Servicing Stop - Worst Service Ever

LiGhTfasT

angelaaa wrote: »

I've used Servicing stop for the last two years so feel qualified to review them. This is a copy of the email I sent them today:

Dear Servicing Stop
I’m giving you some feedback on your service. This is the second year I have used Servicing Stop, and the last. I’m afraid that I find your sales operatives (the ones who phone through on the day the car is in the garage, to suggest non-standard service additions) too sales-focused, and frankly, the last one lied to me. This is an instant turn-off, and is why I will not be using Servicing Stop again.

I think there are many great features about your service model, but trust is an essential foundation in any car maintenance/ repair relationship.

The sales operative who called me (Josh) told me that due to the age of my car (actually he changed his mind about whether it was due to age or mileage) my belt drive should be replaced. I asked him if someone had seen it, and suggested it needed to be changed. He apparently contacted the garage at that point (whilst I was on hold) and said that in order to access (see/ diagnose) the belt drive, labour costs would be incurred and that but the time this had been done/ paid for, I should just replace the belt.

When my Dad came home he told me drive belts can be seen without any labour, just open the hood. By then it was too late, I’d already paid.

No doubt you’ll send me a response saying that the operative was misguided, or that he thought labour costs would be involved because they sometimes are… I smell sales tactics when I smell them, and it just doesn’t foster trust.

Anyway. I’m also going to post a review online because there is much negative press about servicing stop, and I happen to think some of what you do is great. Just not the part where people pressure-sell extras on the phone, when your car is not in your possession and things can’t be verified. That part is not ethical.

Why not just google the make/model and is see if its due a new belt? if its due its due... You Dad is mad, if the belt snaps I hope he is paying.

angelaaa

LiGhTfasT wrote: »

Why not just google the make/model and is see if its due a new belt? if its due its due... You Dad is mad, if the belt snaps I hope he is paying.

As I understand it, belt drive replacement (in advance of it breaking) is an interaction between age and mileage, I did look online and it could be that it would be due based on age, but the point about my complaint to Servicing Stop was that they based their advice on one not being able to see the belt. Which my Dad pointed out was incorrect. Anyway... it's changed now!

Garybc_2

I agree with what others are saying.
Both my wife and I needed our cars servicing and checked out Service stop where you enter vehicle make , model ,mileage etc and were impressed with the prices so booked both in to be serviced.
My wifes car was collected at the time agreed and a couple of hours later service stop then phoned to say that other jobs needed to be done and they wanted to charge at least treble what local garages were charging, when she queried the extra charges they said because of the mileage these needed doing even though they were given the mileage in the first place and should have been quoted for that work to be included.
She declined the extra work which I then completed by just purchasing the parts from a motor factors.
The garage cannot return your car until you have paid through the Service stop webpage and told them that you agree with the service you have received.
When the garage delivered the car back they told here that if she had gone to them in the first place it would have been much cheaper and the extra extortionate charges that service stop wants is where they make all their money.
My experience was much the same too where they wanted another £180 to replace a fuel filter which I purchased for £25.00 and took about 30 minutes in total to replace.
I would not be using them again and urge anyone else thinking about using them to think twice.

dylan1990

I have recently used Servicing Stop and my car was collected on time etc . it went to a well known garage in my area. After getting into conversations with the techs. Serving Stop has been ripping of their customers and using independent garages as escape goat.
**side note** check out the reviews on google for servicing stop
My booking was the last job this garage took on.
it has come to light Servicing Stop are not paying garages. Servicing stop owe them thousands of pounds.
JUST A WARNING TO OTHER GARAGES IF YOU ARE FACING SIMILAR ISSUE SPEAK UP.

AdrianC

I love the idea of an "escape goat". For when you can't find a horse to make your getaway.

steve1231954

Service stop are a rip off. They never pick  the phone up, when you phone them to complain. Or email them never reply to your email. I can't believe they get away with the service they give you. I phone them up they give me a quote of £101.88p for a full service. And then they phone you and say all the parts you have to pay for. But a service is a service you don't pay for parts separate. So I ended up pay another £555 on top' then 30 mins later they phone me up again, telling me a warning light has come on. And to sort it would cost another £425. They said my car would be damaged if it wasn't sorted . I had this sorted so I ended up paying £1200, what started off £101 . And the best thing about it they delivered it back to me, and the garage guy said the light come back on. On the way to your house. You still got the problem with your car. And said we can put it right but don't go back to service stop. Bring it to us. Be a lot cheaper for you. I was !!!!!! of with the service. I Phone service stop but there a waste of time never pick the phone up.. They are a big big rip off. And they know that. Check there reviews on the net, wish I would of checks them,  how the people who work at service stop can do this every day just ripping people off  don't know how they sleep at night. ( I couldn't j

Stubod

..never heard of them so gave them a google....

Not sure why anybody would want to let a complete stranger drive their car of to an unknown garage to let the "service it", and then return it?...

....but that's probably just me.....

steve1231954

Stubod said:

..never heard of them so gave them a google....

Not sure why anybody would want to let a complete stranger drive their car of to an unknown garage to let the "service it", and then return it?...

....but that's probably just me.....

Stubod said:

..never heard of them so gave them a google....

Not sure why anybody would want to let a complete stranger drive their car of to an unknown garage to let the "service it", and then return it?...

....but that's probably just me.....

steve1231954

Garage wasn't  Unknown Bolton garage I know it thanks. And  thanks for your reply that made me feel better 

pradixit

Agree

Ahmed.El-zahar said:

I have actually now seen the BBC watchdog reviews and how they got refunded , also seen the guardian review and I wish I seen that before I used them
I booked a the highest service [Full Service] on the 28 November, the driver arrived 1 hour late, did not check the car and he was in hurry I forgot to give him the special wheel nut but I manage to tell him there 1 dipped front bulb that need replacing. then I received a phone call from the garage informing me of approximately 6 services items that apparently not covered that I need to pay and I was given an estimate of more than £640. (Incl one front dipped bulb for £42 +VAT)
I felt like being blackmail or entrapment. I refused to be used in such a way and asked for the service to be cancelled and the car returned back to me. was told this can not be done as they already started.
The driver returned at 6pm, parked the car in the car park and came upstairs to tell me the light is not working and it is not safe to drive the car. when I went down to the car all the front light was not working in a clear a deliberate damage. I guess it is a pay because I refused to be trapped or accept the extortion prices.
I called servicing stop help desk but they said I had to email the customer care team the following team. I asked how am I going to get home, no idea.
I wrote to complain the following day. They responded 2 weeks later with excuse after excuse and then 5 weeks later they tell me they can't do anything for me because I decided to replace the bulbs myself.
Can you imagine they wanted me to do nothing for 5 weeks while the car is dangerous to drive with no lights till they decide.
Also I am wondering even the services were done since I had the wheel nut in my Pocket. the Dash board showed the average miles per gallon to be 8/Gallon. BMW 520 runs average of 38/gallon in urban driving.
they use slogans like: “Best price guarantee-Find a better deal, we match it”
Never again to use them

I agree, similar thing happened to me. The service and MOT which was  £150 costed my  £1050. What an amazing way to make money. And on top of that my car came in exactly same condition as it went for service. No even a foot mat moved. And the issue reported as major that can fail MOT came back as it is without any change. So I felt like I lost  £1050 and feel cheated. WORST EVER experience, better to go to your local garage you can save a few bucks and feel satisfied when you see the the parts replaced and they are explained/shown to you before delivery of the vehicle. 

 NEVER EVER USE SERVICING STOP