Sadly , non of the above surprises me , it just further confirms what I already know !!
I started my Evo business as a result of my experience with the supplying dealer on the first service !! I vowed it would not be touched by anyone but me after that.
As I said , main stealers are only concerned with new cars and servicing , whatever that means , for the first 2 or 3 years. Independants are only interested in easy money.
Should anyone actually find a genuinely good garage , stick with them and spread the word.
Are garages CRAP?
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HDI
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: 22 Sep 2009, 15:46
- x 7
-
addo
- Sara Watson's Stalker
- Posts: 7098
- Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
- x 95
-
JamesQB
- Posts: 377
- Joined: 13 Aug 2003, 18:01
- x 5
I agree that the main problem is that most people these days are out for themselves, with no regard for others. That includes the garages as well as the public. My job at a leisure park entails working with the public constantly and althought there are a few good apples, most are out to get what they can at any expense to others and regardless of morality. What gets me is how conniving and scheming most people are, and to what extents they will go to get something, however small. Some will ruin their entire holiday in order to get a few meal vouchers or a small percentage of their holiday cost back. The rest will lie through their teeth for the same things or less, even when the return is so tiny as to be unimportant, especially when they're spening £600 being there in the first place and hundreds on booze and children's amusements.
The public is terrible, and so are garages. Haven't found one yet I'd call good. Took three garages to finally detect and then diagnose a knock at the front end of my car years ago, then change the wishbone. Had similar experiences ever since. Now I try to do all work myself when possible, just a shame diagnostic interfaces are needed and very expensive.
The public is terrible, and so are garages. Haven't found one yet I'd call good. Took three garages to finally detect and then diagnose a knock at the front end of my car years ago, then change the wishbone. Had similar experiences ever since. Now I try to do all work myself when possible, just a shame diagnostic interfaces are needed and very expensive.
Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi 2006
Peugeot 407 2.0 HDi 2007
Peugeot 407 2.0 HDi 2007
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Stempy
- Posts: 1626
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004, 23:21
Those three words sum up modern societyJamesQB wrote:regardless of morality
It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I'm right
Lexia ponce
http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
Lexia ponce
http://perception.dyndns.biz/~avengineering/index.htm
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boristhespie
- Posts: 938
- Joined: 07 May 2009, 19:51
- x 4
Money for me at the moment is an issue. But when going to garage this has NEVER been put forward as my main consideration. My attitude is simply tell me what's wrong and if I can afford it I will have it done.
It's the not knowing which worries me and it's the continual lack of answers from garages which gets to me, given the large amounts of cash I am handing over for them to diagnose and fix a problem.
Problem is they don't seem to know what they are doing.
If I have to spend 130 quid on finding a coolant leak, it should be found. 120 quid to get "don't knows" is pitiful and calls into question their ability or attitude.
Spending upwards of £450 to find the cause of a rear banging should have found it. Especially after some of the time I actually told them what it could be.
There is a difference between here and France. Yes the dealers appear to have same s**t attitude and yes, there are a lot of take the money and run types too, however many smaller tradesmen regard themselves as Artisans and as such take PRIDE in their work.
The current attitude here is charge as much as you can for a little effort as possible. Money for nothing.
Problem is for me they are the experts not me so how do I get these problems sorted without the skills, gear and knowledge?
It's the not knowing which worries me and it's the continual lack of answers from garages which gets to me, given the large amounts of cash I am handing over for them to diagnose and fix a problem.
Problem is they don't seem to know what they are doing.
If I have to spend 130 quid on finding a coolant leak, it should be found. 120 quid to get "don't knows" is pitiful and calls into question their ability or attitude.
Spending upwards of £450 to find the cause of a rear banging should have found it. Especially after some of the time I actually told them what it could be.
There is a difference between here and France. Yes the dealers appear to have same s**t attitude and yes, there are a lot of take the money and run types too, however many smaller tradesmen regard themselves as Artisans and as such take PRIDE in their work.
The current attitude here is charge as much as you can for a little effort as possible. Money for nothing.
Problem is for me they are the experts not me so how do I get these problems sorted without the skills, gear and knowledge?
C'est pas possible!
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HDI
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: 22 Sep 2009, 15:46
- x 7
It seems the prevailing attitude between many people today is one of selfishness and lack of consideration. Sometimes I am actually shocked with the way I and people I know are treated by others.
My values , life rules and social instincts just seem out of place. My childhood and education taught me to respect others , treat them as you would want to be treated , consider the consequences of anything you do on others before you do it , be polite whenever possible , etc etc.
Now it seems you are seen as easy prey by showing those principles.
My values , life rules and social instincts just seem out of place. My childhood and education taught me to respect others , treat them as you would want to be treated , consider the consequences of anything you do on others before you do it , be polite whenever possible , etc etc.
Now it seems you are seen as easy prey by showing those principles.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec 
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped
)& a couple of Peugeots !
-
Pleiades
- Posts: 234
- Joined: 28 Apr 2008, 21:04
- x 2
A little support for the garages, if you dont mind.
First of all. Yes some are not a lot of good and some even have mechanics working on a parts bonus, ie if they can get some more parts sold in with the job, a little more goes in the pay pack.
On the other hand, I deal with garages all day long and get phone calls from them in desperation when they are trying to fix a realy horrible problem that is sometimes intermittent and they want to do right by the customer.
At Pleiades, we treat all cars as if they were are own, this way, we will not skimp on a part for the sake of a few quid, but will not fit new discs just because the old ones have a couple of lines in them.
The big problem is that the humble mechanic is expected to know everything, there is complicated electrical systems, pumbing, heating, air conditioning, hydraulics and that is without the general engine work. Every time the manufactures put a new system into the box that we call our pride and joy, the garage mechanic is expected to know the ins and outs of the system.
Someone once said this to me. Think of a doctor, they do the X years of training, then go on to specialise in one area of the human body, the human body has not changed since year dot, but still they can get things wrong. Now a mechanic has to be able to diagnose and cure no end of different systems on a car and the dam things are being updated on allmost a weekly basis.
Please dont give your garage too hard a time as sometimes the only way to fix something is to go through in a methodical way, fixing known faults before you get to the real problem, otherwise the repair will be just like fixing a puncture but leaving the nail in the tyre.
The other real pain for most garages are the customers that ask for a small service and expect a reconditioned car to be handed back at the end of the day... it does happen. We also get people that ask if we can do a head gasket for example, we price up the job only to find that when the car turns up, it is towed in with the head and a box of bits in the boot, how can you price the job as you dont know what is broken or lost?
Next comes the man who has had a go himself and cant do it, taken it to several of his mates who have had a go and cant do it, then expects the garage to fix it in under an hour for about £25??
Pricing is another bug, now just remember that everything in the garage has to be paid for by the customer, from the door mat that you wipe your feet on as you go in to the light bulbs in the workshop, they are a bussines and all this has to be purchased out of the money generously given by the customers, thats why a big main dealer in a city centre well be charging up to £80 per hour, think of the rates alone.
How much does a solicitor charge to write a letter?
How much does an accoutant charge per hour?
I did a few years back have a solicitor that complained about the hourly rate, I simply asked him what his firms houly rate was.
Now at Pleiades we are fortunate enough to have a nice friendly bunch of customers, we do find that working with mainly Citroens tends to bring in a more happy bunch of biccy bearing people and I am not trying to crawl here but FCF members tend to be the best of the bunch.
I am not defending the sharks and bodgers out there and I realise that there are quite a few, I am simply putting the point of a small garage to you.
Please dont tar all with the same brush.
Regards
Martin.
PS sorry it's a ramble but I have difficulty putting my thoughts from my head to words.
First of all. Yes some are not a lot of good and some even have mechanics working on a parts bonus, ie if they can get some more parts sold in with the job, a little more goes in the pay pack.
On the other hand, I deal with garages all day long and get phone calls from them in desperation when they are trying to fix a realy horrible problem that is sometimes intermittent and they want to do right by the customer.
At Pleiades, we treat all cars as if they were are own, this way, we will not skimp on a part for the sake of a few quid, but will not fit new discs just because the old ones have a couple of lines in them.
The big problem is that the humble mechanic is expected to know everything, there is complicated electrical systems, pumbing, heating, air conditioning, hydraulics and that is without the general engine work. Every time the manufactures put a new system into the box that we call our pride and joy, the garage mechanic is expected to know the ins and outs of the system.
Someone once said this to me. Think of a doctor, they do the X years of training, then go on to specialise in one area of the human body, the human body has not changed since year dot, but still they can get things wrong. Now a mechanic has to be able to diagnose and cure no end of different systems on a car and the dam things are being updated on allmost a weekly basis.
Please dont give your garage too hard a time as sometimes the only way to fix something is to go through in a methodical way, fixing known faults before you get to the real problem, otherwise the repair will be just like fixing a puncture but leaving the nail in the tyre.
The other real pain for most garages are the customers that ask for a small service and expect a reconditioned car to be handed back at the end of the day... it does happen. We also get people that ask if we can do a head gasket for example, we price up the job only to find that when the car turns up, it is towed in with the head and a box of bits in the boot, how can you price the job as you dont know what is broken or lost?
Next comes the man who has had a go himself and cant do it, taken it to several of his mates who have had a go and cant do it, then expects the garage to fix it in under an hour for about £25??
Pricing is another bug, now just remember that everything in the garage has to be paid for by the customer, from the door mat that you wipe your feet on as you go in to the light bulbs in the workshop, they are a bussines and all this has to be purchased out of the money generously given by the customers, thats why a big main dealer in a city centre well be charging up to £80 per hour, think of the rates alone.
How much does a solicitor charge to write a letter?
How much does an accoutant charge per hour?
I did a few years back have a solicitor that complained about the hourly rate, I simply asked him what his firms houly rate was.
Now at Pleiades we are fortunate enough to have a nice friendly bunch of customers, we do find that working with mainly Citroens tends to bring in a more happy bunch of biccy bearing people and I am not trying to crawl here but FCF members tend to be the best of the bunch.
I am not defending the sharks and bodgers out there and I realise that there are quite a few, I am simply putting the point of a small garage to you.
Please dont tar all with the same brush.
Regards
Martin.
PS sorry it's a ramble but I have difficulty putting my thoughts from my head to words.
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andmcit
- Posts: 4299
- Joined: 03 Mar 2005, 17:59
- x 30
There's no doubt life is further complicated where a laptop is now needed
these days more than a decent set of specialist sockets etc.
Many will be frustrated that for every silver lining there's a cloud so it's hard
finding that thorough/conscientious/garage that is actually even worth paying
that bit extra for a damned good job well done. There are too many others out
there where their attitude is very poor as has been seen in the previous posts.
It's a fact too that wherever you look you only hear complaints as those that
are happy rarely jump up and down cheering and shouting their satisfaction
of such a good job well done; it's only through an active effort to list the good
guys through a forum where good service is rewarded by recommendation
- the best way to get good return business is through referral.
I'd even imagine some good garages are fine with their small customer base
that will always return and mutually sustain one another.
Andrew
these days more than a decent set of specialist sockets etc.
Many will be frustrated that for every silver lining there's a cloud so it's hard
finding that thorough/conscientious/garage that is actually even worth paying
that bit extra for a damned good job well done. There are too many others out
there where their attitude is very poor as has been seen in the previous posts.
It's a fact too that wherever you look you only hear complaints as those that
are happy rarely jump up and down cheering and shouting their satisfaction
of such a good job well done; it's only through an active effort to list the good
guys through a forum where good service is rewarded by recommendation
- the best way to get good return business is through referral.
I'd even imagine some good garages are fine with their small customer base
that will always return and mutually sustain one another.
Andrew
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HDI
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: 22 Sep 2009, 15:46
- x 7
Martin,
I was careful to avoid saying all garages
We know that there are some good guys out there , but having been in the trade myself I have to say they are in the minority. There in lies the problem , finding those good guys !!
I admire your tenacity for staying with it , I'd had enough when I closed my little place down. Still do a bit but only for people who appreciate it.
I was careful to avoid saying all garages
We know that there are some good guys out there , but having been in the trade myself I have to say they are in the minority. There in lies the problem , finding those good guys !!
I admire your tenacity for staying with it , I'd had enough when I closed my little place down. Still do a bit but only for people who appreciate it.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped
)& a couple of Peugeots !
-
handyman
- Posts: 1107
- Joined: 20 May 2003, 18:38
- x 2
The garage trade has always suffered from being both a worthwhile profession and a haven for rogues.
When I first started in the trade, many years ago, you had to be qualified to get a job or be taken on as an apprentice, but it did not stop the roadside mechanic doing his bit on the side. Even though I ran a few garages with well paid, qualified mechanics, they were always prone to being asked to do jobs on the side for their 'mates'. I even found that I had friends I never even knew of who would want to have a major job done for next to nothing, because a friend of a friend had recommended me or one of my workshops.
The public has always been price sensitive about maintenance as they see the car as just another commodity, like the washing machine or television. When a vehicle breaks down it can take time and experience to diagnose difficult faults, especially as they involve a whole range of different systems to understand. Cars today are much more complex than the vehicles I started working on back in the 1960s.
What has not helped, over the years, has been the attitude of the manufacturers to simplify servicing and repair into just component changing to resolve issues. The experienced motor engineer is now a very difficult animal to find, as most 'mechanics' are really just fitters, who lack the breadth of knowledge and understanding to problem solve.
Equally, the public treat all motor engineers, mechanics, fitters, with the same disdain, expecting a complex problem to be resolved at the drop of a hat. The image that the 'free fit' mob have created for the trade is that you can drive your car in, get it fixed and drive out again and pay very little for the privilege. In some ways, the public deserves the service that it gets.
I am always surprised how unregulated the motor trade is, considering how dangerous a badly maintained vehicle can be. I always wonder why the government has never licenced the trade to get the cowboys out, but I am sure there are too many political issues to be dealt with.
In some ways, the advent of the Vono Bed spanner and the availability of the Book of Lies has done much to undermine the motor vehicle trade, as somebody with no training, prior knowledge or supervision can tinker with their car or somebody elses', blissfully unaware that anything drastic is wrong. Bit like giving a baby a loaded revolver!
I left the trade for a few years, even though I had a well established business servicing a large fleet of 500 cars, not because of bad paying or moaning customers, but because the local council wanted to increase my workshops rates by 400%.
In latter years, I do still undertake some repairs, especially if they are more complex, like Activas, but these are done on my terms and at my prices, as I run my workshop for my enjoyment.
The only recommendation I can give is to check-out a local garage, ask for references and check them out. Untidy, rundown workshops with lots of unrepaired cars should set the alarm bells ringing. Scruffy and untidy appearance shows a lack of pride in their work, both in the workshop and in the mechanics. If you cannot see the workshops, take a walk.
If the garage is good, develop a relationship with them, it will help in the long run and be more agreeable. Be patient and, if they are any good, let them tell you what is wrong and believe them to do the job properly. Always ask to see the worn parts that have been replaced and always check the bill.
Getting your car fixed is a bit like going to the dentist when you have toothache, nobody does it by choice and you are usually in distress when you have to go.
Handyman
When I first started in the trade, many years ago, you had to be qualified to get a job or be taken on as an apprentice, but it did not stop the roadside mechanic doing his bit on the side. Even though I ran a few garages with well paid, qualified mechanics, they were always prone to being asked to do jobs on the side for their 'mates'. I even found that I had friends I never even knew of who would want to have a major job done for next to nothing, because a friend of a friend had recommended me or one of my workshops.
The public has always been price sensitive about maintenance as they see the car as just another commodity, like the washing machine or television. When a vehicle breaks down it can take time and experience to diagnose difficult faults, especially as they involve a whole range of different systems to understand. Cars today are much more complex than the vehicles I started working on back in the 1960s.
What has not helped, over the years, has been the attitude of the manufacturers to simplify servicing and repair into just component changing to resolve issues. The experienced motor engineer is now a very difficult animal to find, as most 'mechanics' are really just fitters, who lack the breadth of knowledge and understanding to problem solve.
Equally, the public treat all motor engineers, mechanics, fitters, with the same disdain, expecting a complex problem to be resolved at the drop of a hat. The image that the 'free fit' mob have created for the trade is that you can drive your car in, get it fixed and drive out again and pay very little for the privilege. In some ways, the public deserves the service that it gets.
I am always surprised how unregulated the motor trade is, considering how dangerous a badly maintained vehicle can be. I always wonder why the government has never licenced the trade to get the cowboys out, but I am sure there are too many political issues to be dealt with.
In some ways, the advent of the Vono Bed spanner and the availability of the Book of Lies has done much to undermine the motor vehicle trade, as somebody with no training, prior knowledge or supervision can tinker with their car or somebody elses', blissfully unaware that anything drastic is wrong. Bit like giving a baby a loaded revolver!
I left the trade for a few years, even though I had a well established business servicing a large fleet of 500 cars, not because of bad paying or moaning customers, but because the local council wanted to increase my workshops rates by 400%.
In latter years, I do still undertake some repairs, especially if they are more complex, like Activas, but these are done on my terms and at my prices, as I run my workshop for my enjoyment.
The only recommendation I can give is to check-out a local garage, ask for references and check them out. Untidy, rundown workshops with lots of unrepaired cars should set the alarm bells ringing. Scruffy and untidy appearance shows a lack of pride in their work, both in the workshop and in the mechanics. If you cannot see the workshops, take a walk.
If the garage is good, develop a relationship with them, it will help in the long run and be more agreeable. Be patient and, if they are any good, let them tell you what is wrong and believe them to do the job properly. Always ask to see the worn parts that have been replaced and always check the bill.
Getting your car fixed is a bit like going to the dentist when you have toothache, nobody does it by choice and you are usually in distress when you have to go.
Handyman
-
myglaren
- Forum Admin Team
- Posts: 28456
- Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
- x 5591
The guy I use is very good, been going to him for years and his father before him.
He has a limited operation though and doesn't 'do' electronics, has no code reader. Excellent with mechanical problems though.
As with anyone and as Martin has eluded to, he isn't perfect and when my engine was misfiring he wanted to pull the head and check the valves presuming one was burned through as he had a head on his bench that suffered just that fate and burned through a couple of piston crowns too - same engine as mine apparently run on veg
I had the codes read elsewhere and although it was a bugger to find it turned out to be a dud injector.
This won't stop me going to him for anything that doesn't require a Lexia to fix it. If he doesn't know, he will say so and suggest a series of operations to eliminate various possibilities, which in some circumstances is the only way to approach a problem with indeterminate causes.
His charges are always reasonable, there are no 'hidden' costs and he will show me the receipts for any parts he has bought. Always phones if he finds something that requires attention although I always tell him to just fix anything that in his opinion needs doing as it will only get worse and better to have it done there and then than have to drag it back to him a few months later.
The car often comes back with greasy fingermarks on the wings but there is never any damage and the inside of the car is always looked after. Never had to take it back to rectify any problems caused while in his care. He is always amiable and like Martin likes his chocolate biscuits.
He has a limited operation though and doesn't 'do' electronics, has no code reader. Excellent with mechanical problems though.
As with anyone and as Martin has eluded to, he isn't perfect and when my engine was misfiring he wanted to pull the head and check the valves presuming one was burned through as he had a head on his bench that suffered just that fate and burned through a couple of piston crowns too - same engine as mine apparently run on veg
I had the codes read elsewhere and although it was a bugger to find it turned out to be a dud injector.
This won't stop me going to him for anything that doesn't require a Lexia to fix it. If he doesn't know, he will say so and suggest a series of operations to eliminate various possibilities, which in some circumstances is the only way to approach a problem with indeterminate causes.
His charges are always reasonable, there are no 'hidden' costs and he will show me the receipts for any parts he has bought. Always phones if he finds something that requires attention although I always tell him to just fix anything that in his opinion needs doing as it will only get worse and better to have it done there and then than have to drag it back to him a few months later.
The car often comes back with greasy fingermarks on the wings but there is never any damage and the inside of the car is always looked after. Never had to take it back to rectify any problems caused while in his care. He is always amiable and like Martin likes his chocolate biscuits.
-
boristhespie
- Posts: 938
- Joined: 07 May 2009, 19:51
- x 4
That's the thing. Honesty is what really matters. if they can't say they should just admit it and then you can move on. But if they continue to be non committal you get trapped in a cycle of car in car out and nothing getting done or worse everything getting done but the fault remaining.If he doesn't know, he will say so and suggest a series of operations to eliminate various possibilities
C'est pas possible!
-
handyman
- Posts: 1107
- Joined: 20 May 2003, 18:38
- x 2
-
Peter.N.
- Moderating Team
- Posts: 11764
- Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
- x 1238
Pleiades wrote:A little support for the garages, if you dont mind.
First of all. Yes some are not a lot of good and some even have mechanics working on a parts bonus, ie if they can get some more parts sold in with the job, a little more goes in the pay pack.
On the other hand, I deal with garages all day long and get phone calls from them in desperation when they are trying to fix a realy horrible problem that is sometimes intermittent and they want to do right by the customer.
At Pleiades, we treat all cars as if they were are own, this way, we will not skimp on a part for the sake of a few quid, but will not fit new discs just because the old ones have a couple of lines in them.
Martin. Enlarge your carpark and wait for the rush!
Martin, enlarge your car park and wait for the rush!
The big problem is that the humble mechanic is expected to know everything, there is complicated electrical systems, pumbing, heating, air conditioning, hydraulics and that is without the general engine work. Every time the manufactures put a new system into the box that we call our pride and joy, the garage mechanic is expected to know the ins and outs of the system.
Someone once said this to me. Think of a doctor, they do the X years of training, then go on to specialise in one area of the human body, the human body has not changed since year dot, but still they can get things wrong. Now a mechanic has to be able to diagnose and cure no end of different systems on a car and the dam things are being updated on allmost a weekly basis.
Please dont give your garage too hard a time as sometimes the only way to fix something is to go through in a methodical way, fixing known faults before you get to the real problem, otherwise the repair will be just like fixing a puncture but leaving the nail in the tyre.
The other real pain for most garages are the customers that ask for a small service and expect a reconditioned car to be handed back at the end of the day... it does happen. We also get people that ask if we can do a head gasket for example, we price up the job only to find that when the car turns up, it is towed in with the head and a box of bits in the boot, how can you price the job as you dont know what is broken or lost?
Next comes the man who has had a go himself and cant do it, taken it to several of his mates who have had a go and cant do it, then expects the garage to fix it in under an hour for about £25??
Pricing is another bug, now just remember that everything in the garage has to be paid for by the customer, from the door mat that you wipe your feet on as you go in to the light bulbs in the workshop, they are a bussines and all this has to be purchased out of the money generously given by the customers, thats why a big main dealer in a city centre well be charging up to £80 per hour, think of the rates alone.
How much does a solicitor charge to write a letter?
How much does an accoutant charge per hour?
I did a few years back have a solicitor that complained about the hourly rate, I simply asked him what his firms houly rate was.
Now at Pleiades we are fortunate enough to have a nice friendly bunch of customers, we do find that working with mainly Citroens tends to bring in a more happy bunch of biccy bearing people and I am not trying to crawl here but FCF members tend to be the best of the bunch.
I am not defending the sharks and bodgers out there and I realise that there are quite a few, I am simply putting the point of a small garage to you.
Please dont tar all with the same brush.
Regards
Martin.
PS sorry it's a ramble but I have difficulty putting my thoughts from my head to words.
Martin. Enlarge your car park and wait for the rush!
-
myglaren
- Forum Admin Team
- Posts: 28456
- Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
- x 5591
Indeed, also the people who did the injector - they are quite new on the scene - one of them is a partner in an electronics firm and we are looking in to the possibility of them making ecu's when Citroen ones are NLA.handyman wrote:Steve, sounds like you have a good relationship with your local garage, shame it's not easy to replicate elsewhere. You obviously trust the mechanics to do the right things.
Handyman
The first one I have used since I had my BX estate years ago and I was prepared to be severely ripped off, the gearbox had thrown a sun gear that punched a hole in the casing. He could have told me any old crap and I would have had no option but to accept it.
He said he had a second hand one on site if I wanted it.
Got the car back the following afternoon, good as new, £60 (inclusive). Anyone else would have charged a couple of hundred and spun a tale about it to justify the cost while George (who I hadn't met previously) said it wasn't much of a job to do.
In all my dealings with them (it is now Young George that runs the business, George Senior having retired) they are always fair and open, never promise anything they can't deliver and are always reasonable with their charges, undercharge if anything.