Quick QnA on garage services.

[john656]

In the next couple of years I am thinking of starting a garage and eventually specialising in 4x4's. All the usual servicing repairs, diagnostics and hopefully MOT's.
For those of you that use garages, or have done in the past, what makes the ones you use stand out. Besides the service with a smile and a good price, what would bring you back and initially draw you in???
I know that this is a very vague question but any feedback would be appreciated.

John

[dxmedia]

Garages which will do quick jobs on the fly... I've never used garages in my life, but the one in the village is getting a little custom of me now since he charged a can of beer (I gave him a case) for pressing a bearing for me.  It took him 2 minutes and he dropped what he was doing to get it done and have a cup of tea.  No skin off his nose, a free drink for the evening and a return customer for little jobs like that.

He'll also order parts for me to be delivered to him (daily delivery) rather than me run into town (30 mile round trip) and not charge.  Again, not great for business since he owns the only filling station in the village, but good for relations...

[Hightower]

As above really.

Somewhere that treats you as a customer, rather than just an open purse, will always get my vote.  If I can't stand around and have a chat with a technician, or wander about the workshop, then I'm probably not going to be interested.  Even my local LR dealer lets me do this now (much to the displeasure of the chap on service reception).

Local to me is a small garage with a tyre shop opposite. Neither has ever done any work on the Disco (apart from the MOT), but both will quite happily give advice and help with small problems 'cos they know I'll come back with the wifes car. 

It's all about building relationships, and doing a good job  ;)

[thermidorthelobster]

I use people who understand how the car actually works, and know how things behave when they go wrong.  Contrast this with the main dealer who sticks it on the diagnostics machine and tells you it's all fine even though there is clearly a massive problem.  Some dealers would ignore the fact that the car had caught fire and was blazing away merrily in the workshop if the computer told them all was OK;  they'd try to give you back the keys with a bill and send you on your way.

The best garages have the personal touch and feel more like a friend who you happen to pay to look after the car, rather than a business trying to get money out of you for old rope.

[Disco Matt]

I like to be able to talk to the people who actually wave the spanners about, and I also like it if the staff listen to your diagnosis rather than just wanting to know symptoms (local main dealer seems to want to hear "it's making a funny noise" not "I think one of the wheel bearings is knackered"). If I can give them an idea of where to start looking it saves everyone's time.

Wandering about the workshop is a tricky one legally now - garages really have to keep customers out of there for their own protection in case some idiot starts prodding a pillar drill and gets bitten by it. My local specialist doesn't seem to mind too much but then again I usually stand by the door and wait to be noticed, I realise if they're mid-MOT they can't drop everything and deal with customers (and they seldom have any front office staff about, it's a proper garage!)

[SteveGoodz]

I only use one garage locally and even then not very often. The owner is also the spanner wielder and is Land Rover trained. He is always welcoming and ready to offer advice or just chat.

He's never refused to do a job and always tries to do small jobs on the spot. Prices are well within what I'm happy to pay and the standard of his work is excellent.

None of my cars - Land Rover or not - never go anywhere near the local dealer.

If you can match that sort of service the you'll e on the right track  :D

[john656]

All comments recieved greatfully and noted.
I know its a while away but its always good to have an idea of whats going to go on before hand.

John