Not wholly off topic.......Is there a market for this service?

[meladdo]

I am based in Wigan North West UK.

I was wondering if there was a need or a market for a service that would pick up your car and take it to the factory wait while service is done then pick up and return to you?

If this was an option for people what would you be happy to pay realistically for a service like this.

The Service provided...simple really
Your Atom picked up from your home or place of business placed into a covered trailer and taken to factory.
(depending on work / service to be done) brought back on the same day.


Let me know what you think?

[Maxime06]

Isn't the factory already providing this service?

[meladdo]

Not sure Maxime? If it does do you know what they charge?

[Maxime06]

it depend from where i was quoted £450+VAT from London (one way) lets just say i did not use this service

[phil4]

If the service was suitably insured, and could be trusted, then price would need to be about £250 inc VAT for me (South of Oxford), both ways.  No need for it to be same day, or to wait while worked on... but if it were much over the above, I'd just do a drive and train it back.

[Rocket Man]

:tu:That sounds like a good service for us northern folk. I had my car collected from the factory but on an open trailer by Ron Hodgson at Up Holland, I think it cost me about £300 inc VAT. That was a one way journey but he had to go down with an empty trailer to get it so it was much the same journey for them as a deliver and return. The problem comes with what is being done and the timescale of waiting around for the car to be finished. A service would be ok but what if you wanted a S/C fitted then that takes time and that means sitting around playing in their demonstrators while waiting,    sounds good

[ChuckUK]

Does anyone take their car to the factory for a service then ? Got to be one of the most accessible cars ever to do your own and with no warranty what's the point.

[phil4]

[quote="ChuckUK"]
Does anyone take their car to the factory for a service then ?
[/quote]

Yep me, I'm hopeless with a spanner.

[John Scherrer]

Didn't you mean with a hammer? 

[Trigger]

I always wanted the factory to cast their eye over the car once a year - eventhough I am sure I could do the basic service items - what if rod ends/bearings etc need changing ? I wouldnt have a clue.

[julian]

Factory every time. Far more desirable for purchaser when it's time to sell.

[gavstoke]

I agree with Trigger and Julian on this.

Cheers,

Gav

[ChuckUK]

[quote="julian"]
Factory every time. Far more desirable for purchaser when it's time to sell.
[/quote]

Personally on a car like an Atom this doesn't apply, I'm interested in the condition/mileage and how it's been driven than servicing. Buying a low mileage car that's three years old with no service is far more desirable than one with more miles/5yrs old serviced every 6months.

[Trigger]

It may not apply to you but it does apply to most of the Atom community. I would prefer a car that has been to the factory every time. I looked at a car with somebody a few years back and it had been serviced by Honda specialists and not Ariel and the cars was awful - all the painted marks on builders etc were off, all the wires broken etc.

There may not be a warranty but I would say imho it matters even more on a car liek this that the factory sees it.

[ChuckUK]

[quote="Trigger"]
I looked at a car with somebody a few years back and it had been serviced by Honda specialists and not Ariel and the cars was awful - all the painted marks on builders etc were off, all the wires broken etc.
[/quote]

I don't really think is has any relevance, ask any car owner of any manufacturer and you will always find good and bad for car servicing. Take the GTR, no one uses Nissan they all use private companies.