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Discount tyres, alignmets, brakes, shocks and exhaust's

2K views 36 replies 13 participants last post by  Spider95 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi guys, I am the manger of a ATS branch in East Grinstead in sussex, if anyone needs anything pop in ask for alex mention this site and i'll give you a discount. The phone number is edit, give us a ring with any questions.
 
#4 ·
Actually, my local ATS is pretty good. Full of very helpful people, willing to fit tyres bought elsewhere. Even let me have a good scope under my car last time I used them, despite it strictly speaking being against their H&S rules.

The rest of what you said is spot on though. ;) I think our commercial team will be in contact.
 
#5 ·
sorry guys, didn't mean to annoy anyone with this post. I actually didn't mean it as a advert, just thought I could maybe help some people out. Also I'm sorry if some of you have had a bad experience with us I can only say not all the centres are the same
 
#6 ·
You haven't annoyed us, but advertising without being a "Trading Member" is against the forum rules and I am constantly warned about it, the thing is I am not a buisness, I just do favours for people and fix the cars first time when dealerships and indies have had the cars for weeks scratching thier heads.

My hatred for places like ATS, Qwik-Fit, National etc, comes from the almost constant load of crap spouted by thier mechanics and the way they scare grannies into having the disks and pads done at the same time as the tyre (which is all they went for) because there is a litte bit of rust on them. I treat them all as profit hunting sharks and the lack of training and ability in many of thier "technicians" has scared me many times. AND I HATE HAVING MY WHEEL NUTS TORQUED UP BY SOMEONE WHO KEEPS TURNING THE WRENCH AFTER THE THING HAS CLICKED :tut:
 
G
#7 ·
My hatred for places like ATS, Qwik-Fit, National etc, comes from the almost constant load of crap spouted by thier mechanics and the way they scare grannies into having the disks and pads done at the same time as the tyre (which is all they went for) because there is a litte bit of rust on them. I treat them all as profit hunting sharks and the lack of training and ability in many of thier "technicians" has scared me many times.
Hear hear.
 
#9 ·
i can can safely say that my all of my tech's are fully quailfied mechanics and do know what they are doing. We all have a interest in cars and take pride in our work and we do not sell stuff that is not needed. Like i said before not all centres are the same so please don't expect us all to be bad.
 
#10 ·
You are the exception to the rule then. I can only confirm what Smaky has said. I have never used ATS but have first hand knowledge of Kwikfit adding unnecessary work to unsuspecting customers.
My own first hand knowledge is simple.
I went to Kwikfit for a price for 4 tyres all in. The quote was in the region of £700 for 4 tyres. I shopped around and had an online price of £520 for the same tyres. I went back to Kwikfit and asked them about there price guarantee . After a few minutes negotiation I got the tyres for £495 all in. Thats a discount of £295
When they had my car up on the ramps the usual s****e started. Brake pads and discs are worn and shock absorbers need changing.
IF my case was an exception then its understandable but I my case is the rule not the exception.
Unfortunately most garages and dealers are no better.
 
G
#11 ·
NOT all ATS employees are idiots. sure some can be a bit lacking, but they are better trained than most other places. working practices are in place for most eventualities, updates for the latest relevant issues are regular so the guys (and gals) have the capabilities to do a decent job.
gone are the days when an untrained fool gets let loose on your car, or it should be :cool:

nice offer aalex :cool:
 
#21 ·
No but you buy the tyres on the net and choose where you want them fitted.
AO members even get an extra discount with Black Circle.

I bought winter tyres last week from tyre shopper with full fitting option . close to £200 difference between highest and lowest price.
 
#25 ·
I think the last two answers say it all. Aalex came in here with a genuine offer of help, without knowing the rules on advertising. There's no need for any kind of witch hunt, and I'd like it to stop now.
 
G
#26 ·
well said mr moderator.

i apologise here and now if i offended anyone last night, smaky included, just when your backs against the wall for what i (and others it seems) saw as an unjust attack on someones work without having reason to then you have to defend yourself.

i will leave it at that.
 
#27 ·
I've not used the likes of ATS r Quick fit for years and never will, from my personal experience they offer poor customer service, and are not the most cost effective. Now I wouldn't have such an issue with them if they hadn't decided to go over my car at the time and try tosell me things that were not needed or required.

Personally I prefer to use small independant businesses and support them.

oh and I have one of smaky's openair engine builds, and can vouch for his good work, since having it back its been driven with throttle either on or off
 
#29 ·
I'm not quite sure why aalex is being 'put down' either. I think the performance of a branch (any branch) of a large chain is very much down to the individual manager and his team. They will all have their own 'Profit Centres' within the Group and performance will obviously be matched against this. I use a very well known chain for MOTs - they have always been very helpful and positive in the last 10 years I have used them!

Of course there will always be 'dodgy branches' of large chains - just as there will always be 'dodgy specialists'. It's just a case of finding a good one of either that counts!
 
#31 ·
I used to run ATS centres and you may get the odd centre that shines above the others due to the managers knowledge and one or two genuinely skilled staff, but on the whole most of them are trained monkeys.
 
#35 ·
To be fair out of all the times I have had to use a big chain like National/Kwik Fit, I have found 3 very good branches.

2 were Kwik Fit - One fixed a puncture for FREE! and the other one was a brand new site with the manager being pulled from a local TVR specialist (thus my TVR was there pronto for a £30 Mobil 1 oil change), all very professional and no recommendations of work suggested ;), they even looked at my oil pressure switch for free.
1 - National - Again very professional and knew their stuff (Bristol-Brislington), but then I went to one in Reading where the term "trained monkey" was almost too complimentary, they boiled my **** so much, I even wrote a letter to their HQ which was totally ignored.

Then the almost theft like actions of a chain called "Humphries", where I took my GTV to have a slow puncture looked at, turns out they couldn't fix it but I asked them to stick the spare on instead. Got into the office and they wanted £20 to swap the tyre over!. They wouldn't release the car until I paid, so I paid by card and then contacted HQ who after an investigation refunded my money. I would never ever ever ever return though, not even if I had a flat outside the door and faced a 40 mile walk.
 
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