Hi Clive

We have now made the decision when customers come in or speak to us on the phone to not give any sort of diagnosis even if it is a well known fault, but to book the vehicle in and then access the problem, giving a diagnosis and being able to charge for that diagnosis and repair

Last Friday a good customer brought his daughter in with 2000 Renault Megane 16v with the usual misfire. I told him what i thought it was and if we replace them all it should be ok....not a long job. So i booked it in for the following Monday

I got a call on my mobile at home Sunday evening from him to say his daughter is not feeling very well so she will be unable to bring the Renault in Monday morning, she will get in touch at a later date. Well i have not heard anything more so can only assume that armed with the information i gave her they have repaired it themselves or just told another garage to replace the bits i recommended

So how do other members handle this, do you give the customer a clue as to the problem even if you know what it is, or just book it in for testing, thus being able to charge for your knowledge, equipment and experience

I am sure if she went to the Renault dealer she would not have got any response, just a pleasant receptionist booking it in for further investigation

So no more free bee diagnosis so they can take it away and repair themselves........i have been in this game for 30 years so i should know better

Peter