The Garage 353

More documents

Recommendations

Info

OPINION I’M SORRY, BUT IT’S A NO FROM ME! Ah, the joys of the motor trade. Always driving something different, never the same car twice. My neighbours never knew if it was our car, a new sales car or a customer’s car. However, that also brings with it some challenges. Walking out of the gym one morning I found myself standing in the car park thinking not where had I parked, but what had I parked! I’ve mentioned before I love driving, washing or just looking at a good car, that the passion runs deep with me. How deep, I hear you ask? Deep enough to turn a good job offer down. I had just left JLR and had a very good interview with a large German OEM supplier. The interview went well and the phone call came through the next day offering me the position, hooray! Then they told me about my new company car, a Toyota Prius. I know, I know, that’s exactly what I thought. Allow me to explain. Whilst at JLR my car was a Discovery Sport, Yulong White and fully loaded. I never drove it, my wife did. She likes new cars; I prefer jumping in and out of something different every week. The money was better, the commute was slightly easier. But the car was . . . just not for me. When I told him that, he hesitated and asked me what I meant. I explained that I have a history of fun cars, and that they are more than a means of getting around. I told him they are an extension of our personality, that they say a lot about us without us saying a word. What would my arrival in a Prius say about me, I asked him? “It’s just a car Onkar, I don’t know what you’re going on about.” he told me. Hmmm, it appears he doesn’t get it or that I’m overreacting? I ask if I can opt out of the car and source my own. No he replied. It’s all part of the fixed package. “OK, well thank you for the opportunity.” I told him. Nothing else to say really, I thought. He then offers to see if there is anything they can do and that he’ll call me the next day. When he calls me he’s in a chipper mood, problem solved he tells me. By Onkar Chahal I can use the company van whilst they sort me out a better car. Great, so now I’m a builder? In that moment I learnt two things. One - The recruitment company didn’t really care about the candidate; they just want the contract signed so they can get paid and move on. Two - The company offering the position were not flexible or keen to listen to the staff or their requirements. They both also learnt something that day, I’m a car guy through and through. I like a balanced chassis, good brakes and a keen engine. I like an upgraded audio system and a panoramic roof. If it’s an auto it has to have paddles, if it’s a manual it has to be a precise gear change, from a manufacturer with a sporting heritage. It has to look good, so not black with black interior. No, something with colour to show it’s lines off, with a light interior with all the necessary toys. I don’t mean lane departure, collision avoidance or cruise control, I want heated seats, sat-nav and Bluetooth for my music. So yes, I turned down a very good job offer with a world class company because of the car they were offering. No point in having principles if you’re going to yield when the going gets tough. 10 THE GARAGE 10 Opinion Onkar.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:21
NEWS Garage Hive’s popular ‘buy now, pay later’ option Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive says a partnership integration with Humm Group Limited (Humm), enabling garages to offer their customers a simple ‘buy now and pay later’ option, is proving popular. Humm is a debt-factoring service that has been seamlessly integrated within Garage Hive to be used quickly and easily. Humm’s financing solution is proven to boost sales order values across many market sectors. Garages wishing to use Humm simply complete a digital form to setup their account. They can then select Humm as the payment method for any job-sheet from within Garage Hive. This triggers a process where the customer receives email and SMS text notifications to securely confirm their identity, view their purchase and either log in or apply to open a Humm account. Account opening is simple for motorists. As a financial agreement, identification and credit checks are required, however, the slick online process gives an instant decision. Once approved, they add a credit or debit card as a ‘funding source’ before selecting their preferred payment plan options. “Offering ‘buy now, pay later’ can help encourage drivers to get essential work done immediately rather than risk delaying it,” said Alex Lindley, Director at Garage Hive. “Household budgets are obviously squeezed so this option makes motoring costs more manageable for many.” Once the payment is authorised within Humm, a notification appears back in Garage Hive reminding staff to open the job and apply the payment, all in just a couple of clicks. Garage Hive’s integration then automatically creates the sales Invoice to Humm, with the reference to the job sheet and Humm’s fees deducted. Garage Hive says Humm can cover anything up a value of £3,000 and fees to garages start from 5%. There’s a comprehensive ‘How To’ guide whilst a short video is also available too (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=LfadAnNYMWQ). Garage Hive has been forward-thinking in developing frictionless payment platforms. Existing partnerships are in place with Pay360 for flexible payment processing and Paymentsense (now Dojo) for card terminal and e-commerce integrations. To discover how Garage Hive’s progressive features and workflows could help streamline your independent garage business, please visit www.garagehive.co.uk Bowmonk & Tapley have for decades been the most recognised and trusted names in portable brake testers. The Bowmonk BrakeCheck is the electronic version that carries on from that pedigree. BrakeCheck is DVSA approved for all classes of vehicle and it records braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance. • Portable & easy to use • No connections to vehicle required • GEA MTS Connected Approved (Upgrade Available) • DVSA approved for all classes of vehicle • Print results to optional portable wireless printer • Approved for 6-weekly checks • Download results to PC (optional software required) • Approved for quarterly brake test requirements • Records braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance Bowmonk Ltd, Diamond Road, Norwich, NR6 6AW T: +44 (0)1603 485 153 E: info@bowmonk.com www.bowmonk.com 11, News Humm.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:22
Page 1 and 2: The Supporting the Independent Gara
Page 5 and 6: Parts for All Vehicles We are the e
Page 9: INDUSTRYNEWS During the first half
Page 13 and 14: IAAF announces first speaker for 20
Page 15 and 16: Reduce ‘Key to Key’ Time by Cho
Page 17 and 18: NEWS HELLA presents first rectangul
Page 19 and 20: SmartRepair DPS.indd 2 27/07/2023 1
Page 21 and 22: SERMI scheme off to strong start, s
Page 23 and 24: NEWS MAHLE Aftermarket issues fitme
Page 25 and 26: WORKSHOP Totalkare Launch Expanded
Page 27 and 28: WORKSHOP MAHLE updates air conditio
Page 29 and 30: of wood between the vehicle and the
Page 31 and 32: WORKSHOP Philips Xperion 6000 Works
Page 33 and 34: Products and Services Contact Paul
Page 35 and 36: TO RECEIVE YOUR WEEKLY COPY OF GARA

The Garage 353

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?