need peoples views on self service garages!

Shiny · Post by **Shiny** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:57 am

Pits can be a nightmare. I know of a claim where a chap was working in a pit and not far away in the workshop another chap was emptying a petrol tank.

As petrol fumes are heavier than air, they all dropped down into the pit. The chap working in the pit accidentally dropped a spanner and a spark was enough to ignite the air, booooom, causing him severe burns. Seems there was the right mixture of fumes and air for combustion, much to the misfortune of the poor chap working in the pit.

2lude · Post by **2lude** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:41 am

I thought the idea of these places were you had x amount if qualified mechanics on hand to help and give guidance

littlefeller · Post by **littlefeller** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:56 am

yeh but then you have staff to pay

Supercharged 無限MUGEN BB1 Profile · Post by **nucleustylzlude** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:08 am

This is why I asked, whether there would be a qualified mechanic around? I appreciate you’re good with a spanner Ste, but it’s a little different, especially in insurance terms. I hate to go back to it, but you have to look at risks for this business – it has a lot more public liabilities than a lot of other business ideas. Stinks I know, but I’m sure you can come to a definitive business plan to give it a go.

Mention of keeping a part time job is an option to keep your head above water for the early days to see if it would work out. But will ultimately mean working harder to actually make it work.

A thought to draw in customers mid week, could be on and off peak hours? Cheaper hourly rate Mon-Fri, 9am till 5pm? I know there will be people that work shifts and odd hours that would benefit, but it may also tempt in others during that time, people booking leave to work on their car, or even slipping out of work early to come spend their hard earned at your facilities.

We’re all looking at a lot of negatives which reading the thread looks to put you off of the idea. But I say do it – he who dares wins (Rodney). This nation is too much of an ‘employed’ culture now. Working for others, when we all know that with the right business or idea, the right dedication to make it work, you will reap the rewards.

Another thought, what is the other party bringing to the table? Just the workspace? How will it be partnered? You gonna get a short contract agreement written up? If he’s just providing the workshop and nothing else and expects you to set everything up and outlay costs to kit it out, that’s not really a partnership – you may as well just pay him rent. He needs to invest some time and money himself.

Cheers,

Rob

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:32 am

the other way around it might be to set it up as a club with a token annual membership then charges for use might help with some of the legalities

Supercharged 無限MUGEN BB1 Profile · Post by **nucleustylzlude** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:42 am

Like gym memberships? Tie people in for longer periods at discounted rates? Could work. I know I feel I need to go to the gym cos I'm having to pay for it having signed up. Could work, but I guess most people don't need to use the facilities that often?

Post by **indigolemon** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:31 pm

Any tracks nearby? Could you do some kind of tie in with them. Allow people reduced rates before trackdays etc?

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:43 pm

Some really awesome replies guys thanks! Ill reply to each of them when I get home as my stodgy fingers don't do well with essays on this fone lol!!!

Honestly, thanks a lot for taking the time with these replies! Exactly the sort of views and ideas I need to be reading!