Advance Pitstop Swords

antoswords

So my mother went to Adv. Pitstop to get a filter and oil change. 2007 VW Polo 1.2 12v. Left the car with them and was told come back in an hour, grand so. She came back and was told "you are going to have to get that timing belt done asap", my mam said " I'm nearly sure I was told it had a timing chain", yer man goes off and is talking to some other guy who works there, comes back and says "no, it's a belt" my mam is sure she must be mistaken so, and asks how much it will cost, he says €380. So, she drives off and on her way back drops into a Indy garage where she used to get some work done on the car. The mechanic confirms it is a timing chain.

So are the guys in Advance Pitstop

A) chancers?

incompetent?

C) both?

ZENER

Just for the crack bring the car back and tell them to go ahead and replace the "belt" . . . then tell us what's happened

Ken

Paddysnapper

I'll probably get my hands slapped for this but. I was thoroughly ripped of by that firm but in Mallow Co.Cork... My exhaust system broke in two and they charged me for a new cat. converter which I was later informed by the local Renault dealer it would most defo. not required.

Total load of sharks IMHO:mad:

exador

antoswords wrote: »

So my mother went to Adv. Pitstop to get a filter and oil change. 2007 VW Polo 1.2 12v. Left the car with them and was told come back in an hour, grand so. She came back and was told "you are going to have to get that timing belt done asap", my mam said " I'm nearly sure I was told it had a timing chain", yer man goes off and is talking to some other guy who works there, comes back and says "no, it's a belt" my mam is sure she must be mistaken so, and asks how much it will cost, he says €380. So, she drives off and on her way back drops into a Indy garage where she used to get some work done on the car. The mechanic confirms it is a timing chain.

So are the guys in Advance Pitstop

A) chancers?

incompetent?

C) both?

I would make a formal complaint in writing to the MD of the company and ask for an explanation. This way you are bringing it to their attention and see what happens.. They won't want Customers spreading around bad news stories and if they are anyway switched on they should addrees the issue and respond to you.

Drummerboy08

exador wrote: »

I would make a formal complaint in writing to the MD of the company and ask for an explanation. This way you are bringing it to their attention and see what happens.. They won't want Customers spreading around bad news stories and if they are anyway switched on they should addrees the issue and respond to you.

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

Stainless_Steel

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

Eh....that they are A and B and therefore C is a bit of a problem no?

spiggotpaddy

Maybe as a way of apology they might change her headlight fluid, And test her battery for no charge.

m.j.w

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

bazz26

Not one bit surprised.

Drummerboy08

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

Eh....that they are A and B and therefore C is a bit of a problem no?

I think that's very unfair on most of the staff who work there. For all we know it was two apprentice mechanics who said what the OP alledges.

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.

m.j.w wrote: »

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

I don't work for AP, nor do I have any connection with them.

How do we know it was a qualified mechanic? See my post above, could easily have been an apprentice. I would also imagine that whoever it was made an assumption that the belt needed to be changed on a time basis (The car is 5 years old) without actually checking if the engine was belt driven or chain driven.

As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

exador

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

The problem is the Customers perception of the situation. It may well have been a misunderstaning or mistake but has left the Customer feeling that AP are incompetent or chancers and having a lack of confidence in them.

If I was management in AP i would like to hear about this and be given the chance to respond rather than getting negative press on a forum. The OP needs to bring this to their attention and ask for explanation. I don't think that this is too much to expect ! Inisant until proven guilty and all that but IMO the OP should address it to management and give them a chance to respond.

No problem !

Merch

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

But if they didnt have the know how/suspicion then they were being sold something they didnt need and that would have cost them for what could have been uneccesary work.

m.j.w wrote: »

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

On what basis did they even determine that it needed to be done at all!

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I think that's very unfair on most of the staff who work there. For all we know it was two apprentice mechanics who said what the OP alledges.

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.

How do we know it was a qualified mechanic? See my post above, could easily have been an apprentice. I would also imagine that whoever it was made an assumption that the belt needed to be changed on a time basis (The car is 5 years old) without actually checking if the engine was belt driven or chain driven.

As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

The customer could have had unnecessary work done at expense to them?
If they are not qualifed (not sure how you are guessing this?) then surely they aren't qualified to make the assesment.

OP does the timing chain/belt (whichever it is) need to be done, re mileage/years old?
and
How did the staff judge it was needed to be done or know it wasn't done before??

L-M

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

That's completely out of order.

Please report the post in future, we can't be every where on a Saturday and reported posts help.

antoswords

Merch wrote: »

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

There isn't really an issue here. AP told the customer that the car required a timing belt, they obviously got it wrong.

It didn't cost the customer anything only a call to another garage to verify this.

What's the problem?

But if they didnt have the know how/suspicion then they were being sold something they didnt need and that would have cost them for what could have been uneccesary work.

m.j.w wrote: »

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

On what basis did they even determine that it needed to be done at all!

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

I think that's very unfair on most of the staff who work there. For all we know it was two apprentice mechanics who said what the OP alledges.

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.

How do we know it was a qualified mechanic? See my post above, could easily have been an apprentice. I would also imagine that whoever it was made an assumption that the belt needed to be changed on a time basis (The car is 5 years old) without actually checking if the engine was belt driven or chain driven.

As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

The customer could have had unnecessary work done at expense to them?
If they are not qualifed (not sure how you are guessing this?) then surely they aren't qualified to make the assesment.

OP does the timing chain/belt (whichever it is) need to be done, re mileage/years old?
and
How did the staff judge it was needed to be done or know it wasn't done before??

Well a chain as far as I'm aware doesn't ever have to be changed if the car is regularly serviced etc. I think they just looked at the mileage, which is over 100k and just assumed it was a belt and that it would need to he changed.

I suppose it's just the impression I was left with, as you said. I would never go back there now based on this experience.

mickdw

You must have quite a switched on mom to firstly know that she had a chain and secondly to have the good sense to take it somewhere else and not be frightened into paying for the work there and then.
IMO its terrible behaviour from ap. Sure, they might have assumed it had a belt but when they were told it most likely had a chain, if they were genuine they would have checked out whether they were right or wrong but no, they still told the customer the work was required.
She really should get a writen quotation then leave the car in for replacement belt to see what happens.

Dr Turk Turkelton

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

Eh....that they are A and B and therefore C is a bit of a problem no?

I think that's very unfair on most of the staff who work there. For all we know it was two apprentice mechanics who said what the OP alledges.

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.

m.j.w wrote: »

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

I don't work for AP, nor do I have any connection with them.

How do we know it was a qualified mechanic? See my post above, could easily have been an apprentice. I would also imagine that whoever it was made an assumption that the belt needed to be changed on a time basis (The car is 5 years old) without actually checking if the engine was belt driven or chain driven.

As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

Why would apprentice mechanics be recommending work to customers? Would that not be the job of qualified tradesmen?
Also if this is the quality of mechanics that advanced pitstop uses they really should question their hiring process!

oregano

Cuchulainn1. wrote: »

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Stainless_Steel wrote: »

Eh....that they are A and B and therefore C is a bit of a problem no?

I think that's very unfair on most of the staff who work there. For all we know it was two apprentice mechanics who said what the OP alledges.

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.

m.j.w wrote: »

which branch do you work for? how can a qualified machanic judge wether a timing belt needs to be fixed when its actually a timing chain they are looking at?

I don't work for AP, nor do I have any connection with them.

How do we know it was a qualified mechanic? See my post above, could easily have been an apprentice. I would also imagine that whoever it was made an assumption that the belt needed to be changed on a time basis (The car is 5 years old) without actually checking if the engine was belt driven or chain driven.

As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

Why would apprentice mechanics be recommending work to customers? Would that not be the job of qualified tradesmen?
Also if this is the quality of mechanics that advanced pitstop uses they really should question their hiring process!

Where did they get the 380 quote? Did they guess the price of a belt kit, go by the price of the last vw belt they did, or what?

Op, to help you answer the initial question, phone a decent motor factor and give them the reg number. See if they can supply you with a belt for that specific vehicle.. If they can't then draw your own conclusions...

However, if they can quote you, then maybe that's all advance did, and it's an innocent mistake...

Jimdagym

oregano wrote: »

Where did they get the 380 quote? Did they guess the price of a belt kit, go by the price of the last vw belt they did, or what?

Op, to help you answer the initial question, phone a decent motor factor and give them the reg number. See if they can supply you with a belt for that specific vehicle.. If they can't then draw your own conclusions...

However, if they can quote you, then maybe that's all advance did, and it's an innocent mistake...

What? She already got it checked in another garage. It's a chain.

oregano

Jimdagym wrote: »

oregano wrote: »

Where did they get the 380 quote? Did they guess the price of a belt kit, go by the price of the last vw belt they did, or what?

Op, to help you answer the initial question, phone a decent motor factor and give them the reg number. See if they can supply you with a belt for that specific vehicle.. If they can't then draw your own conclusions...

However, if they can quote you, then maybe that's all advance did, and it's an innocent mistake...

What? She already got it checked in another garage. It's a chain.

Yes it's a chain, but that's not my point. If I ring a motor factor and give a reg, they should be able get me the part for that specific car. So the motor factor should say "there's no belt listing for 07dxxxx. "Coz you can't get one. Coz it doesn't have one.

But advance had to price up a part to price up the labour, to price up the quote, to give the client.

If you can't price the part, you can only give a guesstimate price, not an exact 380.

So I'm not defending or challenging advance, but it's been implied they are robbers in previous posts. I err on the side of inefficiency and laziness, as in "we know a golf belt is about 400 quid, let's quote her somewhere around there..."

Because otherwise the implication is the employees knew the polo had a chain, and tried to con a client.

And if true thats shocking.

But before asserting they are liars I would try price a belt elsewhere, just in case the computer system in advance's suppliers erroneously did list a belt for the car.

.... since when do motor factors give quotes from reg numbers?

wonski

RoverJames wrote: »

.... since when do motor factors give quotes from reg numbers?

I was once asked for reg/vin number when buying belt(fan/alternator one) for A-class at dealership (Naas). Was told they need it as there were few different belts fitted for that particular model. Mick's garage has that option now - but for my Scenic it shows Clio, so it is not working as it should...

Jimdagym

oregano wrote: »

Yes it's a chain, but that's not my point. If I ring a motor factor and give a reg, they should be able get me the part for that specific car. So the motor factor should say "there's no belt listing for 07dxxxx. "Coz you can't get one. Coz it doesn't have one.

But advance had to price up a part to price up the labour, to price up the quote, to give the client.

If you can't price the part, you can only give a guesstimate price, not an exact 380.

So I'm not defending or challenging advance, but it's been implied they are robbers in previous posts. I err on the side of inefficiency and laziness, as in "we know a golf belt is about 400 quid, let's quote her somewhere around there..."

Because otherwise the implication is the employees knew the polo had a chain, and tried to con a client.

And if true thats shocking.

But before asserting they are liars I would try price a belt elsewhere, just in case the computer system in advance's suppliers erroneously did list a belt for the car.

What has that got to do with anything? The issue here is that someone told the op's mum her belt had to be changed. This could only have been done for a handful of reasons. One being they couldn't see markings it had been changed either in the service manual or written on the engine and figured it must be due (lazy), two being they examined the belt and deduced it needed replacing through wear (we know this is not the case) and three being they tried to deceive her. One of those 3 had to preempt the getting of a price, so I really don't see any point at all to what you are saying.

RoverJames

RoverJames wrote: »

.... since when do motor factors give quotes from reg numbers?

wonski wrote: »

I was once asked for reg/vin number when buying belt(fan/alternator one) for A-class at dealership (Naas). Was told they need it as there were few different belts fitted for that particular model. Mick's garage has that option now - but for my Scenic it shows Clio, so it is not working as it should...

I know dealers work like that, give that dealer in Naas a reg number for a BMW and see how they get on

Mick's garage isn't really a factors either

wonski

RoverJames wrote: »

I know dealers work like that, give that dealer in Naas a reg number for a BMW and see how they get on

Mick's garage isn't really a factors either

Sorry, my understanding of motor factors was a shop selling parts for cars, i cannot say if any of my locals use that registration system. Since UK shops provide parts based on registration, i assumed some shops here can do the same. It's not relevant to the topic, anyway, so we can leave it as it is...

Anyway, if a garage tried to sell me service/part that my car don't need/have, i would not visit them again. I wonder what would happen if op bring the car to have belt replaced?

Nissan doctor

The truth is, that regardless of the reason that the OP was told they needed their timing belt changed, mistake or not, it gives an immediate bad impression of the company as there are very few reasons how this mistake could be made as one, the engine in question is in numerous cars and is renowned for its chain issues and two, even if its not known if a certain engine uses a chain or a belt, all it takes for a qualified mechanic to determine which is used is a look under the bonnet.

Its very hard to imagine even the most bandit of garages charging to change a timing belt on a car with a chain as its something so easily found out online or from any other garage etc etc.


Either way....there will be another option for mechanical work coming to swords shortly;):P

Jimdagym

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Either way....there will be another option for mechanical work coming to swords shortly;):P

You gonna put in for a transfer? Be a lot handier for you.

Tea drinker

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

It's an easy mistake to make for anyone, what harm has it caused here? I'm sure that once someone realised the mistake the customer would have been told and sent on their way with an apology.


As I said above, what harm has actually been caused here? Someone made a mistake, didn't cost anyone anything only a bit of time, and people are on here abusing the staff?

Right.

It looks like they were trying to mislead a customer, and in spite of your protestations based on nothing except a general opinion, so far we have only facts from one side, which as I said.. don't look good.

Mick Shrimpton

Unfortunately, advance pitstop branches are like the mcdonalds of car servicers. The stuff Ive been charged for over the years that in hindsight was completely taking the piss. The best thing I ever did was find a good independant mechanic.

dr.fuzzenstein

I think people are really expecting too much of AP.
Some seem to think that it was an innocent mistake and then get accused of making assumptions. But then stating that this was a ruse to con a helpless customer out of money for work that would never have been done isn't making wild assumptions?
What do you think? The mechanics where going to pretend to exchange the "belt", only to sit in their office playing cards for an hour and then charging for non-existent work and parts?
Somehow I don't think so.
I do go along with the McDonalds of garages argument, if someone is made from the right stuff, at the top of his/her game, sought after by F1 teams and rocket manufacturing companies as well as brainsurgeon training schools, they will most likely not end up working there.
Bit too much of a conspiracy theory vibe going on here.
I refer you to Hanlon's razor.

HarrietD

I wouldn't have any confidence in AP Swords - They did the tracking on my car 2 years ago in advance of the NCT. It failed on tracking only - front. I brought it back to AP Swords who did the tracking again. Next time it failed tracking front and rear. NCT said whoever did the tracking had no idea what they were doing. I got another garage to look at it who said they hadn't tightened it up after adjusting. AP Swords did the tracking for a third time and it finally passed. I would never leave a car in their garage again.

exador

There are a lot of people making assumptions here but I still think that the OP should contact ap directly with the facts and express their concern. This way AP can come back to the customer with explanation and at the same time address the root cause of the problem. If you don't make a complaint nothing will ever happen.

If you get a bad service or fell aggrieved you should make the management aware of it. I don't work for ap or know the op but IMO thats the best thing to do.

As it stands ap have lost a customer and is getting negative press , they at least have the right to reply and the customer should get the right to an explanation and possibly more!

George Dalton

RoverJames wrote: »

.... since when do motor factors give quotes from reg numbers?

All the factors we deal with do.

oregano

Jimdagym wrote: »

oregano wrote: »

Yes it's a chain, but that's not my point. If I ring a motor factor and give a reg, they should be able get me the part for that specific car. So the motor factor should say "there's no belt listing for 07dxxxx. "Coz you can't get one. Coz it doesn't have one.

But advance had to price up a part to price up the labour, to price up the quote, to give the client.

If you can't price the part, you can only give a guesstimate price, not an exact 380.

So I'm not defending or challenging advance, but it's been implied they are robbers in previous posts. I err on the side of inefficiency and laziness, as in "we know a golf belt is about 400 quid, let's quote her somewhere around there..."

Because otherwise the implication is the employees knew the polo had a chain, and tried to con a client.

And if true thats shocking.

But before asserting they are liars I would try price a belt elsewhere, just in case the computer system in advance's suppliers erroneously did list a belt for the car.

What has that got to do with anything? The issue here is that someone told the op's mum her belt had to be changed. This could only have been done for a handful of reasons. One being they couldn't see markings it had been changed either in the service manual or written on the engine and figured it must be due (lazy), two being they examined the belt and deduced it needed replacing through wear (we know this is not the case) and three being they tried to deceive her. One of those 3 had to preempt the getting of a price, so I really don't see any point at all to what you are saying.

That's ok if you don't get it. I'm only trying to advise the op from my 17 years in the motor industry, where I have learned not everything is black and white.

A letter to advance is the best option, naming the staff member who quoted her and asking for clarity. If the op wants to pm me the reg number I can check the price of a chain !!!!

Jimdagym

oregano wrote: »

That's ok if you don't get it. I'm only trying to advise the op from my 17 years in the motor industry, where I have learned not everything is black and white.

A letter to advance is the best option, naming the staff member who quoted her and asking for clarity. If the op wants to pm me the reg number I can check the price of a chain !!!!

And again I will sat what does it matter if the price was correct? Your 17 years in the industry is of zero relevance to that.
Assume for a second that your system tells you that the price for a replacement belt is in fact 380 euro. So the system is wrong. The employee of AP would have only went to look up a price after they decided it needed one / must need one/ to con the customer. So please provide us with an acceptable reason for looking up the price, because I cant think of one.
I am not slating or accusing AP. I have never dealt with them and I have no opinion. I am talking specifically about the employee the OP's mum dealt with.

MrDerp

Twice at Advance they touted for business on my timing belt. Once at 93,000km (I was getting a puncture repair) and once at 111,000km when I was getting a washer pump replaced.

During the former visit they just advised that I watch it, and give them a call at 100,000km, but lots of people do it earlier etc etc.

During the later visit the guy listed all the things that can go wrong with a focus and also recommend I take preventative action to prevent an issue (something to do with a seal around the front washer jets that causes an issue for spark plugs, or something like that).

"But do I have the issue or not?"
"No, but I've seen it loads of times. I have a focus myself and I've done it ... just in case you know. But the main thing is that the timing belt should be done. We don't do them here, we're a small outlet but let me give you a card for our workshop near Croke park, they'll give you a decent quote - much better than a main dealer"
"I was under the impression that the timing belt interval on that car was 160,000km or 10 years"
"A lot of main Ford dealers say that, but most people reckon you should do it at 100,000. Would you want to risk engine damage? I did mine at 100,000"

JTbzr

Never go near dem! I brought my wife's old car to dem coz it was overheating, when I gave it dem they had it for 2 days and said that it wouldn't overheat for dem so they couldn't find out what it was and charged me €70, so when I went outside to start da car the battery (that we got 2 months previous) was flat and they just started saying that I badly needed a new 1 I was so pissed off. A few days later I brought it to da auto doc in feltrim swords and he told me within 10 mins that all the car needed was a thermostat. NEVER go to advance pitstop in swords they are ripoffs

biko

I use AdvPitstop Ballyban occasionally because I know them there and I always go by the rule "never get it fixed without a second opinion".
They know me by now and have stopped with the "bad tyres etc etc" crap.

OP, you should definitely speak to the manager. Sure the monkey could have made a mistake but the manager needs to know his employees are clueless.

VeVeX

JTbzr wrote: »

Never go near dem! I brought my wife's old car to dem coz it was overheating, when I gave it dem they had it for 2 days and said that it wouldn't overheat for dem so they couldn't find out what it was and charged me €70, so when I went outside to start da car the battery (that we got 2 months previous) was flat and they just started saying that I badly needed a new 1 I was so pissed off. A few days later I brought it to da auto doc in feltrim swords and he told me within 10 mins that all the car needed was a thermostat. NEVER go to advance pitstop in swords they are ripoffs

Learning how to compose a message in english might give your complaint more credibility.

dieselbug

Did you dip it for oil since :rolleyes:

egan007

I had a service done in advanced pitstop swords in August 12. The oil light just started to come on recently so I brought if to mechanic friend.
He said he'd never seen oil as thick in a car (or his old tractors) and the oil filter was rusted on. He said there was no way it got an oil change 8 months ago.

Crooks