The Good, the Bad, and the Battery Drain: Smith&Smith® Christchurch Reviews
Smith&Smith® Christchurch, located on Fitzgerald Avenue in the heart of Christchurch Central City, consistently maintains a 4.0-star rating. Their auto glass repair service has garnered a wide range of opinions, from glowing praise for efficiency and friendly staff to frustrating experiences with communication, upselling, and, in one particularly notable case, a completely flattened car battery. Let's break down what customers are saying about their experiences with Smith&Smith®. They offer wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, catering to a wider range of customers. You can reach them on +64 800 483 388 or visit them during their operating hours: Monday to Friday 8 AM – 5 PM, and Saturday 9 AM – 4:30 PM (closed on Sundays).
Efficiency & Friendly Faces: When Smith&Smith® Shines
Several reviews highlight Smith&Smith’s strengths: efficient service and a genuinely pleasant experience. Many customers appreciate the smoothness of dealing with insurance claims, noting how painless the process was.
Here's a breakdown of commonly praised points:
- Quick and Clean Repair: Multiple customers reported leaving with a "very clean and clear screen" after their windscreen repair. The quality of the workmanship itself consistently receives positive feedback.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff: A recurring theme is the politeness and helpfulness of the Smith&Smith® team. Many remark on feeling welcome and valued. “Guys were really nice too 👍” exemplifies this sentiment.
- Streamlined Processes (When They Work): Several reviewers found the overall process, particularly with insurance, surprisingly straightforward.
“Very efficient service. Was very impressed at how painless the process was (insurance claim)."
Areas for Improvement: Communication & Upselling Concerns
Despite the positive aspects, a significant portion of reviews reveal areas where Smith&Smith® needs to improve. Communication lapses, aggressive upselling tactics, and inconsistencies in service quality appear to be recurring challenges.
- Communication Breakdowns: A consistent issue is a lack of communication regarding repair readiness. Customers report being told they'll receive a message when their car is ready, only to find it's been completed for hours without notification. Invoice delivery via email also proved unreliable for one customer.
- Aggressive Upselling: Perhaps the most widely discussed negative experience centres on upselling. One customer felt pressured to purchase new wiper blades (despite recent replacement), windscreen solution, and a cabin filter, perceiving it as a company-wide sales strategy rather than genuine concern. This tactic significantly detracted from their overall experience.
- Insurance Claim Processing Times: One customer experienced a delay in receiving a refund from insurance, longer than the 7-business-day timeframe stated on the website.
- Staff Knowledge/Helpfulness: Some customers felt the staff could be more helpful, especially in resolving concerns regarding the repair process.
The 'Mobile Repair' Rollercoaster: Wait Times & Unprofessional Behaviour
Experiences with Smith&Smith’s mobile repair service present a particularly mixed picture. While efficiency is generally acknowledged when the service does arrive, issues around lengthy wait times and unprofessional behaviour are frequently highlighted.
- Extended Wait Times: A three-week wait for the mobile repairman to replace a windscreen is far from ideal, creating frustration for the customer.
- Lack of Follow-Through: One customer’s experience was particularly concerning; the repairman not only took a long time to arrive but also refused to refasten interior attachments, displaying an off-hand attitude and dismissing the customer's concerns. This contrasts sharply with expectations of a complete and professional service.
- Battery Mishap: In a striking and unfortunate incident, a vehicle’s battery was completely drained after being left with Smith&Smith® over the weekend. This resulted in significant inconvenience for the customer and raised serious concerns regarding vehicle security and operational procedures. Booking an appointment for 8.30 am on a Saturday, only to discover they didn't open until 9 am, added to this poor experience.