Businesses you love or love to hate

[John Delahaye]

Okay, inspired by a recent experience with a local business who were less than useful I thought it was time for a thread on businesses you have dealt with that you would like to give the thumbs up or the middle finger up to.

I'll start with A1 Vauxhall near Chippenham in Wiltshire. Admittedly this isn't for Chevette parts but you could be tempted to ring them if you are running a different engine etc.

I contacted them first off on a Saturday morning as they were the only place still open and enquired about a cam and a crank sensor for a 2.0l ecotec. They had them in stock 2nd hand priced at about £25 a piece. I bought them only to find out the cam sensor didn't fit. I returned it to be told it was for a cavalier, but I have a different loom. They can give me a piece of loom to solder on instead! I wasn't allowed a refund and they didn't have any sensors that fitted my loom. I also asked them to check the sensor as it wasn't giving me any reading on my multimeter. 3 phone calls later and they still hadn't checked it. I gave up and bought a sensor from Vauxhall. Also found out the other day that the crank sensor doesn't fit either. Customer service left a lot to be desired tbh

[graham j]

I own a garage, i had to get a crank sensor for a customers Chrysler Voyager the other week. I rang 4 dealerships in the southwest, nobody had one,was told a special order!! i had to wait 7 days and it cost 60 odd quid.
 dealerships?
A necessary evil!!!!   

[bedrock]

I bought a new cam sensor for my 2.0 vectra from the main dealer and had to buy a new connector and solder it to my loom as Vauxhall modified the sensors and they dont plug into the original plug! >:(I always use Brandish in Coventry as they are really helpful.The local dealer half a mile away from me in Bedworth are useless and dont want to know.They couldnt even be bothered to sell my brother a brand new corsa a few years ago so he went elsewhere,then had a phone call later asking why he'd used another branch of theirs in Hinckley.

[Actuarius]

I just thought that I would pass on my experience with T J Motorsport. I ordered someparts through T J Motorsport which proved to be sub-standard when they arrived (delivered directly from the manufacturer). I have found T J Motorsport to be very good with regard to their attitude towards customer support, their active approach in checking back with me during the time its taken to sort this out and their relentless cajouling of the manufacturer. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.

[ross.cheeks]

rally design....really good and cheapish compared to some places
deamon thevies....pretty good but usually pricey
peter lloyd rallying....helpful but not the cheapest
TJM....often not the cheapest but defo one of the most helpful

[Ashley]

I recently dealt with this guy (Peter Stevens) ,in obtaining a rear valance for my saloon, and he is spot on. Great prices and excellent service.

His website isnt totally up to date but Chevette wise he believes he has a few wheel arch repairs, skin sills, inner wing repairs and a few saloon rear bumpers.  There may be a few other bits hidden away that he cant remember.

Anyway heres a link to his site: http://www.oldpanels.com/

[redchevanne]

I went and checked my mates Impreza P1 during the week for a noise at the n/s/r.Sounded like an empty shocker as they are famous for it.
He phoned me today and he got humped for £400 for one shocker.Yes you read that right £400 f.f.s.Well done to the dealer who ripped him off.As i keep saying to him your car is 10 years old take it to a specialist there are plenty in the Glasgow area and save some cash.
I would like to point out that when i bought my 2008 STi hatch i took optional wheels which cost me £1700.Im now on my second set under warranty cause they keep corroding.Ive asked for a refund and the same dealer that did my mates shocker dont give a monkeys and Subaru's attitude is the same.

[John Delahaye]

While I haven't personally had any problems with this company (As I luckily have been forewarned) Be aware that their products are cheaper for a reason and I have read a few accounts of poor quality sumps and bell housings. Also the Sump won't fit along with a Manta gearbox.

[Ashley]

Ok, its not a business im recommending but a product.  Upol Satin Black Aerosol. 

Just bought some today £3.99 from a local shop (its about £8 on ebay) and its lovely to use.  Comes out the can at a nice low pressure and lays nice on the panel.  Strongly recommened it 

[red cube]

halfords
They never have bits in stock and when they do you need to sell a kidney to buy them
i need to by a power steering belt for my van and i went to halfords they said they haven't got one in stock but could get it and it will take 3 to 4 weeks to get i went down the road and got the belt for half the price that day

[scotty]

Yes - good store gone silly - use your local motor factor instead - same or next day for most parts usually and if you are scruffy enough you can get trade cash sale too!

[iano]

Ok so the Girlfriend took her Renault Grand Scenic  to the Main Dealer as the heater had packed up  (a look around the net told us its a common fault  a resister burns out  no heater    £ 730 to have it fixed  madam you need resister - heater motor - re set your srs after removing the steering wheel   
Auto Electrician based in Watford  came out to my house with new (Modified) (cause it was a common fault) resister     £ 137.42    done in 1 hour

   that now keeps the girlfriend warm so i can get on with me GLS stripout    PS  all the sound deadoning burned off   time to roll her over  (the chevette that is )

[scotty]

£137 for a resistor is taking the piss - you can get a high wattage resistor for under £5 at any electrical components shop. Still as long as she is happy - all is well!   - scotty

[MDA Lamb]

Hi guys,
totally pissed off with the aforesaid "avscarlampsandmirrors" on eBay, bought two "full sills" for my hatch from them. They arrived poorly wrapped in one layer of cardboard and bent, but worse, they were only sill skins. Following eBays advice I contacted the seller who basically said it was their mistake and they'd sort it out but I'd have to be patient. This has been stretched out until the 45 day maximum for leaving feedback or opening a complaint has passed.  Strangely too, all communication has since ceased. They are still advertising FULL sills on eBay, BE WARNED and let people know...
MDA

[Aimee]

Only just spotted this, and I feel the need for a rant. A1 Clutches in Tipton, charged me £128 to replace the clutch in my Astra a month ago, gave me a huge list of things wrong with my car and told me to come back at 500, 1000 miles etc. Checked my fluid levels a few weeks later and there wasn't a drop of oil on the dipstick. Parked it up assuming it was burning it as theres been no puddles. Filled it up and started driving it again, no loss of oil at all. Found out yesterday that the bloke who owns A1 Clutches is known for dropping peoples engine and gearbox oil to make more money. I'm pretty certain thats whats happened to me, but I have no proof. It's due to go back for it's 500 mile check and I bet they were expecting to find it still empty and try and get more money out of me for the imaginary leak that must have got a lot worse since they wrote it on my fault sheet. I reckon if I can prove it, I deserve a refund, and a bottle of oil.