Re: Video: GoMechanic Review | AC Service Fraud I have used Gomechanic service couple of times and will like to give you a review and do's and dont.
I never trust any car workshop since the time I have bought my first car 25 yrs back. I always make sure I get my car service in front of me but obviously when it needs a major repair requiring overnight stay I prefer the one I trust the most which need not be authorised service centre only. It's in the DNA of all car service centres to cheat regardless of whether it's authorised or multibrand. So it's better you get a few car services in front of you from a service centre , develop friendly relations with the owner/supervisor/mechanic and then trust the guy next time for any unattended service.
Now sharing my experience of Gomechanic, hope guys at Gomechanic sees my post and perform necessary changes in their service model.
1. Booked service at Gomechanic for my Hyundai Verna fluidic diesel. Alloted JMS automobiles ,Sahibabad. Service done in front of me.
Ist issue used Wrong API rated engine oil. My bad I checked the label on the can, after the oil change was done.
2nd issue and more serious one, they throughly checked my car's braking system, serviced all brakes ,in fact much better then any of authorised service centre. Later suggested to get rear brake pads changed as they are near end of life. They were right but didn't have original rear brake pads, as according to them nobody uses original brake pads in the rear for fluidic Verna as its insanely expensive (Rs6000). Later changed my rear brake pads with some "Compo advics" brake pads. Indeed rear brakes in Verna cost Rs6000. They charged Rs3500 for this aftermarket brake pads(somehow I new I was getting fleeced but no point arguing ,there was no MRP sticker on the aftermarket brakes).
I did complain to service buddy for both issues, but no solution offered.
I started having issues with my rear brake pads after just 2000 kms. The brake pads was replaced free of cost with another company, " Allied Nippon" this time. The issue was resolved but somehow I was not happy with the overall experience. I felt there was less bite with newer brake set and called service buddy again. He then suggested to get brake rotors skimmed . I requested him for another workshop since I was not happy with JMS automobiles. This time "unnati automobiles" Indirapuram was selected. They got the brake rotors skimmed at a local lathe, but to my horrors after these were put back, the car started giving "Kat kat sounds" from the rear everytime brakes were applied. The service centre blamed poor quality brake pads for this issue but since these were replaced at JMS automobiles they can't offer free replacement. I had no option but to agree but I wanted original brake pads or some reputed brand brake pads. They searched for original or reputed brake pads for near about 3/4 hours in neighbourhood car markets but could not find any reputed brand. Authorised service centres were closed during lockdown. Later they could arrange brake pad by a company called "SG Supergrip". I paid Rs1800/ this time for the brake job(skimming +new brake set). Now finally i felt that the job has been done properly. But I was mistaken after few weeks ,there was another issue . I started feeling a backward drag on the car specially in lower gears or less speed. Also noticed a drop in fuel efficiency by around 2 kms/litres. I need to get this thing fixed, which I believe could be again because of rear brake pads/rotors/caliper s. Also I noticed that skimmed brake rotors are prone to Rusting when ever I don't drive my car for a week. So they may need a replacement too. Also it need to be mentioned that no service center had heat resistant greese available with them. So they used normal greese only. .
2. My car needed a clutch overhaul . Replacement of clutch plates, pressure plates, clutch master and slave cylinder were needed. Authorised service centre quoted Rs28000/ for the job. Aftermarket parts were available in the market for Rs7500/ only. So I bought these myself got the job done at Gomechanic workshop (Unnati automobiles) Paid Rs2000 for the labour. Now my clutch system is as good as new. And I saved significantly. I have done around 5000kms on these and absolutely no issues.
3. I needed some denting/painting job. This time I did some research and selected another Gomechanic workshop (Autofixers, Sahibabad),but I decided not to book through Gomechanic app ,but went straight to the workshop. The facilities I saw there were really good, infact better then many authorised workshops. There were numerous cars getting denting painting done there ,so it gave me confidence to try out. I negotiated with the the owner and paid Rs9700/(Gomechanic quoted Rs11000/, authorised Rs30000/, 5panels total) for the job. The paint job was really good and I found no difference then as done by authorised. They were using DuPont paints, 3M polish for post paint polish. Had proper paint booth. Owner personally ,Sent me photos after every step/layer of paint). Good quality denting with negligible use of filler. Although they didn't have electronic denter.
4. I had an accident which needed insurance work. I choose "Autofixers" again. Job done satisfactorily but they could not source some part(Resonator). So they allowed me to use my car till they could source the part. It was at the peak of 2nd wave of covid and even authorised service centres were not working properly. They could source the part after 2 weeks and finally closed insurance claim. By now I have developed good relations with the owner, who is a gentleman. I have also seen that this service centre has a big spareparts store stocking spare parts of many cars. And I have checked their store, they mostly keep either reputed brands aftermarket parts or original parts only.
So my experience after these 4 jobs in covid times
1. Gomechanic has absolutely no control over any of their workshops.
2. Most workshops use aftermarket parts but charge you way above their MRPs. But less then the original parts price. They also have difficulty sourcing many parts. And they may use fake parts too.
3. Service buddy only helps Gomechanic or workshop , absolutely no help to the customer. They recommend those Gomechanic workshops which are either more profitable to them or they just rotate jobs among them, it may not be the best workshop for you. Interestingly their best workshop near my home was "Autofixers" but they never recommended me the same.
4. Gomechanic has tied up with almost all local workshops near my area, and not all of them are good. Most workshops operate at near full capacity thanks to Gomechanic. Since I was getting jobs done In front of me, I noticed service buddy is available over phone only. They don't physically come over and check job done by workshops. Workshops freely use aftermarket parts, and don't always reveal the same to the customer. Charge at will for these parts. Both JMS automobiles and Unnati automobiles was using aftermarket parts (Bumpers, clutch ) but I am sure neither customer nor service buddy was aware of these
So take home message. You may try
1. Gomechanic workshops but not all of them may be good. Just use Gomechanic app/Google to find workshops near you. Go and check the facilities yourself and take a decision.
2. Try sourcing parts yourself. The way you do with FNG.
3. Always get the job done infront of you. If you cannot never go to any Gomechanic workshop.
4. If you finally found a good workshop. You can get the job done straight at workshop without booking through Gomechanic app. It may turn out to be significantly cheaper. |