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[Dodger]

Bit of a long story, but bear with me please.........

Recently moved house, and had to find a new garage to do the MOT's and 'big' work on our cars, (miggy 2.5TD estate, and daughters Fiat cinquecento). Also, had an accident a little while ago, which has left me unable to do much work myself, currently off long term sick with back problem.

This garage had, up until today, seemed OK, both price wise (£35 ph, inc VAT) and work wise, always quick, clean and bits replaced given back after doing work. Even had a courtesy car one time, as work took longer than expected.

All went wrong when new 'workshop manager' taken on, whilst owner opens  another MOT shop a little way away. This guy is a 'know it all' type, 'been in the business for more years than you've had hot dinners, sonny boy' attitude.

Anyway, due to accident, am unable to do upcoming oil change on miggy, so popped into garage to arrange, also, to get ATF fluid changed, as  according to service book, overdue.

Spoke to 'Know it all', asked for an oil change, fuel filter change, and an ATF change.

"Why do you need an ATF change?" he says,
"It's due, over 75K since last one" I reply.
"So?"  He says,  
"Well, it's supposed to be changed every 60/70K according to the Vauxhall service book/Haynes book of lies" I reply.

"Rubbish" says know it all, "I've worked with autoboxes for years, never changed the fluid, ever. You don't need to change it, just top it up every so often. Waste of money changing it."
"Well, cars done 170K, and I think it needs an ATF change." says I
"Look sonny, I'm telling you, your autobox doesn't need an ATF change, believe me. I do this job for a living, and if I say it doesn't need it, it doesn't. I'll check the level, and top up if needed, OK?"
"How come my Omega user forum, and my local Vauxhall dealer both states it's important that the ATF should be changed frequently then?" I asked. "Do you know better than them ?"
"Do you want the oil change done or not?" was his reply.

I imagine you can guess the answer to that one!!  
suffice to say, I am now looking for another garage, that WILL do an ATF change for me....

Have also written to owner of the garage, pointing out how NOT to keep your valued customers..

[Martin_1962]

Waht a prat

[bertiecbx550]

I bet his gaffer loved him turning your trade away....

[The Red Baron]

Words evade me for that prat. was in the trade myself years ago, you certainly dont treat customers like that. hope you find a friendly garage soon.  

[HerefordElite]

i thought garages made up work to do not turned it away

what a d1ck head

[Vamps]

Why would any garage say no? just do the work, they will charge you for it so what is the problem My local independant does what I ask, though he will advise appropriately......

[chunk]

I see that you are down the sunny south. If that is anywhere near Eastliegh/Southampton area I know of a good reasonably priced mobile mechanic who works on Vauxhall's only. I have used him on the bigger jobs that I am not experienced enough to do yet.

As a rough guide he has done  cambelt plus water pump changes for me at £350 using only Vauxhall genuine part's.

[STMO123]

Believe it or not, it could have been worse. Admittedly, know-it alls are a pain in the arse, but even worse are the ones who agree with you and then just dont do it whilst charging for it.
My 'trusted' garage used to service my omega regularly yet when I sold it to James V6CDX, he said the passenger side plugs hadn't been changed for years.

[tyreburner]

Take your car to the new one his boss has opened and when booking it in for the work say that the tosser at the other garage refused to do it!

[TheBoy]

Vauxhall actually don't specify ATF change, though advise it every 75k on 'cars that do high annual mileage'.

But Vauxhall also state 20k engine oil changes on later cars

[tmx]

my neighbours W124 Merc Diesel has a nackard autobox the reason its nackard is because the cars done 230k and not had an ATF change since 2001 150k miles ago! now his autobox slips and jerks

[r1]

i think the reason people dont change it is because the stuff is so expensive but its still cheaper than a gearbox

[HolyCount]

Did he actually call you "sonny"  It he did that to me the conversation would have ended abruptly right there and then !!!! (Mind you he'd have to be practically talking from his coffin to be old enough to call me sonny !!! )

[Dodger]

Take your car to the new one his boss has opened and when booking it in for the work say that the tosser at the other garage refused to do it!

Sadly, the new workshop only does MOT's as his old one didn't have room. He sends all the 'failures' round to the old garage, (he still owns both).

But... current update....
Popped into the MOT garage, and spoke to the owner, asking politely,
"When did Vauxhall stop reccomending ATF changes Karl??"
"What do you mean??" he says.
"Your workshop manager (know it all) says my omega shouldn't need an ATF change, ever, and only wants to top it up if needed" I reply.
"really?? lets have a look on the computer.."
Checks on workshop computer... "recommended every 70K or 7 years. Whats yours done??"
"170K, don't know the history, so needed it done, along with an oil change" was my reply.
"I think you are right to get it done. Price for the oil change and the ATF, including new gasket, materials and labour about £100. Is that OK? If so, i'll order the gasket now, and we'll do the work on Tuesday?.
"yeah, sounds OK to me"
"Right, I'll book it in on the computer, and have a few words with Paul (Know it all) first thing Monday. He should know better, I've told him before about antagonising customers. Typical scouser!!" was the reply.

So, just want to see the look on 'Know it all's' face on Tuesday, when I take in the omega, and he sees the computer worksheet  

[cem_devecioglu]

Vauxhall actually don't specify ATF change, though advise it every 75k on 'cars that do high annual mileage'.

But Vauxhall also state 20k engine oil changes on later cars

That subject really makes me nervous..Most of the friends in job believe its OK to change in these intervals..'dangle berries'