Does anyone watch this on satellite, a fly on the wall docu-soap an English Car Repairer in Marbella ?
I was interested to know if anyone had views about what it would be like to work for Jock the proprietor of this company ?
The programme does have some interseting stuff on how different faults are repaired by their mechanics, but the working atmosphere of the garage leaves a bit to be desired I think.
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Yes - an excellent Sunday night viewing when you want to watch something motoring. Enjoyable really.
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I've watched it (.............I must get out more I know!.....)
I know it's all hammed up for the telly - but the phrase "poke and hope" might have been invented for those guys!
Jacks
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I would have expected something more subtle from you PU....
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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RF,
I was trying not to appear rude about Top Gear, I was told off by Stuart in another thread.
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>>I was told off by Stuart in another thread.>>
Didn't know I'd told anybody off...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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"One man's meat is another's man's poison.
How boring it would be if we all liked exactly the same things."
I took it as a telling off for moaning about Top Gear being silly - I still feel contrite.
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I enjoy this programme but Jock can get on my nerves.
The last episode I saw they pulled an engine out of a BMW in a scrap yard having apparently not noticed it was being taken from a completely different model to the one they were planning to put it into. "Luckily the engine fitted" the voice-over told us!
I certainly think that some of the guys working there are far more skilled than the proprietor.
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Ive seen a few episodes, no way would I let them near any car of mine.
One lad seems to do a brilliant job & knows what he is on about but the rest just keep making mistakes all the time.
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some skilled staff but he would be a real nightmare to work for. he has a real attitude problem and i know some of it is for the cameras sake but i wouldnt want to spend 5 minutes in his company
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One question. Would you take your Ferrari/Rolls etc to them ?
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Pugugly
In a couple of episodes he has fixed a Ferrari and a Bentley.
I think it is a great programme. I have also worked for an indivudual similar to him and he was a true gent. You just need to know how to handle people like him. Give as good as you get.
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hence my question - I enjoy it more than Top Gear - although the mechanical issues are explained in a Janet and John way it's a soap opera with oily rags. I enjoy it I wished I was back in Spain on days like today !
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Seen it once or twice. The owner is probably not that untypical of a small garage owner - nor are the mechanics! When we employed mechanics (few years ago now) you were lucky if you could get them to concentrate on the job more than 50% of the time. Lot of 'poke and hope' goes on too - usually you end up relying on one or two blokes that really know what they are doing and the others are just given simple instructions and do as they are told.
The motor trade has a problem with high turnover and lack of training - chicken and egg problem. Owners don't want to pay for training because staff leave - staff leave because no training offered. If they are good and do get training then the ones with their wits aboout them leave and set up as independent.
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I saw the 1st series, most of the staff (the ones who left for sure) were actually employed/paid by the TV production company and had responded to an advery in Max Power or Revs.
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I too enjoy the program. Especially the animation of what went wrong. A truly mechanical minded program (unlike Top Gear which has now become a comdedy show).
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Calling All Mechanics - Work In Spain And Be On TV
Published: 10th May 2005
Endemol UK are making a new TV series called The Garage for a British TV channel.
The Garage will follow the day-to-day life of a busy independent garage set in an expat community on the Spanish coast. We are looking to recruit garage staff of all ages, to spend the summer living and working in the sun.
We are looking for mechanics, receptionists and office managers. We want bosses and workers and trainees. We expect all the usual skills for workers in an independent garage; basic car maintenance, servicing, welding, diagnostics and bodywork plus good social skills for dealing with clients.
www.carpages.co.uk/news/mechanics-10-05-05.asp
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How cynical - so Jock's a fake ! Orwell your time as come !
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I don't think he is, I suspect it really is his garage and he agrees have it filmed in return for 'free' staff.
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I have long suspected that his only 'real' employees are the Geordie and the bald lad from Doncaster. The others just seem to be there for the summer - though the cockney exotic specialist seems to know his stuff.
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