Complimentary Service Clinic - why do they bother?
Discussion
mollytherocker said:
I would imagine that is far smarter to impress you and gain your trust than try and dick you.
Its the long game.
You would think that, but my OPC always seems to want to replace stuff early. For example, I had them look at my car one year at the end of November and they advised the pads were low. They said, even with my low monthly mileage I'd probably get the warning come up just after Christmas, so they offered to do them that day. I was in a hurry to be somewhere, so I declined.Its the long game.
I eventually had the pads replaced locally, before the warning came up. 11 months later!
My BMW garage are no better. After a service, they once tried to get me to replace all four tyres for £1600. The tyres lasted me another year and cost me £1200 to replace (F'ing runflats!).
I've stopped using both of these places now.
If there is no hard sell and you are getting something for nothing and you can pick an choose what work if anything you would like done what's the problem? Sorry I just don't understand all the negativity for something for free. Yes OPC is doing it to generate business and hope to get some spin off sales but it doesn't sound like a gun is being held to your head.
tr7v8 said:
The other one was when my Boxster left a trail of fluid through the service bay which was a tip seal gone. No warning but once it all run out would have been a trashed tip box. I left it there & was able to hitch a lift home. The work got done at £60ish per hour, 10% discount on parts
Was this before or after it went on the ramp?!911wise said:
tr7v8 said:
The other one was when my Boxster left a trail of fluid through the service bay which was a tip seal gone. No warning but once it all run out would have been a trashed tip box. I left it there & was able to hitch a lift home. The work got done at £60ish per hour, 10% discount on parts
Was this before or after it went on the ramp?!I actually had them change the rear tyres whilst it was in as they were at 2.3mm & we were off on a longish drive a few weeks later. The price was 10% more than my indie who is very cheap £440 against £400 but the convenience aspect made it worthwhile.
Matt Seabrook said:
If there is no hard sell and you are getting something for nothing and you can pick an choose what work if anything you would like done what's the problem? Sorry I just don't understand all the negativity for something for free. Yes OPC is doing it to generate business and hope to get some spin off sales but it doesn't sound like a gun is being held to your head.
Exactly! Very strange responses from a couple of people...
Matt Seabrook said:
If there is no hard sell
..it's not so much the hard sell, it's more a feeling of guilt/car neglect when you don't do everything that they suggest needs doing.I had one once on a BMW. £5k of work suggested, I agreed to £1k of it. Car was perfect 3 years, 40k miles later.
monthefish said:
..it's not so much the hard sell, it's more a feeling of guilt/car neglect when you don't do everything that they suggest needs doing.
I had one once on a BMW. £5k of work suggested, I agreed to £1k of it. Car was perfect 3 years, 40k miles later.
Don't agree to anything you don't want or need to be done. It's very simple...I had one once on a BMW. £5k of work suggested, I agreed to £1k of it. Car was perfect 3 years, 40k miles later.
I went to OPC Guildford today for the free check and was very pleased. Staff and the technician were first class. Thoroughly checked the car over and highlighted some issues, some I knew about, others not. Took time to show me, explain them and how/when to fix. No heavy sales at all, most can wait and that's what they recommended. Asked a about a couple of other queries and technician had answers/reasons straight away.
I've always used a local indy and been more than happy with them. At least this puts OPC into the same bracket, but no doubt cost of doing work would be prohibitive vs indy.
J
I've always used a local indy and been more than happy with them. At least this puts OPC into the same bracket, but no doubt cost of doing work would be prohibitive vs indy.
J
Took my (now ancient 2011 991) for its health check and had the opportunity to see the oily bits (luckily not oily) underneath, was shown the inner front tyre wear that needs sorting shortly, corroded inner brake faces (advice - brake harder). A pleasant 20 minutes with a technician, no selling involved. I get looked after, so I take my business there. The supermarkets are in the same situation, but Waitrose still makes money even if there is a cheaper alternative. Can't stand the moaning in here sometimes
I went to Portsmouth today for mine - I thoroughly enjoyed the experience - very friendly and welcoming from the moment I arrived with my 10 year old son - he was given a free 'goody bag' which was a nice touch.
As others above have mentioned, great to see the underside of the car and chat with the technician and ask questions.
Free sweet and savoury snacks and they cleaned the car too - what's not to like?
My 2p worth.
As others above have mentioned, great to see the underside of the car and chat with the technician and ask questions.
Free sweet and savoury snacks and they cleaned the car too - what's not to like?
My 2p worth.
Got an invite by email from the service manager of Porsche Tonbridge. I'd have gone along, but the car needed some work earlier in the week, which cost me some time, so couldn't manage to go again today.
The service dept at Tonbridge is excellent, so I'd definitely have taken the opportunity to go otherwise.
The service dept at Tonbridge is excellent, so I'd definitely have taken the opportunity to go otherwise.
I too cannot understand all the negative posts on this. Go along (if you can bear the petrol costs - I cannot believe a Porsche owner mentioned that), have a chat, coffee and cakes, learn something maybe and then decline their kind offer (feeling like a cheapskate or possibly just a little guilty - or just let the water run off the proverbial duck) and go home.
Alternatively, stay at home with the lights off stroking your Porsche and rubbing your hands safe in the knowledge that they have not pulled one over you, you cunning little bugger.
There is a lovely Icelandic looking girl in Tonbridge. I simply must go for one of their 'freebies'.
When is Tonbridge's next one?
Pip
Ps I have never been but keep meaning to.
Alternatively, stay at home with the lights off stroking your Porsche and rubbing your hands safe in the knowledge that they have not pulled one over you, you cunning little bugger.
There is a lovely Icelandic looking girl in Tonbridge. I simply must go for one of their 'freebies'.
When is Tonbridge's next one?
Pip
Ps I have never been but keep meaning to.
Pip1968 said:
I too cannot understand all the negative posts on this. Go along (if you can bear the petrol costs - I cannot believe a Porsche owner mentioned that), have a chat, coffee and cakes, learn something maybe and then decline their kind offer (feeling like a cheapskate or possibly just a little guilty - or just let the water run off the proverbial duck) and go home.
Alternatively, stay at home with the lights off stroking your Porsche and rubbing your hands safe in the knowledge that they have not pulled one over you, you cunning little bugger.
There is a lovely Icelandic looking girl in Tonbridge. I simply must go for one of their 'freebies'.
When is Tonbridge's next one?
Pip
Ps I have never been but keep meaning to.
I have a TIPEC one booked in November Sat 15th for TIPEC members....Alternatively, stay at home with the lights off stroking your Porsche and rubbing your hands safe in the knowledge that they have not pulled one over you, you cunning little bugger.
There is a lovely Icelandic looking girl in Tonbridge. I simply must go for one of their 'freebies'.
When is Tonbridge's next one?
Pip
Ps I have never been but keep meaning to.
Don't understand all the negative comments on here. Went to the one in Mid Sussex on Saturday. Had a chance to compare notes between Porsche Zentrum Hamburg and OPC - they both complimented my GT3, had some really nice espresso, had a mooch under a pristine 2.7RS on the ramps and lastly had a chat with a service manager, who actually loves 928s. As a result I am getting the cam belt done there next year. Oh, and to top it off, while my car was on the ramps, I got a test drive in the Turbo S. What's not to like? Makes a very nice change from BMW who never bother to do anything, unless it is to try and flog you some 320d m-Sport or whatever...
My experience at Hatfield was definitely not hard sell!
The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
A friend and I did a track day at Anglesey on Friday in his 996 turbo. Saturday the car was booked in at OPC Bolton for a free 'turbo clinic' check. Staff there were interested that the car had been on track recently, found no faults apart from a discussion about the front tyre wear which was a little ' ragged' most likely due to Anglesey ' s harsh surface.
No hard sell, a 924 turbo and a 918 in the showroom and a receptionist in f##k-me shoes. What's not to like?
No hard sell, a 924 turbo and a 918 in the showroom and a receptionist in f##k-me shoes. What's not to like?
Edited by FarQue on Sunday 5th October 16:33
Pugley said:
My experience at Hatfield was definitely not hard sell!
The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
I had that pointed out too! As a first Time owner I never would have known. Plus a couple if loose headlight levelling sensors (from when indie did wishbones). And early signs of scrubbing on inside of rear so need geo doing. Worth knowing and sorting now. Also couple of bigger jobs I knew were needed, offering 15% discount if booked on the day. Given I'm still waiting for the Indies quote after ringing twice now it was tempting...especially with a courtesy cayenne for the day)The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
Pugley said:
My experience at Hatfield was definitely not hard sell!
The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
My Boxster has the same issue, apparently one can be changed by dropping the undertray, the other needs the PU removed. Guess which one is dead The technician seemed genuinely interested and pointed out that it was in lovely condition but only one tone of my twin tone horn was working and the rear tyres would need to be replaced at some time!
I got a condition report mailed to me with a quote for a new horn.
I still only have 1 tone
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff