Getting car fixed - What is the catch?

Buster_Danog

I need quite a small job done underneath my car. I called a well known national garage today and asked the guy how much it would be to replace a small part underneath the car. He said he would do it for nothing :eek:

I am thinking there must be something dubious. He could easily claim another job needs doing. I have never heard of anything like it. The job is a small job by their standards, but if you ask for half a cup of coffee in a cafe you would still expect them to charge you.

RDA

It restores your faith in human nature, doesn't it ?

Maybe the chain in question deserves a mention. :T

DavidHM

Sometimes a chain has to have everything on a product code. If there's no code, no time pressure and no financial incentive for the guy to charge via his employer (because he's on a salary) - and of course he's a genuinely nice guy -then he might do it.

Of course if and when something does need doing that they can charge you for, you'd probably go back.

Often my Dad (admittedly he's 81) has bought things like wiper blades at the local dealer and they've fitted them for free, because he's a regular customer and they're nice blokes too.

reheat

Sometimes if it's a small job that need not show up in the company books, I think they'll sometimes did it 'unofficially' in the hope you may just drop them a fiver to simply put in their pocket. I'm not being cynical, quite honestly I've no problems with such an arrangement if it benefits both parties. The only cautionary note: it would be harder work (probably not impossible) making any claim against them if they messed up - you pay your money & take your chance.

crossleydd42

You're so cynical, Franco, there's plenty of good people out there!!!

Buster_Danog

Yeah, Maybe I look at the world from a dark viewpoint, devoid of emotion and trust - or maybe not. I'll only say it's a national chain, which you can't get better than...

Bossyboots

I am the ultimate cynic but we use the same garage for repairs and MOT and have done for years. They will do little jobs at no charge. My OH had a blown bulb at his last MOT. The garage changed it, issued the certificate and did not charge for the bulb. Its little touches like that which keep us going back to them.

Andy_L

Asuming it's literally a 5min job it's costing them very little & you're far more likely to return in the future & tell you're mates how great they are.

Throbbe

Indeed, they've just got their money back in advertising from this thread!

pinkfluffybabe

Franco78 wrote:

Yeah, Maybe I look at the world from a dark viewpoint, devoid of emotion and trust - or maybe not. I'll only say it's a national chain, which you can't get better than...

They have done stuff free for me before and it paid off because I went back to them when I had a puncture.

Skint_Catt

My cars in for an MOT today and I mentioned to the chap that one of my headlights was out of alignment. I asked if he could include this pre-MOT and add the cost to the bill. He told me that as long as it was just a screwdriver job and nothing more serious there's no charge.

Always good!

Catt xx