Pros 
Cons Southern Mechanical Services Ltd: A Mixed Bag of Experiences
Southern Mechanical Services Ltd, located at 33 Bay Road, Grasmere, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand, is a diesel engine repair service serving the Invercargill region and beyond. With a current rating of 3.9 out of 5, the service faces a somewhat polarised reception from its customers. Phone them on +64 3 215 9566. While some praise their proficiency and helpfulness, other experiences highlight significant communication and completion issues. This review digs into the specifics of what customers are saying about this Grasmere-based workshop.
The Good: Skilled Repairs and Helpful Staff
It’s clear that Southern Mechanical Services has its strengths, and those primarily revolve around their mechanical abilities and the attitude of some of their staff. Numerous customers specifically commend the quality of the repairs themselves. Here’s a breakdown of the positive feedback:
- Prompt & Effective Solutions: Several reviewers highlight the rapid and efficient resolution of critical issues. One customer recounted a situation where they accidentally filled their campervan with petrol, only to have Southern Mechanical Services “sort [them] out in short space of time” at a “very reasonable price.”
- Warranty Assistance: A customer appreciated the straightforward handling of a warranty check-in, noting that it was “upheld”.
- Timely Service: A positive review mentioned “booked and job was done on time proficiently.”
- Friendly & Helpful Staff: The team is frequently described as "very friendly" and "very helpful." This personable service is a recurring theme in the positive testimonials.
- Office Staff Praise: Beyond the mechanics, the office staff also receive consistent positive mention, contributing to a generally pleasant customer experience for those who have benefited from their service.
- Unexpected Delight: One customer even mentioned enjoying a lighthearted touch – "Enjoyed the parrot I had on my keyring lol".
The Not-So-Good: Communication and Completion Concerns
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the reviews express serious concerns, particularly regarding communication and the thoroughness of repairs. These issues cast a shadow over the otherwise positive mechanical skill.
The most significant complaint detailed a distressing experience of a stranded motorhome owner. The key issues are summarised below:
- Poor Communication: One reviewer described the communication as “Absolutely hopeless”. Updates were scarce, and vague, with responses like “it’s not a 5 minute job” offering little insight into progress. Repeated promises of completion – "they’d put it back together and be ready tomorrow" – were consistently broken, leading to embarrassment and disruption.
- Extended Repair Times: The expectation of a day or two repair turned into a two-week wait, leaving the customer stranded and unable to return to work. This highlights a potential issue with workload management or resource allocation.
- Incomplete Repairs: Despite the extended timeframe, the job was ultimately left unfinished, requiring the customer to seek further repairs elsewhere and incurring additional costs for reversing the initial work.
- Damage to Vehicle: Adding insult to injury, the customer reported their driver’s seat being left greasy, indicating a lack of care and potentially damaging the vehicle. This suggests a lack of standard protective measures during the repair process.
- Email Response Times: Another reviewer pointed to slow and infrequent responses to email inquiries, indicating a potential need for improved customer support channels.
Here's a table summarising the core negative feedback themes:
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Communication Breakdown | Lack of updates, vague explanations |
| Time Overruns | Significant delays beyond initial estimations |
| Incomplete Work | Repairs left unfinished, requiring further action |
| Vehicle Damage | Careless handling leading to damage (greasy seat) |
| Email Response | Slow and infrequent communication |
Accessibility, Payments, and Key Information
For prospective customers, understanding Southern Mechanical Services Ltd’s facilities and payment options is essential.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible entrance & parking |
| Payment Options | Debit cards accepted, Credit cards not accepted. |
Here’s a little more relevant detail about this Invercargill diesel service:
- Category: Diesel Engine Repair Service
- Location: Grasmere, Invercargill, NZ
- Contact: +64 3 215 9566
- Address: Southern Mechanical Services Ltd 33 Bay Road, Grasmere, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand