Automotive Discussion

Back to Forum

Post a Response

DIY - Self service #

Posted by Mark Mcgrath on July 16, 2009, 9:27 pm
Message modified by board administrator July 20, 2009, 2:26 pm

hello everyone,
just found this one.
pitstartgarage.com
what do we think,keep it clean

Re: diy-self service

Posted by Peter Lomas on July 16, 2009, 9:58 pm, in reply to "diy-self service"
Peter Lomas

Hi Mark
http://www.pitstartgarage.com/
Is this the one

Regards Peter

Re: diy-self service

Posted by mark mcgrath on July 17, 2009, 7:34 am, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Mark McGrath

hello peter,
thats the one.
http://www.pitstartgarage.com/
what are your thoughts.
looks like it could get complicated to me.

Re: diy-self service

Posted by ian Whitmore on July 17, 2009, 8:04 am, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Ian Whitmore

Hi
Couple of things I have noticed, their range of tools is awfull, check out the "spring compressors" (Accident waiting to happen)
It doesnt say anywhere how much the mechanics cost that are on site when the customer cant do something.
Parts delivery usually with in the hour !!!
How much extra do you think the parts people are on for taking slightly longer to deliver, so they can charge longer for ramp hire.
Perhaps I have always been to sceptible !!!(cant spell)
I wait to see how long this place stayes in business as is.
The only thing I can see this is good for is a mobile mechanic to do a clutch when its pissing with rain & 3 degrees out side.

Re: diy-self service

Posted by Tony Ludford on July 17, 2009, 8:21 am, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Tony Ludford

Been done before, and that failed.

However, they weren't open 24 hours. So that may make a difference.

Re: diy-self service

Posted by Paul Foster on July 17, 2009, 1:35 pm, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Paul Foster

If someone rang me to say that he'd decided to save money by using a place like this but now needed a QUALIFIED mechanic to get him out of trouble I think I'd be tempted to show him a hand signal using either one or two fingers (difficult on the phone , I know but..).

What happens when the parts are wrong? - who pays for the ramp time then? What happens if Mr DIY-I-can-wire-a-plug-so-I-can-service-my-car inadvertantly fits an incorrect part which then causes him to write it off when he leaves?

What happens if the job becomes more complicated and you have to wait days for a part? How much ramp time would that cost?

It's things like this that should be outlawed by the government. No-one should be allowed to work on vehicles, especially the brakes and suspension, unless they are qualified - preferably with public liability insurance. Any such repairs should at least be inspected by a bona-fide technician.

How long before someone dies as a result of a half-arsed DIY repair carried out at this place.

Re: diy-self service

Posted by Tony Sefton on July 18, 2009, 8:13 am, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Tony Sefton

Perhaps when the customers see that it costs £20 per hour to fix their own car in a bay with a car ramp, they might start to think that paying £45.00 per hour to have their car fixed by someone that knows what they are doing isn't so bad after all. ?? espescially taking into account that a proper garage might have another £20k- £100k worth of tools to do the job properly.

and also if the job goes tits up, and it takes 3 times as long as it should do i bet they get charged the full rental fee whereas when its taken to garage they will usually get charged closer to the estimated price and get a fair compomise.

At least it starts to show them that it isn't cheap to run a garage workshop. ( even a poorly equipped one. )

Tony.

Re: diy-self service

Posted by Paul A.Potter on July 18, 2009, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: diy-self service"
Paul Potter

One of my lads listened to a Mr. N. Webb (Nick ?)discussing this business on Radio 2 at 5.30ish, Wednesday/Thursday this week.

He said he came across quite well

.
90% of my customers come to me because of trust and dont mind paying a fair price for a job well done so wouldn't even think of using a diy-self service outlet.

There are those who think they can do the job themselves at half the price, let them go to these outlets, it's a braver man than me who thinks he can run a set up like this

As has been said, nothing new, MANY have come and gone over the years.

Just thought, i'm fortunate to have a workshop/office etc. How many of you mobile lads would consider using a facility like this, especially during weather like were having now and winter times ?

Paul.

Re: DIY - Self service

Posted by Michael Whitworth on July 19, 2009, 12:23 pm, in reply to "DIY - Self service"

There is another place opened last year in Norfolk, I think Phil Dunmore or Kelly Clarke posted about it but I can't find the thread.

Link: I-Tuned

Re: DIY - Self service

Posted by Pete Mutlow on July 19, 2009, 6:48 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY - Self service"
Peter Mutlow

Afternoon all,

I used to be involved in schemes like this when I was in the RAF. Most bases had motor clubs where we could conduct routine repairs and servicing to our cars although some more proficient guys under-took more complex issues such as engine swaps etc. To my knowledge, I never heard of a mis-hap which I suspect is due to the fact that people who wanted to carry out their own repairs were sufficiently sensible and careful to ensure mistakes did not happen. Also there was sufficient pooled knowledge to overcome most problems. Ramps were also hired by the hour and if the job was protracted the vehicle was removed from the ramp to keep down costs and allow other members to use them. Ramps were therefore hired only when in use.

As I am mobile, I would not use such a facility because the jobs I under-take are not usually time-consuming and I find that inclement weather is not a problem unless there is a storm but in which case I would not be there in the first place.

In summary, I see nothing wrong with these facilities. A person who dangerously bodges cars doesn't have to be using these sort of places to do it. An incompetent diy-er can also be found under-taking repairs on the drive-way or by the side of the road and may have a better chance doing a decent job with a qualified or experienced pair of hands to call upon.

Regards

Pete M

Re: DIY - Self service

Posted by Mark Mcgrath on July 19, 2009, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY - Self service"
Mark McGrath

I think that the 24/7 aspect of the business may get them quite a bit of turnover
people who are working all day may like the the idea of doing their own cars on an evening and weekends and having access to a ramp
also emergency jobs through the night
the downside maybe sourcing parts at late hours

« Back to index

[ Automotive Discussion ]