Pit Start DIY Garage London

[Conor]

So guys,

http://www.pitstartgarage.com/
Park Royal Industrial Estate, Acton, London NW10 6EU

I mentioned in a previous thread that I was going to visit this place and would report back.

My experience was not positive.

TLDR: The place is a mess and negative atmosphere, customer service. Too bad.

I called before going up there to see what was needed such as documentation etc.. I was told money was the only documentation I needed. The guy was quite gruff on the phone and it felt like he couldn't wait to hang up. Wasn't interested in taking a booking to secure a place.

Arrived up Saturday morning (9am). Only a few bays occupied by cars with people working on them. The rest of the facility was littered with cars and other stuff. Very messy and the polar opposite of the pristine photos on the website - I can only guess they were taken before first customers arrived.

There was nobody at the front desk, I had to go searching for somebody who worked there.. when I met the guy who I spoke with the previous day. He was very stand offish, not friendly and I felt more like a hindrance than a paying customer. I was told to check back later that day to see if a spot was available.. I left and drove home.

Fast forward to Sunday morning.. I call them again. Different person on phone. Again no booking option, but told that there should be a bay available when I arrive at 2pm. I figured i'd give it a go. I got into the car to drive up there. After setting off, I just didn't have a good feeling so decided to go home. I didn't want to arrive up there to find there wasn't a bay available - this was likely imho and would have really ****ed me off. I didn't feel like it was going to be an easy task to get somebody to show me how to use the lift etc, which is obviously very important.

To summarise: Seems badly managed, no real customer service, place is generally a mess and doesn't seem like a place I would like to work with a completely negative atmosphere.

I am back to square one now, needing to rent a lift so that I can work on my car

It's a real bummer because I need to change the oil and brake pads. I really don't fancy jacking up on parking lot of my estate any more, unless an emergency.

 

[vtaylor78]

It’s obvious they don’t seem to give a Toss about customers, very strange! What else goes on there ?

 

[AMGeed]

Keep searching Conor. There must be another somewhere in London.

I'd have done the same and not bothered either. The first visit would decide it for me.

 

[Conor]

It’s obvious they don’t seem to give a Toss about customers, very strange! What else goes on there ?

Yea strange.

From looking at the website they offer MOT + regular service on cars too. There were cars and crap all over the place. Apart from the lifts, I couldn't tell the bays apart.

I am wondering what goes on there.. perhaps they have plenty of long term rentals on weekly rates etc so probs not too pushed. I wonder do many professionals work out of there servicing other peoples cars, because to be honest, it didn't look like many other diy'ers there. There was one nice CL63 looking a bit dusty though.. I drooled for a moment, then gathered myself and left

 

[alexanderfoti]

A few of these have popped up, but they rarely last long as the financials never work IMO! The hourly rates they need to charge approach that of good indy.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Looking at the website the only way I would book with them is for the day at least then you are guaranteed a bay

 

[Conor]

Looking at the website the only way I would book with them is for the day at least then you are guaranteed a bay

Where did you see that on the site?

Jesus.. the guy said they close at 8pm, but the site makes reference to 10PM and the fact that they are 24/7.

A few of these have popped up, but they rarely last long as the financials never work IMO! The hourly rates they need to charge approach that of good indy.

Funny thing is this place has been around for at least 10 years I think.. they blend in full service too along with MOT so I think rental is only part of the model.

--

There seem to be a a few others around the country and also some big operations in the USA. I think the secret is not in simply renting the bays, but also providing value added services alongside, such as:

* Regular mechanics service
* Parts
* MOT etc

I guess then you are effectively running a garage and renting out bays to help cover some costs.

 

[Conor]

I've been lounging around for the past few hours like a lost puppy lmao..

There were a bunch of stuff planned for both my cars and now I literally have nowhere to work on them ffs.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Where did you see that on the site?

Jesus.. the guy said they close at 8pm, but the site makes reference to 10PM and the fact that they are 24/7.



Funny thing is this place has been around for at least 10 years I think.. they blend in full service too along with MOT so I think rental is only part of the model.

--

There seem to be a a few others around the country and also some big operations in the USA. I think the secret is not in simply renting the bays, but also providing value added services alongside, such as:

* Regular mechanics service
* Parts
* MOT etc

I guess then you are effectively running a garage and renting out bays to help cover some costs.

Ah I see. In the USA large space is probably easier to find. I wonder how difficult their insurance is!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Where did you see that on the site?.

Self service/rates

 

[Conor]

Quick update on this: A positive one this time
---------------------------------------------------

I visited the workshop again earlier in the week.. I had the day off and fancied giving it another go. I met the guy who runs the place (named Ali), who was VERY helpful and friendly.. he showed me how to use the lifts properly and safely, which was my number one concern really. He booked me in. Explained that it was 20 per hour (+VAT), and once I exceed 4 hours they won't charge me extra as the day rate is 80+VAT.

I ended up working on a four post lift beside the guy with who provided a negative experience. It turns out that he is a self employed mechanic, who is retained by Pit Start in some capacity to offer help when needed.. :/ He was helpful to me on the day when I had some simple questions and also let me borrow an item which I had forgotten.

It turns out that most of the bays are hired by self employed mechanics who work for their own client base. Their is even an MB specialist who was running a STAR session on a newish W222 S Class, as well as being the one working on the CL 63 mentioned earlier. He was very friendly and answered a simple question I had. In fact, any body I spoke to was friendly and helpful. I felt much better.

So mostly professionals, but another DIYer rolled up in an old Triumph at one point and did a little work (Oil change I think) and headed off again.

Some items that weren't as positive:

* The place doesn't really offer tools like they advertise on the website. I believe they used to, but over time, the tools went missing and haven't been replaced. I also believe the inventory of for sale items is not really there either.
* There is a lot of oil everywhere, on the ground and work bench. So if you want a clean worktop bring a sheet of some sort. I also recommend spare shoes and something to cover your carpet and even car seat.


To finish:

I would go back, but keeping all the above in mind. I have now purchased a decent jack for home use so will probably do a lot of mechanical work on the drive at home. In the future I am probably going to use PitStart for things like detailing or other work when I can benefit from being indoors, and also raising the car up will help save my back.

Also.. Just on the off-chance anybody is interested. Myself and a friend are potentially going to rent out a small garage/workshop which we can use a base to work on our cars etc. If anybody else is interested in this and around SW London feel free to PM me if you want to participate.

 

[coventryslk]

Conor there's Costco for a decent Jack. I have one from there the aluminium/steel Arcan for about £90. They are selling a different one now but still good value.

Ramp & Wrench near me stopped hiring the bays out for £15 said it was difficulties with insurance? That place seemed good value at the time