Community DIY Workshop

**sidecar bob** · 5th August 2015, 18:19

Originally Posted by Tazz

You make it sound like all mechanics are created equal

Just because you've paid someone to do it doesn't mean it will be right, and it doesn't mean the charge is fair.
Luckily the local mechanic here is fuckin ace, but he's one of those backyard guys that KB would tell you not to trust and is ruining life for garages, so I shouldn't say too much.

I'd suggest guys like that make life better for garages. It's a socioeconomic thing.
People that use backyarders are not taking anything from garages that the garages actually want.
For example, my garage (owned for 23 years) specialises in BMW cars manufactured between '95 & 2010. Involvement with my company offers clean modern premises, decent four door automatic European courtesy cars with aircond & airbags, electronic invoicing with full in house retention of vehicle service history & factory & used vehicle warranty. A comfortable clean reception area. Membership of the country's longest established & most respected trade association.
Qualified technicians using up to date equipment.
If anyone wants to dip below that standard in order to save a few dimes I would strongly encourage them to do so.

**Tazz** · 5th August 2015, 19:32

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

I'd suggest guys like that make life better for garages. It's a socioeconomic thing.
People that use backyarders are not taking anything from garages that the garages actually want.
For example, my garage (owned for 23 years) specialises in BMW cars manufactured between '95 & 2010. Involvement with my company offers clean modern premises, decent four door automatic European courtesy cars with aircond & airbags, electronic invoicing with full in house retention of vehicle service history & factory & used vehicle warranty. A comfortable clean reception area. Membership of the country's longest established & most respected trade association.
Qualified technicians using up to date equipment.
If anyone wants to dip below that standard in order to save a few dimes I would strongly encourage them to do so.

It's the opposite reason that I use him. The standard of work, and possibly workshop if you judge one by its oil stains, is higher than that of most of the local establishments we have on offer for bikes. He's also well qualified. That's worth note.
I haven't used him as much as I could have because I do most things myself. Also price wise, not bottom dollar, but you know it is a fair price rather than a clip of the ticket.

Also uses 'electronic invoicing with full in house retention of vehicle service history', as most businesses have since the 90's. If that is used as a selling point where you work, I don't know if the standard is as high as you think, or you might just be old school.

You're right on the jobs garages don't want though. They want to stick to the shiny quick jobs, not get their hands dirty and clip the ticket for maximum profit, but ironically advertise their 'great service' in the meantime. Not all places are like that, I'm sure you guys do good work and not all backyard guys are good, but it's not black and white like you make out.

**sidecar bob** · 5th August 2015, 19:47

I can think of half a dozen garages that are still handwriting invoices around my area, with all the additional office work that goes on behind the scenes as a result.
Two easy ways to know if a garage is profitable or not. If the mechanic answers the phone himself & if they hand write their invoices they are aprox about between half & two thirds as profitable as they possibly could be.

**Tazz** · 5th August 2015, 22:09

Holy shit! Would not have picked that. It's so easy. Same guys probably have 4 tons of parts diagrams folders crammed into the place, although I guess not all older stuff will be digital yet.

The only hand written ones I get now are from very small suppliers, but even then most are switching to tablet software (they're on a road, so a little different).

**sidecar bob** · 6th August 2015, 07:12

Originally Posted by Tazz

Holy shit! Would not have picked that. It's so easy. Same guys probably have 4 tons of parts diagrams folders crammed into the place, although I guess not all older stuff will be digital yet.

The only hand written ones I get now are from very small suppliers, but even then most are switching to tablet software (they're on a road, so a little different).

I try to help the poor dumb cunts. The key is to employ at front of house, not rear. So basically, as you get busier, put in a receptionist & keep fixing cars, rather than employ an apprentice & end up in the office yourself. Everyone will be happier, mainly your customers.

**old rig** · 6th August 2015, 10:40

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

I try to help the poor dumb cunts. The key is to employ at front of house, not rear. So basically, as you get busier, put in a receptionist & keep fixing cars, rather than employ an apprentice & end up in the office yourself. Everyone will be happier, mainly your customers.

I know how you can help the poor dumb cunts you could buy Milo and provide that for your clients

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

**Tazz** · 6th August 2015, 11:43

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

I try to help the poor dumb cunts. The key is to employ at front of house, not rear. So basically, as you get busier, put in a receptionist & keep fixing cars, rather than employ an apprentice & end up in the office yourself. Everyone will be happier, mainly your customers.

For sure. Hard step for some people to take.
You've completely underlined the point of all mechanics not being created equal too.
Those dudes running their workshop could learn something from a guy working out of his garage at home

**jonnyk5614** · 6th August 2015, 14:25

Similar set-ups for cars were getting quite common in the UK when I left, albeit more on a "pay by the hour/day" model.

Some rented nothing but a ramp. Others ramp and tools. Some even had "experts" on hand that could give you a hand and stamp your service book!

**sidecar bob** · 6th August 2015, 14:36

Originally Posted by Tazz

Those dudes running their workshop could learn something from a guy working out of his garage at home

What? pocketing cash while claiming a benefit?

**TheDemonLord** · 6th August 2015, 15:24

All the naysaying aside (not that it isn't relevant Critique)

I would be interested in signing up for something like that - I have quite a few tools at home, but I always manage to loose my 10 and 12 mm Sockets and spanners and will get half way through a job and not be able to find the bloody tool to finish the job.

**neels** · 6th August 2015, 15:57

When I was a young fella I had access to a similar facility to this, hoist, pit, specialist tools etc, and storage available for longer term work in progress.

If I hadn't I wouldn't have been able to fix stuff myself, wasn't run for profit so was cheap but would have paid more for the same service if it was a business, if you're not paying for someone else's time swinging spanners it's the biggest saving on any job.

These days I do pretty much everything myself except specialist component rebuilds, or any work that requires a hoist in which case I pay the garage, at least until I get around to installing one in my garage at home.....

**ellipsis** · 9th August 2015, 20:05

...It sounds good on paper, but impractical in more ways than one...there are not enough hippies about now and love is a recessive attribute, they have turned into greenies who drive small wanky cars and find it easy to dislike someone who flagrantly wastes more fuel than them...whats left is dumb. good intentioned folk, putting up with time wasting, got nowhere else to go people who turn well intentioned people into drunks and who get in the shit with their wives or girl friends...then they lose their 13mm open ender, then their long reach plug socket...ad infinitum, 'til you end up like some of us who more pragmatic about human nature, 'cos we have all been burned or learned before...I don't think i'm being negative, much...

**Tazz** · 9th August 2015, 20:36

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

What? pocketing cash while claiming a benefit?

Remember when I mentioned the invoice? They have GST numbers on em.

There would be less cash pocketed than your dodgy garage mates around the road that haven't even discovered windows95 yet

Bugger their accounts, if they won't pay for that imagine their tool boxes. Probably taking axle nuts off with cold chisels.

Will stick to not prejudging everyone and finding people who are onto it regardless of the location work out of thanks.