Another rant about Macklin Edinburgh West (now Vertu Newbridge)

[Rolfe]

I've used Andrew's garage for 18 years. He revived Ariel (my Peugeot) to run another two years until I could afford to replace it. He then did all the servicing on Prospero (the Golf) from new, well enough so that when the engine blew up within the warranty period, VW had to give me a new engine under warranty, even though they tried their best to repudiate the claim because the car hadn't been dealer-serviced.

Several times he has talked me out of things I thought of doing (or tried to), because he said it wasn't worth it. I actually had to talk him into getting me winter tyres for Prospero, and even then he said he'd just get me two to see how I got on. Of course I was back for the other two the following year. Then after a couple of mild winters I remember him remarking that he felt a bit guilty about all the people he was putting winter tyres on for, because they weren't getting the use out of them. It was me who had to tell him that the better performance in heavy rain, and at cold but not freezing temperatures, was still worth it, and that in any case what people wanted was the peace of mind of knowing that if they woke up to six inches of snow one morning, they weren't stranded.

I think if you run a garage in a rural village you're not going to do well if you get a reputation for shoddy workmanship or rudeness or upselling. Macklin will get away with it, because there's always a steady supply of new marks who haven't heard the tales of woe from the previously stung. That doesn't apply in rural Peeblesshire.

 

[decrep]

I think if you run a garage in a rural village you're not going to do well if you get a reputation for shoddy workmanship or rudeness or upselling. Macklin will get away with it, because there's always a steady supply of new marks who haven't heard the tales of woe from the previously stung. That doesn't apply in rural Peeblesshire.

Similar in Mandurah Western Australia, there's still the big brand garages, but several smaller family businesses. They developed when the place wasn't much more than a village, fortunately their business model hasn't varied, even though we've gone from zero traffic lights, to about 30 in the meantime.

 

[QLeo]

I brought Caliban home a couple of hours ago, and had a chat with the mechanic when I collected the key. He said the brakes are fine, just needed a bit of a clean-off. He said that when he drove the car it stopped on a sixpence. He said the undertray and wheel arch liner damage is slight and in no way a safety issue. We agreed that when the tyres are changed again in the autumn they'll have another look to see if anything has got worse.

Once the door handle has been fixed I will never darken Macklin's door again. Even if the other door button were to go, or another warranty issue were to arise that the Galashiels dealer can't handle, I'd go somewhere else.

For what it's worth, I'm doing what I can to warn others of this blatant attempt at shaking you down.

 

[Rolfe]

When this thread has run its course, I'm going to merge it into the appropriate thread in the MG Dealer Discussions forum.

Did they think I came up the Clyde on a banana boat?

 

[Rolfe]

I was at this branch yesterday and I’m pretty certain they are providing me with false information. It went in for water in the tail light apparently very common for condensation. I was threatened with “it will cost you £168 for labour if we cannot find anything. The car is 7 months old and whilst washing it soap was running down the inside. They called me later saying they have not charged me the inspection charge but it repair will be £2440 as there is scuffing and a crack on the tail light. I knew about the scuffing, it’s with the plastic casing of the charging cable rubbing on the car. However there is no visible cracking to the lights. I asked for the engineer to show me where and was told he was busy so the advisor said she would come and and show me. She pointed to the seam of the panel and said it was a hairline crack. I can’t see anything but said I would test with water.

I still can’t see anything after the water test so I have emailed them back asking for pictures which they refused to provide earlier. Something isn’t sitting right with me.

Any further update on this outrage?

 

[Wizard of Oz]

I've used Andrew's garage for 18 years. He revived Ariel (my Peugeot) to run another two years until I could afford to replace it. He then did all the servicing on Prospero (the Golf) from new, well enough so that when the engine blew up within the warranty period, VW had to give me a new engine under warranty, even though they tried their best to repudiate the claim because the car hadn't been dealer-serviced.

Several times he has talked me out of things I thought of doing (or tried to), because he said it wasn't worth it. I actually had to talk him into getting me winter tyres for Prospero, and even then he said he'd just get me two to see how I got on. Of course I was back for the other two the following year. Then after a couple of mild winters I remember him remarking that he felt a bit guilty about all the people he was putting winter tyres on for, because they weren't getting the use out of them. It was me who had to tell him that the better performance in heavy rain, and at cold but not freezing temperatures, was still worth it, and that in any case what people wanted was the peace of mind of knowing that if they woke up to six inches of snow one morning, they weren't stranded.

I think if you run a garage in a rural village you're not going to do well if you get a reputation for shoddy workmanship or rudeness or upselling. Macklin will get away with it, because there's always a steady supply of new marks who haven't heard the tales of woe from the previously stung. That doesn't apply in rural Peeblesshire.

Ariel, Prospero, Caliban... Which character from the Tempest is your next car...?

 

[Rolfe]

I've run out. Caliban will have to do me into my dotage.

(My first Fiesta was Miranda, and the XR2 that succeeded her was Ferdinand. That's how it started.)