Omega Owners Forum

[Steve B]

there needs to be a HANDS ON SECTION for newbies..

What do you mean big?

as it says (hands on) a section with well known members who are known by many to be competent to carry out certain tasks on migs
these people are not free.nothing is free..ie;mobile mechanic.(or go to them).hence...hands on..i would never take my car to a garage there is no point they just dont get omegas....but on here is different...you no what i mean..they are on here but do not have a section..

[tunnie]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

[Steve B]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

[Darth Loo-knee]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

I understand what your talking about mate. I think the answer to that is all businesses advertised on the forum have to be VAT registered. Something to do with OOF being a freeclub and not a paid one comes to mind but I can't remember all the inns & outs.
Also it has being said that by people on the forum repairing cars for money, it takes away from the spirit of OOF. I see what they mean but, when the people on here charge far less than incompetent garages to do a far better job I class that as being fair & helpful.

[Dishevelled Den]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

What do you think about the Maintenence Guides board then Cube?

[Steve B]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

What do you think about the Maintenence Guides board then Cube?

i think it brill and ive used it loads..done cam gasket..breather clean.cam sensor change..plugs..its great but some tasks are out of some members reach and therefore are quite willing to pay for the job to be done correctly

[Steve B]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

What do you think about the Maintenence Guides board then Cube?

i think it brill and ive used it loads..done cam gasket..breather clean.cam sensor change..plugs..its great but some tasks are out of some members reach and therefore are quite willing to pay for the job to be done correctly (hands on section)

[feeutfo]

A mechanics section you mean?

A specific section for arranging work. Servicing, cam belts suspension work, etc..?


Brings up the topic of charging, and how much. Personally I don't charge for work as such, but I do ask for a contribution to the tool fund. Tools wear out, brake, etc. so while I am happy to help members where I can, I do think physical costs to me should be covered.

Thing is with every person I've had ask for work to be done, without fail they want to pay. They want to know how much is fair to pay. Truth is I'm not sure meself tbh. A garage would be £50 an hour most likely. Dealers anything from £70 up. Madness.

So I usually say, if the work has a good outcome, how much are you happy to pay? And that fine. In fact one guy was so keen to make sure it was fair he dropped a bit extra round later on.

The spirit of oof...well ideally we all have specialitys and areas we have had issues with on omegas. For instance Vxl V6 needed donut bushes on both his cars. I needed a loom for telematics. We helped each other out. Fair trade job for job so to speak.

Trouble is. Not all members are mechanically minded or confident and want to show appreciation. What else to do..?

[Webby the Bear]

Is a list of professional folk on here with their location showing what jobs/services they offer what you mean?

[Dishevelled Den]

We have that already, its called General Help? 

no its not .thats where we talk about our probs and answer to probs

What do you think about the Maintenence Guides board then Cube?

i think it brill and ive used it loads..done cam gasket..breather clean.cam sensor change..plugs..its great but some tasks are out of some members reach and therefore are quite willing to pay for the job to be done correctly

Aah right, I'm getting you now - that may well cause problems for the site administrators and for those who choose to advertise their services on it; contract law?, duty of care, health and safety, public liability, tax liability and so on.

[pscocoa]

To answer TB's original post - from my point of view all the sledging that went on was rather pathetic and I just tried to ignore it but when it appears as the most recent item I tended to look at what was going on now and then. Because this matter was soaking up the time and energy of those that have done the most to make the forum a success and focusing the attention of others away from the main objectives of the forum then it became inevitable that some of us would lose interest as the content was diluted.

But that is part and not all of the problem. I think the cars are now at a stage where repairs are just not cost effective versus the value of the car - and despite the logic that some have advanced that you just need to look at how much it would cost to change. There will always be Omega diehards - I thought I was one but not being able to source an irmscher exhaust back box and other issues means that the car is not going to be the original full functioning unit it was. Hence I have lost interest in it as well.

Finally I have had so many issues with parents too numerous to list, battles with NHS, Social Services and general incompetence thereof that this has been another contributory factor.

I like others miss the banter of old from the STMO, Opti, Millwall brigade - all seems very tame now.

I do have a quick look most days but do not log in.

A solution could be found to advertise services of mechanics etc but with ground rules as to the qualifying criteria - eg 6 members prepared to endorse - even have a vote to approve their inclusion in a list of Omega specialists or something. As said it is better for members to have access to competent people who do not charge the earth.

[STMO123]

If we're not careful the taxman will be taking an interest here.

[tigers_gonads]

If we're not careful the taxman will be taking an interest here.

Exactly 

ssssssssssssssssssh

[omega3000]

Hows about a "bloody hands off that`s mine" section

i personally think i'm that awesome i should have my own section! 

Webbys car corner 

[Michael2.6]

What a exellent topic this has been the best i have seen on oof

and all starterd by TB

It just goes to prove that everybody has a different opinion on this matter

keep up the good work lads.