The reason I got into detailing 5 years or so ago was due to my E46 convertible being keyed from end to end... I think I paid about £400 for the polisher, polishes and some pads and tried it myself. I couldn't get it out completely (I always now go by if you can feel the edge of a scratch with your nail, you're unlikely to remove it entirely) but I managed to "hide" it to the point that you needed to know it was there to see anything.
There's no excuse for the broken track rod et al. I don't even know why they didn't check to see what gear it was in.. pretty sure they would have for a manual (or is it a case of needing to put your foot on the brake before you can release park on the older RRs? I've only driven the newer ones but it's something I'd try before dragging it anyway!). I assume the valance was damaged via the strap too as it tightened and lifted upwards? Hope you manage to get them to pay out.. a shame it always seems to be the customer that gets screwed over
Apparently the
Consumer Rights Act 2015 is having multiple companies quaking a bit as it sways more towards the side of the customer.. might be worth keeping in your Bat Belt™ if the "investigation" goes on too long (it covers services supplied as well as goods AFAIK).
The fella that owns the RRS is certainly more laid back than I. He's more annoyed / frustrated at the inconvenience than the £2.5k damage to the RRS and whatever cost to the wall. I think I'd have put the fella's head through the rest of the wall personally! Totally agree through.. manual, auto.. irrespective, they all have a brake pedal... an auto far bigger than manual so why you'd fail to be able to hit that is beyond me! Not sure the "that'll buff out" answer would quite work on that one, no matter how good the detailer thinks he is
Cheers..
Ian