I visited a fast fit tyre place last week to purchase a pair of new front tyres for the bad weather forecasted this week. I handed my keys to a boy just out of school and sat on a dirty broken plastic chair drinking a cup of tasteless machine coffee that cost £1.75 while I waited. After a half hour wait, I was informed that two budget tyres would be £105 each plus balancing at £12.95 and tracking at £27.95 plus waste disposal of the old tyres at £7.50 each, I was also advised to take out puncture insurance for £14.95 a month. So for just under £270 plus a new direct debit mandate I was back on the road and ready for the worst weather this winter can throw at it with a free set of paper footwell mats and polythene seat covers to boot.
As I drove away I began to think that despite the great value and service offered by today's motoring outlets, I prefer the old days when you'd be greeted by a charismatic franchise manager with a mug of proper tea and they'd look over your car from top to bottom, even test drive it to make sure you left with a safe vehicle and a smile on your face. Work was carried out by seasoned mechanics and all extras were included for free so no need for puncture insurance.
What do you prefer, modern convenience, or old fashioned good customer service, which is best?
As I drove away I began to think that despite the great value and service offered by today's motoring outlets, I prefer the old days when you'd be greeted by a charismatic franchise manager with a mug of proper tea and they'd look over your car from top to bottom, even test drive it to make sure you left with a safe vehicle and a smile on your face. Work was carried out by seasoned mechanics and all extras were included for free so no need for puncture insurance.
What do you prefer, modern convenience, or old fashioned good customer service, which is best?
