Internet Business Reviews
My car has been in the workshop all week...
Things I knew it needed:
Annual Service
MOT (legally required safety inspection)
New wheel baring on nearside rear wheel
New radiator
Things found by MOT:
Two new tyres on rear (Not surprising considering the wheel baring was causing uneven tracking).
Now, the chap in the garage said it would be a day or two when I took the car in on Monday. It is now Friday and he phoned me this morning to ask if I wanted cheap tyres or good ones. (I went for the good ones, because they last longer and are thus better value).
The delay, apparently, was due to his supplier sending the wrong radiator twice. This is quite normal for garages in the UK... In fact I'm reasonably sure that they use the "wrong part" excuse as just that - an excuse.
Incidentally, the mechanic just called me asking where the key to the locking wheel nuts was. I told him and he hung up... But now I'm puzzled... If they already did the wheel baring, surely they should know where it is?
Oh well, that aside - at least it means they're doing the tyres now - my dilemma involves how I originally found this garage:
I did a google map search, and then asked the closest garages for labour quotes. Parts are always extra, but chances are you pay the same for parts no matter what, as they have to get them from the same manufacturer. Now, google maps business listing allows people to review businesses, who's services they've used. My intention was to be the first to do a review of this garage. After all, if there had been reviews there already it would have influenced my decision.
The thing is, I'm a bit pissed off at how long it's taken them to get the car done. Okay, it probably wasn't their fault if the supplier sent the wrong radiator twice, but like I said, I've never yet taken my car to a garage where they haven't had the wrong part delivered! Someone needs to fire the supplier! (Ooh, that rhymes).
Thinking about it, the wrong part seems to be an industry standard in the motor trade here. Anyone remember the hoo-ha with my car windscreen eighteen months ago? *eyeroll*. Anyway, my problem is, do I do a pissy review because they've had my car all week and originally told me it would be a day or two, or do I swallow that and write them a generous review?
Or do I simply not bother...
Actually, I think I'll give them a balanced review. I will mention the fact that it took them all week to do something that should have been two days, but also mention that it might not be their fault, as delivering the wrong part does seem to be endemic in the industry. As for whether I'm satisfied with the service, that remains to be seen. I won't know until I get the car back!
One thing I am pleased with is that I finally have used a garage who agreed with me that the wheel baring had gone. This is the third time I've taken the car in and said "I think the wheel baring has gone" (actually, this time I said "It needs a new wheel baring"). The previous two times I was told "Oh no, it's just the tyres are worn unevenly making that noise". This time, the chap jacked the car up, spun the wheel and said "Yep, it's fucked!" (Technical term!)
Of course, neither of the other two garages bothered to investigate why the back tyres had worn unevenly...
Things I knew it needed:
Annual Service
MOT (legally required safety inspection)
New wheel baring on nearside rear wheel
New radiator
Things found by MOT:
Two new tyres on rear (Not surprising considering the wheel baring was causing uneven tracking).
Now, the chap in the garage said it would be a day or two when I took the car in on Monday. It is now Friday and he phoned me this morning to ask if I wanted cheap tyres or good ones. (I went for the good ones, because they last longer and are thus better value).
The delay, apparently, was due to his supplier sending the wrong radiator twice. This is quite normal for garages in the UK... In fact I'm reasonably sure that they use the "wrong part" excuse as just that - an excuse.
Incidentally, the mechanic just called me asking where the key to the locking wheel nuts was. I told him and he hung up... But now I'm puzzled... If they already did the wheel baring, surely they should know where it is?
Oh well, that aside - at least it means they're doing the tyres now - my dilemma involves how I originally found this garage:
I did a google map search, and then asked the closest garages for labour quotes. Parts are always extra, but chances are you pay the same for parts no matter what, as they have to get them from the same manufacturer. Now, google maps business listing allows people to review businesses, who's services they've used. My intention was to be the first to do a review of this garage. After all, if there had been reviews there already it would have influenced my decision.
The thing is, I'm a bit pissed off at how long it's taken them to get the car done. Okay, it probably wasn't their fault if the supplier sent the wrong radiator twice, but like I said, I've never yet taken my car to a garage where they haven't had the wrong part delivered! Someone needs to fire the supplier! (Ooh, that rhymes).
Thinking about it, the wrong part seems to be an industry standard in the motor trade here. Anyone remember the hoo-ha with my car windscreen eighteen months ago? *eyeroll*. Anyway, my problem is, do I do a pissy review because they've had my car all week and originally told me it would be a day or two, or do I swallow that and write them a generous review?
Or do I simply not bother...
Actually, I think I'll give them a balanced review. I will mention the fact that it took them all week to do something that should have been two days, but also mention that it might not be their fault, as delivering the wrong part does seem to be endemic in the industry. As for whether I'm satisfied with the service, that remains to be seen. I won't know until I get the car back!
One thing I am pleased with is that I finally have used a garage who agreed with me that the wheel baring had gone. This is the third time I've taken the car in and said "I think the wheel baring has gone" (actually, this time I said "It needs a new wheel baring"). The previous two times I was told "Oh no, it's just the tyres are worn unevenly making that noise". This time, the chap jacked the car up, spun the wheel and said "Yep, it's fucked!" (Technical term!)
Of course, neither of the other two garages bothered to investigate why the back tyres had worn unevenly...