IN a bid to show customers its determination to become a trusted and reliable garage, Feakins of Kettering has introduced a Female Friendly approach. Headed up by Becca Barton, the all-female Feakins reception team is dedicated to ensuring that customers are not baffled by jargon, overcharged, patronised or sold something they don’t need. Accurate, itemised estimates are provided before any work, both mechanical and body shop repairs, and customers are consulted and advised before any additional work is completed or charges incurred. Becca said: “The same approach applies to all custo
IN a bid to show customers its determination to become a trusted and reliable garage, Feakins of Kettering has introduced a Female Friendly approach. Headed up by Becca Barton, the all-female Feakins reception team is dedicated to ensuring that customers are not baffled by jargon, overcharged, patronised or sold something they don’t need. Accurate, itemised estimates are provided before any work, both mechanical and body shop repairs, and customers are consulted and advised before any additional work is completed or charges incurred. Becca said: “The same approach applies to all customers, but were getting feedback from women that they felt vulnerable when they visited other garages because they felt they weren’t always given a clear picture of what work needed to be done, and that they often sensed they could be taken advantage of.” A recent survey by the Institute of the Motor Industry suggested independent garages are missing out because they employ too few female staff and are intimidating to women drivers. The survey showed that 96 per cent of women drivers want to see more females in garages and revealed that large numbers of women still feel uncomfortable when taking their car for repair, due to the fear of being ripped off and getting confronted by the technical ‘jargon’ that many garages use when talking to female drivers. “Now, we always have at least one female member of staff on reception and we make sure we offer the kind of support and advice that makes it a female friendly place to visit,” said Becca. “Many people don’t have a good knowledge of cars and motors and that can leave them vulnerable to dishonest garages or mechanics, and we don’t think that should be the case.” Feakins of Kettering was taken over by Managing Director Paul Bourne two years ago but was founded more than 40 years ago and has built a reputation based on longevity, honesty and trust. Feakins has an MOT bay, a service and repair shop, and a body shop with bake oven and spray booths. A large proportion of its work is with company fleet vehicles, particularly on the busy industrial estate where it has been based for so many years. It is now VBRA accredited for its body shop. Contact Feakins Garage on 01536 517038, email or visit the website www.feakinsofkettering.co.uk