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The Independent Garage Association has published a checklist for garages to use when deciding to list on consumer facing websites that provide them with servicing and repair work.
The 2019 Garage Work Provider report investigates the variety of business models, fees and terms and conditions that consumer work provision websites use.
It acknowledged that many independent garages choose to use the services of work providers and said the aim of this report was to provide the information these garages need to make the best decision on which work provider to contract with.
The IGA urges garages to be clear on the costs involved in dealing with a particular work provider and check the claims made about the volume of work provided.
And it advises independent garages to look for the provider’s online presence by searching on Google and check whether there are any requirements or restrictions applied to the supply of parts or in respect of warranties.
Check the site out from a consumer perspective. How are the garage businesses presented to the consumer?
It warns independents to check contracts for terms and conditions in relation to cancellation, payments of fees and commissions, mandatory additional checks or other non-chargeable work and collection and delivery requirements.
It also said to check out their consumer feedback system. Do you have any “right to reply” to bad feedback?
Stuart James of the IGA said: “We consider it our responsibility to our members and the sector as a whole to ensure that garages are given the right information before they decide whether to engage or not with these third party organisations.”