BER - runs out next October

Crabman

OK peeps, take a look at these:

http://www.am-online.com/news/story/Block-exemption-when-will-we-know-what-the-future-holds/42901132

http://www.cecra.eu/en/publications/documents/BROCHUREBER.pdf

It looks like block exemption is broken into two parts. One is the dealers and manufacturers relationship, the other is the aftersales market. The latter is what Jeannie has been whimpering about

At the moment it seems like it'll be renewed although I've not read both articles fully yet. There are arguments from all sides in the above article (the am-online one) including the independent garages association.

The below article however says that competition is fierce so there is no argument for greater regulation.

http://pr.euractiv.com/press-release/communication-block-exemption-regulation-acknowledges-strong-competition-automotive-se

Confusing contradictory articles from both sides... if anyone feels like making sense out of recent developments feel free to do so

jeannieblue

Crabman wrote: »

OK peeps, take a look at these:

http://www.am-online.com/news/story/Block-exemption-when-will-we-know-what-the-future-holds/42901132

http://www.cecra.eu/en/publications/documents/BROCHUREBER.pdf

It looks like block exemption is broken into two parts. One is the dealers and manufacturers relationship, the other is the aftersales market. The latter is what Jeannie has been whimpering about

At the moment it seems like it'll be renewed although I've not read both articles fully yet. There are arguments from all sides in the above article (the am-online one) including the independent garages association.

The below article however says that competition is fierce so there is no argument for greater regulation.

http://pr.euractiv.com/press-release/communication-block-exemption-regulation-acknowledges-strong-competition-automotive-se

Confusing contradictory articles from both sides... if anyone feels like making sense out of recent developments feel free to do so

I love you - but I've got a headache now......... I'll have to reread through all of it later and tomorrow (and possibly Sunday too) to get my head around it all...

My question is, why don't they just renew it? How much is all this faffing around costing anyway?

Crabman

jeannieblue wrote: »

I love you - but I've got a headache now......... I'll have to reread through all of it later and tomorrow (and possibly Sunday too) to get my head around it all...

My question is, why don't they just renew it? How much is all this faffing around costing anyway?

They're politicians... did anyone really expect them to make anything straightforward and simple for ordinary people to understand? :wall:

jeannieblue

Crabman wrote: »

They're politicians... did anyone really expect them to make anything straightforward and simple for ordinary people to understand? :wall:

I thought that they all were bar stewards by profession, or did I mishear?

It's been a long week - I'll tackle it all tomorrow in between my chores. Much appreciated Crabbers - I hope others take note too and are not complacent.

MSE - consumers could be well clobbered soon! I think later cars will be affected most as they have more 'gadgets/sensors/bits&bobs' to go wrong - and if/when it does, and independents can't access the diagnostic info - boy are they going to get big bills!

Just want to say that independents have to pay to download information - its not free and the diagnostic equipment, which has to be updated frequently to be of any use, is rather expensive.

Crabman

So just to clarify - independent garages have to pay to get the software information/updates needed to service cars.

However if the block exemption is not renewed, independents won't be allowed access to the information/updates and therefore people will have to go to dealerships to obtain new software? Is that the general idea?

Or if BER disappears you'll have to have the entire service job done at the dealership which will mean many independent garages shutting down?

jeannieblue

Crabman wrote: »

So just to clarify - independent garages have to pay to get the software information/updates needed to service cars.

However if the block exemption is not renewed, independents won't be allowed access to the information/updates and therefore people will have to go to dealerships to obtain new software? Is that the general idea?

Or if BER disappears you'll have to have the entire service job done at the dealership which will mean many independent garages shutting down?

Paragraph one - true

Paragraph two - true

Paragraph three - if the car is under warranty it will have to be serviced at a dealership or the warranty will be invalidated. Repairs under warranty have to be done at a dealership anyway (not that the dealerships are happy about that as they don't make much money out of warranty work).

Servicing out of warranty, you can go where you like, no problem, but repairs could be tricky if the vehicle needs to be diagnosed or an independent needs information regarding the vehicle that they do not have and are denied access to the information that they need, then basically they are 'stuffed' and the consumer will have to go back to the dealership.

If you own an old vehicle - then you will/should be fine, as your independent garage should already have the information needed for your vehicle.

jeannieblue

Just to reiterate, alot of manufacturers are now getting rid of your bog standard service book and your service is now 'logged' online by the dealership - an independent cannot access that now, even with the BER being in place. Therefore, servicing schedules are not available - unless you have the charm and wit and good looks to chat up the relevant people to weedle out of them what should be replaced etc on certain services.

Once a car is out of warranty, you can use common sense and service a car to what it needs, but whilst it is under warranty you have to do what the manufacturer stipulates or the warranty is invalidated.

adouglasmhor

I did get a reply from the Conservative MEP for Scotland's team

Dear Mr. Gray,



Many thanks for your email setting out your concerns about the present review of European competition rules that might adversely affect independent vehicle repairers and spare parts providers. We fully agree.



Conservatives in the European Parliament have, for at least 10 years, promoted new regulations that have reinforced the crucial role played by these organisations in providing motorists with open customer choice and good value servicing.



These regulations called "the Block Exemption", establish the legal framework sustaining competition in car sales and servicing, and as you know are due to expire in June 2010. These rules, as the Commission itself acknowledges, have benefited consumers greatly by bringing down the price of repairs and ensuring independent garages have access to the technical information needed to repair all vehicles. The Commission is now consulting on possible changes but makes it clear that no decision has yet been made, and also that the benefits of the existing rules must be maintained if any revisions are contemplated.



From our perspective, the independent after market sector has a strong future. I can assure you that our MEP team will scrutinise any proposal from the Commission very carefully and use our strength within the Parliament to resist any changes that might weaken their position.



Best wishes,



Kathryn

Kathryn Stack
Office of Struan Stevenson MEP
European Parliament

The other 5 did not bother to reply.

jeannieblue

Thanks Adouglasmhor.

Out of the eight letters I sent (on behalf of company and staff ) .......... one to MP and seven to the MEP's, one has replied! Didn't really say alot, but then I read on www.r2.rc.co.uk that MEP's and MP's have no say in the Block Exemption as the EU Commission decide what is to be done or not done, and the MEP's don't actually have any influence! Which makes me want to ask, why are we paying for these MEP's?? We have seven for my town, its not a big town!!

SatanicHare

Just had a look at the R2RC website, everyone who drives should be concerned when attempts are made to reduce healthy competition between dealers and independents.