Fun at National Tyres & Halfords

Road_Hog

Well, the wife's car was due its MOT at the end of the month and I did the usual check on it, and it all seemed fine, except for the front tyres which had about 2.5mm on them. So I went online and chose a set of Avons and ordered them, with the closest garage they used being in Coventry.

Now, there are two National Tyres in Cov, one I have used before and have been very happy with and one that I haven't used before. Not really thinking about it, I booked it in to the 'other' one. Big mistake.

Into reception, inform them that I have a booking, isn't interested in taking details, just says take a seat. I noticed that there was a new Merc sitting in the bay with the front up, wheels off and two trolley jacks keeping it up. It must have been like that for over half an hour. My view is that a national tyre centre shouldn't be using jacks, which were on the sill with direct metal (trolley jack cup with no covering) to metal contact and they certainly shouldn't leave it like that for that length of time.

The centre manager must have been on a bonus rate, because every single time som one came in or rang up, he quoted them a price and always offered Barums and nothing else. Anyway, having been there the best part of an hour, I went out to get some fresh air and in the mean time the fitter has come in the office to get the details for my car. The centre manager said to him, stick a couple of Barums on, off the rack. My wife has then tried to tell him that that's not what I'd ordered and paid for. The manager completely blanks her and answers the phone - I realise that you do need to answer phones, but you can say something like, 'just a minute' to acknowledge the person.

So, of course, by the time I walk back in and the wife informs me of what happened, the fitter has already started to put the Barums on the rims. Not my fault, blame your manager for not doing his job and put the ones on that I've ordered.

Then it's off to Halfords yesterday for the MOT, I'd used this branch twice before and not had a problem with them. It fails on the offside wiper, which was actually fine, not frayed and worked fine. But here's the good bit. I said okay, I'll pop to the motor factors and come back before close of play tomorrow (I actually intended to do it then and come straight back).

At which point, he tells me that he will only look at it if he gets time. To which I said, I'm entitled to the free retest if I have it back before end of play tomorrow. He then said, if he had a cancellation he would look at it but he couldn't guarantee it. I started to get a bit irritated at that pont, because I felt I was being blackmailed, as he had time to fit a wiper and pass it, but not time to pass it if I brought it back with a new wiper fitted.

A conversation ensued, where I basically said, you're telling me that you won't have 30 seconds to look at the wiper. He then gave me the, we need to check things over and put it on the ramps. To which I said, the only thing you need to check, is the item/s that it failed on, nothing else and you certainly don't need to put it on the ramps to check a wiper.

He still point blank refused to guarantee me that he would find time to check the wiper if I went to fit it myself. So I asked for the head office number, intending to call them on the mobile, with the car still there. But instead of doing that, he called his regional manager (which I didn't ask him to do) who I ended up speaking to.

I got to change the wipers myslef and get my MOT, I'm still shocked that on a Monday lunch time, the manager refused to guarantee he'd have time to check a wiper blade before 5:30pm on Tuesday. And he created a whole lot of aggro for himself that he probably could have done without.

So here's a question, what's the situation on the retest. Can a garage just say, sorry too busy, if you take it away, you'll have to book a ne w MOT and pay another fee?

jobdone1

That's why like like to advertise a DISCOUNTED m.o.t they then try to fail the car on stupid things so you have to re book and pay for a retest fee which in total you end paying more than the government set price of just over £54. I learnt from this years ago so I always use a garage that charge the full price. I have used the same garage for over 10 years now and he knows I check things over before I take any car to him so 9 times out of ten its passes. I had a reflector missing off my bumper he just advised to pick one up and fit it but would be happy to pass the car their and then. It does not pay in my view to go for discounted m.o.t's

Glenn8881

sounds like Large chain mentality to me, the employees in any large chain, be it motoring, supermarkets, electrical retailers are all told to "upsell" on whatever you do. This is why I always use an independent for my MOT's. Mine even gets me to help him complete the test, which I actually quite like as I am then part of what is going on and know I am not getting "ripped off"

warehouse

Last week I took my wife's car to the local Renault garage for a service and MOT. They rang me and said the rear brake shoes were dangerously low and wouldn't pass, and the front ones could do with replacing as well, along with the damaged rear discs too!

How much? £540!!!!

What about brakes pads only? £360!!!

I declined and said I'd use a local garage to fit them, when the lady on the phone then informed me that they considered the car too dangerous to be let back on the road :rotfl:. I told them to get it ready for collection and that I WOULD be collecting it and driving it away.

They rang me back and said the manager had agreed to do the work for 15% less than quoted earlier. My reply can't really be posted on here.

I purchased the special tool needed and Renault brake pads, then did it myself on Sunday for £130 in total. Rear discs were absolutely fine. It's going back for a free re-test this week, but they've just lost a customer and anyone else who I know with a Renault will get the same tale from me.

fivetide

Like the other replies OP I don't know the answer to yuor question but it was a good tale of customer non-service!