need peoples views on self service garages!

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:51 pm

what do you all recon on them?

two years ago i was on the verge of opening one myself but my mrs fell pregnant and a load of other things happened which forced it from my hands!

so last week my mum randomly mentioned it to one of her old friends owns a HUGE body shop and has offered me to be a partner in converting half of it into a self service garage, its in an amazing location just outside of the city center near the bristol city football ground, has got more space than you'd ever need + a huge yard and space out the front. ive just got back from him pitching his ideas to me and it could be ready within a week! obviously nothings going to be rushed into but im just curious as to what you lot think of it? i know nathan has i-tuned and seemed to be doing alright last time i looked at it but do you think it could be a decent business idea in the current financial climate? would you pay £20 an hour to use ramps/tools/diagnostics equipment??

any input appreciated massively!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:58 pm

great idea mate.
have a read of this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... ice+Garage

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:59 pm

I've thought about this before. Security on tools would be a pain in the ass but worth a go if you have the contacts!

Do it! & good luck

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:07 pm

bb1boy wrote:great idea mate.
have a read of this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topi ... ice+Garage

cheers for that info mate i havent seen that one before! my space would be bigger than that! were planning to have 3 ramps and 4-5 bays

A1ex wrote:I've thought about this before. Security on tools would be a pain in the ass but worth a go if you have the contacts!

Do it! & good luck

surely everyone who loves working on their car has thought about it

before i had a garage i used to HATE getting under my car lol!

as for tool security, we were planning on having everything numbered and stored in a "tool room" where you check out tools when you need them then check them back in before you leave, obviously its something that needs real in depth planning and breakages would need to be taken into consideration

just need to know for sure that you like minded people would consider using a service like that if it was close enough as to be fair, people like us will most probably make up 99% of the customer base id imagine!

cheers for the comments already!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:13 pm

I would use it, my garage is too small to work in and I don't have all tools and ramps etc.. plus living in Cornwall it seems to rain all the time so I can't work outside (on the road) all that often either.

My concern would be for tool damage (as you already said) and people driving in, screwing up their cars and not being able to drive them away again.. I guess you could have a sign up saying, 'any cars left overnight will be weighed in for scrap by the morning!'

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:14 pm

isn't ituned one of these places?

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:17 pm

I love the idea of these, but if I'm completely honest, I'd probably only use one if it was in my own town. When I physically couldn't undo the cat from the downpipe on my daily a while back, I just sweet talked my local mechanic to lift it up on his lift and loosen it for me... Cost me a fiver. That's all I'd really be prepared to hire a lift for... The things that are impossible to do on the ground with a jack and stands.

... But then I am a stingey muffin!

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:19 pm

bb1boy wrote:I guess you could have a sign up saying, 'any cars left overnight will be weighed in for scrap by the morning!'

thats a good idea!! lol well i think that in the case that someone breaks something and cant get the car road worthy that they could have the choice to either -

- id offer a service to trailer their car home for them
- have a host of mobile mechanics numbers available
- offer them to store the car in the yard for x amount per night

A1ex wrote:isn't ituned one of these places?

yeah it is/was? cant find anything on google about whats going on with the place!

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:23 pm

NafemanNathan wrote:I love the idea of these, but if I'm completely honest, I'd probably only use one if it was in my own town. When I physically couldn't undo the cat from the downpipe on my daily a while back, I just sweet talked my local mechanic to lift it up on his lift and loosen it for me... Cost me a fiver. That's all I'd really be prepared to hire a lift for... The things that are impossible to do on the ground with a jack and stands.

... But then I am a stingey muffin!

i totally agree mate! i wouldnt travel any distance to use one if there wasnt one near by, but like you said, something as crappy as removing a cat can be a ball ache on axle stands, plus not everyone has things like blowtorches or air tools which makes jobs like that stupidly easier! suspension jobs can be a pain aswell!

my choices are this at the moment -

carry on as i am as a butcher working 12 hours a day 6 days a week for ok money

take a gamble on something that wont pay well/at all to start off with then may not take off at all and die a fast but painful death.....

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:27 pm

bristol_bb4 wrote:take a gamble on something that wont pay well/at all to start off with then may not take off at all and die a fast but painful death.....

That is quite a gamble

I'd say it'd be more worthwhile asking your local scene (They'd be the ones more likely to use it). There must be some local clubs in bristol right?