Here's the story:
The "Shoe" (my partners Corsa 1.4 Sport) has a blowing exhaust. Took it to a local garage & asked them how much to fix it. Left it with them, went back later that day. They told me how much (which was a bit expensive) and when I said I'd think on it they said that would be £10 for their time.
Naturally horrified I asked for an explanation. At this point the bloke got aggressive asking if I though his time was worthless.
My response: if you'd had to strip the thing down to diagnose the problem then fair enough but how long does it take to get it up on the ramp, say "oh look there's the hole" and find the price of the part.
Garage bod: "Well the ramp costs money. Call it eight quid then."
Me: "Sorry but that's some expensive compressed air you're using there. Never in my life have I been charged for a simple quote. Can you give me a full breakdown and a VAT receipt."
Garage bod: "Just take the f***ing thing then if you're gonna be like that."
That's the abridged version. I kept my cool - made a point of keeping calm & unabusive. I got a slanging match in return.
Now I know (and fully appreciate) a garage is entitled to charge for their time especially if they've had to spend hours diagnosing a fault (EG: stripping a top end) but this was a simple hole in an exhaust middle box. OK - I didn't pay but I don't like upsetting people & seriously could do without the stress. I'm quite sure he thought I was some thick sap & was trying to get some beer money - hence he backed off at the mention of a VAT receipt.
Has anyone else ever encountered this sort of behaviour? Am I being unreasonable asking him to give up five minutes of his time FREE to quote for a job?
Needless to say he's never getting any work from me. If anyone in or near Rhayader wants to to know which garage this is (in order to avoid) send me a PM.
Bookmarks