I'm surprised people are still in business
Discussion
Needing some work to be done on my car, I've now phoned 3 repair shops. 1 Said I could go over up to 7pm and get a quote, he was very friendly, helpful and gave a good price.
Second garage, guy didn't say hello, grunted a few times and came in more than the bloke above, but it was 'cash in hand' and on some random estate if I wanted a receipt I had to use an other company on the estate and pay the VAT, then he got paid.
Third garage I've called on 3 days to go across, make arrangements for the next day, phone just before leaving to be told he's left (before 4pm!) 2 days running.
I then call some garages to get a price for a service. BMW take 10 minutes extracting details only to tell me they'll call back with prices hours ago, nothing yet.
Second garage gave me a around £100inc VAT price, "well, what will it be?", around £100. "thanks" *click*. Around? You know what the parts cost, so give me a fixed price damnit.
Third garage, yes sir, that'll be £90+VAT parts and labour.
Guess the 2 companys I'll be using...
Second garage, guy didn't say hello, grunted a few times and came in more than the bloke above, but it was 'cash in hand' and on some random estate if I wanted a receipt I had to use an other company on the estate and pay the VAT, then he got paid.
Third garage I've called on 3 days to go across, make arrangements for the next day, phone just before leaving to be told he's left (before 4pm!) 2 days running.
I then call some garages to get a price for a service. BMW take 10 minutes extracting details only to tell me they'll call back with prices hours ago, nothing yet.
Second garage gave me a around £100inc VAT price, "well, what will it be?", around £100. "thanks" *click*. Around? You know what the parts cost, so give me a fixed price damnit.
Third garage, yes sir, that'll be £90+VAT parts and labour.
Guess the 2 companys I'll be using...
Been having similar thoughts myself. Having to replace head gasket on my daily runner and needed some bits from my local Toyota parts department.
Phoned on Thursday but they were busy.
Tried again and this time left a message for them to call me as they were busy again.
Friday morning called back as had not receieved a call. They were busy again.
Tried again later and went through same process.
Saturday Morning repeated process.
Tried 30 mins before closing and was told I would receive a call that day or first thing Monday.
Monday no call still, tried once more got same result. Told them to stuff it and would use another dealer that was further away. Called other dealer and got parts ordered straight away.
It seems some people just don't want my money
Mark
Phoned on Thursday but they were busy.
Tried again and this time left a message for them to call me as they were busy again.
Friday morning called back as had not receieved a call. They were busy again.
Tried again later and went through same process.
Saturday Morning repeated process.
Tried 30 mins before closing and was told I would receive a call that day or first thing Monday.
Monday no call still, tried once more got same result. Told them to stuff it and would use another dealer that was further away. Called other dealer and got parts ordered straight away.
It seems some people just don't want my money
Mark
MrHanky said:
Been having similar thoughts myself. Having to replace head gasket on my daily runner and needed some bits from my local Toyota parts department.
Phoned on Thursday but they were busy.
Tried again and this time left a message for them to call me as they were busy again.
Friday morning called back as had not receieved a call. They were busy again.
Tried again later and went through same process.
Saturday Morning repeated process.
Tried 30 mins before closing and was told I would receive a call that day or first thing Monday.
Monday no call still, tried once more got same result. Told them to stuff it and would use another dealer that was further away. Called other dealer and got parts ordered straight away.
It seems some people just don't want my money
Mark
This doesn't surprise me - the parts department at my local Toyota main dealer are useless.Phoned on Thursday but they were busy.
Tried again and this time left a message for them to call me as they were busy again.
Friday morning called back as had not receieved a call. They were busy again.
Tried again later and went through same process.
Saturday Morning repeated process.
Tried 30 mins before closing and was told I would receive a call that day or first thing Monday.
Monday no call still, tried once more got same result. Told them to stuff it and would use another dealer that was further away. Called other dealer and got parts ordered straight away.
It seems some people just don't want my money
Mark
V8mate said:
illmonkey said:
Needing some work to be done on my car, I've now phoned 3 repair shops. 1 Said I could go over up to 7pm and get a quote, he was very friendly, helpful and gave a good price.
Why did you ring anywhere else?illmonkey said:
V8mate said:
illmonkey said:
Needing some work to be done on my car, I've now phoned 3 repair shops. 1 Said I could go over up to 7pm and get a quote, he was very friendly, helpful and gave a good price.
Why did you ring anywhere else?Apart from the first time I ever used him, I don't even ask the mechanic I use for a quote; I know the bill will be right and the service better still.
V8mate said:
When I buy a product or service from a local independent business, I buy the whole business (Remington, anyone?) not just the one-off item. You must have had a rough idea of the cost if we're only talking £100; I'd rather pay a good indie £50 more if they come across like they care about me and my car (or whatever) than simply be screwing people down on price.
Apart from the first time I ever used him, I don't even ask the mechanic I use for a quote; I know the bill will be right and the service better still.
First guy was £500, second was £600+VAT, so £720. £220 difference. Whats to stop the first guy being nice etc but really pricy?Apart from the first time I ever used him, I don't even ask the mechanic I use for a quote; I know the bill will be right and the service better still.
I honestly didn't know it'd need as much work, first guy may have been over spec'ing. I may have got a similar result had I gone to someone else and paid £200.
After taking to a few people, turns out guy one is spot on with the technique. As you say, I'm happy paying the money now, as I know he knows what hes talking about and is doing the right work.
What ever works for you really. The point of the thread isnt, 'why did you keep looking?', but how some companys just don't want the work/money.
illmonkey said:
Needing some work to be done on my car, I've now phoned 3 repair shops. 1 Said I could go over up to 7pm and get a quote, he was very friendly, helpful and gave a good price.
Second garage, guy didn't say hello, grunted a few times and came in more than the bloke above, but it was 'cash in hand' and on some random estate if I wanted a receipt I had to use an other company on the estate and pay the VAT, then he got paid.
Third garage I've called on 3 days to go across, make arrangements for the next day, phone just before leaving to be told he's left (before 4pm!) 2 days running.
I then call some garages to get a price for a service. BMW take 10 minutes extracting details only to tell me they'll call back with prices hours ago, nothing yet.
Second garage gave me a around £100inc VAT price, "well, what will it be?", around £100. "thanks" *click*. Around? You know what the parts cost, so give me a fixed price damnit.
Third garage, yes sir, that'll be £90+VAT parts and labour.
Guess the 2 companys I'll be using...
is this an excercise in automatic writing?Second garage, guy didn't say hello, grunted a few times and came in more than the bloke above, but it was 'cash in hand' and on some random estate if I wanted a receipt I had to use an other company on the estate and pay the VAT, then he got paid.
Third garage I've called on 3 days to go across, make arrangements for the next day, phone just before leaving to be told he's left (before 4pm!) 2 days running.
I then call some garages to get a price for a service. BMW take 10 minutes extracting details only to tell me they'll call back with prices hours ago, nothing yet.
Second garage gave me a around £100inc VAT price, "well, what will it be?", around £100. "thanks" *click*. Around? You know what the parts cost, so give me a fixed price damnit.
Third garage, yes sir, that'll be £90+VAT parts and labour.
Guess the 2 companys I'll be using...
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