How do you NOT get ripped off at a garage?

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M

McRev

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Aug 26, 2010
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Can anybody wise or old (or otherwise knowledgeable) kindly tell me how to not get ripped off by a garage. You can guess my concerns, as I drive a bmw E90, and it's a teeth sucking magnet whenever I approach a garage. I'm simply fed up of going to the blinking BM garage where I live which is Perth, Scotland and getting milked.

This time it wasn't my fault, but some kind stranger has left his 'artwork' nicely infront of my passenger door.

So can somebody please tell me if these guys are decent, they're a local car body repair shop I'd be happy to know if anyone's had any work done there.

Anyone know what kind of lingo and talk I should say to prevent myself getting rinsed?

cheers
 
As I am sure you are aware,only go to places that have been recommeded to you.

Sadly I live in London so I`m not going to be able to help you much.


I have no doubt that we have members who live in your part of the world who will be able to help.



MIKE.
 
Re:

Yeah,

I hope so, I'm just sick and tired of looking like a fool.

There's simply got to be a way, some kind of way of speaking, or attitude, to prevent from being taken to the cleaners, but what is it? Is it making perverse jokes? Do I have to talk about the damn football and try to guess what team he supports and pretent I support them too..

It's all so tedious
 
I like Mercs as well as my bmw, can I not join a Merc forum as an enthusiast?
 
Of course. You are now in.

Welcome to the forum. Many ex BMW owners on here and some that have flown the coup too. Even our "gaffer" on the forum has a BM.
 
of course,

thought you might be under the impression it's a 'german car' forum.

welcome.

these guys i used alot:

Traffic Motor Company - MOT Glasgow, Paisley, Linwood, Houstoun

the guy that owns it allan knows his stuff.

a good tip is if the garage gets alot of business from taxi drivers then it's fair garage, so if you see taxis being worked on then proceed.
 
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Do more networking to get yourself familiar with the business environment.

I tend to DIY to save me dollars, things like bodyshop you just have to shop around to get the best deal, you don't have to go to a Beemer to get it done. Beemer services are the highest in the motor trade, some Japanese are getting closer.
 
Its taken me years of my own and friends experiences with garages and body shops to find the good\bad ones. Even the good ones make mistakes, but its the way they deal with the mistakes that count.
 
For anything in life...I think the trick is: To have some understanding about the job you are asking someone to do, to obtain a variety of quotes and get reviews/opinions of someone independant.

But thatfirst point is quite impossible when it comes to the computer managed cars we all now drive, so concentrate on the second two!
 
I would vouch for the bodyshop you listed in your first post, having seen some of their work. I've always found BMW Perth to be very helpful too.. but that was coming from "trade" rather than "customer"

Speaking from "the other side" I'd say do your homework, ask direct questions and let them come to the conclusion that you won't take any crap.. make it clear that you expect nothing short of unsurpassed service, but without actually saying so..and if it doesn't happen, make your feelings known, preferably when a customer in the showroom is about to sign up for a top of the range 7 series..:devil:
 
Easy way to avoid being ripped off by garages is to avoid the bloody places. Only use recomended ones as and when required, and if they fall short in any aspect then dont go near them ever again. I'm not saying that all are the same ,and from what I read on here the specialists listed here do a good and well priced job but there are thousands of garages, back street and main dealer that I would never let anywhere near my car. Example : my son broke down the other week on his way to work 2 miles from home,his throttle cable had snapped. He phoned green flag who took him to their approved repairer with the assurance from the recovery guy that 'these guys are good and wont rip you off' . They quoted him 3 hrs labour which came out at £135 plus the cost of the cable £42 plus 1 hr labour to fetch it! I collected the car myself,drove it home with a length of wire and replaced the cable in 40 minutes. Cost , 1 cable and a bottle of scotch.
 
Writing on cars must be a Scottish thing as I fixed two while I was in Scotland on holiday. Can you post a photo of the damage please. Has the vandel dented the car or just written on it? If there is no dent then we'll get you sorted in no time even if its been written in indelible ink!
 
Elder and Paton are OK and not so far away from that BMW agency Gr******s. Made a good job of paint matching my mate's metallic finish on his car not so long ago after another paintshop JM Repair Centre based along at Friarton Bridge Park singularly failed to do after several attempts!! I should perhaps add that with modern metallic finishes [ especially light colours] its often not possible to just paint one panel. The finish has to to be "blown onto" adjacent panels to avoid abrupt and noticeable changes. So don't think they are spinning you a yarn- Its the penalty of these beautiful metallic finishes we all love so much on our cars.
ps if the damage is minor then perhaps one of the "dent repair" guys might be able to effect a repair for considerably less.
 
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I'd say just do your research. Ask people in the know (like on here). Plenty of people are willing to help.
 
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