IGA responds to survey about rip-off garages

Garages that deliberately overcharge customers are "definitely the exception and not the rule", states trade body

IGA responds to survey about rip-off garages
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The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is reinforcing its standpoint on improving business-customer relations in response to a survey that suggest motorists fear being ripped off on vehicle repairs.

New research from Click4reg suggests that four out of five people in Britain believe garages will deliberately overcharge on vehicle repairs.

It also found that three-quarters of road users believe mechanics use technical language to “confuse motorists in an attempt to fool them into further repairs or paying a higher bill”.

Related: Number of misguided motorists that avoid servicing over cost fears is “alarming”

In response, the IGA said that independent garages who are part of a recognised trade association or code of practice such as a Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) scheme, will explain everything clearly and be priced fairly.

Frank Harvey, IGA head of member services, said: “We understand that it can be disconcerting for motorists when the news tells of garages allegedly overcharging for work carried out.

“IGA members operate under a code of conduct Trust My Garage, which enhances the relationship between themselves and the motoring public.

Reality check

“Garages who deliberately overcharge customers are definitely the exception and not the rule, and it is understandable to be concerned.

“However, it must be made clear that whilst we are all concerned about being overcharged in many areas of our lives, the article referred to talks about motorists fears and does not state that motorists are actually being overcharged.”

For further information about the IGA, select ‘more details’ below.

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  • #189377 Reply

    The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is reinforcing its standpoint on improving business-customer relations in response to a survey that suggest m
    [See the full post at: Breaking: IGA responds to survey about rip-off garages]

    #189440 Reply
    Joanne Gibbons
    Guest

    Unfortunately a few bad apples have spoiled the reputation of honest garages and created suspicion.
    That said it’s good to ask questions and understand as much as you can about your vehicle. An honest garage will welcome and answer any questions you have. Many garages including Gloucester road Gearboxes Ltd in Bristol will be happy to provide free advice and a free diagnostic test drive.
    If in doubt consult more than one garage and check out reviews.

    #189513 Reply
    steph savill
    Guest

    Yes it’s the minority of rogues that spoil this reputation for the majority of good businesses and regulation would sort this I feel sure. But perceptions are important and for every woman I speak to, she either has been suspicious of her treatment as a female or she knows someone who has been poorly treated. The power of perceptions is huge and yet there is no INDEPENDENT INDUSTRY BODY tasked to uphold the reputation of our industry. Rogues need outing for sure but customers aren’t angels either. Every garage should be able to sign our FOXY Lady Promise to ‘never overcharge, patronise or sell motorists anything they don’t need.’ The ones that can’t are usually the ones that pay poorly and incentivise their staff to sell us things we don’t need to earn commission. I think this practice should end.

    #189581 Reply
    Gary
    Guest

    The main problem I’ve found is garages and dealers that operate a bonus scheme. Every one I’ve worked in I witnessed people selling stuff on customers cars that didn’t need doing (I always refused to take part and had lowest sales) but the garages I’ve worked in where there was no bonus scheme I never saw anything being sold/fitted that didn’t need doing (apart from some misdiagnosis I witnessed)

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