TR 2100 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 (edited) marko has a high cred rating on the Forum and in the TR fraternity. His laid back responses to the provocative posts from TR6Poor simply enhance his standing in my eyes. TR6 Poor - marko's rates are for TR Register members- your profile doesn't say if you are a member or not. Are you? That question is NOT impolite whereas, as pointed out before, asking someone's profession IS (at least, it is in the UK) so no reason why you cannot answer. Many valued Forum contributors are not members, so no hassle if you are not, but at least other non-members are open about not being members. Also, having looked through your other posts on the Forum, there are some sensible and useful comments - why this deviation from your norm? marko - I hope you can do my clutch change within one day - much as I would like to enjoy a blast on the Norfolk roads, I can't afford your B&B rates! AlanR Edited June 14, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YankeeTR5 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Speaking on behalf of many on this side of the pond: TR6 Poor seem WAY out of line. Both in tone and content of his comments.... I only wish I had Marko's expertise over here as I go thru the rebuild of my TR5! Cheers....Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I have really enjoyed reading the tangent this thread has gone off with TR6POOR and Marko. I have spoken to Marko on the phone once and bought some gear from him, helpful honest and straight in my books as well as a TR enthusiast. Labour rates tend to vary in loads of different places, unfortunately the number of garages who have the experience, willingness or aptitude to work on a car that they can not plug in a computer to tell them what is wrong is rapidly diminishing. I am not a mechanic myself but tackle mechanical problems on my TR myself for 3 reasons 1 taken slowly and carefully and with the occasional use of a very big lump hammer I can sort most things, not as well as quickly or as competently as a professional outfit like Markos but it keeps my car on the road without too many parts falling off 2 The garage that I used to use on the odd occasion which was manned by an old style mechanic who worked on everything from 300 000 + euro Bugatti's to clapped out minis and charged funnily enough 35 euros an hour has closed as the bloke has retired so he can relax and work on his own cars 3 I find it relaxing to work on the cars (eventually) and satisfying to fix them If it would not ruin the paintwork on the bonnet with the amount of stamps and the airmail sticker I would have no hesitation to send my car to the UK to Markos garage which has an excellent reputation in the UK TR community, plus I understand he makes a mean cup of tea. Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR6 Poor Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Speaking on behalf of many on this side of the pond: TR6 Poor seem WAY out of line. Both in tone and content of his comments.... I only wish I had Marko's expertise over here as I go thru the rebuild of my TR5! Cheers....Dan There are plenty of people over here with the expertise, just not for 53 bucks an hr..What you really want is work/advice for nothing. I also doubt if anyone on this side of the pond has nominated you as their spokesman, and I don't need you sucking up for me. Keep looking, and I am sure you will find someone who can convince you they will work on the cheap and by golly will be doing you a favor. And, as to being offended by someone asking you what they do for a living, what are you all 007's? Get real, this is 2009. This ain't no colony over here anymore. Everything has to be a secret........... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nickthepedal Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 Morning all I was at marko,s on Thursday having a chat about my car and possible work that i may have done during winter, the discussion was open and good advise given and the cost was not talked about. I did not know what labor rates marko had until reading this tread. Marko will get my work when i require it, because they will give you the time and in my opinion honesty in the few times i have visited the garage.We have a chippy in skegness and could serve cheap fish and **** tates and have a brill season then next year because no one would come back business go bust then blame every body else for your inability.All marko is doing is offering a product where he will get repeat business year on year, just as we do and not going for one big hit. Some TR owners do have deep pockets and are taken in by traders because of there enthusiasm for the marque and can become easy pickings others peoples pockets arnt so deep and now people are beginning to ask questions due to economic conditions. It will be interesting to see what other traders do in the future as there workshops lay dormant and the spanner men are painting the floors. Heres an idea the spanners could go to work for marko cos hes going to need them with all the extra work thats coming in OR the other traders could rethink there prising policy ? Regards Alan Alan I have to agree with yor comments. Marko will get repeat business and this has to be a very important consideration when running any business. Some folk are some how reassured by paying through the nose for things !! There are far too many to chaps out there with a goal of ripping people off for as much as they can possibly get away with. Many take the view if you can afford to have a TR you will pay whatever they ask. Same with Boats infact far worse with boats. Just as good a job can be achieved for a fair price if you ask around. Mark has done a few jobs for me the price is always very competative and the standard of work and the advice is first class. He even picked the car up for me when passing with the transporter. Although Marks garage is 100 miles away my TR will always return for any work needed. Cheers. Nick. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard71 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 There are plenty of people over here with the expertise, just not for 53 bucks an hr..What you really want is work/advice for nothing. Hold on TR6 Poor, The majority of us (including you) benefit from seasoned TR owner's experience & expertise via this forum, advice, tips & help is all given in good faith, and, free of charge. Richard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
simon iregbu Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 (edited) Speaking on behalf of many on this side of the pond: TR6 Poor seem WAY out of line. Both in tone and content of his comments.... I only wish I had Marko's expertise over here as I go thru the rebuild of my TR5! Cheers....Dan I am just reading all this today and thought I would ad my 50cents to the discussion. I concur with Dan and having restored my TR6 in the UK and now being part way through the restoration of my 250 I can say that the guys that provide service to the triumph fraternity in the UK like Marko should be given gold medals. I think they provide a very valuable service at extremely reasonable prices, unfortunately here in the US there are very few who would offer advice without considering charging $100 to tell you something that you already know. I have been subject to high hourly rates for bodywork repairs as these people think that you could get $100,000+ for the finished car, and hence get your money back. I have spent at least 3 times what the car would be worth (completed) to date and I still have all the interior, trim & electrics to finish. whilst I wished I had never started (5 years ago) on a ground up restoration I am not one to quit and at least i know that everything has been replaced/repaired. I still have a beef with the main dealers here who will insist on charging $90+/hour to have some 'mechanic' to diagnose a problem with your car by basically reading the manual and following what it written by someone else. Now before anyone gets offended I know that they have to pay for special equipment, etc. but don't tell me that they are any more skilled than 99% of people that own a TR. I have on occasion complained to the service manager about being told what I already know as the problem and having to pay for 1-2 hours of the engineers time for them to come to the same conclusion, and on a number of occasions they have refunded me this charge. So I would say that when its below freezing in the middle of winter then (and only then) there is a case for the 'specialist' to deal with the problem. But as for simple 'wrenching' (as they call it here) then save yourself the money and do it yourself. I helped a friend with replacing his clutch, with the car sitting on his drive outside, it took an afternoon (~5hours); and all we used were some axle stands and a trolley jack. Simon Edited June 14, 2009 by simon iregbu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR6 Poor Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 I am just reading all this today and thought I would ad my 50cents to the discussion. I concur with Dan and having restored my TR6 in the UK and now being part way through the restoration of my 250 I can say that the guys that provide service to the triumph fraternity in the UK like Marko should be given gold medals. I think they provide a very valuable service at extremely reasonable prices, unfortunately here in the US there are very few who would offer advice without considering charging $100 to tell you something that you already know. I have been subject to high hourly rates for bodywork repairs as these people think that you could get $100,000+ for the finished car, and hence get your money back. I have spent at least 3 times what the car would be worth (completed) to date and I still have all the interior, trim & electrics to finish. whilst I wished I had never started (5 years ago) on a ground up restoration I am not one to quit and at least i know that everything has been replaced/repaired. I still have a beef with the main dealers here who will insist on charging $90+/hour to have some 'mechanic' to diagnose a problem with your car by basically reading the manual and following what it written by someone else. Now before anyone gets offended I know that they have to pay for special equipment, etc. but don't tell me that they are any more skilled than 99% of people that own a TR. I have on occasion complained to the service manager about being told what I already know as the problem and having to pay for 1-2 hours of the engineers time for them to come to the same conclusion, and on a number of occasions they have refunded me this charge. So I would say that when its below freezing in the middle of winter then (and only then) there is a case for the 'specialist' to deal with the problem. But as for simple 'wrenching' (as they call it here) then save yourself the money and do it yourself. I helped a friend with replacing his clutch, with the car sitting on his drive outside, it took an afternoon (~5hours); and all we used were some axle stands and a trolley jack. You really should study what you write Simon. If you don't like paying $90+/hr., and all they tell you is what you say you already knew, THEN WHY DO YOU KEEP GOING BACK? You to expect to get it on the cheap ole boy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 TR6 POOR Please just go to bed will you,and give your a$$$ a rest. MARKO you must owe this guy big time as advertising this good costs a fortune [uRGH NOT MONEY AGAIN]anyway keep up the good work and i admire the way that you must have been biting your tongue for so long ROY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PILKIE Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 TR6POO reminds me of a previous sad troll we had on the forum! Only seems happy when antagonising and winding up other forum members! Thats their agenda! Sad innit!!! Best ignored and they will eventually get bored and bu##er off somewhere else! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 TR6POO reminds me of a previous sad troll we had on the forum!Only seems happy when antagonising and winding up other forum members! Thats their agenda! Sad innit!!! Best ignored and they will eventually get bored and bu##er off somewhere else! Dave, TR6 Poor has been around for just over a year and has for the most part been a reasonable contributor with probably no more of an attitude than some others we see in online communities. He has not always taken the contrary position and I admire his tenacity for going after the PI conversion. I actually dont know what has gotten him bent out of shape with this thread, it isnt obvious even when you re-read the whole thing and I wonder if there isnt something else going on so I would just suggest we move on at this point before we start going around in circles or the tone degrades further. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted June 14, 2009 Report Share Posted June 14, 2009 (edited) TR6 Poor has been around for just over a year and has for the most part been a reasonable contributor Agreed - I checked his posts out of interest and he seems to be a genuine hands-on enthusiast. I would just suggest we move on at this point. Agreed. AlanR Edited June 14, 2009 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fremont Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 Why not drop in to the next Essex Group meeting and see if you can't recruit a couple of pairs of willing hands for a Saturday afternoon ? And then return the favour in the future when the willing hands are in need . . . . A bit of mutual assistance makes the exercise a darn sight easier and cheaper. It's the way we all used to do things, after all, We do this quite regularly in SE Ohio. Just plain good fun. As for 5 hours to change a clutch I'd say that's flying ( but not impossible especially for the habitual offenders ). In this case (2) mechanics cooperating could get it done more than 2X as fast as one . As I mentioned on the 1st page we don't have local resources like Marko who are both reasonably priced and proficient. I gather TR6POOR was just reeling in disbelief - he's obviously accustomed to DIY as evidenced by doing a P.I. conversion here with no expertise available to him, to speak of - so give him a moment to recalibrate his frame of reference - before he drops out of sight for good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jean Posted June 15, 2009 Report Share Posted June 15, 2009 My friendly TR specialist here in Belgium is charging 40 Euros/ph + vat for TR Club members and he is a TR expert. He is building the fastest TRs on the Continent and winner of numerous Classic races. I spend a day per week in his shop and have assisted him on many box/clutch changes. For an expert it's a quick job under condition that some earlier dummy has not spoiled the tunnel bolts by fitting metrics etc ... making the nuts to rotate in the cages Owners glueing all the carpets to the floor and tunnel is another fun-game you regularly encounter, but on these cars nothing is strange after so many years. Anyhow Mark's statements about labour rate and time schedule sound totally correct to me, but I only drive and maintain my TRs since 1963 p.s. Wonder why most people in the U.S. have 3 jobs when their income rate is so high and taxes so low Quote Link to post Share on other sites
simon iregbu Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) You really should study what you write Simon. If you don't like paying $90+/hr., and all they tell you is what you say you already knew, THEN WHY DO YOU KEEP GOING BACK? You to expect to get it on the cheap ole boy. The only reason to go to these people is because with everything electronic on modern cars you can never be 100% sure. I don't expect to get things on the cheap but I do expect to get better value for my money. Especially when I, as an automotive consultant for the past 20years cannot get anywhere near that rate and the work that I am involved with is the development of new vehicles. Edited June 17, 2009 by simon iregbu Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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