warning warning down under autos
Just had a very unpleasant experience with a place called downunder autos.
Had to get a boat trailer inspection done to license in wa after importing from nsw.
Only place that would inspect with boat on was this mob.
Right from the start I felt the vibe... the old guy I spoke to sounded like he wouldve welcomed a merciful ending.
He made me feel I shouldve paid more and be grateful that he picked up the phone.
Better be here by 8! He says, we are busy... um ok im a customer. .. this isnt a love job so fit me in when you can... naa just bring it in we'll see if we can do it.... ????
I say, mate I dont have all that many days off myself. I need to know you can do it.... pause. Yup bring it in at 8 wednesday. I left at 7.15 from duncraig thinking id better not be late. I underestimated the hopeless situation of ocean reef road heading north at 7.30... at 7.55 still between waneroo rd and freeway I called the mob to advise id be another 10-15.
Young guy this time... same attitude.. we are busy... be as quick as you can in the same dead tone. Im trying I said.
I arrived at 810am parked 100 metres away so I didnt block drive and went to the only opening with a sign that I could see near workshop. I stood outside waiting to get someone's attention when an old guy (from the phone maybe) reverses out of workshop revving guts out of car and stops near me yelling at me cant you read no one allowed in workshop!
I said im not in workshop getting a bit peeved by this unprovoked and unreasonable attack. Why didnt you go to reception he says. Wheres reception? Just up there next to sign that says reception! There was a sign but unfortunately it was on the wall you walk beside facing out not along roadway so it was invisible unless you knew it was there.
Anyway I lost it. Told him to settle down and not get his nickers in a not and walked up to "reception".
Met the dead voice young guy who before I had finished introducing myself points to another counter with various items on it and states coldly fillout the first two lines.
Ok... I fill in first two lines and start on next before checking just filling in the year of trailer. I take it to him and he says fill out top two lines only! Do it again... Im starting to wonder if ive got a sign on my forehead saying absolute **** kick me.
I say its just the year... examiner will just right it down anyway. You cant fill it in he says.. its the law. .. I sigh and say you guys gotta work on your bedside manner and we get into a small argument. By now im thinking I dont want these pricks doing this job on my trailer... they will go out of their way to fail it. So I sit here and wait for the inevitable...
I will update and let you know of the result. Either way I will be making a formal complaint to dot about this "approved" inspection agent..... downunder autos wangara
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Why not just take it to
Why not just take it to licensing centre? Thats what I did for my us trailer
saltlife
Posts: 35
Date Joined: 14/02/14
Next time try auto power
Next time try auto power Joondalup. I booked in, turned up, drove out in 15 mins. Easy
West is Best
Bradlze
Posts: 96
Date Joined: 06/02/12
thats funny, I took my US
thats funny, I took my US trailer there and they were fine but saying that I left my boat at the marina with a mate on it so took it there empty
axey45
Posts: 1758
Date Joined: 26/11/13
sounds like they come from
sounds like they come from woopwoop, good people skills. lol
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Non licensing centre?
I thought in the metro area you had no choice but go to a licensing centre, and country was local workshops?
Where do I find the list??
Rob H
Posts: 5807
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Licencing Centres seem to be
Licencing Centres seem to be the ones most likely not to be aware of the rules from what Ive seen-quite a few metro US trailers I have seen that do not fit the ADR rules (120% rule for non loadshare) and were passed by Licencing Centre
Workshops are pretty strict as they have to follow the rules and are regularly spot audited (had to bring mine back an hour later due to this)
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Really?
I expected the workshops to be easy (and dodgy)
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
Vehicle inspection centres and a STD
Which one should you stay clear off, answer vehicle inspection centres.
Stupidly I let my boat trailer licence expire, yep my fault no problem. I get a permit to take the trailer to the inspection centre at Mandurah (after booking it in) and yep an old grumble bum comes out has a look at it from 10 metres and says" you are going to need side lights" then we start the inspection process proper. You name it I got a black cross against the item on the list, now I know this is biased opinion but, the trailer is in good condition minimal rust on frame springs etc. I was required to get the area of the brake disks measured and certified by a local trailer builder and god knows what else. After getting home and looking up the requirements for trailers I found that all the side lighting etc that he wanted done related to newly constructed trailers. I phoned the guy up and asked him from what piece of legislation specifications etc he got his inspection criteria from, well that was like throwing petrol on a fire. To shorten the story I bolted up to Rockingham the guy up there kindly fitted me in for an inspection half an hour later another 30 minutes and all was done with no repeat inspection required.
Some of these old grumpy bastards who have got the contract to do these inspections cannot understand inspection criteria and interoperate legislation and if they don't like the colour of your hair then whoa be tired you.
axey45
Posts: 1758
Date Joined: 26/11/13
Yeah i did the same expire
Yeah i did the same expire trailer, took it to fleet rockingham only took 30mins he said you need number plate light only if going at nite, i said was'nt he passed it no hassles.
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Confused
OK, which one is which? govt or private?
rocklobster
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 27/12/09
there are 2 places in
there are 2 places in Wangara i would recommend, either S & J Auto or Automotive Action. Both have done inspections on American trailers and are friendly, proffessional and very easy to deal with without any attitude as previous posters have mentioned.
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
so how did it go ...passed ?
so how did it go ...passed ?
straith
Posts: 426
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Ok update....Fyi the trailer
Ok update....
Fyi the trailer is a mackay made in Australia
Actually just for the record I wasnt at all worried about the trailer inspection so much as the shocking attitude of the staff. If they had just been just professional and not abusive or inexpicably aggressive I wouldve happily walked away with a fail and a list of repairs.... which I did anyway by the way. Luckily for me part two of this story is a happy one.
I found a really good bloke that fixed my trailer the next day,
He was mobile and a good bloke to boot. He came over and did all was needed just before I had to take into warwick dot.
I got there and was immediately struck by the friendliness and relaxed attitude if all the staff. Special mention to Rob I think it was who did the inspection. He made the whole experience a good one. We even have a fellow Fishwrecked comrade there! Hi mate!, dropped boat in last night and she is swwweeeet! Anyway great result in the end. Thanks downunder autos for being such arrogant Pratts coz now I have a great trailer fix contact: Lewis from Mobiletrailerfix,
And got to meet some top people at warwick dot inspection section which has gone someway to restoring my faith in people.
Now.... lets all fish!!!!!
straith
Posts: 426
Date Joined: 25/11/13
Oh p.s!Just fyi guys the
Oh p.s!
Just fyi guys the only reason I went to losers incorporated in the first place was coz d.o.t told me they wouldnt do trailer inspection with boat on trailer and this mob said they would.
That was obviously wrong coz on my second inspection at d.o.t warwick I was informed that as long as your boat isnt over 3mtrs high and 12.5mtrs long approx its ok which proved to be right. Wish theyd told me that when I asked first time... sigh. Oh well all good now.
Cheers