Discussion
For you in England that use the shops that rent out car-lifts for individuals to work on their own cars, change oil, swap tires, etc, can you tell me roughly how and how much they charge? Do they charge by the hour, by the day, event, number of ups and downs?
Do they typically offer other services as well---tools, service help, fluids, oil/coolant/brake fluid/etc disposal, etc?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Lee…
Do they typically offer other services as well---tools, service help, fluids, oil/coolant/brake fluid/etc disposal, etc?
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Lee…
Slight OT but was wondering about these companies this very morning. Who puts the cars up on the lifts? Massive margin for error and don't want to imagine the consequences if something falls off due to improper lifting.
Furthermore what happens if you hit a snag whilst working? A snapped/seized/stripped something can cause a big issue. Are there professionals there running around like maniacs trying to sort every ones blunders out and making sure cars don't tie up the lifts whilst the owners try to finish awkward jobs etc?
It just seems like a recipe for disaster. Maybe this is why I don't start my own business.
Furthermore what happens if you hit a snag whilst working? A snapped/seized/stripped something can cause a big issue. Are there professionals there running around like maniacs trying to sort every ones blunders out and making sure cars don't tie up the lifts whilst the owners try to finish awkward jobs etc?
It just seems like a recipe for disaster. Maybe this is why I don't start my own business.
Everyone: Thanks for the great answers and the insightful additional questions. I've a friend who owns a body/maintenance shop and this looks like an interesting business extension for him (hence the original question).
Reading the "Pit Start" website, it seems they have most of your questions covered including the availability of help if you "get in over your head" for any reason (bolt broken off...). They handle fluid disposal, tool (and parts if needed) provision, etc and I assume, guidance getting your car on an off the lifts. They even provide bays with tools with and without, lifts. Interesting business idea and a useful community service it seems to me.
I was just wondering what anyone's experience had been working with such a service. Pit Stop's prices seemed reasonable but they are probably not the only ones who do it. Closest we have here are places like Jiffy Lube, who can change your oil in about five minutes but who will try to sell you on a full nose to tail service, new wipers, car wash, vacuum, tire check, etc, etc.
Lee...
Reading the "Pit Start" website, it seems they have most of your questions covered including the availability of help if you "get in over your head" for any reason (bolt broken off...). They handle fluid disposal, tool (and parts if needed) provision, etc and I assume, guidance getting your car on an off the lifts. They even provide bays with tools with and without, lifts. Interesting business idea and a useful community service it seems to me.
I was just wondering what anyone's experience had been working with such a service. Pit Stop's prices seemed reasonable but they are probably not the only ones who do it. Closest we have here are places like Jiffy Lube, who can change your oil in about five minutes but who will try to sell you on a full nose to tail service, new wipers, car wash, vacuum, tire check, etc, etc.
Lee...
Edited by Slidefighter on Thursday 27th December 18:15
squareflops said:
Slight OT but was wondering about these companies this very morning. Who puts the cars up on the lifts? Massive margin for error and don't want to imagine the consequences if something falls off due to improper lifting.
The one linked has 4 post lifts. There was a place in Ellesmere Port that had 2 post lifts but I think its closed.Would it be quite a limited market now?
Two generations ago, a considerable proportion of motorists worked on their own cars.
Since then, the industry have gradually made it impossible for DIYers to do very much.
E.g. to change a headlight bulb - first jack up the car, remove front wheel ...etc.
It used to be, remove one screw, then replace the blown bulb with another standard bulb. Two minute job.
Jon39 said:
Would it be quite a limited market now?
Two generations ago, a considerable proportion of motorists worked on their own cars.
Since then, the industry have gradually made it impossible for DIYers to do very much.
E.g. to change a headlight bulb - first jack up the car, remove front wheel ...etc.
It used to be, remove one screw, then replace the blown bulb with another standard bulb. Two minute job.
Well that is true, I started life on Minis and Triumph Spitfires where all was mechanical and comparatively easy. Cars are still the same overall components underneath, just with a lot more plumbing and computers controlling them. And generally a much tighter fit, particularly when you go for more than 4 cylinders! Agreed, it is much more intimidating now to start a lifetime of welding a spanner, or more likely a multi-meter! But we also have forums and You Tube with friendly helpful people sharing their knowledge. On balance I prefer today to the old days. My son works on his BMW 130i with occasional help and we changed the clutch on his previous Micra on said drive with a home made timber A frame and lots of team-swearing.
I hope there is a market for this - I will be using it when I need to work under a car again, I had sworn to do so no longer...
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