Discussion
This is the first time I have ever been binned on this site and have not posted anything that wasn't already posted elsewhere on this forum.
I am careful with the comments I make and agree that the last one was cutting it fine. BUT.....
It had already been posted and the quote I gave was a direct lift from a posting made.
I agree that the garage should be given their opportunity to respond and I believe they did do by saying please hand over a load more money !
If I have stepped over the line Dave then I apologise, but as I regularly read most of the posts on this forum I therefor already know who it is that was effected and by whom. Do you think I am the only one.
John had himself already identified who it was anyway and I believe John is a moderator for the site (John, you a great guy and my intention is not to upset, annoy or jeopardise the relationship we have in any sense.)
I have not placed any comments on this site concerning the troubles I have had over the last 2 weeks as the response from said supplier is good and I am awaiting the materialisation of that answer. When it comes and as long as I am happy with it I do intend (as all along) to post on here what good service I had received. Will that be 'binned' on the basis that they do not have an opportunity to respond ??
My intention is not to start another debate concerning 'Binning' as your position is clear and has remained unchanged in the 2 years I have been on the site. I do not intend to debate the politics of this either as I happen to agree with it most of the time. As most posts are 1 sided rants without resolution or subjective response.
But when the information is already on the site I maintain that any individual is not disclosing anything that isn't already here in the archives on PH all of which is currently open for viewing and therefor what is the problem.
You will also notice Dave that I had gone back into my post to edit out the garage name and it was still 'Binned' as my intention was not to get yourself or this site in trouble.
I just wanted to get that lot of my chest. If it is binned fair enough. I know I am not the only to think it, but possibly the only one to say it.
Anyway Dave, are you free for the 8th September ?
Cheers
Mark
PS - If you know which scum sucking piece of turd knicked one of my Dray lorries today in London please forward details
We have the last laugh though as it was full of empties 
I am careful with the comments I make and agree that the last one was cutting it fine. BUT.....
It had already been posted and the quote I gave was a direct lift from a posting made.
I agree that the garage should be given their opportunity to respond and I believe they did do by saying please hand over a load more money !
If I have stepped over the line Dave then I apologise, but as I regularly read most of the posts on this forum I therefor already know who it is that was effected and by whom. Do you think I am the only one.
John had himself already identified who it was anyway and I believe John is a moderator for the site (John, you a great guy and my intention is not to upset, annoy or jeopardise the relationship we have in any sense.)
I have not placed any comments on this site concerning the troubles I have had over the last 2 weeks as the response from said supplier is good and I am awaiting the materialisation of that answer. When it comes and as long as I am happy with it I do intend (as all along) to post on here what good service I had received. Will that be 'binned' on the basis that they do not have an opportunity to respond ??
My intention is not to start another debate concerning 'Binning' as your position is clear and has remained unchanged in the 2 years I have been on the site. I do not intend to debate the politics of this either as I happen to agree with it most of the time. As most posts are 1 sided rants without resolution or subjective response.
But when the information is already on the site I maintain that any individual is not disclosing anything that isn't already here in the archives on PH all of which is currently open for viewing and therefor what is the problem.
You will also notice Dave that I had gone back into my post to edit out the garage name and it was still 'Binned' as my intention was not to get yourself or this site in trouble.
I just wanted to get that lot of my chest. If it is binned fair enough. I know I am not the only to think it, but possibly the only one to say it.
Anyway Dave, are you free for the 8th September ?
Cheers
Mark
PS - If you know which scum sucking piece of turd knicked one of my Dray lorries today in London please forward details
We have the last laugh though as it was full of empties 
I too think its a bit of a shame that we're always asked by members "who would you recommend for X.." but the moment the boot is on the other foot and there is poor service we have no platform for opinion... To keep the game fair, perhaps we should therefore not recommend anyone's services either...
Matt..
Johno, I understand what you're saying and I don't want to bin your posts but bear in mind I don't have time to read every single post in the Gassing Station. If some stuff slips through then so be it but if there's an obvious 'naming and shaming' then it will be binned. And yes, I do hope to make the 8th 
M@H, as Johno stated the rules are clear. PH is a free service to you - it doesn't come with many strings attached except that one. Deal with it.
I am considering a rating system that will provide a general opinion of service/product providers.
M@H, as Johno stated the rules are clear. PH is a free service to you - it doesn't come with many strings attached except that one. Deal with it.
I am considering a rating system that will provide a general opinion of service/product providers.
Having worked at several garages over the years, I am amazed at how many times customers will try and pull a fast one. Everyone tries to blame the garage but many customers can be equally devious but of course if a garage complains it isn't listened too because we all know about cowboy garages. Some of the scams I have seen include getting refunds on broken parts, insisting on a bodge job only to complain when the bodge doesn't work and so on. Owners who refused to pay bills and then attempt to steal back their cars.
Owners who have swapped damaged parts onto their cars and get the garage to pay for the repair. The part was from a mates car and that way they get two for the price of one. Don't think that we owners are sqeaky clean. Many of us are not unfortunately....
I really do not think you can have a rating or name and shame type of system at all as it is so often one person's opinion or a very embellished one and there is little or no feedback for the accused party.
There is a simple rule. If you can't say anything positive, say nothing. Doesn't get Ted into trouble that way.
Steve
Owners who have swapped damaged parts onto their cars and get the garage to pay for the repair. The part was from a mates car and that way they get two for the price of one. Don't think that we owners are sqeaky clean. Many of us are not unfortunately....
I really do not think you can have a rating or name and shame type of system at all as it is so often one person's opinion or a very embellished one and there is little or no feedback for the accused party.
There is a simple rule. If you can't say anything positive, say nothing. Doesn't get Ted into trouble that way.
Steve
Personally, I think the rating system would work as the rating wouldn't be based on just one persons opinion. An 'avarage' garage would doubtless have some customers who were delighted an some customers who were very dissatisfied. Overall they would score avarage, 'BINGO'.
The same principal would apply to conciencious garages as well as the cowboys.
As we have already seen here, PH'ers are quick to praise the good garages and equally quick to highlight the poor ones, so I think the rating system would work well.
I can't see any PH'er being against the idea, as we will all benefit from the knowledge and who to avoid, and it will hopefully encourage the cowboys to sharpen their practices!
At the end of the day though, it's Ted's website and it's up to him. He seems to have got things right so far so we should trust his judgement on this one!
Jas.
P.S. The good garages / dealers get a little bit of free advertising in the form of customer endorsements, which is an invaluable piece of PR, and so it will make good business sense to them to make sure they score well.
>> Edited by Paceracing on Tuesday 16th July 20:42
The same principal would apply to conciencious garages as well as the cowboys.
As we have already seen here, PH'ers are quick to praise the good garages and equally quick to highlight the poor ones, so I think the rating system would work well.
I can't see any PH'er being against the idea, as we will all benefit from the knowledge and who to avoid, and it will hopefully encourage the cowboys to sharpen their practices!
At the end of the day though, it's Ted's website and it's up to him. He seems to have got things right so far so we should trust his judgement on this one!
Jas.
P.S. The good garages / dealers get a little bit of free advertising in the form of customer endorsements, which is an invaluable piece of PR, and so it will make good business sense to them to make sure they score well.
>> Edited by Paceracing on Tuesday 16th July 20:42
The problem is how to do you rate it and provide a fair access.? What happens if you get a highly rated garage that screws up? Or an incompetent garage that persuades a few people to log on as per the behaviour we have seen on polls that used to be conducted? Bear in mind that the website (Ted) is passing an opinion that he has to justify?
I am also in the position where I have heard bad stories about every garage, including those that seem to be raved about. I accept that there will be cases where things go wrong but and this a big but, should I go about naming everyone based on one person's report without knowing the full story and without providing a reply. The answer is no. I think Ted's policy is the right one, especially as it is he that takes the can if it goes wrong.
Steve
I am also in the position where I have heard bad stories about every garage, including those that seem to be raved about. I accept that there will be cases where things go wrong but and this a big but, should I go about naming everyone based on one person's report without knowing the full story and without providing a reply. The answer is no. I think Ted's policy is the right one, especially as it is he that takes the can if it goes wrong.
Steve
Thanks for your support Steve. You reminded me of my original stance which is based on your similar experience. I've heard good and bad about pretty much every dealer/specialist.
I shall prepare a stock answer in preparation for the next time we have this debate!
If anyone does have something to say which is too contentious they ou can always share opinions via the email facility.
I shall prepare a stock answer in preparation for the next time we have this debate!
If anyone does have something to say which is too contentious they ou can always share opinions via the email facility.
The MG Owners Club introduced the "Recommended Suppliers" guide a few years back, this has proved quite successful.
Every year the owners are given the chance to vote for the dealers/suppliers that they've had good or bad experience with and based upon this information the MGOC award the said dealer/supplier with a "spanner" award, the best being 5 spanners.
The ones that are highly rated get to be in the Recomended Suppliers guide which is printed and given to all members each year. This keeps the dealer/supplier on his/her toes as it's in their interest to provide a good service.
The MGOC don't name and shame either, purely for the same reasons as Ted. It's plain and simple - If you aren't on the list, you aren't up to scratch.
Every year the owners are given the chance to vote for the dealers/suppliers that they've had good or bad experience with and based upon this information the MGOC award the said dealer/supplier with a "spanner" award, the best being 5 spanners.
The ones that are highly rated get to be in the Recomended Suppliers guide which is printed and given to all members each year. This keeps the dealer/supplier on his/her toes as it's in their interest to provide a good service.
The MGOC don't name and shame either, purely for the same reasons as Ted. It's plain and simple - If you aren't on the list, you aren't up to scratch.
This is always going to be a contentious issue. One mans meat is another mans poison so they say and they aren't far off the truth 
I've been "had over" by a couple of dealers/specialists and vote with my feet and never go back and that really is all you can do. I make sure I bad mouth them at every opportunity, but as much as I can help it, not on here as I understand Ted's reasons for this.
Basicly these people are in it for the money and the only chance you ever have of being treated fairly is to build a relationship with your dealer and stick with him. Steve obviously has this kind of deal with Tower View and I have a great relationship with TMS with whom I have spent nearly £100K with over the last few years. When I want something sorted they do it, no quibbles. I think they are a superb dealer but there must be people out there who don't like them.... Someone who doesn't have that kind of relationship probably doesn't get that kind of treatment because they are not such a "valued" customer, that's an unfortunate fact of life.....
Before going anywhere it's always best to ask on here and get people to email any warnings privately, that's really the best that this site can do without stitching Ted up.
I've been "had over" by a couple of dealers/specialists and vote with my feet and never go back and that really is all you can do. I make sure I bad mouth them at every opportunity, but as much as I can help it, not on here as I understand Ted's reasons for this.
Basicly these people are in it for the money and the only chance you ever have of being treated fairly is to build a relationship with your dealer and stick with him. Steve obviously has this kind of deal with Tower View and I have a great relationship with TMS with whom I have spent nearly £100K with over the last few years. When I want something sorted they do it, no quibbles. I think they are a superb dealer but there must be people out there who don't like them.... Someone who doesn't have that kind of relationship probably doesn't get that kind of treatment because they are not such a "valued" customer, that's an unfortunate fact of life.....
Before going anywhere it's always best to ask on here and get people to email any warnings privately, that's really the best that this site can do without stitching Ted up.
quote:
John had himself already identified who it was anyway and I believe John is a moderator for the site (John, you a great guy and my intention is not to upset, annoy or jeopardise the relationship we have in any sense.)
Mark,
Don't worry I still love you (but not in that sense) and I do see your point.
I had by identifying the owner, led people to the other thread - I then edited that bit out.
I find this a difficult issue because we all will find something to be unnhappy about at some time with a dealer / independant and are tempted to moan. However sometimes it may just be a communication issue or due to not setting expectations correctly at the start.
The fact that we can praise but not moan may seem unfair but that's the rule so I guess feedback via email is the best option. I'd love to hear the dealer's view to some of the stories though - I can't see how they can justify some of them if their true.
Cheers,
John.
quote:
I'd love to hear the dealer's view to some of the stories though - I can't see how they can justify some of them if their true.
I've heard the other side of a couple of stories told on here and there can be a very different perspective on things depending where you're standing!
quote:
M@H, as Johno stated the rules are clear. PH is a free service to you - it doesn't come with many strings attached except that one. Deal with it.
Err Ted, I don't have anything to "deal with" if I had a problem with your "name and shame" I wouldn't have started my other thread off with "PH'er" and "Said Garage" and also in that post I asked for your opinion on listing the Garage..
..my comment on this thread was supposed to be mildly constructive, afterall if the only comments on here are positive, then how do we know who to avoid.. suffice to say I shall debate the issue no more.. work to do.
Matt.
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