Waiting lists at local workshops
Discussion
It's only in the last 5-6 years that I have started to use local workshops for my repairs , previously done everything myself.
MOTs done at the same place for dad for 30years ,now do mine ,one of the partners is a cousin.
I use a Mercedes specialist for my CLC.
I use an independent bodyshop for dents and paint .
One man bands for keys and security, one for a/c and another for audio .
These are all people that I have known through the trade for the past 30 years or so .
Recession and COVID thinning the lesser workshops.
So what's left are pretty good at what they do .
Now the problem, waiting time to get booked in ,up to 6 weeks in some cases as they are so busy .
They all say the same thing,lack of good staff , as older workers retire they can't find decent replacements.
My mate who does classic restoration has recently decided not to replace staff that has left as they simply weren't paying their way and in some cases costing him money. Suddenly he his back to the happy guy that I've known for many years.
How are you lot finding the trade these days .
MOTs done at the same place for dad for 30years ,now do mine ,one of the partners is a cousin.
I use a Mercedes specialist for my CLC.
I use an independent bodyshop for dents and paint .
One man bands for keys and security, one for a/c and another for audio .
These are all people that I have known through the trade for the past 30 years or so .
Recession and COVID thinning the lesser workshops.
So what's left are pretty good at what they do .
Now the problem, waiting time to get booked in ,up to 6 weeks in some cases as they are so busy .
They all say the same thing,lack of good staff , as older workers retire they can't find decent replacements.
My mate who does classic restoration has recently decided not to replace staff that has left as they simply weren't paying their way and in some cases costing him money. Suddenly he his back to the happy guy that I've known for many years.
How are you lot finding the trade these days .
Workshop and dealers been under paying staff for decades while ever increasing workloads and more complex cars techs have worked out it's better in other industries.
Lack of foresight meant dwindling numbers of apprentices coming through and now with COVID older tech close to retirement decided not worth continuing.
No wonder the motor trade/techs are in the highest band of wage increases last year as dealers struggle to keep staff let alone recruit.
Only people to blame for it is the garages and dealers that have pissed of their staff and under payed them for decades.
Lack of foresight meant dwindling numbers of apprentices coming through and now with COVID older tech close to retirement decided not worth continuing.
No wonder the motor trade/techs are in the highest band of wage increases last year as dealers struggle to keep staff let alone recruit.
Only people to blame for it is the garages and dealers that have pissed of their staff and under payed them for decades.
My father was a mechanic for over 53 years and finally retired last year. He still gets his old company asking him if he would like to come back part time as they are so desperate for workers.
Funny thing is, all the people they employ leave after a year or so to go and work elsewhere for more money. The only reason my father stayed there is because it was up the road, he only worked 3 days a week, he had his pension, and it was easy work. Youngsters who have a family don't have this luxury so are of course going to work where they can get the most money.
The boss of the company does not seem to realise that the reason they cannot get anyone is the pay.
Back to your question, last time I tried to book an MOT at my usual garage there was a months waiting list. My MOT runs out on January 14th and I am out of the country from 15th December until January 6th so I am looking at phoning them for a booking in November time.
Funny thing is, all the people they employ leave after a year or so to go and work elsewhere for more money. The only reason my father stayed there is because it was up the road, he only worked 3 days a week, he had his pension, and it was easy work. Youngsters who have a family don't have this luxury so are of course going to work where they can get the most money.
The boss of the company does not seem to realise that the reason they cannot get anyone is the pay.
Back to your question, last time I tried to book an MOT at my usual garage there was a months waiting list. My MOT runs out on January 14th and I am out of the country from 15th December until January 6th so I am looking at phoning them for a booking in November time.
My local Suzuki main dealer (which like many Suzuki dealers is surprisingly not very main dealer like) was booking services about 2 weeks ahead unless you needed a loan car. So, busy but not impossibly so. When I took it in for a warranty issue a few months back, they were able to look at it within a couple of days.
The VAG specialist I used on the previous car until I sold it last year was similar. Generally fully booked about 2 weeks ahead, but still a little spare capacity to help people who turned up unplanned with an issue.
The VAG specialist I used on the previous car until I sold it last year was similar. Generally fully booked about 2 weeks ahead, but still a little spare capacity to help people who turned up unplanned with an issue.
Longest waiting lists I've been on have been over a year, one was SW Rustproofing (went to them following a PH article) and another was a renowned trimmer for a soft top (and a letch at a beautiful P5 and a Morgan 3-wheeler having their interiors done while I was there).
I've worked for bluechip engineering and manufacturing companies, they all ran with a big order book Vs annual turnover. It makes sense for ensuring you don't have people with nothing to do and can also order in supplies with long lead-times. Makes sense that small businesses have learned to do the same albeit at a shorter timescale, and it should avoid zero hours situations where someone is just told "don't come in as there's no work".
I've worked for bluechip engineering and manufacturing companies, they all ran with a big order book Vs annual turnover. It makes sense for ensuring you don't have people with nothing to do and can also order in supplies with long lead-times. Makes sense that small businesses have learned to do the same albeit at a shorter timescale, and it should avoid zero hours situations where someone is just told "don't come in as there's no work".
Richmond hyjndai want weeks for anything, then when you do book it in they will have the car for a minimum of two days, upto 6 weeks before you loose the will to live and just get the car back. Typically a normal service they will balls something up, no actually do it or you’ll have spend hours debating their admin errors. If you get your car back in the same state it wen tin you’ve done well
Local Citroen garage, popped in on Wednesday, asked when they could service our car, they did Monday
Local guy inside for my old cars, he always fits you in if you are willing to drop it off and collect at precise times, he knows I am stick to my word sort, so I think that helps. Amazing service
Local Citroen garage, popped in on Wednesday, asked when they could service our car, they did Monday
Local guy inside for my old cars, he always fits you in if you are willing to drop it off and collect at precise times, he knows I am stick to my word sort, so I think that helps. Amazing service
A symptom of the recent loss of foreign workers and the impact of short term thinking.
Everything seems to be about fleecing customers while getting the max out of the staff for minimum cost, this destroys people's loyalty on both sides of the service desk.
Best mitigation is a bit of forward planning, maintaining relationships with known good companies if the forward planning bit isn't perfect.
Everything seems to be about fleecing customers while getting the max out of the staff for minimum cost, this destroys people's loyalty on both sides of the service desk.
Best mitigation is a bit of forward planning, maintaining relationships with known good companies if the forward planning bit isn't perfect.
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