kwik fit ripping me off?

[WhiteBear]

ok im a female and should really asked either my dad or bro to take my car in for a service rather than me.

i took my car in today for a service, and they called me to say there are some works that may need doing such as
2 tyres (£52.50 each - What The Funicular?? dad got one 2 months ago for £30)

front dics : £116
front pads: £69.50

rear dics: £106.60
rear pads: £58.50

so in total including service would cost me £651.53.

I was shocked with that price i said OK just do the servicing forget about the replacements!!! I am so sure they are trying to rip me off cos im a female. so i spoke to my colleagues and they said go for a second opinion cos theyre trying to rip u off, shouldnt cost that much. My bro said the same, he asked me take the car home and he'll have a look at it!

oh get this, the garage broke the sparks? so had to replace it, but not til thursday as the need to order it lol.

so what do you guys think???

[rowanwitch]

We had a similar problem with them.. middleaged females eyes lit up we're doing free shock absorber checks surprise surprise we needed new shocks... went to another garage as we were suspicious (Kwik fit were doing a big advertising push on shocks at the time) no indication of problem on shocks.. We complained.... were fobbed off went to trading standards and they arranged for an independant assessor wwho confirmed no problem report sent to Kwikfit... profuse apologies mechanic in question no longer at the branch (sent for retraining)

If it is any consolation Renault are worse they told a friend she needed a new engine and a new gearbox after she took her vel satis in for a problem with a tyre sensor and the air con. estimated cost for repairs £12,500 car only worth £3000 and they told her it was unsafe to drive which was a bit worrying and of course there is no evidence of a problem a few weeks later it coped admirably with the welsh mountains and over a year later is fine, the battle continues on this one.. trading standards no help so were are trying to get the local press interested.

[Andyvon]

It depends very much on the branch. A couple of years ago I let Kwikfit change my front road springs when I went to get the tracking done just before going away. They could do the work in two hours and I couldn't mess about doing it myself as we were going away the next day. They fitted the springs OK and I also paid £29 to have the tracking done due to the suspension having been dismantled.

The car had been driving well but when I collected it and drove away from the branch it was wandering all over the road. I went straight back and the manager told me it was because that my steering rack was very worn. I knew that was rubbish as I know my car and steering racks deteriorate over a long time Whitebear, they don't fail instantly. When I got home I jacked the car up and got underneath and I found the track rod adjusters covered in muck and the nuts seized! They hadn't moved since the tracking was done 4 years ago. I went to ATS and they confirmed the nuts hadn't been freed off. They then tracked the car and it drove beautifully.

I went then went back to Kwikfit. The manager said nothing at all, but he just opened the till, gave me £29 cash, then took a pen and crossed 'wheel alignment' off their bill! Then he said "I still think your steering rack is worn"! Yeah, right.

My point is that a someone like you who knows nothing about cars would listen to Kwikfit on the basis of 'they're the professionals'. You would pay to have a new steering rack fitted when there was nothing wrong with the original. Part of fitting the rack would be to track the front wheels which would cure the original problem - and you paid for a steering rack you didn't need! Continue below.

[Andyvon]

Many years ago I applied for the vacant post of Kwikfit manager at the same branch. I was told at the interview that the most important expectation of the manager was to maintain and increase weekly sales figures. If sales dropped in a week then questions would be asked. I think Kwikfit managers are still under pressure to maintain sales and performance to keep their jobs so they quote premium prices for tyres, etc. etc. As with any car owner, you must really know about your own car or you will be open to this sort of treatment.

[TWR]

When will people learn? this site is for advise on this type of problem, why don't you ask before getting any work done? if you ask, you will get some sort of Idea, where to get it done, its no use moaning after you have paid out.

[AlBags]

The emplotyees also get "incentives", shall we say ... for finding extra work ... or selling more stuff. Obviously, a lot is going to be stuff no customer needs!

[WhiteBears]

Well i finally got my car back today!!!!! They stamped the book,but the mileage was 2,500 miles out!! i asked them to check my airbag (when i took the car in) the light was constant flashing, they put in their report.... no airbig light on dash. -(i started the car and still flashing?-- are they blind?) They gave me a little booklet for the receipt, in their, there was a coupon 20% off for air con recharge..... but it expired in dec 2009. LOL, It just get better and better..... theres a feedback form in that booklet.. .. i could only fit 3 points out of 5 into what improvements kwik fit service i think they could make.

[dizmouk2009]

They saw you coming; they've had your pants down true and proper. I used to do all the work on my saxo (changed the clutch, brakes, brake hydrolic pipes, pads and even a CV joint) until I found a garage that could do the front brakes for £70 inc. labour. The pads alone to buy from 'bullseye' are £25-28. There really is some con artists around....

[AlBags]

Hi WB : )

At least your car is driveable!
You sure that is an airbag light? a

[WhiteBears]

thanks albag, i cant log in to WhiteBear so im with WhiteBears (plural)

Its deffo the airbag light thats constant flashing

[AlBags]

k ...

Have a good look under front seats to see if any cable is hanging out or torn/disconnected from the seat bases. That's for the buckle pre-tensioners. That will put a light on. They can be fixed by soldering in new cable, AFTER pulling the SRS fuse (usually a yellow fuse holder)

[WhiteBears]

thanks albag, I'll have a look tomorrow.

after they've changed the sparks plug, the car feels a lot more powerful, lol

[dizmouk2009]

Sure it isn't the weight off your purse causing the car to acheive higher speeds?

[WhiteBears]

dizmouk2009 ha ha very funny :-)

[dizmouk2009]

My airbag light is knackered too but who cares it won't fail an MOT because of it. Who needs an airbag anyway? I will stick to riding my beast of a bike...

[pinkfluffo]

i hate mechanics they so rip females off mainly because they think (and they are generally right) that we know nothing about cars but still its no excuse to try and get more money out of us than they should! I always get my dad to take my car in or now i go to someone who has been reccommended.
I hate kwik fit, such thieves!

[WhiteBears]

pinkfluffo

well its usually my dad that takes it in for a service, but somehow i decided to take it in myself only because i just bought my first car insurance. im with Diamond and they did offer a female friendly garage experience
http://www.diamondbes...sgaragenetwork.co.uk/ i was going to go with them but they couldnt book me in until end of this month, which i couldnt wait that long, but now im thinking i should have waited!!!

[AlBags]

I wish here was a garage near me offering a female friendly garage experience ... lol

[Seafarer1966]

If you're a bloke and you obviously know your stuff about cars they won't try it on. When a woman turns up they'll be phoning the wife telling her to get some steak for tea.

I've had good customer servcie and prices from my local Kwik Fit but have seen them trying to charge a woman customer £49.99 for a tyre that costs £28 at another place. I gave her the address of the other place.