The Wheel Alignment Centre Southampton
Discussion
This is great news, I was worried as heard some rumours lockdown and wasn't sure where to go next.
I need to get my cars down there as Nick was always spot on, with everything from the family car to the track car.
Hopefully I can get 3 booked in back to back and tag team them down haha. Really should get a trailer.......
I need to get my cars down there as Nick was always spot on, with everything from the family car to the track car.
Hopefully I can get 3 booked in back to back and tag team them down haha. Really should get a trailer.......
Just seen this from Wheel Alignment Solutions:
“ It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing of Nick Hartup who you you will all be aware ran and owned the wheel alignment center for the past 10 years. I've personally known Nick for 20 odd years and started the alignments when we were at Supertracker back in 2000. We built aligners, done alignments and generally had a blast for most part. He was a legend in the business and a character we will all miss.... I'm here for a good time not a long time was his motto. I hope you're carrying that philosophy on mate, we'll keep your great work going. Rest in peace Numpty 🙏🙏”
“ It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the passing of Nick Hartup who you you will all be aware ran and owned the wheel alignment center for the past 10 years. I've personally known Nick for 20 odd years and started the alignments when we were at Supertracker back in 2000. We built aligners, done alignments and generally had a blast for most part. He was a legend in the business and a character we will all miss.... I'm here for a good time not a long time was his motto. I hope you're carrying that philosophy on mate, we'll keep your great work going. Rest in peace Numpty 🙏🙏”
te.Yes, same for me. Booked in yesterday (Monday) at 13:00 for alignment on my FF. Place all locked up, phone ringing inside. Fella came out of a neighbouring unit, who drives the white L200 pickup parked in the bay nearest the pavement of the Wheel Alignment's parking spaces, says it happens regularly, and he hadn't seen Darren at all this week. Tried ringing throughout the afternoon, no answer. Emailed from my phone to the wheelalignmentsolutions@gmail.com address to say I was there, but never heard back.
Massive pain in the ass for me. Came from Bournemouth, week off work & half term. Soton trip was for the wheel alignment and to take the children to the Injoy climbing/trampolining centre, and have best noodles outside Singapore in Asian Supreme just up the High Street.
I successfully managed the latter two, but the whole reason for the trip was the former. Might just take the car to Protyre in Poole or Micheldever as it's the rear that need alignment sorted. There's something funny with the rear geo, and failing a proper person having a look at it, I may drive up to Centre Gravity, but they're in Nuneaton.
Massive pain in the ass for me. Came from Bournemouth, week off work & half term. Soton trip was for the wheel alignment and to take the children to the Injoy climbing/trampolining centre, and have best noodles outside Singapore in Asian Supreme just up the High Street.
I successfully managed the latter two, but the whole reason for the trip was the former. Might just take the car to Protyre in Poole or Micheldever as it's the rear that need alignment sorted. There's something funny with the rear geo, and failing a proper person having a look at it, I may drive up to Centre Gravity, but they're in Nuneaton.
We might have to start thinking about going somewhere else then, you can't really run a business like this. Even a note on the door explaining the absence wouldn't go amiss, but to just blank booked customers is a bit mental, regardless of the circumstances.
I know many people on here drive a fair old distance to come here, so this won't do really. I thought about calling before leaving, but that probably wouldn't help much, as most of the time I've also struggled to get him to answer the phone. And as for email and messaging, forget it, no replies ever.
I know many people on here drive a fair old distance to come here, so this won't do really. I thought about calling before leaving, but that probably wouldn't help much, as most of the time I've also struggled to get him to answer the phone. And as for email and messaging, forget it, no replies ever.
Well, I had this email yesterday;
Disappointing, as it was such a great setup that we'd all happily pay good money for the service we received. Nick's passing notwithstanding, it was an established business that did so well on word of mouth and repeat visits.
Darren Pracy said:
Hi CFXII, sorry I've been unwell over the weekend and have been off yesterday and today. Hopefully I'll be back in tomorrow so I'll give you a call tomorrow.
Best regards,
Darren pracy.
Wheel alignment solutions
He hasn't called yet.Best regards,
Darren pracy.
Wheel alignment solutions
Disappointing, as it was such a great setup that we'd all happily pay good money for the service we received. Nick's passing notwithstanding, it was an established business that did so well on word of mouth and repeat visits.
Don't be too quick to judge, there was a personal situation Darren had to deal with. I accept that being inconvenienced the way some were is hard to swallow, but Darren's a decent guy and it was a one off situation.
Very much hoping to be going out in Southampton with Darren for a drink in memory of Nick soon. I'm losing too many friends...........
Very much hoping to be going out in Southampton with Darren for a drink in memory of Nick soon. I'm losing too many friends...........
Indeed it may be unfortunate that Darren has had personal issues arise, but unfortunately when it comes to running a business, you must be professional at all times.
It took Nick years to build a business that was so trusted and well established and unfortunately it only takes a handful of bad negotiations to completely ruin it.
I’ve not been since Nick’s passing, and quite honestly after reading the comments above, I probably won’t be going back there.
It took Nick years to build a business that was so trusted and well established and unfortunately it only takes a handful of bad negotiations to completely ruin it.
I’ve not been since Nick’s passing, and quite honestly after reading the comments above, I probably won’t be going back there.
Was in recently with my work Connect, for no other reason than I was working down there again, and I don't like anyone else fiddling with the alignment. It was barely out of spec and was driving fine, but it got tweaked back into spec. Took longer to drink the coffee and waffle about stuff than it did to get the work done! 
Very happy that despite the sad loos of Nick, the job is still being done to the same standard as ever.
Very happy that despite the sad loos of Nick, the job is still being done to the same standard as ever.
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