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View Full Version : The state of UK tuning



BigFas
04-12-2004, 10:03 AM
Not sure what the point of the post is, but just had to vent.

Bought soundpipes off Roy back in August. They were meant to be installed by PRC, they delayed me on 3 separate occasions over a period of 2 months. Now I'm sorry. I booked WELL in advance, they may have one of their monkeys off with a hernia but when I've booked 4 weeks in advance, why the hell is it MY appointment that's cancelled? It's not like it was a last minute booking and that my coming was unforseen. So they have pissed me right off and never going back there again.

Second, Custom Services based in Hayes. Said yeah, they could do it, turned up, made me dick around for an hour, when they DID get around to my car, fucked up the front lip, popped a sideskirt off when they were jacking up the car, without measuring, started taking a cutting tool to the exhaust. Sorry, but that's monkeys in my book!

Third, this morning. Barry ??? (can't remember his surname), also based in Hayes. Called him up last week and to book in for this morning. He turns up half an hour late. No bear in mind, we talked about installing everything while I wait. HE reckons he said no such thing and he had a couple of other jobs doing. Told me to take my part and go.

Trying another place next week, so lets see.

Now, the point of the post. Why can't we have a place which can keep it's promises. And if they can't keep the promises, why can't hey endeavour to fix it. I'll tell you why, because we're so used to taking it up the bum when it comes to customer service and professionalism.

I am SO close to just buying a unit and setting up business. Hiring a couple of mechanics, make contacts with bodyshops etc. We'll charge a premium but we will build a business based on honesty, reliability and no dicking ANY customers about. You have places in the US, Rennsport comes immediately to mind, they ONLY deal in exotics, they charge a HUGE amount for parts and labour, but I've never heard one bad word against them. Why does no place exist in the UK like them? people drive to them from the other side of the country (they're based in California), and fly back until their car is ready. I'm not really prepared to travel more than 100 miles to get work done, living close to London, I don't feel I should have to.

Like I said, not sure the point of this post, but I am SO fucking livid at being fucked around for another time that jacking the car in is now looking extremely tempting and getting some kind of Benz, rims, drop and bodykit, job done.

mysticm3
04-12-2004, 11:25 AM
really sorry to hear tha t bro...the last place you went this morning is just fxxking shite... :( how could they tell a cutomer take your part and leave???

That's one reason I started this business...I mayb be small but I strive to give every single one of my customers a personal service. People should never make promises they can't keep but as Fas said we all got used to things like this in the UK... :mad:

I have come across maybe 1 or 2 friendly and helpful garages during my 10 years of modding BMW but that's about it...almost 99% of UK companies give shite customer service, when they say they'll call you back, they never. When they tell you they have things in stock, no I am sorry they don't.

I wish I had 1/4m right now, set up a shop, and take care of all my friends and customers :o

Anyway too much thinking on a Sat morning, but good luck bro people say 3rd time lucky but it doesn't seem to apply to your soundpipe thingy... :D Maybe I should come with you next time so when they see 2 big bouncer kind of chaps they wouldn't say take your part and go...hahaha

330ciSport
04-12-2004, 01:21 PM
I had the same problem once about 10 years ago, when I lived in a smaller town where word of mouth counts for a lot. After totally feckin' up a job on my old Pug GTi, strong words were exchanged and some posturing took place.

Anyway, what I then did was sit down with the Editor of the local paper and agreed, for a cost, to place an "Advert" which was carefully edited by the paper. This basically described MY experience and what I thought of them.

Needless to say, the owner was mighty pissed off but all the lads who were into messin' about in cars stopped using the garage. It now "specialises" in Kia/Proton! Not claiming this was a result of what I did but game me an excellent buzz.

Sad fact is, that whilst I love living in the country, we still have a lot to learn for the German's and the Americans when it comes to customer service and quality. You've just got to look at the state of our manufacturing industry. British engineering is no longer a world leader.

Bring back Maggie!

BeemerBoy888
04-12-2004, 04:57 PM
Sorry to hear about that bro, must be flipping frustrating doing a mission to places only to go home disappointed and pissed off!! :mad:

I've had enough people give me broken promisies since I first started modding my previous Honda Integra Type R three years ago.

Need more people like Teddy in the modding/parts/service business. The best thing you can have is someone who is honest and most importantly RELIABLE. I remember spending so much time in the past on the end of the phone speaking to useless idiots who promised much and delivered jack!!

Anyone, hope someone eventually comes up trumps and manages to successfully install your soundpipes. :cool:

Good luck

peppernick
04-12-2004, 05:48 PM
I remember spending so much time in the past on the end of the phone speaking to useless idiots who promised much and delivered jack!!

So typical of a lot of things in this country isn't it? All talk and no action :o

Don't give up bro, sound pipes rock! ;) EvoTechnik will lead the way :D

Silver
04-12-2004, 09:41 PM
Give a Eilte a call in essex if u willing to go tat far. Been goin 2 dem 4 quite a while...they are more expensive than most garage but at least they get da job done.

Afif
04-12-2004, 09:51 PM
soundz like you need to put on a hood grab a baseball bat and give them something to really fix :D :D

Ali_
05-12-2004, 12:57 AM
Hmmm interesting Fas, i guess thats the reason why us kiwis get jobs over your way, we do our work and do it well (most of the time lol) Maybe down the line the start up business idea isnt really that silly....

lee330sport
08-12-2004, 01:33 PM
mmmmm.... had the same problem as you today Fas. Had my car booked in next monday for suspension, wheels, splitters and eisenmann.Garage phoned today to cancel and re-arrange after xmas. :mad:

So after a quick search, found R-tec in my home town :) and added a ACS rear boot spoiler to the list aswell. So next monday might go to plan after all :D

BigFas
08-12-2004, 01:41 PM
I've heard good things about R-Tec, Nick has been there a few times with no complaints from what I can remember. Good luck ;)

Hamann
08-12-2004, 01:46 PM
Lee330sport has the right idea, the ripp brothers up at R-tec are excellent and they now how to look after their customers! Its worth the travel.

Lets hope more and more firms start getting their act together!

lee330sport
08-12-2004, 02:47 PM
Lee330sport has the right idea, the ripp brothers up at R-tec are excellent and they now how to look after their customers! Its worth the travel.

Lets hope more and more firms start getting their act together!

Is there an R-Tec down south aswell, coz this one is up north in Burnley, same company i think, do the autograph kits?

peppernick
08-12-2004, 03:49 PM
R-Tec in St Albans (Hertfordshire) is good, very courteous and helpful. But it's the same issue with modding any E46. The total lack of experience in the UK. So far, only people like CA, BUT, HTR and Birds (maybe EvoTechnik? :D ) can comfortably say they've done enough e46s to know more about the car.

If you go to R-Tec to have your suspension done, if you have xenons, MAKE SURE and double check that they are SURE to disconnect the xenon leveller on top of the lower wishbone before disembling the front strut and let the suspension drop. If not, it's sayonara to it.

lee330sport
08-12-2004, 06:25 PM
Ive not got xenons (yet ;) ) so that wont be an issue, cheers anyway.

Only other thing now is i took the day off today to recieve my wheels which were promised today, no sign :mad: let down yet again. :rolleyes:

Saggers
24-12-2004, 03:38 AM
i hear you mate! but thats britain for you! wats so great about britain ill never know! i wish i had the money, id open my own place.

lee330sport
24-12-2004, 10:28 AM
The place i went is called Race-tech, excellent service and cheap price too i think. Was quoted £215 for a genuine 3pc schnitzer boot spoiler, is that cheap?

Still recieved some incorrect parts from other companies though who wont return my emails :mad: