My bad experience at Camden GTI

[brimway]

I wonder if Camden GTI would be defended if they weren't a sponsor?

[Darks RS]

No beef against Camden but I'd expect $220 for an oil change.... Act is expensive but even vw dealer wouldn't charge that much here let alone cvwc.

[Transporter]

Yeah, the shop made a mistake. I for many years now, don't do just an oil changes, if you want just an oil change and nothing else, then go elswhere, I don't want to be blamed and explaining myself, when the crash investigators find the service invoice in your car's glovebox with my name on it.

It's not just on, how some people talk about going to the dealer for "a proper service" or shall I repeat the OP's words "rather pay to the dealer $315 for a proper service" and then come to the forum that is run by independent VW shop for the advice and even complain about them.

[shortshifter]

Yeah, the shop made a mistake. I for many years now, don't do just an oil changes, if you want just an oil change and nothing else, then go elswhere, I don't want to be blamed and explaining myself, when the crash investigators find the service invoice in your car's glovebox with my name on it.

It's not just on, how some people talk about going to the dealer for "a proper service" or shall I repeat the OP's words "rather pay to the dealer $315 for a proper service" and then come to the forum that is run by independent VW shop for the advice and even complain about them.

Fair to say you don't take criticism or even feedback from customers very well. The guy made a complaint on valid terms- i don't think bullying him, like you are now, is doing your business any favours.

[Transporter]

Fair to say you don't take criticism or even feedback from customers very well. The guy made a complaint on valid terms- i don't think bullying him, like you are now, is doing your business any favours.

...and you'e made your assumptions on the one side story only.

[robbie]

I wonder if Camden GTI is reading this

I kinda cringe every time someone gives a negative review of a local business service or product. Just a heads up, if Camden GTI contact the Administrator of VWWatercooled with a dispute (trust me I know they'll be reading this) The mods will most likely have to take this post down. Having said that, thanks for the honesty, putting yourself on the line to share your bad experience and I hope the same thing doesn't happen again to you or anyone for that matter.

[BlackSuperb]

I don't want to be blamed and explaining myself, when the crash investigators find the service invoice in your car's glovebox with my name on it.

What a ridiculous thing to say. If someone wants his oil changed, do the job and invoice accordingly. They didn't contract you to overhaul the entire car.

[Transporter]

What a ridiculous thing to say. If someone wants his oil changed, do the job and invoice accordingly. They didn't contract you to overhaul the entire car.

Well, and again! When a new car engine stalls and can be immediately restarted, people scream all over the internet, that it's the life and death situation and demand the fix with the world wide recall.

...and yet, they will dictate to the mechanic what he should do. Contract me to do the job, what a ridiculous think to say.

Anybody can think whatever you want about my business, but I don't do contract's for the oil changes only, where the customer dictates me to skim on the maintenance, which is scheduled by the car manufacturer (even if your car is long time out of warranty). It's only when something goes wrong, they say that the workshop didn't maintain the car properly and slam them for that, nobody will take much of the notice, and that they did what the customer wanted more than an oil change.

Oh! BlackSuperb, do you know that the invoice for the service work (doesn't matter how small or big) is not a contract.

Some businesses may have a contract on maintaining their vehicles with the w/shops or dealerships (not in this case). But again, the reputable shop doesn't accept the contracts where the maintenance would negatively affect the public safety.
Yes, the leaking drain plug had a potential to cause the engine to seize and stop unexpectedly and a good mechanic when he finds that the car wasn’t maintained properly (loose d/plug leaking oil is clean indication of that), would inspect the whole car at least visually, not overhauling it, but would want to make sure that the car is safe to drive on the public roads and inform the customer before and after. If it was me, I would let you sign the document that you refused the safety check demanding the oil change only (despite you’ve had the before purchase inspection done). I would still charge you probably more than just $100 per hour.

I suppose people don’t give much of the thought how much it actually costs to run the business and very often forgot about the rent, overheads, maintaining the stock, having the insurance, workcover and so on.

Those of you guys who think that the 15,000km service or as many mistaken it for just an oil and filter change, that it can be done for $200 all included. Do us a favour, just do it yourself and come to the mechanics only when the car breaks down. We still will be here even in 5-15-20 years.

Oh, the 99% of my customers are of my age, are happy to pay the price I set and don't bargain with me.
They're the proud owners of the European cars and they would most likely see it as a kind of the weakness to ask, if they could pay less for my services. I don't mean to offend anyone with saying that.

[Darks RS]

All the invoice should read is 'service to oil, filter etc'
You'd only get in trouble if you gave a std invoice reading full mechanical inspection, oil, brakes, and suspension etc and that wasn't done.. Again I've got no beef w Camden just saying for all.

[Transporter]

Yes, I agree with you but without seeing the invoice and hearing from other party, I wouldn't be jumping to any conlclusions and wouldn't start bashing the business. As there are bad mechanics and workshops, there are bad customers as well. I'm not saying that's the OP's case.