Sick and tired of being treated like a 'cash cow' and also as if I am 'stupidly ignorant'.
Daughters punto, '53 plate active, (mk 2B) needed a new centre section exhaust, as blowing from the flexi joint.
Local 'dealer' (Westover Fiat) £186 + VAT!!
Tried the local 'fast fit' places, (4 'household names!!) Thick fit, National, Bathwicks, and ATS..
Best price? £100, worst, £156.
Now, a work collegue has a son who works for a parts factor (big national company) and got him to check the price of the centre section for me, using their parts checker, using the car reg. RETAIL price, delivered NEXT DAY, Klarius 3 year warranty £30.50p!!! (Trade prices apparently are minimum 20%-max 50% off of these, according to the trade terms for that company!)
So, an exhaust part costing at most, £24.00 yet quoted from £100 to £156..
All the 'fast fits' quoted an hour labour 'at most, but usually 30 mins' I was told.
This equates to £75 per hour!! minimum, or £130 maximum!! (Fiat's would have been £200+!!)
When questioned regarding the prices, was basically told price of part was "75 + VAT!!' and I could 'take it or leave it' by all four establisments, so, bought the exhaust from the factor, for £30.50 including next day delivery and got a mobile mechanic to do for £30 a total of £60.50, and, done in around 30 mins too!!
Refused to be 'shafted' by so called 'freefit' or 'fastfit' establishments whose only aim is to 'rip you off'.
Garages are no more than a 'con' to part you from your money under pretence of being 'professional mechanics' whilst knowing no more than a zoo monkey!!
Daughters punto, '53 plate active, (mk 2B) needed a new centre section exhaust, as blowing from the flexi joint.
Local 'dealer' (Westover Fiat) £186 + VAT!!
Tried the local 'fast fit' places, (4 'household names!!) Thick fit, National, Bathwicks, and ATS..
Best price? £100, worst, £156.
Now, a work collegue has a son who works for a parts factor (big national company) and got him to check the price of the centre section for me, using their parts checker, using the car reg. RETAIL price, delivered NEXT DAY, Klarius 3 year warranty £30.50p!!! (Trade prices apparently are minimum 20%-max 50% off of these, according to the trade terms for that company!)
So, an exhaust part costing at most, £24.00 yet quoted from £100 to £156..
All the 'fast fits' quoted an hour labour 'at most, but usually 30 mins' I was told.
This equates to £75 per hour!! minimum, or £130 maximum!! (Fiat's would have been £200+!!)
When questioned regarding the prices, was basically told price of part was "75 + VAT!!' and I could 'take it or leave it' by all four establisments, so, bought the exhaust from the factor, for £30.50 including next day delivery and got a mobile mechanic to do for £30 a total of £60.50, and, done in around 30 mins too!!
Refused to be 'shafted' by so called 'freefit' or 'fastfit' establishments whose only aim is to 'rip you off'.
Garages are no more than a 'con' to part you from your money under pretence of being 'professional mechanics' whilst knowing no more than a zoo monkey!!