right to repair
The right to repair has become the mantra for constitutional rights for motorists around the world. aBr brings our readers a series of interviews with role
players in the automotive aftermarket, with the intention to shed some light on this intriguing subject. In this issue, we talk to Adam Ford, who runs an
independent workshop, A and K Motors, in Wynberg, Johannesburg. Adam is also a well-known host for various radio and TV automotive shows, with his
best known gig (now inexplicably defunct) being the popular “Word on Cars” on Radio 702.
Personal and Professional
Service
AF: I would say that we are very
competitively priced.
aBr: What do you see as the role
of your workshop in the
automotive aftermarket?
aBr: The market appears to be
saturated with offerings from
many OEM franchised dealers,
franchised chains, independent
workshops, mobile mechanics,
and even informal mechanics
– is there space for all of these
players?
AF: To offer a reliable and
affordable alternative to the
traditional OEM franchise
dealer, where our customers
can receive personal and
professional attention to all
makes of vehicles.
AF: Most definitely. There are a lot
of very good businesses around
from all spheres of the motor
industry offering good service
to their customers. But then
unfortunately there are also a
lot of shady places that give the
industry a bad name. At the end
of the day it’s up to the consumer
to find the trustworthy workshops
and to support them.
aBr: What is the “value add” that
you offer the market, that
stands out from franchise
dealers and other aftermarket
offerings?
AF: Besides the fact that I
believe we strive to offer
quality work, it’s the personal
service we offer that makes
the customer feel confident
enough to come back to us
and to refer us to others.
aBr: And finally, you have a good
name in the market – what do
you attribute this to?
aBr: Are the services you offer
and the parts that you fit on
a par with OEM franchise
dealers?
AF: In most instances the
parts that we fit are either
genuine parts sourced from
franchised dealers or are
quality aftermarket products
from well-known branded
suppliers e.g. GUD, ATE,
Ferodo, Bosch, etc. And of course,
it is a well-known fact that most
of these aftermarket brands are
suppliers to the OEMs as well.
aBr: When it comes to servicing and
repairs do you cherry pick?
AF: No, we don’t. We try to be a one
stop shop for all our customers’
requirements.
aBr: And if one compares prices,
where do you sit in the “cost”
chain?
| words in action
46
august 2014
AF: I believe it’s the service that we
offer our customer and the little
extra things such as taking time
to explain what is needed and
why. Many customers have no
idea about the workings of a
car and the technical problems
that occur, so a little time
explaining why and what you
have done always goes a long
way in keeping your customer
happy. Ultimately we want our
customer to feel that he or she
can recommend us. We say, If
you are not happy tell us, If you
are happy tell a friend.