Kwik fit are a joke

[diandave]

I had 2 tyres fitted and tracking checked at my local Kwik fit centre, I asked for the tyres to be fitted to the front as the outside edges had worn below the 1.6 mm, he said it would be about an hour so I left it with them, when I returned the job wasn't quite finished, had to wait 30 mins, the fitter gave me the keys and said it was all done.

I walked to the car and would you believe it they had fitted them on the rear, these had 6mm of tread and they didn't think it strange I would be replacing tyres with so much tread left on them when the fronts had very little.(they had my mobile No. if they needed to check anything)

I had to wait another hour for them to refit my good tyres and swop the wheels so the new tyres were on the front. Not only that, the fitter put the wheel nut key in the boot and was trying to close my electric tailgate by pulling it down manually so had to rush out and stop him. When all was finally done I didn't get any sort of apology off the manager for the **** up and lots of hanging about. I got my receipt and semi transparant across the centre was printed, YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT WE DO!........ I certainly was.

 

[renault12ts]

Wow...they made a mistake.

 

[Berkshire Rich]

IMHO and based mainly on my experience some years ago of running a small, specialist, independent chain of 10 tyre retail locations, I would never personally go to any of the major national chains.

 

[moff]

Wot he said...

I use a really good family owned independent and they have been excellent every time.

Too many knuckle dragging not giving a sh1t ejits at Kwik Fit.

 

[renault12ts]

Never had a problem with KF...have had problems with others...including MB main dealers. One's bad experience does not mean the whole outfit is bad...or we'd never use the MB dealers, or anybody else for that matter.

 

[renault12ts]

IMHO and based mainly on my experience some years ago of running a small, specialist, independent chain of 10 tyre retail locations, I would never personally go to any of the major national chains.

Did anyone ever complain about your business?

 

[Carrsey]

A simple sorry would have helped..

 

[renault12ts]

I had 2 tyres fitted and tracking checked at my local Kwik fit centre, I asked for the tyres to be fitted to the front as the outside edges had worn below the 1.6 mm, he said it would be about an hour so I left it with them, when I returned the job wasn't quite finished, had to wait 30 mins, the fitter gave me the keys and said it was all done.

I walked to the car and would you believe it they had fitted them on the rear, these had 6mm of tread and they didn't think it strange I would be replacing tyres with so much tread left on them when the fronts had very little.(they had my mobile No. if they needed to check anything)

I had to wait another hour for them to refit my good tyres and swop the wheels so the new tyres were on the front. Not only that, the fitter put the wheel nut key in the boot and was trying to close my electric tailgate by pulling it down manually so had to rush out and stop him. When all was finally done I didn't get any sort of apology off the manager for the **** up and lots of hanging about. I got my receipt and semi transparant across the centre was printed, YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT WE DO!........ I certainly was.

Interesting though (and surely a design fault) that you can't manually close an electric boot!!

 

[st4]

They fixed the error. Mistakes happen. They did fix it. KF are alright.

 

[Spinal]

Everyone makes mistakes... it's how you deal with the issue once it arises that allows companies to shine (or make into my bad books).

I would have expected an apology and a discount on your bill (or next bill) for making you wait...

 

[HumberMart]

Was it a mistake?

IMHO this is an all too common occurrence and a known method of trying to increase sales.

I see the testosterone continues. Not much sympathy forthcoming for the OP.

Even if it was a genuine mistake it borders on negligence.

 

[Peter T]

Kwikfit are a joke, IMHO, and I would never willingly use them.

However, if it was absolutely essential i would watch them like a hawk and certainly wouldn't leave my car with them.

 

[David Bird]

Go to my local independant and have done for years probably paying at least 10 visits a year probably more - never had a problem yet - Prompt very reasonable cost .Many times FOC simply because i give them a drink (tip) .The big boys dont have the same friendliness .

 

[st4]

Go to my local independant and have done for years probably paying at least 10 visits a year probably more - never had a problem yet - Prompt very reasonable cost .Many times FOC simply because i give them a drink (tip) .The big boys dont have the same friendliness .

I feel that about my local KF. Free tyre caps when mine were nicked. Free bulbs change when I couldn't be bothered. I'd use nowhere else.

 

[l5foye]

A while ago I got a puncture just outside QF and thought I might try them. The waiting area had lots of signs saying they were an ISO9002 company. With tongue in cheek I asked the manager what that meant. He said it meant they did everything by the book. Seeing a guy using an air wrench on the wheel nuts, I asked did they use a torque wrench and manager said 'Of course'. I said I hadn't seen one being used on my car. So manager calls fitter in and asks him 'why did you not use a torque wrench on this man's car?' Fitter replied ' You know f....... well, we haven't had a torque wrench here for the last 5 years' Manager's face goes red -he turns to me ' Sir there will be no charge for fixing your puncture'

 

[mickeystitch]

Have to say, KF in newhaven are great, been using them for years with various cars, last four MOT straight through with only an advisery and no trying to upsell, guess it all depends on your atitude to them, some are good some are bad (sorry about spelling been a long day)

 

[Fizzer]

The Mercedes dealers (Macclesfield) that I have bought my last 2 cars from (and numerous tyres) have an in house Kwik fit tyre fitter. His name is Ken, and I would not trust anyone else to fit a tyre to one of my cars. He seems to be the only one to be able to get the balance right, first time, every time. Never had any problems with damage to a rim. Always has a smile and time for a chat, just a genuinely good bloke to deal with.
Although the Kwik fit that is actually local to me is bloody useless. Its all about having pride in the job you do and wanting to do the best you can. Some people have that pride, unfortunately, so it seems, more people dont.

 

[Berkshire Rich]

Did anyone ever complain about your business?

Of course. Occasional errors took place but these were outweighed by the thanks for the service and the lower prices! I don't recall any complaints for hard sell / trying to convince you that your brake discs need replacing / selling you tyres you don't want etc

BTW it was not my business, but I was running it for a year and got a very helpful insight into the whole industry!

 

[bob6600]

Tyre fitters/bodywork/smart repairers.....all comes down to the individual doing the job. I would agree that most indie/family run places would take more care as it's their bread and butter. With some national franchises, the mechanics get paid full stop.

Not all franchises are bad though, some individuals take pride in their work and hence there are some good mechanics out there that work at franchises and know what they are talking about