www.mercedesspecialistfinder.co.uk

[mark.s]

Thanks for this was recommended to ask for a local indy but this will help loads, cheers

No problem, glad it helps.

 

[Ricardo_e220]

REMINDER - When using a garage / company please rate them on the site. I have seen quite a few recommendation posts lately but not as many recommendations on www.mercedesspecialistfinder.co.uk.

Please remember to do so.

Thanks.

Just gone to do a review of Merk solutions near Newcastle and the phone number is incorrect.. It's listed as a 0115 not as 01670 735212

 

[mark.s]

Just gone to do a review of Merk solutions near Newcastle and the phone number is incorrect.. It's listed as a 0115 not as 01670 735212

Now corrected: http://www.mercedesspecialistfinder.co.uk/search/?postcode=+NE23+1WF&category=14 Thanks.

 

[coxyhog]

Anyone used Hertsmerx recently?
I see they are now part of Prestige Motor Group,is it the same people running it?

 

[mark.s]

Its been under new ownership for around 12 months now. The previous owner of the business who used to post as this company name on the forum, is no longer part of this business.

 

[Some guy on the internet]

It would be helpful if the search could be done by town rather than post code.

 

[mark.s]

Most, if not all, online search sites are driven by Postcode search Autotrader as an example - as its the easiest way to find the precise location - The search criteria can be adapted to up to 50 miles away if this helps.

 

[mooreic]

Has anyone used Haden Birmingham recently? Their website and pricing is attractive and I thought their customer service on the phone was very good when I called (and much better than a few other people I've spoken to). Just thought I'd check before getting a B Service done by them! Thanks.

 

[television]

Have not heard of this one, if you use them would you please give your findings.

 

[mooreic]

Yes, will do.

 

[Del01]

Hi Mark, just tried this very useful looking tool several times, but keep getting system error message - copied below.

"DeBe Error

An error has occurred, please see below for details:
Can't create/write to file '/tmp/#sql_309_2.MYD' (Errcode: 17)

SELECT * FROM (SELECT *,
acos(sin(0.88722398808438)*sin(radians(latitude)) + cos(0.88722398808438)*cos(radians(latitude))*cos(radians(longitude)--0.0030539771251397))*6371 As distance
FROM (
SELECT a.*, a.id AS current_company_id, b.town, b.region, b.postcode as postcodehalf, b.latitude, b.longitude
from company a INNER JOIN postcode b ON a.postarea = b.postcode
WHERE latitude>50.384529197041 And latitude<51.283850802959
And longitude>-0.88695667788421 And longitude<0.53699667788421
) As FirstCut
Where acos(sin(0.88722398808438)*sin(radians(latitude)) + cos(0.88722398808438)*cos(radians(latitude))*cos(radians(longitude)--0.0030539771251397))*6371 < 50
) As a
INNER JOIN company_to_category ON company_to_category.company_id = a.id AND company_to_category.company_category_id = 50
WHERE 1 = 1 AND distance <= 40.2336
ORDER BY company_to_category.enhanced DESC, a.type_id DESC, a.distance ASC, a.id ASC
LIMIT 0, 50

Logging is enabled, the log file is writable and the write was successful. "

 

[mark.s]

WOW, very strange...Thanks for letting me know, I will get this sorted ASAP..

 

[television]

One problem with the post code search is that others like myself do not have the post code of the OP, so it does not work to try and find one near to the OP.

Whilst I do know a few off by heart, it would be nice to be able to give a poster more choice.

 

[mark.s]

I think you have answered your own question Malcolm. Get them to search themselves, which also helps with my stats !!.

 

[television]

I thought that would be the answer Mark, we just need the name of some good indies, and their are some out there that we do not know about.

 

[mark.s]

In 2016 we are developing a new rating system and recommendation facility on the website, which will enable us to view feedback. It is also a good point you raised to see who is classified the top indie / main dealer in the UK by our users, which the stats would allow us to formulate this.

Nice idea Malcolm, I hear an award ceremony coming ?

 

[television]

Not easy working out who is top dog, and not always a fair thing to do. Having been self employed all my working life, no one can win on every job. Being very good at what you do does bring rewards in terms of recommendation.

It can be seen on the forum that members openly praise their good local indie, but many are reluctant to say who the bad ones are, we often have to squeeze it out of the members.

What makes a good indie ?? . Someone who can do the job the way it should be done, and charge the correct rate for doing that job, plus they should stand by what they do.

You cannot do it by the shear size of the outfit, for as we know there are some very good indies who work on their own, and there are others with multiple mechanics. In many cases the size of the workshop dictates how many can be employed, in some cases maybe the indie prefers to just work on his own, so if you try and score Brownie points based on recommendation, the goods one with the most mechanics must win.

Please read between the lines as to what I am trying to say here.

I have never been in the motor trade, but take my case as an electronic engineer. I never wanted to be rich, I loved my job and every working day throughout my working life, but sure I could easily earn more than many.
In 1969 I was offered the contract to service all the Yamaha for the UK followed up with the Nakamichi as well. Within a short time it was a well known fact that the service given by me was the best going. It was in 1978 that someone realized that if I became ill, the service would all crash, so Yamaha opened their own service dept and took on 4 engineers and a manager, then the service all went down hill with many complaints.

There are many indies that work in a very small way, but they do a very good job, yes I have seen some, they care about what they do, they respect the customer and his car, and are very happy to continue through life never wanting to become bigger, So please do take care on your rating system, is it really needed.

 

[Chrishazle]

Another aspect to consider is to review the rating periodically. I speak from personal experience as, some years ago, I gave an excellent write-up to a local (non MB) indie who gave excellent service - the testimonial appeared on his website, which I was quite happy about - at that time. Recently I was less than satisfied with the service from that same indie, and asked him to remove it, as it no longer reflected the service I had received.

 

[Some guy on the internet]

Mark,

What proof do you require that someone who is reviewing an indy has actually been there & had work done?

 

[mark.s]

Hi Mark, just tried this very useful looking tool several times, but keep getting system error message - copied below.

"DeBe Error

An error has occurred, please see below for details:
Can't create/write to file '/tmp/#sql_309_2.MYD' (Errcode: 17)

SELECT * FROM (SELECT *,
acos(sin(0.88722398808438)*sin(radians(latitude)) + cos(0.88722398808438)*cos(radians(latitude))*cos(radians(longitude)--0.0030539771251397))*6371 As distance
FROM (
SELECT a.*, a.id AS current_company_id, b.town, b.region, b.postcode as postcodehalf, b.latitude, b.longitude
from company a INNER JOIN postcode b ON a.postarea = b.postcode
WHERE latitude>50.384529197041 And latitude<51.283850802959
And longitude>-0.88695667788421 And longitude<0.53699667788421
) As FirstCut
Where acos(sin(0.88722398808438)*sin(radians(latitude)) + cos(0.88722398808438)*cos(radians(latitude))*cos(radians(longitude)--0.0030539771251397))*6371 < 50
) As a
INNER JOIN company_to_category ON company_to_category.company_id = a.id AND company_to_category.company_category_id = 50
WHERE 1 = 1 AND distance <= 40.2336
ORDER BY company_to_category.enhanced DESC, a.type_id DESC, a.distance ASC, a.id ASC
LIMIT 0, 50

Logging is enabled, the log file is writable and the write was successful. "

NOW FIXED AND READY TO USE