Interested in opinion of mechanics, business idea

dnme

In my day dealing with garages has, on the whole been a negative experience. I now do as much of my own car repair as possible and will only go to a mechanic if I know them well and can trust them. My point here is that I can say from my own anecdotal evidence that the garage trade has a negative reputation which from my experience is justified.

So, if anyone is thinking of going into the business or perhaps you are already in the business, what do you think of this as an idea.....

Call it Video Mechanic. A service whereby the garage videos all activity in the garage. Each car repair is videoed with strategically placed cameras and the video is then available to the customer upon release. This allows the customer to see precisely what went on with their car. Perhaps the video can be streamed online live also.

Now lets not get hung up on pedantics or issues such as videoing underneath the car etc, there are physical logistical issues that can be easily dealt with. Perhaps you might have bays each equipped with 2 or more cams. One overview, and one that is portable and can be clamped by the mechanic.

The above provides you with a USP, something which is difficult to achieve in the garage trade. It provides the customer with a positive message, and an assurance of impeccable behaviour and professional service.

Video Mechanic!
Is it a goer?

Mr.Boots

dnme wrote: »

In my day dealing with garages has, on the whole been a negative experience. I now do as much of my own car repair as possible and will only go to a mechanic if I know them well and can trust them. My point here is that I can say from my own anecdotal evidence that the garage trade has a negative reputation which from my experience is justified.

So, if anyone is thinking of going into the business or perhaps you are already in the business, what do you think of this as an idea.....

Call it Video Mechanic. A service whereby you video all activity in the garage. Each car repair is videoed strategically and the video is then available to the customer upon release. Perhaps the video can be streamed online live also.

Now lets not get hung up on pedantics or issues such as videoing underneath the car etc, there are physical logistical issues that can be easily dealt with. Perhaps you might have bays each equipped with 2 or more cams. One overview, and one that is portable and can be clamped by the mechanic.

The above provides you with a USP, something which is difficult to achieve in the garage trade. It provides the customer with a positive message, and an assurance of impeccable behaviour and professional service.

Video Mechanic!
Is it a goer?

No.
Most folk wouldnt know the difference between a timing belt done wrong or done corectly by watching a video.

dnme

Mr.Boots wrote: »

No.
Most folk wouldnt know the difference between a timing belt done wrong or done corectly by watching a video.

I think you have missed the point.

mickdw

I remember reading something about this before. Not sure if its already been done in uk or was someone just talking about doing it. The stuff I read was about a garage that showed all service bays live to the waiting area.
I think its a reasonable idea but not many workshops would go for this.

Henry Ford III

I can't see any added value for the garage, but can see considerable added costs.

dnme

dnme wrote: »

..........

Video Mechanic!
Is it a goer?

How much would it cost? You can't ask if it's a goer without quantifying how much it would increase the service cost by.

Also I would think the majority of people are quite happy with the service they obtain from their chosen garage be it main dealer or local independent operator.

dnme

It's not so much about adding value, I mean, what are you adding value to; - the mechanics time? No! it's more a mechanism for strategic competitive advantage.

WRT costs, I think cameras nowadays are cheap as chips and broadband connections have become cheap enough also. Eitherway, the online stream is just an option.

Dartz

ratemygarage.ie ?

Mr.Boots

dnme wrote: »

I think you have missed the point.

Ehhh...dont think so.
I just dont see it as a goer.
if a garage wants to con its customers they wont fit cameras anyway.
If a garage is honest and does good qwuality work with warranty then i dont see the reason for cameras.
Put it to bed dude.

Row

Like Doctors...Mechanics...Trades mens/women etc all have qualifications.
education...training..experience..knowledge..doesn't grow on trees.....:)

But saying that there are certain people out there that can do alot of there own repairs who are handy and fair play to them.....:cool:

Tbh...everytime i do a Job with a customer looking over my shoulder i find it
uncomfortable....and tbh most of the time i do a better job without the customer looking over my shoulder..:eek:...:D
I can't see a video of the work been done been much different...
Is it true surgeon's provide this service...

dnme

Fair points one and all (well most), just an idea that I'm throwing out there. Not for myself but for anyone who wants it. I'm not a mechanic nor would I want to be. Perhaps asking mechanics for their opinions might not be good research, perhaps the people I should be asking are the customers.

@Row, surgeons don't suffer from the same poor rep as mechanics.

Midnight_EG

I believe Audi already do this

Plug

Midnight_EG wrote: »

I believe Audi already do this

Yeah thats what I thought a video camera strapped to the mechanics head.

Lots of places have interactive service where you can sit in and watch the mechanic service your car right in front of you. We have it available in our place but never done it. I couldn't work while some spastic was asking me whats this and that and how do you do that. Im well capable of servicing a car without someone staring over my shoulder. The fecker would get a strike of a lump hammer:D

E39MSport

Plug wrote: »

Yeah thats what I thought a video camera strapped to the mechanics head.

Lots of places have interactive service where you can sit in and watch the mechanic service your car right in front of you. We have it available in our place but never done it. I couldn't work while some spastic was asking me whats this and that and how do you do that. Im well capable of servicing a car without someone staring over my shoulder. The fecker would get a strike of a lump hammer

Is that what you use to tighten the oil filter ? :D

Plug

E39MSport wrote: »

Is that what you use to tighten the oil filter ? :D

No thats what I use to hit people with. Hopefully people see this thread that considered doing interactive service with their car:D

Mr Benevolent

I occasionally repair PCs etc for people and have noticed that customers love to sit at my shoulder and watch what I'm doing. It's really feckin' irritating.

Can't really tell the punter to piss off though!

dnme

dnme wrote: »

........
@Row, surgeons don't suffer from the same poor rep as mechanics.

Some surgeons do actually, the currently in the news ortopaedic metal on metal hip implant saga is pointing to geographical issues with implants, the factor being the surgeon who implanted them. The surgeons who have not had issues reckon that other surgeons are implanting the implants incorrectly.

BronsonTB

Don't see why not...Most of the DOE test centres have camera's on the bays & you can watch as your van goes through the test. Keeps it all transparent.

Tho, I'm sure most of the independant garages would not be in favor of this. Costly to install.

Henry Ford III

Maybe a watered down cheaper version might work?

Get the service manager (maybe?) to take a few digital camera shots of vital bits of the service. Date/time stamp them. Hand them over with the keys and invoice. It'd prove vital components have been changed.

Stevie Dakota

Audi do this in the UK, even the service managers have them on their heads, they will also email you a pic of the look on your face when they present you with the bill.