Finding a good garage - how?

seylectric · 28th March 2006, 02:07

Bbbbbbbbbbbbb

Sorry, post didn't display as it shoul have done. My "story" to follow when I get the chance.

Che · 29th March 2006, 14:34

I would be interested to get info regarding this as well!

Peepo · 10th May 2006, 11:08

Word of mouth I guess.
Ive worked at a couple in my local area.
But unless you live in Bournemouth I guess thats not much help to you.

budwieser · 16th May 2006, 00:06

Anyone living in the Cambridge area let me know as i work for a great garage with an excellent bodyshop as well, Honda main Dealer.

clairus99 · 24th May 2006, 19:53

Was just looking on another thread where someone recommended a site - motuk.com or something....

Thread was MOT Retest OH MI GOD ... or something like that, I'm sure you'll find it easily!

Anyone living around Hounslow area I can recommend a good one, cheap too.

seylectric · 25th May 2006, 01:30

What I was going to say earlier is that when I bought my current car I decided to use the main dealers instead of the local "back street" garage I had used for years, mainly because there was far more electronics on the car and the main dealer had all the equipment, and I thought I would keep up the main dealer service stamp (dunno why, my cars are usually battered by the time I've done with them anyway).

The trouble is the main dealers prices were sky high, and I decided to go to a local highly rated independant VW service garage when I had a small problem. £180 and three visits later and they still hadn't cured it. I went back to the main dealer who sorted it in half an hour and didn't charge me either.

Gone back to the "back street" guy now though, he now has the diagnostic software for my car and he's always been very good and a fraction of the price of the main dealer.

It just shows how hard it is though, highly rated indy VW dealer couldn't sort the problem and cost me a packet, main dealer sorted it quickly and free. What do you do?

breadline · 31st May 2006, 02:27

Im giggling here, as i was reading i was going to write i used to work for a main dealer and the cars where never fixed properly and it usually took a few tries.

and it was

VW , so sorry for the giggle which is at VW,

I would stay away defo, go little man who needs your money

Bl

seylectric · 31st May 2006, 02:41

The local VW franchise was highly rated and always looked after me OK but admittedly were a bit pricey. Then the owner died shortly after moving into new premises and the company was taken over by a larger group, much worse service and higher prices.

So the local guy looks after the car again now, not that anything ever goes wrong with it.

MARTIN3030 · 31st May 2006, 13:46

I have worked for both Audi/VW dealers and specialists.

The problem is sometimes with technology.
The dealers have all the training and up to date information on service and parts.
Through the network and with the importer (VAG) bulletins and up to date info on supercessions /recalls and other information allow staff to know the job (their cars) needs.

Lots of people do their training at the dealership/headquarters then leave to set up shop as a specialist.
Hovever with information changing so quickly,without getting this he can quickly fall behind.

I had contacts at the dealer when I moved to the specialist,who supplied me with monthly microfische details on parts and bulletins.

In exchange we supplied him with OEM parts when HE wasd stuck !!

My boss at the specialist had 24 years experience with VW and could take a Beetle or MK 1 golf to pieces and put back together with his eyes closed.

Hovever having the latest Bosch Anylising equipment is not all it takes to set an Audi 200 Turbo !!

Having the service manuals as used by the dealer helped ............but more importantly keeping the flow of that information going was essential to do the job as well or if not better than the main dealer !!

breadline · 1st June 2006, 23:32

I think where i worked it had more to do with the mechanics eating snacks in customers cars and then kipping in them for half an hour of the charged time.

This was a VW/Audi big dealership.

Even the coffe machine was lethal and burnt customers.
A sign was placed on the machine and was immidiately ripped down in discust by the floor manager.

It was all about front and looks but under neath it was held together with blue tack.

After the knowledge i gained working in the showroom, I would never buy a new car and most certainly wouldnt use a main dealer.

BL

MARTIN3030 · 1st June 2006, 23:45

not by any chance Kg in Aylesbury ?

breadline · 1st June 2006, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARTIN3030

not by any chance Kg in Aylesbury ?

Bristol is all im giving.

as an ex employee i think thats best.

MARTIN3030 · 2nd June 2006, 00:19

of course,diplomacy is a very good quality..............

if only the banks would have a little of that !!

breadline · 2nd June 2006, 01:46

May be the main dealers secretly own the banks, the managing directors are all in the same wage catagorie

seylectric · 2nd June 2006, 01:49

LOL, understood. Great cars though.

breadline · 4th June 2006, 01:09

It is a big shame as yeap i agree

they are very nice cars.

Bl

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