As in previous jobs l have had, l wished l had kept a record of some of the stories l have heard from customers. l'm sure one day they would be a best seller.
Two stories l have heard from customers this week made me glad l have some knowledge of cars. Sadly, both stories came from women and both involved big names.
Firstly, a young women came in and bought a number plate bulb for her Mini, we charged her 99p + the dreaded. She had come from the main dealers who told her it was impossible to change this bulb on its own and she would have to buy the complete light unit. Sixty quid plus VAT for the plastic unpainted unit, ninety plus VAT for the chrome one and a hundred and thirty eight plus VAT for the painted unit. She declined their generous offer and went elsewhere for a second opinion. This was after she took her car to a local indy for an MOT. They quoted her £400 labour for, what seemed pretty simple jobs (blown number plate bulb, worn front tyre, cracked number plate, missing wheel bolt/stud, headlamp beams out). After her brother intervened, the garage instantly halved the labour costs to £200. This too was politely declined.
We had an elderly lady who had never been to us before asking for a quote for a rear silencer for her Renault Clio. We quoted her about £35 + VAT, with next day delivery. She told us a well known fast fit centre had kwoted (you know who they are) her £185 inv VAT to fit and supply the silencer. After a quick call to one of our trade customers, we got the job done for under half of what she was previously quoted. She then asked how long shock absorbers should last, as they afore mentioned company told her all four of her shock absorbers were worn, along with her two front tyres. We explained to her it depended what she was carrying in the car, mileage etc. She told us it was just her in the car and she was lucky if she done 4k a year. She was very surprised as she had only replaced all 4 shocks and the two tyres 3 months previously, hence the reason for asking. l involved my BM, because he loves stories like this. He came out and asked her if she still had the invoice for the work that had been done. She said she had it, in a file in her house. He told her to go back, tell them she didn't want the exhaust fitted, but wanted new shocks all round and two new front tyres. When it came to paying the bill, she was told to offer them the invoice from 3 months ago, and tell them she wanted it under warranty if the parts had failed. We never did find out if she went back to them.
Beware people......there are people out there who will screw you for every penny you have. You have been warned!
Two stories l have heard from customers this week made me glad l have some knowledge of cars. Sadly, both stories came from women and both involved big names.
Firstly, a young women came in and bought a number plate bulb for her Mini, we charged her 99p + the dreaded. She had come from the main dealers who told her it was impossible to change this bulb on its own and she would have to buy the complete light unit. Sixty quid plus VAT for the plastic unpainted unit, ninety plus VAT for the chrome one and a hundred and thirty eight plus VAT for the painted unit. She declined their generous offer and went elsewhere for a second opinion. This was after she took her car to a local indy for an MOT. They quoted her £400 labour for, what seemed pretty simple jobs (blown number plate bulb, worn front tyre, cracked number plate, missing wheel bolt/stud, headlamp beams out). After her brother intervened, the garage instantly halved the labour costs to £200. This too was politely declined.
We had an elderly lady who had never been to us before asking for a quote for a rear silencer for her Renault Clio. We quoted her about £35 + VAT, with next day delivery. She told us a well known fast fit centre had kwoted (you know who they are) her £185 inv VAT to fit and supply the silencer. After a quick call to one of our trade customers, we got the job done for under half of what she was previously quoted. She then asked how long shock absorbers should last, as they afore mentioned company told her all four of her shock absorbers were worn, along with her two front tyres. We explained to her it depended what she was carrying in the car, mileage etc. She told us it was just her in the car and she was lucky if she done 4k a year. She was very surprised as she had only replaced all 4 shocks and the two tyres 3 months previously, hence the reason for asking. l involved my BM, because he loves stories like this. He came out and asked her if she still had the invoice for the work that had been done. She said she had it, in a file in her house. He told her to go back, tell them she didn't want the exhaust fitted, but wanted new shocks all round and two new front tyres. When it came to paying the bill, she was told to offer them the invoice from 3 months ago, and tell them she wanted it under warranty if the parts had failed. We never did find out if she went back to them.
Beware people......there are people out there who will screw you for every penny you have. You have been warned!
