In article ,
Vir Campestris wrote:
On 16/03/2019 12:43, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
The owner of my local specialist make independent - now closed - said he
paid more for decent factory trained mechanics than the local main dealer,
despite having an hourly rate to the customer of well under half. And they
were more fulfilled at work too since they often got a chance to fix
things rather than just fit new parts. And to interact direct with the
customer if needed.

The garage near me - the guys on the floor don't want to interact with
me, and I suspect I'm not _that_ bad a customer.

I just mentioned it as one of them was summoned by the boss to explain a
problem direct to me. As opposed to the main dealer where the service
supervisor just picked one at random from his book of excuses. And that
the mechanic seemed very happy to do so.

As an aside, I took the old Rover in for an MOT there, and nearly the
entire workshop turned out for a look. A change from the endless stream of
BMW and Mercs.

OTOH I work in software, and I know loads of people like that. Technical
wizards, and social misfits. Not everyone, but enough to make you
realise why there is the myth of the antisocial geek.

Yes- some do, some don't.

--
*The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Sunday, 17 March 2019 21:34:37 UTC, Vir Campestris wrote:
On 16/03/2019 12:43, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

The owner of my local specialist make independent - now closed - said he
paid more for decent factory trained mechanics than the local main dealer,
despite having an hourly rate to the customer of well under half. And they
were more fulfilled at work too since they often got a chance to fix
things rather than just fit new parts. And to interact direct with the
customer if needed.

The garage near me - the guys on the floor don't want to interact with
me, and I suspect I'm not _that_ bad a customer.

OTOH I work in software, and I know loads of people like that. Technical
wizards, and social misfits. Not everyone, but enough to make you
realise why there is the myth of the antisocial geek.

Andy

It's no myth, but it's not reserved for programmers. In most things rising to the top requires huge time input, which means much less socialising, if any.


NT

On Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:27:05 PM UTC, F wrote:
On 09/03/2019 12:42, sm_jamieson wrote:
Well there a

1. Chain garages like Formula 1, ATS, Halfords, Quickfit, etc. These do standard jobs (brakes, MOT, service, etc.) They employee semi-skilled mechanics.

2. Dealers, who will obviously do everything for particular range of cars, but are expensive for most jobs (although servicing seems reasonable value).

3. Backstreet garages who will do almost anything, but would you trust them ? I would, if I was friends with someone there.

4. DIY. Well, my back is not so good.

So where do I get my radiator fan changed for a reasonable price if I am not currently up to it ?

3 after you have asked for recommendations (not from the owners!).

--
F

Well I have managed that. A friend suggested a local "backstreet" garage he has been using for years. They have given a good quote that is a nice bit cheaper than the dealers, but not "too" cheap (i.e. dodgy) and offered a choice of manufacturer or aftermarket parts. Good stuff.
Simon.