andrew.carwithen
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 11:58 AM |
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ChipsAway
I saw an ad for the above franchise company in the local rag.
They are a company that do mobile SMART repairs (Small to Medium Area Repair Techniques) on cars etc.
After making initial enquiries about a franchise, I've received an information pack from them including open day dates etc. It all seems quite
promising, however, I was wondering if anybody has had dealings with this company either as a customer or franchisee?
I'm just trying to get an informed, balanced view before attending an open day.
Andy.
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graememk
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 11:59 AM |
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i've used dent away a few times, very very £££ but a good job done.
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Krismc
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 12:07 PM |
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Ive used chips away, i thought they where cheap and a guy in my street also works for them...must pay well he owns a St and a range rover...cough
cough .. c***...
They did a small mark on my brabus and it was a great job, and he was looking around the kit car, i got asked if i wanted to work for them as a
improver but only starting on 17k, after that i never did contact him, and a few months later i went for a interview for a job with the 'plastic
surgens' similar sort of thing they do bumper repairs and upvc window sills etc....but the pay just wasnt good enough again!!
and im glad i never took the job as my current job is fantastic
[Edited on 4/11/07 by Krismc]
[Edited on 4-11-07 by Fozzie]
Built, Ivaed, Drove and now Sold - 2011 MNR VORTX RT+ 2000cc Zetec on R1 Throttle boddies.
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Danozeman
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 12:11 PM |
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My mate has used them on quite a few occassions and hes a very fussy f-er so they must be good.
Dan
Built the purple peril!! Let the modifications begin!!
http://www.eastangliankitcars.co.uk
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Paul TigerB6
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 12:50 PM |
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I worked for a car dealer for almost a year as a valetter as an interim role after my ex had a very serious car crash. We dealt with the local Chips
Away guy on a very regular basis and he always did an exceptional job. Watching him work was very interesting anyway and i couldnt recommend Chips
Away highly enough - well worth looking into IMHO.
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smart51
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 01:25 PM |
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Chips away did a very thorough job for me too. highly recommended.
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mark chandler
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 02:40 PM |
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I have a friend that started doing this a few years ago, purchased the franchise, purchased the van which they charge to logo up, purchased the tools,
purchased the stock, attended the training etc.
All good so far, he went for the premium package so paint, interior repairs everything however then he entered the real world.....
Most dealers already have agreements with similar companies already, he just could not get the work in. Tried local advertising, leaflets around
supermarkets, mail shots etc but could still only then get a few jobs per week. Ended up with debt, the franchise dealer made mucho money out of
setting him up.
I should also add they promised work via there call centre, but got minimal help.
I,m not saying its a bad thing to get into but you need to research who will use you.
Trade is where most work will come from, small garages etc so get this agreed in principle before moving forward and spending money.
Regards Mark
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 02:54 PM |
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also , corner repairs , like bumper scrapes that you might get asked to outside , cant really be as good as getting it an oven .
smart repairs set you up , you can only buy their paints etc .
i have a local chap , been spraying over 30 yrs , worked as a rep for one year , came back into spraying , seen 3 guys go bust doing 'smart
repairs' .
the price of a so called smart repair can be matched easily by a competent spray booth and individual .
if your in london - can charge top whack travel small distances , dont go back to any jobs (ie get them all right) you might make some money .
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 03:05 PM |
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My neighbour had some work done by them - very good job, can't see where the damage was.
Allegedly, if you go far enough up the company chain, you end up at duPont...
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mr henderson
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 04:40 PM |
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There no doubt that most of the firms offering these franshises do have systems which work very well.
The problem from the investor's point of view is getting enough work to provide an income and to cover the very considerable start up costs
Remember, it's not whether the repair system is good or not, but whether you can make more money doing this than sticking to your existing
job.
IMHO, if the franchises that these (and most other) franchise operators are as good as they would like you to believe, then why don't they keep
the profit for themselves and operate each branch themselves. Answer- because the franchise operator is going to work a LOT harder and a LOT longer
than any employee.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 06:33 PM |
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The chances of making decent money aren't good, you will pay through the nose for the franchise, and remember you will have no income if you are
forced to take time off.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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Simon
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| posted on 4/11/07 at 07:37 PM |
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If you sign an agreement, ensure it states they will provide you with x amount of work (and therefore income).
If they won't agree to that, then perhaps you shouldn't.
ATB
Simon
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