Great Ford (Transit) Mechanic :)

cormie

A few months ago I started one of many threads in the motors forum about my van looking for advice. User ford jedi replied with some good advice and it turned out he had his own garage specialising in Ford. Even though it's quite a hike from Dun Laoghaire, I took a trip down to Blackchurch. Heading west on the N7, you take the exit after the Blackchurch inn, or whatever it's called, Johnston Logistics will be on your right. Then you go up the off ramp, take first exit at roundabout, go over the bridge above the N7 and take the 2nd exit (right) at the roundabout, go down the road about 700 meters, passing Johnston Logistics and a few other places on your right, then you'll come to the end of the road, a T junction, turn right and you'll be going up a small road and then you just go through a big blue gate on your left and go down to the end and you should see a few Fords parked outside and a big FORD sign at the side of the building. Here's a map, it's either at 1 or 2.

Anyway, John is pretty sharp, he used to work for Lillie O'Donnells I think he said it was and went out on his own, but they still give him loads of work which says something. Every time I've called in, he's worked on my van straight away. First time a few months ago was just a general service, then about 2 weeks ago I had a major leak in a pipe from the coolant, he had a look, ordered the part on the phone when I was there, said it would be about €70, I said that's cheaper than I thought with a relief, got off the phone and said it was only €42 plus VAT (some cowboys would have seen this as a chance to get €70 off me after me saying it was fine), while I was there he changed a light for free and put a bit of puty on the leak to keep me going. When I came back he changed the pipe on the spot and charged me less than I thought it would be again (€140 including part) and filled up some of my brake fluid and everything too.

The first time I went to him he said I needed a new viscous fan, but it would last another while yet, then when I came back to him for the pipe, he said I should get it changed asap but I could get the part myself as he doesn't get a discount from Ford for them. I found one on Ebay from a great place up the North. I think this is their official site: http://www.cgcommercials.co.uk, but this is definitely their Ebay page: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/transitpartsireland1/ they don't take laser but take Mastercard/Visa and were very helpful and quick, got the part 2 days after ordering with a traceable service. The full Viscous Fan unit cost me £51 delivered as opposed to €186+Vat it would have cost in an official ford dealer here, and when I asked how much for them to fit it, they said they could give me a good price because the vat would be lower and to buy and fit it would cost me €290.

I brought it up to John to get it fitted, he knew it wasn't an genuine ford part but said it should be fine as the ones from ford aren't the best anyway and they are too heavy and wear (just as mine did). Again he worked on my van after 5 mins and was finished after another 5, I asked how much and he said don't worry. So I got a new light, top up of liquids, temporary putty, a new pipe fitted, a viscous fan and got it fitted for less than a viscous fan alone would have cost from Ford including VAT:eek: Service was great and he'll explain things to you if you ask without a problem.

Definitely worth the trip. Call John on 0876607766

Henry Ford III

Encouraging to read of someone with positive service experiences for a change.

Darragh29

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Encouraging to read of someone with positive service experiences for a change.

Fair play to him for looking after you, you're on here recommending him to others which is admirable, but he hasn't made a cent on the transaction, which I feel is very unfair on him, you should have thrown him 20 Euro for his time. I'm all for doing favours but business is business and favours won't pay the bills at the end of the month... At the end of the day, this guy is what the trade needs, he appears personable, friendly and accessible, but recommending him on here on the basis of a freebie is extremely unfair on him... If you were my customer and quoted me on here in this manner, we'd be having serious words!

L-M

Darragh29 wrote: »

Fair play to him for looking after you, you're on here recommending him to others which is admirable, but he hasn't made a cent on the transaction, which I feel is very unfair on him, you should have thrown him 20 Euro for his time. I'm all for doing favours but business is business and favours won't pay the bills at the end of the month... At the end of the day, this guy is what the trade needs, he appears personable, friendly and accessible, but recommending him on here on the basis of a freebie is extremely unfair on him... If you were my customer and quoted me on here in this manner, we'd be having serious words!

Maybe he's trying to built up a relationship with the customer, which will bring him back again, and like here, reccomend to a friend which can only bring in money.

cormie

Well he said he'll get me next time which is cool. It certainly does build a relationship, and I told him after my DOE on the 3rd of SEP, I'd be back to him and will probably be back to him again and again and will have no problem paying whatever the bill is. I'm not suggesting people go and think they are getting a freebie at all, he'll charge what's appropriate. It's just great to know a reliable decent mechanic I can go to and am passing on his details.

L-M

cormie wrote: »

Well he said he'll get me next time which is cool. It certainly does build a relationship, and I told him after my DOE on the 3rd of SEP, I'd be back to him and will probably be back to him again and again and will have no problem paying whatever the bill is. I'm not suggesting people go and think they are getting a freebie at all, he'll charge what's appropriate. It's just great to know a reliable decent mechanic I can go to and am passing on his details.

I think cormie proves the point Darragh.

Darragh29

Limerick-man wrote: »

Maybe he's trying to built up a relationship with the customer, which will bring him back again, and like here, reccomend to a friend which can only bring in money.

I've been down this road. Something done for nothing is simply not appreciated, imo. This is where a dealership differs from an indy, you don't get out of a dealer without paying a bill and I think it should be the same for an indy. Just my opinion, from a business perspective. I can see it from the customers viewpoint above, only problem with it is that it compromises a business operation, that is a fact.

pburns

Darragh29 wrote: »

I've been down this road. Something done for nothing is simply not appreciated, imo. This is where a dealership differs from an indy, you don't get out of a dealer without paying a bill and I think it should be the same for an indy. Just my opinion, from a business perspective. I can see it from the customers viewpoint above, only problem with it is that it compromises a business operation, that is a fact.

Yeah, I've known guys who have gone out of business for being too decent.

All this 'I'll get you again lark' is BS. I hate when lads say that, it's very much a country thing especially amongst the more decent sort. He wasn't going to ask for a lob of cash for a 5 min job but the thing to do would have been to throw him a few bob. And if you find someone who provides a really great service it oils the wheels to reward them for it.

Esel

My mechanic came to me on Sunday (suited him) to replace a starter motor. He said €20, I gave him €30. It's nice to be nice back.

Darragh29

pburns wrote: »

Yeah, I've known guys who have gone out of business for being too decent.

All this 'I'll get you again lark' is BS. I hate when lads say that, it's very much a country thing especially amongst the more decent sort. He wasn't going to ask for a lob of cash for a 5 min job but the thing to do would have been to throw him a few bob. And if you find someone who provides a really great service it oils the wheels to reward them for it.

Exactly my point.

cormie

Well for the €140 job, I gave him €150, he went to give me €10 back but I said keep it. This is when he said pop up when I get the viscous fan and he'll throw it in for me.

I did a job for somebody for nothing the other day myself. They saw me hopping into my van and asked would I do them a quick favour, I did and It turns out they regularly need stuff moved so I might get some business, but don't care if I don't as it was a favour from the start.

Same with the time I was up in Ikea with my sister, she was getting a kitchen, took up no space in the van, so I had loads of room left. Saw a guy with a rental van local to me so I asked him was it from such and such a place, he said it was and I said I think I rented that exact van myself before and then when I was filling my van, I heard him saying to the guy working there he doesn't think he'll fit everything in. I said I've loads of space and I guess you're close enough to where I live so pop what you can't fit in my van and I'll drop it down to you tomorrow. He went to give me a handfull of cash when I came, think about €80 and I said no, it was a favour.

Turned out he had something to do with property decor or something and he regularly needed things from Ikea so he got me to do his next run up.

It's a nice surprise from the mechanic and just another aspect to be happy about from an already satisfied customer. Nobody should be expecting anything for free in this world and when they get something it's much appreciated.

testicle

You're a bit sheltered if you think Dun Laoghaire to Blackchurch is a bit of a hike. People travel from Portlaoise (for example) to the City Centre andback, 5 times a week just to go to work.

cormie

testicle wrote: »

You're a bit sheltered if you think Dun Laoghaire to Blackchurch is a bit of a hike. People travel from Portlaoise (for example) to the City Centre andback, 5 times a week just to go to work.

I drive a van for a living, Dun Laoghaire to Blackchurch is a very short distance for me to drive. To go that distance for a mechanic is a bit far considering I pass so many on the way. It's worth it though.

Darando

Had a good bit of advice from John via this and other forums but never had to get anything done in the real world (fingers crossed) Always seemed very genuine and helpful. Well clued in on Fords

ford jedi

cheers for the plug cormie, always appriecated, cheers:)

cormie

Got a text off John today that he sent out to everyone:

Blackchurch motors has moved to a new premises .unit 6 block 521 greenogue buisness park rathcoole.at is still at the same ph numbers