'Where do you have yours serviced?' posts.

'Where do you have yours serviced?' posts.

Author
Discussion

wolosp

Original Poster:

2,335 posts

272 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Every so often, there appears on PH a post asking for recommended servicing agents in particular areas etc,.
It may be difficult to achieve fairly and without threat of libel, but would it not be possible to have a voting form on PH where an evaluation of servicing satisfaction could be recorded for all to see. Alternatively, a confidential report could be sent in to PH following a service, for evaluation and the results used to continuously update the table. This would provide useful information without allowing inappropriate comments.
It would be categorised by geographical area and whether main dealer of independant.
It could take the form of a score of 0 - 9 for work undertaken....standard of work undertaken, cleanliness, customer service, value for money, etc,. This would save repeated posts on the subject, it would also mean that the garages could see how their service standard, and those of their competition is perceived by we who use them.

Bonce

4,339 posts

286 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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This may have been discussed before. It would be very hard to do fairly because this is people's businesses and livelihoods we're talking about. I agree that it would be great to have and it would encourage garages to improve their standards, but think of the effect one bad rating could have on someone's future business? Not that I would give two hoots if a big dealer like Ford/Fiat lost business, but many people on here rely on independants and small family businesses.

You also have to consider how long the ratings stay valid for (6 months only?) and how you can stop people entering reports when either they haven't actually had work done by the garage, or they've already submitted one report for one experience.

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Bonce is right. It's too difficult to ensure the system isn't abused by the unscrupulous.

Best bet is still to talk to people in your area and do your own mini-survey before taking the plunge.

wolosp

Original Poster:

2,335 posts

272 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
At the moment there's nothing to stop anyone posting a negative comment on PH anyway - until Ted closes the thread. My suggestion of submitting a confidential report would allow some measure of control and prevention of multiple entries (I'm sure Ted would be fair to all parties), after all, isn't that what 'Which' magazine does?
With regard to your question about how long the records should be kept, I would suggest 12 months would be appropriate, unless an agent changes ownership etc,. where it would be unfair to hold previous reports.

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
Part of realising the PH dream wasn't to become Which magazine...

wolosp

Original Poster:

2,335 posts

272 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all

PetrolTed said: Part of realising the PH dream wasn't to become Which magazine...

OK Ted...just a thought!

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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Just jesting.

Basically the whole issue is a bit of a minefield so I steer well clear of it.

GregE240

10,857 posts

274 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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PetrolTed said: Part of realising the PH dream wasn't to become Which magazine...

Could've been worse mate. You could have evolved into Watchdog.

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Friday 25th October 2002
quotequote all
OK, I'm opening myself up to accusations of hypocrisy here now. I'm going to add a review section for breakdown services.

PetrolTed

34,443 posts

310 months

Friday 25th October 2002
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wolosp

Original Poster:

2,335 posts

272 months

Thursday 7th November 2002
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Hypocrite!