Self service garage UK poll

[Fergie-Z4]

hello

I know I don't post on here regularly but i am after a bit of advice/opinions. I am looking at starting up a business where we would be operating a self service style garage. We would be supplying vehicle lifts,ramps,jacks and tools etc. I know there are a few already running in the UK but i feel as there should be some more.
I would like to you to please vote on this poll as to wether you would be interested in using this kind of service.

many thanks
adam

 

[-Tom-]

I wanted one of these recently when I couldn't be bothered faffing in the rain, but couldn't find one near my dad's at the time. All depends on your catchment area I guess - and to look very long term with cars becoming less self-servicable, as to how long you want the business to run.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[JaEdBa]

would it be a bit of a h&s nightmare?

the other issue I foresee is we would all like to think that you'd rock up there on a Saturday morning with a flask of coffee and spend a bit of time tinkering, but in reality you'd be surrounded by people trying to fix the unfixable, b*ggering off halfway through to collect parts etc; I think, in reality, the simple logistics and management would prove a real headache. probably get round this by selling membership and retainers...

 

[MrPT]

Interesting idea. Just as a gut feel, it doesn't sound like a sustainable business from a public liability perspective. You could put in disclaimers, hold-harmless waivers etc and manage to get cover for substantial damages, but in the event that someone injures or kills themselves on your property using your kit, you could still be held criminally responsible. Insisting that people are trained on the equipment would probably negate the convenience of the self-service aspect and I'm not sure it would make a huge amount of difference anyway, in the event that someone drops a car on their face.

[ EDIT - I've still voted "yes", by the way ]

 

[Sae]

The general idea is good, especially for those in flats or new to the tinkering side of things so not having a full toolkit...

however, I would think that it would be a nightmare in terms of H&S, booking slots usage, admins and membership fees etc.

And to be honest, although this would be great, I could probably think of only one or two times when this would have been useful, so from a money making perspective, not sure what the turnover would be.

Good luck though

 

[Converted Steve]

On the surface it sounds like a good interesting idea.

I don’t necessarily agree that it would be an H & S nightmare; all risks could easily be managed. Although you as others have said would be responsible providing you have done proper and thorough risk assessment and taken all reasonably practicable precautions.

I do however think it could be a nightmare with regards to booking slots, usage, admin and membership fees. And I’m not convinced that this idea as a completely stand alone business could be financially sustainable.

 

[domsz4]

Sounds great, I'd use it for sure. Just not sure how often I'd use it.

A friend used a similar thing for his motorbike recently.

I have no idea about all the safety etc but if its being done already who knows? Maybe it's worth using one if the others to see? This idea comes up every so often. I know I read in others there are mechanics on hand for when you get stuck and I think it was said you have to say what it is your attempting when booking. So it's not so much of a rock up and tinker more of a rock up and do what you say?

 

[Converted Steve]

Take a look at the one in this link, sounds like the sort of thing you're talking about

http://u-spanner.co.uk/

Prices look ok to

■Per Hour: £20
■Half Day: £50 (5 hours, eg: 07:00 – 12:00, 18:00-23:00)
■Full Day: £100 (07:00 – 17:00)
■Weekend: £200 (07:00 Saturday – 17:00 Sunday)
■Negotiable packages for professional and regular users

 

[BRC]

Often thought about this as a would be business. I regularly watch my son struggle to do this or that to his car knowing that a lift would enable him to complete the task in a tenth of the time. Have to say on the odd occasion I too would be more than happy to pay money for the loan/use of a lift.