Something is very wrong here, You decide
- Thread starter Phil the Brit
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zagatoes30
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Fact this is why it is important to do research and then build a relationship with the people who are going to carryout any work for you, touch wood I have only had one bad experience with a car repairer and that was a Ford dealer back in the 90s, they knocked a few expensive parts they day before Christmas Eve knowing I needed the car and thought I would just pay to get it back fortunately I had only bought the car form the wife of an MD of another Ford dealership who when told rang the first dealership and asked them to provide evidence of the problems, which they refused, MD then offered to send his most experienced mechanic down to check the car over which did the business, they even fixed the part if had gone in for without charging.
At least with the QP you can get the old tyres in the boot.
Don't think so! Perhaps a couple on the back seat though! (Suitably wrapped to protect the leather)
Eb
MarkMas
Chief pedant
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Yeah, that. You can get all four on the back seat. I have excellent wheel covers (link below), but I'm also thinking of getting one of those doggie 'hammocks', if only I could find a good one online.
Tyre Protective Bags Covers Xl Size 16''-22'' 285Mm Set Of 4 Spare Wheels 735100 | eBay
Universal for 14"-18" tyres with max. width 285mm. SET OF 4 WHEEL TYRE STORAGE BAG / COVER XL SIZE. Premium single tyre storage bag. GREAT FOR WHEEL TRANSPORT AND STORAGE.
www.ebay.co.uk
Well you must be able to get one in? In the GranTurismo I have to go back to the tyre shop in a different car. Well I did when I put winters on the Maser. It now gets a SORN treat for the winter.
GeoffCapes
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I would concur with that assessment Phil!
GeoffCapes
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Let's be honest here. It wouldn't be the first Maserati Indie to take advantage of a perceived lack of knowledge of these cars and suggest that a load of work needs doing when it clearly doesn't.
As well as an Maserati Indie saying they are doing a load of work that needs doing, then not doing the work as it never needed doing in the first place, and charging for said work.
This is why there are only a handful of trusted Indies which people on this forum use.
As well as an Maserati Indie saying they are doing a load of work that needs doing, then not doing the work as it never needed doing in the first place, and charging for said work.
This is why there are only a handful of trusted Indies which people on this forum use.
mjheathcote
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Since when did Travis Perkins start being a Maserati specialist, that's some diversification, but could be handy there's one never far away when you need one.
philw696
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Fair comments but you won't find many parts in your local motor factors other than spark plugs and fluids.
Now Technical information is very well guarded and Maserati don't give that out freely other than tyre pressures and capacities.
midlifecrisis
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Surprised it's not a Gregg's...
Main Dealers get business by selling the car and giving the customer the 'full service' and 'correct' stamp in the book. (Despite some being below par in their inspection)
Independents get business by reputation.
Phil the Brit
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As the OP, I'll bite.
Of course all garages are businesses that survive by selling you services, that really dosn't need saying does it?
The difference between an honest garage and a dishonest one is the dishonest one will eventually get found out (as happened here).
I have written documents specifically about the alleged faults from both the independant garage AND Lancaster Maserati dated a couple of days apart and I have resisted posting them as I don't see the point, I am not telling you anything that is anything but the truth.
The dishonest garage will eventually get less and less business as the small Maserati community find out who to trust.
I have no affiliation with Lancasters other than as a paying customer and from now on all business will be conducted with them.
Oh, and I hope they continue to make an honest profit from me for providing services which I need.
mjheathcote
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My local garage for Mot's and general car stuff never need to "up sell" because they are so dam busy with just doing, what needs doing.
If a garage needs to "up sell" with additional unnecessary work they are obviously not covering their mechanics working hours.
If they are established, the writing is on the wall.
If a garage needs to "up sell" with additional unnecessary work they are obviously not covering their mechanics working hours.
If they are established, the writing is on the wall.
philw696
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To be fair some services are not up sell they are genuinely good advice and can give you trouble free motoring for a lot longer.
A good example being a transmission fluid and filter change on particular the ZF boxes sealed for life.
If serviced they will last the life of the vehicle and not get ready for a 3 Grand bill.
Aircon service and receiver drier renewal.
Coolant.
Brake fluid and so on.
The key is explaining to the customer that it's good practice and preventive maintenance it's not trying to get more money out of them.
I've been on the tools for over 40 years cars are a lot more complicated than they ever were.
A lot of car drivers haven't become any cleverer.
A recent example costing someone an engine in a Peugeot 207 petrol.
My Dad knows cars and services my car.
Well he knows how to change the oil and filter but was using 15W40 oil still.
Vacuum pump on back of exhaust camshaft seized up undoing the chain sprocket and engine büggered.
Your paying for people's knowledge and experience which is hard earned.
A good example being a transmission fluid and filter change on particular the ZF boxes sealed for life.
If serviced they will last the life of the vehicle and not get ready for a 3 Grand bill.
Aircon service and receiver drier renewal.
Coolant.
Brake fluid and so on.
The key is explaining to the customer that it's good practice and preventive maintenance it's not trying to get more money out of them.
I've been on the tools for over 40 years cars are a lot more complicated than they ever were.
A lot of car drivers haven't become any cleverer.
A recent example costing someone an engine in a Peugeot 207 petrol.
My Dad knows cars and services my car.
Well he knows how to change the oil and filter but was using 15W40 oil still.
Vacuum pump on back of exhaust camshaft seized up undoing the chain sprocket and engine büggered.
Your paying for people's knowledge and experience which is hard earned.
mjheathcote
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I was thinking more totally unnecessary 'up sell' and work that doesn't need to be done like the original post.
I agree preventative maintenance is very worthwhile!
CatmanV2
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I've said it before...
Sixpence for knocking. Half a crown for knowing how to knock.....
C
P5Nij
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Well you learn something new everyday on here - the QP comes with leather tyres, who knew already!!
GeoffCapes
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The difference between a garage and a garage you trust, is that a garage will say you need something done and you'll not be sure if they're being honest or not.
A garage you trust, you will ask them if there's anything they recommend needs doing soon, or whether any preventative maintenance should be done. Or indeed they will recommend something and you'll just get it done.
When I had my GT, the only Indie I trusted, was Voicey at AV Engineering.
When I get another there are only two I would trust, Voicey and Matt's place Sports Italia.
A garage you trust, you will ask them if there's anything they recommend needs doing soon, or whether any preventative maintenance should be done. Or indeed they will recommend something and you'll just get it done.
When I had my GT, the only Indie I trusted, was Voicey at AV Engineering.
When I get another there are only two I would trust, Voicey and Matt's place Sports Italia.
schell70
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Good example is my local garage that I use for all MOT's and occasional work that I don't want to tackle. Merc was in for MOT recently and failed on driver's side front lower suspension arm with an advisory on the passenger one. I knew this would happen as it had been creaking for a while but the garage didn't try to upsell doing the passenger side - I of course got them to do both sides at the same time as there is some labour saving in that. Still had to wait 2 weeks becuase they are so busy.
This week the Mk4 Golf went in, I'd already done the front discs/pads/shields and was expecting an advisory on the track rod ends but he just smiled and passed it with no advisories. I mentioned the track rod ends and he said 'nah next year' - this is what I like about them and why I go back.
I think sometimes there is a danger that a garage will over quote for work that isn't necessary if they are having a slow week - but if they are setup correctly they won't be having a slow week.
This week the Mk4 Golf went in, I'd already done the front discs/pads/shields and was expecting an advisory on the track rod ends but he just smiled and passed it with no advisories. I mentioned the track rod ends and he said 'nah next year' - this is what I like about them and why I go back.
I think sometimes there is a danger that a garage will over quote for work that isn't necessary if they are having a slow week - but if they are setup correctly they won't be having a slow week.