorted.

I did the exact same thing, asked for them (in writing, handed to the dealership manager) to NOT put any dealer stickers on the tinted windows.

 

[weirdkerr]

Dealer stickers are a PITA I have had a bad experience with one(actually 2!) on a previous car which I bought at a branch of a large well known car dealer in Scotland(there are branches in most towns here), to cut a long story short I Bought the car at one of their branches and took off the sticker as soon as I got home, a day or so later I noticed there was a slight problem with the car, so I called the branch to and booked it in, took car in and the problem was resolved at no charge, but they had gone and put a FRESH sticker on my rear window without asking, so I removed the sticker while still on their forecourt and took it in to the showroom and politely complained that I did not want another yellow sticker on my rear screen at which point they told me that it was policy to re-apply a sticker to all cars bought from them and that was that, I didn't take the matter further... I have heard other stories from friends about this practice and one was even told that he was in breach of the terms of sale in removing the sticker....

 

[dephead2004]

Hi madog I too have had problems with these guys. Firstly they try to tell you there is no problem, then it's your fault, then you pay.

The workshop is a disgrace and the newish workshop manager rude. I met him in the summer when I went in as I had the additional brake light crack. He told me I had caused the problem by trying to lever off the light. Why would I do that, says I. You wanted to change a bulb. Why would I do that they are LEDs and i'd just bring it back under warranty. Oh well it's "external forces" says he. I checked on the removal process in the manual and requested they used the special tool for removal. 10 minute job. 1.5 hrs Later I looked through the window to see the trim removed from inside the tailgate and they were using a screwdriver to lever open all the tangs. Fortunately I had asked to see the light. What I was shown was a red blob.

The other matter involved then trying to correct a factory fault on a misaligned parking sensor. The guy in the workshop could not get the bumper back on. I saw him hitting it and requested the previous workshop manager to intervene. When it went to their body shop in horsham and was removed properly the Tangs were broken off. They had to replace the whole bumper.

Leon now swerves away from this dealer like a frightened pup that's been beaten. I wouldn't go within 20 miles of them and now go to CDG in copthorne where the attitude is let's fix it together, courteous and efficient

Rob 66, the sale was great in the Showroom. No complaints. Just make sure you do not take out a service package with lifestyle but with vag. You can go to any dealer for service.

 

[Seastormer]

My dealer fits no stickers, his info is all on the extra bit on the reg plate, which I don't mind.

 

[Rob66]

Rob 66, the sale was great in the Showroom. No complaints. Just make sure you do not take out a service package with lifestyle but with vag. You can go to any dealer for service.

Thanks Mate,

Yes the Saleman is great, no concerns there. I did have similar concerns re the Servicing when my current car was in there last year. We had a minor paint fault on our 18mth old Ibiza that we were told was not covered by warranty - the paint had clearly worn through on the bumper corner and car is immaculate in every other way. Apparantly the paint warranty is only for 12mths!! In the end had it done at the Chips Away place in Littlehampton as it was only minor - great job cant see a thing.

Must admit was driving into work today thinking do I or dont I change (only doing 4k a year at the mo).

 

[rcopus]

Is the aerial some sort of surface mount affair then? I always assumed it was buried in the glass for some reason!

 

[madog]

Is the aerial some sort of surface mount affair then? I always assumed it was buried in the glass for some reason!

The aerial consists of two strips running along the top which, along with heating element, is stuck to the inside surface of screen.

 

[robin cur]

Funny thing I have two stickers on my rear window dealers name 10" long at the bottom and auto express 2013 Seat Leon car of the year 16" long at the top.
I have left them on but my heated rear window is the slowest car I have ever had to clear.

 

[concerned cat]

Robin, if you or anyone want to attepmt to remove the stickers, use a hairdryer to soften the plastic sticker & adhesive. That way they should remove easily without damaging the aerial.

 

[rcopus]

The aerial consists of two strips running along the top which, along with heating element, is stuck to the inside surface of screen.

Thanks madog - will have to take a look at mine as first thing I did was remove the sticker!

 

[andrewpain]

Robin, if you or anyone want to attepmt to remove the stickers, use a hairdryer to soften the plastic sticker & adhesive. That way they should remove easily without damaging the aerial.

any particular nozzle we should look to use? Diffuser? Jet?