Tired of being screwed

[baabaabobo]

I found another slow puncture this morning and after close examination saw the head of a screw in my front tire (tyre).

As I had an important meeting and the tire was getting soft I stopped at the closest place that could fix this (near the Thalang Tesco).

The name of this place indicates rapidity preceded by a letter of the alphabet. I signed a form and was told to wait in the waiting room.

Half an hour later I saw my car had been lifted to eye level but nobody had yet touched the offending wheel.

An hour later I started pacing and looking at my watch to show that I needed to be somewhere else. 90 minutes later I was handed the bill. 500 baht! I exclaimed that I had had this procedure done many times and that it never cost me more than 100 baht. He smiled and claimed there were two screws removed but had no proof to show me.

I asked for a printed receipt, which caused a bit of worry, but they finally give me one (dated 01/01/1901). I rejoined my car and saw that as a final insult they had slapped a sticker of their yellow logo on the rear screen without asking... Never will I return to this place.

You have been warned.

[skyaslimit]

You should be watching the tyre not your watch.

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[NamKangMan]

At the risk of stating the obvious, what about putting the spare tyre on yourself, getting to where you had to be, close to on time, and then shopping around for a fairer price, at a later point in time?

Edited June 9, 2014 by NamKangMan

[hkt83100]

Or what about just pumping enough air in the tyre to reach the next reasonable repair shop? B-Quik in Patong does these fixes for free... on the other hand, 80 to 100 Baht seems to be a normal price for that kind of repair.

[steelepulse]

Or what about just pumping enough air in the tyre to reach the next reasonable repair shop? B-Quik in Patong does these fixes for free... on the other hand, 80 to 100 Baht seems to be a normal price for that kind of repair.

Apparently not the one in Thalang.

>>The name of this place indicates rapidity preceded by a letter of the alphabet.

[shirtless]

If you expect good service your in the wrong country.I know how frustrating this can be but it will never change unless your waving a 1000 bht note.This universal language Thais do understand.

[bkkjames]

If you expect good service your in the wrong country.I know how frustrating this can be but it will never change unless your waving a 1000 bht note.This universal language Thais do understand.

Hmmm. I had a nail removed and tire repaired in 15 mins a week ago for 100 baht.

Would that happen where you hail from?

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[Guest]

Or what about just pumping enough air in the tyre to reach the next reasonable repair shop? B-Quik in Patong does these fixes for free... on the other hand, 80 to 100 Baht seems to be a normal price for that kind of repair.

Apparently not the one in Thalang.

>>The name of this place indicates rapidity preceded by a letter of the alphabet.

It might be worth of writing a nicely worded letter to the head office of the company and ask why the pricing is so different between branches.

If this was one or two persons own pricing, they might not work for the company for a long time once the head office knows about the situation.

[baabaabobo]

I have written to head office asking how they could charge 500 baht when most places charge 100 and whether they think 90 minutes is a reasonable waiting time given their name.

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[falkan]

your own fault by not watching them repair..

[transam]

your own fault by not watching them repair..

Not really, most places it's 100 bht, OK if they want to charge extra for two screws the add another 50bht as the tyre was already off. No way does it cost 500bht.

[starkey_rich]

Coming through Chumphon a couple of weeks ago got a puncture . I put the spare on and proceeded to the nearest tyre shop.Fixed it ,put the spare back under the truck,checked all my other tyres 150 bht

[Alwayssunny]

I carry puncture repair kit and air compressor but that is for my bike, car wise putting the spare on takes a few minutes, if you have the puncture repair kit you can repair yourself later no need to ever feel you are being ripped off again!!

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[baabaabobo]

I should add that it was extremely hot out and I was on my way to a meeting so did not want to get too sweaty changing the wheel.

The waiting room was air conditioned and away from the area my car was. Anyway, I received a call today from head office apologizing for this price and delay and they said they would contact the Thalang manager. She agreed that 500 was excessive. My point is that when you get used to a certain price here, be aware that there are always places that will screw you because you look like you don't mind paying 5 times more.

[PattayaPhom]

15 minutes thb 100 90 minutes should be thb 600. Op got a discount

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[curtklay]

If you expect good service your in the wrong country.I know how frustrating this can be but it will never change unless your waving a 1000 bht note.This universal language Thais do understand.

Hmmm. I had a nail removed and tire repaired in 15 mins a week ago for 100 baht.

Would that happen where you hail from?

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Actually...where I hail from (California) "America's Tire Company" repairs flats for free, even if you didn't buy the tires from them. Stores nation-wide.

That said, I have always paid 100 baht in Thailand and consider it a bargain.

[bkkjames]

If you expect good service your in the wrong country.I know how frustrating this can be but it will never change unless your waving a 1000 bht note.This universal language Thais do understand.

Hmmm. I had a nail removed and tire repaired in 15 mins a week ago for 100 baht.

Would that happen where you hail from?

Sent from my LG-P970 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Actually...where I hail from (California) "America's Tire Company" repairs flats for free, even if you didn't buy the tires from them. Stores nation-wide.

That said, I have always paid 100 baht in Thailand and consider it a bargain.

Yet you complain about poor service?

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[curtklay]

Huh? I didn't complain about poor service.

[bkkjames]

Huh? I didn't complain about poor service.

lol sorry, it was the OP!

Cheers

[Briggsy]

Phuket!! Need I say more. The whole island is focussed on maximising wealth transfer from foreigners to locals with the least amount of work. It will always be this way. I recommend not to go or live there.

[merijn]

B-Quick tire chain is founded and owned by a Dutch guy similar to a similar chain in Holland.

If you have it send him a email as he would be very interested in your experience.

If you want i can try to dig up his email address.

[baabaabobo]

B-Quick tire chain is founded and owned by a Dutch guy similar to a similar chain in Holland.

If you have it send him a email as he would be very interested in your experience.

If you want i can try to dig up his email address.

Sure, PM me his email address and I will send him a scan of the 500 baht bill as proof.