Really impressed with Kwik-fit

EdGasket

Not so impressed with Kwik-fit. Quite entertaining so long as you are not on the receiving end of it. Taking cars for joyride, stolen cat, and jacking up on the floor pan to mention just a few from this compendium of bad practice:

http://www.name-n-shame.co.uk/kwik_fit.html

Richard53

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Frying pan --> Fire.

I'm guessing that there is a similar variation with ATS. I've used our local ATS many times for tyres and have always been very happy with them. Horses for courses: I wouldn't use a tyre/exhaust chain for an engine or servicing issue any more than I would ask my dentist about repairing my lawnmower. I think half the problem is people who assume because they have four-post lifts and greasy overalls that they are capable of anything a proper garage would be. Tyres, exhausts, and possibly brakes and suspension, but nothing else. That's what you have proper garages for.


I now have a local tyre fitting operation, quite small, who ask me what torque setting I would like on the wheel nuts and then tighten them by hand while I watch. Proper chaps who know what they are doing and treat me like a human being. I can't see myself going anywhere else in the future. But ATS - nothing bad to say about them in my experience.

Crabman

It depends on the branch manager and how they recruit & manage their staff. It also depends who the area manager is and what sort of targets they've been set by head office. Some don't stay in the role very long and therefore prioritise financial rewards for hitting targets over customer care.

Their recent Watchdog appearance was hardly a surprise:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2fl1W11YJxxZYGFQH1MP8XM/company-response

Stoke

I've had overwhelmingly poor experiences with Kwik Fit, but I've had the odd decent one.

They tried to charge a buddy of mine £220 to fix his exhaust when his heat shield failed. I fixed it with a 20p penny washer from eBay.

Ebe_Scrooge

I used to use KF for tyres as they were convenient to get to and opened on a Sunday. But ever since the time I went in for 2 new front tyres, and they "advised" me that my front brake pads and discs were "dangerously worn" I've avoided them. Why ? Because the pads and discs were brand new, I'd changed them myself the weekend before. I've never gone near the place since.

( I was on the point of having a right go at the manager in front of the other customers waiting in reception, but I couldn't trust myself to keep a civil tongue in my head ! )

captainawsome

Richard53 wrote: »

I'm guessing that there is a similar variation with ATS. I've used our local ATS many times for tyres and have always been very happy with them. Horses for courses: I wouldn't use a tyre/exhaust chain for an engine or servicing issue any more than I would ask my dentist about repairing my lawnmower. I think half the problem is people who assume because they have four-post lifts and greasy overalls that they are capable of anything a proper garage would be. Tyres, exhausts, and possibly brakes and suspension, but nothing else. That's what you have proper garages for.


I now have a local tyre fitting operation, quite small, who ask me what torque setting I would like on the wheel nuts and then tighten them by hand while I watch. Proper chaps who know what they are doing and treat me like a human being. I can't see myself going anywhere else in the future. But ATS - nothing bad to say about them in my experience.

why would a garage ask a customer how tight they would like the wheel nuts? And why would the answer ever differ from "tighten them to the recommended setting, thank you".

Edwood_Woodwood

stephenliverpool1 wrote: »

Anyway I need to compliment Kwik-fit. Really impressed with them as they passed my MOT without any probs..

Surely it was your car that passed the mot?

Kwikfit just tested it.:huh:

[Deleted User]

Tried to fail my MOT once on emissions and saying it would pass if I paid them £20 for a can of Redex clone. Never been back since.

Richard53

captainawsome wrote: »

why would a garage ask a customer how tight they would like the wheel nuts? And why would the answer ever differ from "tighten them to the recommended setting, thank you".

"How tight do you want these?"
"Book says 100NM"
"My book says 110"
"110 it is."


It might help if I added that this followed a conversation where I commented that I hadn't heard a rattle gun since I had been there (about 30 minutes) and he said that they didn't use them as a rule, preferring to tighten everything by hand so the customers had a chance of getting them off again.

xHannahx

There are two kwik fits near to me, one is really honest and one will scam you left right and centre.
I don't think it's fair tarring them all with the same brush, I suspect it comes down to the management and staff at that location.

A friend went to kwik fit for a job interview about 1-2 years ago, the salary offered was minimum wage plus 30% commission on any parts sold by them. This will naturally drive the wrong behaviours as encouraging staff to sell bits. It comes down to honesty vs commission, and from what I hear mostly commission wins.
My friend actually rejected the job offer as found the approach wrong,