Garage standards schemes good for consumers

‘Poor standards of customer service in the retail motor sector are unacceptable, so any scheme that can offer protection to consumers is welcome, but to be truly effective it must have a wide reach,’ said Alec Murray, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) commenting on customer care in the garage sector.

Murray was commenting on statements made by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and their kitemark for garages. The scheme has 150 members whose membership assures quality for consumers

Murray continues: ‘The RMIF alone has several thousand members, and customer protection is provided through membership.’

RMIF members must pass a rigorous inspection before they are admitted to the Federation. Members are expected to maintain a high standard of service for the motoring public by providing suitable premises, equipment, and trained personnel.

‘Businesses that join the RMIF are bound by the conditions of their membership to provide a good service to their customers.This is backed by our strong relationship with the Trading Standards Service. We have more than 40 partnership schemes with Trading Standards offices across the country. The RMIF takes its responsibilities towards the consumer very seriously' added Murray.

The RMIF believe that protection provided by the Supply of Goods and Services Act is the minimum provision when using services offered by their members. ‘The RMIF believes that voluntary service level improvements are the best way to serve the consumer.’

Murray concludes: ‘Continued poor standards of any magnitude are not acceptable. Our members are passionate about their business and as a process of membership we provide consumers with access to the industry’s established conciliation service, independently managing those occasions when clarification is required for appropriate costs associated with work undertaken.

Consumers are encouraged to find their nearest RMIF member via the website at rmif.co.uk.