Comments

Company: Smart ABC ltd

Claim title: Smart ABC misrepresentation of facts

[29/08/2010] ger: just a note to all you smart abc people about to fail. I WILL BUY THE TOTAL CONTENTS OF YOUR VAN FOR CASH 07792 759316

[21/08/2010] A Painter: There is a few missing from your list, me for one!

[22/08/2010] Rob: You can add Llanethli in Wales to this list also,

[20/08/2010] a failed franchise: Listed below are some of the areas where franchisees have ceased trading,
i hope this info helps individuals to realise that some area have a even higher failure rate then others!!

Scotland..................................Glasgow
..........................................Alloa............

North East.................................Thornby
..........................................West Hull Villages.....

North West................................Liverpool
...........................................Oldham
...........................................Wilmslow
...........................................Leigh
...........................................North Wirral
...........................................Widnes...........

West Midlands...............................Kingswinford
............................................Redditch
............................................Worcester
.............................................Lichfield
.............................................Halesowen
............................................Sutton Coldfield
.............................................Walsall
.............................................Solihull
.............................................Shrewsbury
.............................................West Cheltenham........

East Midlands................................N/E Nottingham
.............................................IIkeston
.............................................Mansfield North
.............................................Marketharborough
.............................................South Leicester
..............................................South Leicester 2nd time...

South West....................................CribsCauseway.........

South East.....................................Oxford North
...............................................Oxford South......

London........................................Greenford
..............................................Ealing
..............................................Staines
..............................................Epson.................

[16/08/2010] Will: Peter ur a joke!! i could say much but words would be wasted on a fool like your self. SMART ABC have ruined peoples lives and i know many franchises who have ceased trading and just havent got the money to pay any bills the works not out there.

Peter do us a favour and shut up!!

[15/08/2010] Peter: Oh dear Oh dear............. your business didn't work because you are not capable of being self employed. You are not the first to blame others for your own miserable failing and you wont be the last. As for your day in court, that was funny :-) I take it it was a joke?

[15/08/2010] Smartresearcher: Well Peter, over the last couple of days yet another franchisee has disappeared from the SMART ABC technician search. In the month I have been looking there have now been 7 ceased trading, and these are the ones I have noticed.
Franchises sell the franchise based on a business plan. Franchisees invest and take a level of working capital based on this business plan. Investing in a franchise people have a level of trust that what they are being told is to some extent true.
Smart abc forcast that you will be making a profit in month 1, and then by month 3 you will be doing 3-4 jobs. this is complete nonsense and is based on nothing but fiction. A new smart repairer will take 3.5 hours on average to do a standard repair. So, at 4 repairs this is 14 hours a day just doing repairs, and does not include travelling. In addition, to do 4 jobs per day you need to be quoting at least 6-8 jobs per day assuming 1/2 or less will book in. Even if you could market effectively enough to get 8 enquiries, on top of repair times and travelling this would be 17 hour days.
As a result people run out of money. are you earning 'typical earnings' of 90k peter?

[28/09/2010] Andrew :
Dear All

Further to my last posting on 17th September, I can now confirm that the Automotive Group have purchased the SMART ABC stock, office furniture, product labels along with corporate clothing.

I am in discussion with a franchise as I am seeking a Franchisee meeting to discuss potential mutual opportunities with the following suggested agenda:-

About the Automotive Group

About the SMART ABC network

- Potential strategic opportunities to include:-
national network
sales referrals
insurance work
group discounts re supply

Any Other Business

The meeting could take place at either our Head Office in Orpington Kent (just of the M25) or our manufacturing and distribution centre in Marlesford Suffolk.

As a team if you wanted to meet in a neutral location, we can book a hotel room to accommodate your requirements however, we do feel it would be best to meet at one of our sites so you can see the nature and style of the business

We are available for a meeting WEDNESDAY 6TH OCTOBER

If any franchisees would like to discuss this further please contact me at anytime

Andrew East

Sales & Marketing Director
Automotive Group

Mobil: 07917 710902
Tel: + 44 (0) 1728 745222
Fax: + 44 (0) 1728 747706
E Mail: ae@automotivegroupuk.com

Andrew East
Sales & Marketing Director
Bradleys Smart International Ltd

Mobil: 07917 710902
Tel: + 44 (0) 1728 745222
Fax: + 44 (0) 1728 747706
Web: www.bradleysmart.co.uk

[13/09/2010] On the Fence: It seems they're having a meeting 23rd Sept with liquidators, then they have two weeks to find a buyer for the business and take over the franchise agreements, if that doesn't happen then it's every man for himself, what gets me is, they knew this was on the cards and was still trying to sell franchises to new recruits, unreal.

[13/09/2010] Another Struggling: unhappy: where and how did you see this letter? and who would buy it?

[28/09/2010] Another ex-franchisee: Hi Andrew,

thanks for your offer. PLease tell us a bit more about yourself. When I google "Automotive Group" a Newcastle based company making disabled cars comes up.

Is that your company? If not, please post your web site details so we can get an idea of what you can offer.

Thanks

[13/09/2010] endofmytether: Seen this coming i suppose , easy way out for them . Im awaiting a call from the administrators as i write .Ive tried all at smartabc and nobody's answering their phone and head office is straight to answerphone.

[22/09/2010] rico: Why are SMART abc running an open day on 29th Sept????

[13/09/2010] ENDOFMYTETHER: Unhappy : How and when did you find this out ? and if its true what does it mean for us existing Franchisee's ??

[13/09/2010] unhappy: ENDOFMYTETHER; just seen a letter from the liquidators, what it means for exisiting franchisee's I'm not sure, they will probably start up again with a slightly different name just without the debts etc

[13/09/2010] unhappy: just to confirm this is absolutely true, the administrators are Begbies Traynor, contact Claire Kong telephone number 0115 941 9899

[13/09/2010] unhappy: they have gone in to voluntary liquidation

[13/09/2010] ENDOFMYTETHER: I wrote to the finance company at mercedes to try and reduce my payments for a short while to help build the business , got a very short letter this morning saying they arn't interested and to make sure payments are made on time. Due to cancel my direct debit for the management fee as i completely agree with Martyn and have had little or no cantact with head office for months and had no leads to speak of since day one .Really am at the end of my tether as funds and work dry up very quickly now.Seams in my area that no one is spending money and smart repairs are not any where near the top of their list .If it stays like this much longer then i WILL have to give up - no more cash - no more choice.

[30/04/2010] Graham: I am also an ex franchisee of SMART Auto Body Coat Ltd. I ceased trading last year and have been unemployed since. They have now got a debt collection agency chasing me and threatening court action for 4.5 years management fees and the balance of my franchise fee. I have also had to hand back the lease van to Mercedes Benz Finance who are also threatening court action. Unfortunately people are still falling for the spin and buying franchises. Just look at the facts

[16/05/2010] Robert: I am another with a failed Smart ABC franchise. I too bought the slick sales pitch and believed that I could generate up to £92k revenue from just £3.4k of marketting costs by completeing "perfect results time after time", "in under an hour". Despite every effort on my part and the free help of friends and family, I was only able to generate less than a third of this turnover and no profit as costs spiralled far beyond the business plan. I was never able to come anywhere near the promised repair times, typically taking 3 hours (6 times longer than promised) for a basic repair.

[18/05/2010] Dingo: Hi all I am also a franchisee and very soon within days every thing is going to end. I will loose my home I have to sleep in the street with my family because of mis leading facts given by the SMART ABC. They are not helping any one of the franchise every month lots of them stop trading.we have to act toghther and stop them from making money lots of poor peoples hope and dreams are ruined because of them .........................................................

[27/05/2010] Mike: Can I ask what makes this franchise so bad when compared to other similar ones??

[27/05/2010] BrokeBloke: I answer to Mike, perhaps it's the fact that the repair times are grossly exagerated ie. typical repair time less than 1 hour, I don't know of anyone who has done one in that time from start to finish. We were also told that the products were specifically developed for SMART ABC when in fact they are mainly Dupont product decanted into smaller containers. You are also told that the colour spectrometer is 100% accurate, the manufacturers and Dupont quote 95% accuracy in workshop conditions not outside in sunshine & cold.

[28/05/2010] notsosmartabc: Hello Mike.... I can only speak about Smart ABC but the figures speak for themselves... 33 failures in 2 years (35% failure rate).
If at open days people had ben told the true figures they could make their own minds up .......Nick Bicknell is fully aware that these figures would make most people, if not all walk away.
Mr Bicknell talks about the high levels of support they give at Smart ABC this just doesn,t happen. Its all down to signing more and more individuals up..... the sales lines are slick and well rehersed....... the rest of it falls flat...
The training is slack and if a repair can be done in the times they state an operative can do it in why don,t they leave the training being able to do so?....

[28/05/2010] Mike: I bought a business package from another provider and I have to 100% agree on the repair times, a typical repair takes me around about 3 1/2 hours. As for the spectrometer, that piece of kit is designed for matching colours in leather and should not even be used on paintwork

[30/05/2010] Done: There are success stories within the SMART field, but few and far between.The problem is that people go into it with a distorted view of the work. This is down to a system being marketed in a very unrealistic way, by a company solely selling a product or package without vetting or considering who buys into it.
To my mind there really is not such a thing as a SMART repair and these franchises offer very little in training for you to cope in the real world. You end up learning on the job and potentially wrecking peoples pride and joy.
Mr Bicknell has a history connected to one of the other big names in this field which, although has more backing and offers more support, runs along the same lines.
I was a fool (not with abc) and am now paying for it. Some of it my own fault but I walked into something that turned out to be completely different from what was described. The trouble is once you've handed over the money there is no going back.
There are two ways to go. Make sure your skill level is of a high enough standard to be absolutely confident in the field, or become one of the many cowboys out there.

[01/06/2010] SMART GUY: I think the SMART repair industry as a whole have a lot to answer for. I too bought a smart repair package from a differant provider and was promised pretty much the same as you smart ABC guys were promised, ie great earning potential, repairs in just over an hour, great support ect ect. I am now 2 months in and very little has materialised. I get virtually no marketing support, the training whilst regarded as some of the best available has NOT prepared me for life in the real world as a result alot of work I have to turn down because I simply cannot do it, and the jobs I do take on take me well over 3 hours, and head office now they have my money pretty much dont want to know. I am looking to get out of it soon and hopefully sell on the business to minimise losses.

[01/06/2010] Done: One of the things that can be an issue is the HSE. To be considered a SMART repair involves regulation of both quantities of product used and over how much of a repair area. Also to cure quickly some lacquer has to have isocyanate content, this would mean an exclusion zone of 5 to 10 metres when repairing a car in an uncontrolled environment. If companies are claiming that they can repair whole panels, etc. they are misleading both Franchisees and customers alike. Although definitions are somewhat vague maybe a visit from HSE (although they are quite a weak organisation) would be a step in the right direction.

[30/06/2010] Smart Researcher: Peter, a far as I read this blog I dont think the guys are disputing that some people do make good money out of Smart repair I think their problrem is that when they asked the franchisor perfectly legitimate questions which need to be asked during the research stage they did not get a truthful answer. For example, I asked SMART ABC how many failures they had had overall and I too was told the answer was 2. Infact as I have posted on another thread 6 have gone from their website in the last few weeks alone.
Couldnt agree with you more that it is down to the individual to generate business, however the point of going with a franchise is to benefit from the support and backup, and if this is not there then what is the point of the franchise.
Also what I think is very unethical is to persue for 5 years worth of franchise fee once the business has gone under.

[30/06/2010] Peter: SR

Sorry i went off on a rant there.

Unfortunately you don't realise until a later date that the question you asked has probably been answered truthfully. There probably has only been 2 failures and umpteen more just left 2 proud to admit failure. Maybe if the question was asked.......... how many people have left the network then this could be a more difficult question to hide the truth without a blatant lie.

A good starting point before going into any franchise is to check the London Gazette for bankruptcy. Try it, you will be amazed at what you find. S***T ABC may not come up as it is a relatively new company.

I do sympathise with some peoples circumstances but why give up? It is nearly impossible for any company to stop you earning money to provide for your family. So leave and do it yourself. Yes they will be able to enforce some of the clauses in the contract as in not working in YOUR area, BIG deal.

Bankruptcy in not the end of the line for you. It could be the beginning of a very prosperous business. The accountant in bankruptcy is not going to take away your tools, how will you survive if they do? Get yourself a van because (loads of companies will rent/lease without credit checks) all smart ABC can take from you is their branded goods, give them nothing else, you bought it. Bob's your uncle bankrupt one day trading the next.

This is a very very good business to be in. If you though you would be making mega bucks instantly then more fool you. The old saying if is too good to be true then it probably is.

Some of you have 2 choices....... give up like a wooos or fight to keep what you have already started. My advice would be to keep going without the backing of the franchisor as it is possible.

Forgot to mention............. do not deal with financial hardship yourself go to an organisation like the citizens advice bureau. Stay well clear of these people that offer IVA's or Trust Deeds their month fees run into hundreds of pounds which the C.A.B will do for FREE.

Good luck everyone and apologies for the rant. I'm just very passionate about this industry.

[30/06/2010] Smart Researcher: Good advice!!!!

[01/07/2010] An Ex-Franchisee: To Peter,
You still do not get it, IF WE WERE TOLD OF THE FAILURE`S FROM THE START, OF WHICH I COUNT PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEFT THE NETWORK AS BEING THE SAME THING, WE WOULD OF NOT GONE WITH SMARTABC IN THE FIRST PLACE AND SAVED , IN SOME CASE`S UP TO £30,000 , we will have our day in court, and just maybe we will get our money back, and our lives , and start again, I do agree the Smart repair business can be a profitable one, but not with Smartabc has your mentors , lesson learned the HARD WAY.

[07/09/2010] endofmytether:
Im a current franchisee thats been trading for 7 months . I am now at the stage where a tough descision needs to be made - invest more money or walk away and deal with the consequencies . The product etc is fantastic , my repairs have all been bodyshop quality and customers and trade have all been 100% happy . Ive done many promotoins , car shows , leaflet drops,e-mail advertising,own website , cold calling,mail shots etc etc.but i am still struggleing to make ends meet. with the cost of the management fee ,insurance,van lease its very hard to make ends meet. I was told there was only 2 failures and getting the work wouldn't be a problem. looking back now i feel totaly scamed and feel like the lifes been drained out of me . Dont know what to do for the best ...any help would be appreciated .

[07/09/2010] Chris: Endofmytether what part of the country are you in? Would it be possible for you get together with the 50 or so remaining ABC franchisees and as a collective just walk away from SMART ABC.
If you all do this SMART would either have to admit defeat, OR their only other option would be to bring 50 separate court cases to chase for moneys owed. The cost and time of bringing such action would be crippling so therefore they would be unlikely to do it.

[07/09/2010] Another struggling: Everyone I trained with has either stopped trading or stopped paying. And I know there are more on the list of technicians that are no longer trading. It's strange though how they seem to pick and choose who they chase for money. Hopefully everyone will stop paying and no one else will get taken in by their clever sales talk. So, no new franchisees and current ones not paying. They won't last long surely!

In fact there are less franchisees now than there was when I started but of course only 2 have failed! ......Blatant lie!

[08/09/2010] endofmytether: Ive just read that Smart Abc have reduced the franchise cost by 10k , oh my god do i feel like ive been robbed ! How can they do this ? Im raging , i stumped up 20k and am sruggleing to surrvive paying them a management fee for them to be of little or no help and then i hear this . Dont want to disclose my area as of yet until ive decided on what to do next . This whole thing stinks .

[08/09/2010] Another struggling: Maybe if they're committed to their franchisees success as they say they are, they could pay us 10k back. Don't not choose Smart ABC smart repair franchise for a career move!

[08/09/2010] conned by abc: Hi Chris i too think it would be a great idea if all the remaining smart abc franchises got together in a mass meeting. i have recently cancelled my standing orders for the management fee as they are completely useless at giving any technical advice. Usually no one gets back to you or if they do its nicks youngest son Julian whos about 18. What the hell does he know about working out in the field. As for the loan agreement well they can sing for that.
i agree if we all stopped paying they wouldn't be able financially be able to chase all of us and would risk more claims of misrepresentation against them.

[09/09/2010] you all know who i am: i've been keeping account of all the failed franchisees that have failed, i am now aware that 49 have ceased trading and another 22 are struggling, thats 71 out of 99 !!!!! i'm pretty sure there is others out that have ceased trading, but i'm unable to make contact with them to confirm it!! so guys for those that are still paying, think very carefully before you give them any more money!! at the end of the day they lied and conned you into this.........ps i'm also aware that non of the contact numbers at smartabc work anymore !!!!

[09/09/2010] endofmytether: If these statistics are true then why dont WE ALL get together for some sort of meeting to swap ideas etc on where to go from here . Im about to cancel my standing order because i feel robbed and insulted especially with th 10k price reduction -what does that do to the value of MY BUSINESS !! I'll travel anywhere to meet up with you guys ...what about it .Im desparate for advice on what to do next and where to go from here.Ive worked so hard to get this going and all this thats going on is news to me as i keep getting told how everyone else is doing so well "go to a car boot sale" was my last advice !!

[09/09/2010] endofmytether: One big elaborate con - thats how i feel at the moment , im disgusted words cannot be found - 71 out of 99 wtf is going on this is obviously a HUGE problem that needs to be dealt with very very quickly .

[14/09/2010] endofmytether: The thing that concerns me most right now is that im tied in to a lease that i only bought into because smart insisted on a brand new Mercedes Vito with crome grill etc to match their corporate image. What are you guys goin to do with your vans ??

[14/09/2010] SRF: Good evening to you all................ I would like to tell you a wee story. I had a conversation with a franchisee today to offer some group help with your situation. I thought he was your spokesman as by the looks of some of his post that is what he has made out. The gentleman in question was called by one of my colleagues around 11 o'clock this morning and help was offered. To get the ball rolling he had to call me. No phone call by 15.00 so i called him to be told i cant talk at the moment, OK i thought. By 19.00 tonight still no call so i called him again. To be honest if someone called me offering help i would bite their hand off. The moral of the story is he is NOT interested so I am offering it up to any other franchsee that wishies to continue with their business.

There is NO catch and there is no money involved just a group of other techs that belong to the smartrepairforum.com that would like to help you get through this difficult time.

We have asked for help from one of the biggest players in smart repair supplies who are willing to answer questions re stock & compatibility with the products you use at the moment. We can also arrange 10% of all your consumables

I need to speak to someone that is not just in for themselves and is willing to help the group rather than themselves.

If you are interested and want a wee chat send me an email to info@smartrepairforum.com with a contact number. I am one of the Administrator of the smartrepairforum

why do we want to help? because we have all been in the same dark place you have.

[15/09/2010] Spectrum: Just a warning to all the Smart ABC guys about the post from SRF. This guy used to work with Chipsaway - the very same people that Nick Bicknell used to work for. SRF was himself declared bankrupt a couple of years ago and started trading again under a different name, leaving lots of unpaid debts. He is now trying to make money out of people that have already lost a fortune by asking them to pay him money. There are many suppliers out there that would be more than happy to talk with you guys directly without going through a middle man. I find it sickening that he is trying to take advantage of this situation. Take care.

[15/09/2010] SRF: Hi Guys the person the above poster is talking about is actually me. Thanks for the post Mike. I have nothing to hide you can come along and see for yourself. see you all soon.

[15/09/2010] SRF: I'm now confused Severserve As I have NOT mentioned you at all. As stated in our text messages we will remain friends and bear no ill feeling towards one another.

[16/09/2010] Black Baron: Severnserve, Servenserve, Spectrum, Mike or whatever your name is....

SRF has made an offer to help the ABC boys. There is no mention of a middle man only information on suppliers at discounted rates and help from techs.

I'm very interested to know one thing.... Spectrum made a post. SRF replied. Then you come in straight away crying as Severserve that you wasn't responsible
for the post. Why do you think SRF was talking about you? He didn't mention you once. Multiple accounts have you pal, trying to set someone up was you pal?
Well it didn't work.

The ABC boys have enough to think about. SRF is giving a helping hand because as he says 'he has been in the same boat as the ABC boys.

[16/09/2010] Smarttech: Sorry to hear all you SMART ABC guys are having to deal with this difficult situation but would say the offer from SRF is a genuine offer of help as the forum has been a great help to many Smart repair Tech over the years.

Please ignore Severnserve he is a rambling old bitter fool with a axe to grind most people would be ashamed of themselves to bring their personal issues onto a forum just to slate someone genuine enough to offer a helping hand to those struggling.

[16/09/2010] PAINT MEDIC!!!!!!: Totally shocked how Smart ABC have treated their franchises! I hope most of you get some sort of compensation from SMART ABC you all deserve it and keep your chin up,there is plenty of supplies and support for smart repairs without the need for useless franchise management fees.

Good Luck!

Oh and to agree with some of the above posts Severnserve, mike is a totally loony which nearly the whole Smart industry has heard of and totally ignores his little 'stories'. I would recommend you all do the same!

[16/09/2010] RedBaron: Severnserve, you ought to be ashamed bringing your personal vendetta onto a blog like this.
All SRF is trying to do is help those struggling at this time, maybe you should turn over a new leaf and do the same!!!

[16/09/2010] PAINT MEDIC!!!!!!!: Severnserve, you have came on here purely to persue a obsesion you have with hounding other Smart repair Techs in our industry purely out of jealously in your own failings.

Not once did you offer any of these unfortunate guys any words of encouragement or support that i feel they would sooner hear than you trying to publicly humilate someone you have some weird obsesive fantasies about.

Try putting as much effort into your business as you do in making stories up about people and MAYBE you might end up with a succsesful business!

[17/09/2010] Black Baron: Come on guys, leave the personal attacks off here !

There are Smart ABC technicians here that stand to lose a lot, maybe everything.

It's a great gesture from the SRF to give a helping hand to those in need.

Lets get together in this dark time and help one another.

[17/09/2010] Ex Smart ABC Franchisee: I have no idea of the politics behind the SRF and the characters posting above.

All I know is that when some Smart ABC people realised they were being treated less than fairly by the Franchisor, they tried to use the SRF as a rallying point to ask for help about a year ago. They were told in no uncertain terms to clear off and take their problems "out of our back yard".

Now, you are coming into our back yard and hijacking the thread. Please take your personal arguments elsewhere. This is about the misrepresentations made by Smart ABC Directors when they sold franchises.

[20/09/2010] Hello dear: Hello dear
My name is sintia, i saw your profile today and became intrested in you,i will also like to know you more,and if you can send an email to my email address,i will give you my pictures here is my email address (sintiabahi24@yahoo.com.ph) I believe we can move from here! Awaiting for your mail to my email address above.
sintia.
Please email me on (sintiabahi24@yahoo.com.ph) for more explaination.

[20/09/2010] Srf sucks balls: I think as el capo of srf(seriously retarded forum )you should piss off and grow up!

[24/09/2010] Black Baron: Was the 22nd September the liquidation date for the franchisor. Is there any update from the Smart ABC boys / gals?

[28/09/2010] Andrew East: Dear All

Further to my last posting on 17th September, I can now confirm that the Automotive Group have purchased the SMART ABC stock, office furniture, product labels along with corporate clothing.

I am in discussion with a franchise as I am seeking a Franchisee meeting to discuss potential mutual opportunities with the following suggested agenda:-

- About the Automotive Group

- About the SMART ABC network

- Potential strategic opportunities to include:-
national network
sales referrals
insurance work
group discounts re supply

Any Other Business

The meeting could take place at either our Head Office in Orpington Kent (just of the M25) or our manufacturing and distribution centre in Marlesford Suffolk.

As a team if you wanted to meet in a neutral location, we can book a hotel room to accommodate your requirements however, we do feel it would be beast to meet at one of our sites so you can see the nature and style of the business

If any franchisees would like to discuss this further please contact me at anytime

Andrew East

Sales & Marketing Director
Automotive Group

Mobil: 07917 710902
Tel: + 44 (0) 1728 745222
Fax: + 44 (0) 1728 747706
E Mail: ae@automotivegroupuk.com

[28/09/2010] Ex-Franchisee: Dear Andrew,

can I ask why you are posting this on Can You Trust Them.com? Have Smart ABC not given you the individual franchisee email and postal addresses? I am sure many franchisees do not even read this web page.

No one has officially contacted the network to even tell franchisees that Smart ABC has gone into liquidation.

Until the franchisees have been informed of the status of their contracts etc... (most believe the contracts are now void) I for one am reluctant to enter into any negotiations with anyone.

You may be offering good help, but so far we don't know our current position so it is impossible for us to decide what to do until we have been informed of the current status.

This is just my view, one of 100 franchisees.

[28/09/2010] Ex-Franchisee: The fact that you do not have franchisee contact details implies that you have no contract rights over franchisees as the contracts are no longer valid.

Please confirm if this is the case or not.

Therefore you are offering a purely optional service, which some franchisees may well find beneficial.

That would also imply all franchisees are now free from their contracts to enter into discussions with you.

Is that correct?

Thanks.

[28/09/2010] OntheFence: Aoutomotive repair system in Kent are a SMART repair company, as far as i'm aware, all they have done is bought the stock from Nick Bicknell. I would say that for the last few weeks SMARTABC have not been able to supply us with any stock or technical advise, leaving us all unable to run our businesses, therefore, i would suggest that they are in breach of contract, so our contracts are void. Andrew from aoutomotiverepairsystem.co.uk may have you believe that he now owns the contracts, not so, we are all free agents, and i for one, am now an independent, no longer mobile operating from a nice warm workshop. Good luck all Smart ABC lads, past and present, hope everything works out for everyone, what an episode hey!!

[28/09/2010] OntheFence: *Automotive* repair system, must apologise for the typo, before the jump on anything army decend and have me hung drawn and quartered.

[28/09/2010] Andrew : Hi Chaps

Just to make 2 things absolutely 100% clear ........... we are NOT and never have been involved with Nick Bicknell and have NOT bought or tried to buy the SMART ABC contracts .

Any such persons claiming other than the above are totally INCORRECT!!!

For clarity, within the Group we have several brands and not just another SMART Repair service provider - but are an “up stream” specialist SMART Repair manufacturer and distributor.
Our manufacturing and distribution capability (Pan Europe) is complemented by an after sales support capability that includes IMI QAA accredited training. Indeed, today, one of your colleagues has booked himself onto our IMI QAA assessment training course.

We also have the capability to produce in house web sites, marketing and numerous other support activities including technical support hence, I really feel that we can offer a range of support services to the network that to be frank, I think perhaps many would benefit from right now

Re our decision to purchase the equipment and stock – we feel that we will be able to use / sell the products through our numerous brands. The office equipment will be of great value as we have just doubled the size of our Head Office due to our expansion plans hence will be very useful!!.

Re market potential, I feel the greater opportunity is for us to sit down and discuss market potential and what value we can bring to each other hence our desire to meet and discuss potential opportunities.
We are seeking a meeting next Wednesday either at one of our sites or alternatively in a neutral location........... preferably one of our sites as you will be able to see how we operate.

I have been in discussion with several franchisees today who are seeking some support – one has booked on our IMI accreditation training programme

Rather than guess and cause confusion, if any franchisee wants to discuss our activities please ring me on 017917 710902 - you will get a very honest answer???

Regards

Andrew

[28/09/2010] Andrew : Hi Chaps

Just to make 2 things absolutely 100% clear ........... we are NOT and never have been involved with Nick Bicknell and have NOT bought or tried to buy the SMART ABC contracts .

Any such persons claiming other than the above are totally INCORRECT!!!

For clarity, within the Group we have several brands and we are not just another SMART Repair service provider - but are an “up stream” specialist SMART Repair manufacturer and distributor.
Our manufacturing and distribution capability (Pan European) is complemented by an after sales support capability that includes IMI QAA accredited training

Indeed, today, one of your colleagues has booked himself onto our IMI QAA assessment training course.

We also have the capability to produce in house web sites, marketing and numerous other support activities including technical support hence, I really feel that we can offer a range of support services to the network that to be frank, I think perhaps many would benefit from right now

Re our decision to purchase the equipment and stock – we feel that we will be able to use / sell the products through our numerous brands. The office equipment will be of great value as we have just doubled the size of our Head Office due to our expansion plans hence will be very useful!!.

Re market potential, I feel the greater opportunity is for us to sit down and discuss market potential and what value we can bring to each other hence our desire to meet and discuss potential opportunities.
We are seeking a meeting next Wednesday either at one of our sites or alternatively in a neutral location........... preferably one of our sites as you will be able to see how we operate.

Rather than guess and cause confusion, if any franchisee wants to discuss our activities please ring me on 017917 710902 - you will get a very honest answer???

Regards

Andrew

[29/09/2010] Sounds good : All sounds good,count me in for meeting, Andrew are you aware nicks son in law has full access to your web site and is adding photos and his mobile no to his page (Jamie may) hopefully you can put this right by taking the one with the rent boy hair cut off,I for one do not want him on my team or his scumbag family knowing my business.cheers

[29/09/2010] Work Smart Not Hard: Hi guys

Some of you know me,some of you dont.
Its alex who worked at smart when they first started out,i didnt like the company and the way i was treated and did my best to help everyone but i had to leave for my own sanity!
I have been reading this thread with great interest and i had a feeling it was a matter of time before smart went bump and i really feel for you guys out there who are struggling.
I now work for myself and am considering getting more involved in training as i enjoy it,and this time i wouldnt have my hands tied behind my back!
So if anyone does need any extra training etc...let me know.
Im sure i am a cheaper and safer option than some,and i know the system inside out.
My website isnt fully working yet but have a look www.smartalex.org.uk

Pics of work on facebook if you like http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=smart+alex&init=quick&tas=search_preload#!/group.php?gid=11162397045&ref=search

Get in touch if you want my help.

Thanks

[29/09/2010] Cheers then: Well thats nice isnt?! Who are you people? Its always the easy to blame the training,it happens everytime someone fails. You cant train someone in 3 weeks to be able to go out and do anything more than bumper scuffs,not large panels,but hey no one listened to me. Not smart nor did the guys on the road,thats why i left. I had to live and smart was paying me,and at first it was going well but after a few months i couldnt take it no more.

When they did the promotions i didnt book the jobs in,people need to get real,smart repairs are small to medium area repairs,not full panels!! No one ever listened to me and then they try to blame the training,if you want to do a 3 yr course then thats fair enough but in 3 weeks you cant be fully bodyshop trained,maybe the odd one guy who is good naturally,but if your from a office background,youve no chance.
I had a training manual i had to stick,and thats what i did,i did my job.
Call me a parasite all you want,tell me to f off,that just shows everyone else who reads what your like.

By the way,some of you really need some english lessons,the spelling on here is awful,if you cant spell properly how can you ever run a business?

[29/09/2010] Electrospanner: I have followed this story since its inception and have been fascinated to read of the developments that happened. I too have been on open days to Chips Away and to Car Medic, the business model did not seem to add up to me and i left it well alone and i am glad i now.

I have felt the hurt and emotions of each of the postings of those who bought into Smart abc and i sympathise with you completely, i hope things will be better for you now that they have gone and you are all left to your own devices and i hope that you all manage to salvage something from the wreck that Smart has left to you.

I had no intention of posting any comments but was so angered by the extrainer above and his ridiculous rant i just couldn't leave without saying something and that something is this..........................................
Ex smart trainer guy these people have been through the wringer, they have lost homes, family, money, dreams and much much more. Are you really surprised at their reaction to you? I'm not. As far as advising them to get some english lessons go i have never heard such utter rubbish the grammar in your posting is so bad it is all but unreadable EG "its always the easy to blame" "i couldn't take it no more" ??? What school did you attend? I don't even know what that sentence means, unless you are trying to say you couldn't take it ANY more which gives the whole thing a totally different meaning.Don't be so silly ex smart trainer this is not an English test and if it was an English test you would fail it.If peoples grasp of English is in anyway connected to their running a successful business as you suggest I don't rate your chances my friend. This is about peoples ruined lives,about people being ripped off and those people perceive that you played at least some part in that.

My best wishes to you all and looking on the bright side the only way to go from here is UP

Andy

[29/09/2010] Electrospanner: I have followed this story since its inception and have been fascinated to read of the developments that happened. I too have been on open days to Chips Away and to Car Medic, the business model did not seem to add up to me and i left it well alone and i am glad i did now.

I have felt the hurt and emotions of each of the postings of those who bought into Smart abc and i sympathise with you completely, i hope things will be better for you now that they have gone and you are all left to your own devices and i hope that you all manage to salvage something from the wreck that Smart has left to you.

I had no intention of posting any comments but was so angered by the extrainer above and his ridiculous rant i just couldn't leave without saying something and that something is this..........................................
Ex smart trainer guy these people have been through the wringer, they have lost homes, family, money, dreams and much much more. Are you really surprised at their reaction to you? I'm not. As far as advising them to get some english lessons go i have never heard such utter rubbish the grammar in your posting is so bad it is all but unreadable EG "its always the easy to blame" "i couldn't take it no more" ??? What school did you attend? I don't even know what that sentence means, unless you are trying to say you couldn't take it ANY more which gives the whole thing a totally different meaning.Don't be so silly ex smart trainer this is not an English test and if it was an English test you would fail it.If peoples grasp of English is in anyway connected to their running a successful business as you suggest I don't rate your chances my friend. This is about peoples ruined lives,about people being ripped off and those people perceive that you played at least some part in that.

My best wishes to you all and looking on the bright side the only way to go from here is UP

Andy

[29/09/2010] Cheersthen: I was fully expecting someone to pick up on those spelling mistakes,i just couldn't be bothered to rectify it,that's all. Regardless of what has happened there was no need for people to tell me to F off etc...thats what upset me and thats why i said about his grammer,it was merely giving some abuse back,but thats not as bad as telling someone to F off.

I fully understand how the guys out there feel,as im working for myself now and know how hard it is,i have made friends from my days at smart,guys i trained and i feel there pain and i know some guys have lost a lot! What can i do about it tho? Im only here offering help to anyone out there who needs it!

Im in no way part of smart abc and never was,i wasnt employed by them,i left as i didnt agree with the training etc...so i stuck to my principles,and went on my own,which is a gamble. But one im relishing.

I didnt deserve the abuse which was dished out,i can understand all the anger out there,but im not the one who took your money.

[29/09/2010] bleeding heart: What a load of sour grapes. Smart ABC Techs have been offered help from 3 sources and not a word of thanks.
What are you lot so angry about? You were sold a pipedream. You took the bait and you got reeled in. Did you honestly think you could earn £90k a year? More fool you if the answer is yes, you should have done more research instead of thinking that there was an easy buck to be made and work would fall at your feet! I've read a lot of posts, "I've gone bust after 6 months, 4 months, 7 months". You have obviously no concept on how to run a business. It takes a good 3/4 years to get to a break even wage. If you didn't know that then you don't deserve to have your own business. It's too easy to point fingers with your own failings at fault.
So the training wasn't that great and the finishes were poor. You should all know how to set up a spray gun! You're not going to learn very much in 3 weeks, it will only be guidelines. How many of you took the time out to get a scrap panel and play with the settings on your guns to gain a good finish before letting loose on customers cars? Very few I bet. You have to practice, practice and practice some more.
Get off your arse and do something. All products are available. Or you can keep on crying about how it's the nasty franchisors fault. Words too harsh....truth hurting, boo hoo? Good! Now start doing something about it. Get off your lazy cry baby arses, start marketing from scratch and get out and sell, sell, sell...It's never too late.

[29/09/2010] Time served: Ta Ta for now

[29/09/2010] apprentice: Well said time served, bastardised i like that word i am going to use it people may think i am smart. I forgot to mention smart alex its 5 years for an apprentaship not 3 and i find that funny when your web site say you have been in a bodyshop you would of known that if you had what imi's and degrees do you have or are you another self tought one?, but i like the way you dont mention the fact that the franchise you were a trainer of was smart abc! are you ashamed i would be. you also done your repair in a work shop and not outside or did you put the inside for the photos, whatever the case i think you are srugling you should pay me to come give you some training that way you may get some refferal work like me i dont do promotion or advertising word and mouth MATE.

[29/09/2010] Lol: How many had a go on her apart from nick ?did ya all stir nicks porridge?oooooooooooooooooooh
Hay you guys

[30/09/2010] Cheers then: Oh the good old internet,yes,everyone is right,im rubbish,im self taught,ive never done a apprentiship,didnt know how to do a fade out and cant do blues,im rubbish.

Leave me your name and number i may have to call you for help.

Much love

[30/09/2010] apprentice: who taught the rent boy AKA jamie may cos i read that he went back to the same job 3 times from what i can make out cos of the orange peel affect {its an acquired taste} and rubbed through the clear! so its not all bad Alex.
P.s Alex i am trying with the spelling and grammer do let me know if there is a problem i trust your support on this side of things.

[30/09/2010] Cheers then: Chinese wispers,anyone want to play?

[30/09/2010] apprentice: cheers then would you tell us on here how you fade out properly once you are happy that the painted area is blended step by step.
many thanks Apprentise. this is your trial for teck help and training.

[30/09/2010] Cheers then: Ian did. i had long gone by then. Adios.

You can lead a horse to water,but you cant make it drink.

[30/09/2010] apprentice: chinese wispers, anyone want to play? i dont understand cos i am thick you want to know who i am so you can jet lee my arse. then just ask alex but you havent answered the other posts yet.

[30/09/2010] Cheers then: Ive been in the trade for 12 years,i think i know how to do it by now,but cant knock you for trying,and youve done well tonight,wound me right up. But im not rising to the bait and i can hold my head up high.

As if i was touting for business for god sake,did i mention money?!

[30/09/2010] apprentice: no you dident say anything about money nothing in this world is free. good to talk thou right about ian tho wernt i. if you want to see me face to face just ask alex i can afford the petrol. Hope you do well there is enough to go round.

[30/09/2010] Cheers then: Well,ian trained jamie,lets get that right,so i dont know how i can answer that question when you have just slagged off someone he trained,which is what is happening to me. Simples.

Anyway,there is obviously a lot of talking gone on here and between everyone else,and its like chinese wispers,so at the end of the day people will make there own mind up and thats that.

There is plenty of work to go around thats for sure,if i get time ill have to pop down to see you. Put the worlds to right,so to speak.

I really cant be arsed to get drawn into anymore slanging matches.

[30/09/2010] Time served: "Cheaper/safer"option implies there was a price,any how at least your replies are getting shorter,limited command of queens,suppose 21 years experience trumps ya

[30/09/2010] Night night Alex: Don't let them get you down,it's not your fault you were part of a despicable conning home wrecking Machine, I hope this doesn't disturb your sleep ..............

[30/09/2010] Night night ?: Im mentally drained after all this tonight,ill sleep like a baby. Good night who ever you are.

[30/09/2010] Time served: Well said Alex that's the attitude a well meaning trainer should have.I'd ask your mum who's dad is the biggest lol, did nick ever meet your wife that you know about?

[30/09/2010] Night night Alex : I was being sarcastic you retard you've got no mates here apart from the smart abc disciples .those
Are the people" you know who you are "that helped smart abc con people at open days and do there launch promotions and announce to the world that nick had gone into liquidation.

[30/09/2010] apprentice: How was your honeymoon? did you go to vagas? get bird flu? i am sorry for abuse but it is strange how all thes people come out of the woodwork now smart is no more. if you would like to come and see me for a jet lee no probs got nothing to hide but you still havent replied to other posts. bet you dont get this on the SMART REPAIR FORUM most of them are wannabees arnt they? now now with the wife its gettin nasty now. i just think the trainers are to blame as much as bickers he knows nothing abot painting does he if he did he would do demonstrations {have i spelt that right Alex?} so it is up to you with 12 years worth of skills to put him right and say this is how you do it! i still cant get over some of the sh*t we were doing 30% clear 10% hard 10% add is that a 2k primmer mix or a smart abc laquer mix? i may have to look at my smart book {i use that to wipe my arse with if i get cut short but keep the good bits} do you use the poop tromertor Alex? i am interrested on that one? are you still on dupoop paint or a proper paint sceam? do you still talk to dan the shades man.
ps you wont sleep like a baby you are to wound up like i was when teck help wouldent pick up the phone and i muddled through on my own good managment fee hey lads.

[30/09/2010] Lovely night: You can have the last word because all you want,but i hold my head up high. Slept very well thanks.

Ive been gone well over a year ago and wasnt even there for 12 months,so say all you like about me,you dont know me,and you arent listening or reading my posts properly,you are very narrow minded with frustration and anger towards anyone connected with smart abc,which i can understand fully. So in hindsight i shouldn't have ever posted,but hindsight is a wonderful thing isnt it.

Anyway,thats all from me. Work to do.

[30/09/2010] Ex_franchisee: I think this is all a bit harsh on Alex. The main mistake he made is being the only one connected with Smart ABC to publicly show his face on here.

I don't think Alex was at the heart of Smart ABC, I'm sure he made nothing like the money the Bicknell's did. However, he did stand by and watch the Bicknell's get on with it when he could have stopped them, either by leaving as soon as he realised the untruths being peddled (Alex- you must have known people leaving the training were not capable of doing repairs in anything like under 40 minutes on the road, never mind people with 10 years experience could also not do this), or if he were braver still he could have told people at the open day how long a repair would take.

I think Alex & Dan could and should have done more once they realised what was going on, but at worst they were meek accomplices to the Bicknell's too afraid of losing their own income to save potential franchisees from their fate.

Don't vent all your wrath at Alex because he's the only ex-Smart ABC person to make himself known on here. I think a lot of people in the UK would fall into the same trap as Alex and Dan and be slow to get out of it if it was their only way to make a wage. What the Bicknell's did was far worse as they planned the whole thing rather than just finding themselves caught up in it and not knowing how to get out of it without loosing their job.

[30/09/2010] Time served: I think

[01/10/2010] Kofi Annan: Hey guys come on, there's so much animosity in the room, i'm not feeling the love, you should not talk to your fellow man in such a manner, this is not good, and please never show disrespect to a mans wife, there isn't much lower one can stoop to.

Sure you have all been betrayed by this company and are looking for someone to strike out at, but ask yourself, what good will it do, it's all over, ended, finished, draw a line under it and move on, life is full of opportunity, seek and you shall find.

I think you all need a group hug to ease the pain and share the burden, then, let go.

[02/10/2010] Conned: Now can someone write a poem telling us what DHK really is?

[02/10/2010] Just wondering: Jamie May now has his own separate website. He is still trading as Smart ABC, so who own the trademark now?

[02/10/2010] Just Wondering II: Indeed, and what an impressive looking site it is:

http://www.smartabc-worcester.co.uk/#home-page

So that's where the Bicknell's have been investing the last of the cash we gave them.

[02/10/2010] ANDY FORD: Hello all,
Well this thread grows and grows....I can remember when this sight was used by a small group that wanted to stop Smart ABC/Nick Bicknell from damaging others lives and look at a way to resolve the issues they had.
Now its become a sight for fighting and misinformation and blame......it amazes me that so many have comments to make and have now come out of the woodwork after the fact!
If you want to make stupid comments about who slept with who and other stuff that doesn,t realy help can you go and find another sight...
Those that want to move things on and work out issues that might be ongoing please stay and help.....all the best, Andy.

[03/10/2010] GET A GRIP: You guys will blame anybody possible for failing in your business,if you fail you have no one to blame but yourself!! This is what happens when office workers, postmen, bin men want to step into another industry, chuck a bit of money to a franchise and wait for someone to hold your hand.

Most of you guys would never be competent at repairing cars you just were not cut out for it does nt matter how you were with.

If your losing your home or totatally skint its because you never put any effort in, buy consumables from other firms, market yourself instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you???

Why is it not possible to make £80k a year, i know loads of guys making big money in this industry so ask yourself why are you struggling?

[03/10/2010] GET A GRIP: When you are all moaning about no one helping you out why do you slag off the guys that have came on here offering you help?

If i was you grab all the help you can get and get out there and make some money. It isnt hard if you try.

Go on the-smart-forum.com and speak to the members, get an insight how it really is done

[03/10/2010] endofmytether: GET A GRIP...............

Do you really think any members of this topic will follow you to www.the-smart-forum ? Your comments are nothing more than insults and down right rude.

I don't think much of the forum if they allow idiots like you on there giving out advice.

I have had a browse through "new topics posted" and before you go insulting anyone else on here take a good hard look at yourself, the forum is nothing more than a boys chat room. 50 odd members and it's the same 6 people posting all the time. Not really anything to write home about now is it?

This is a serious topic and it is our way to keep communication going between each other. Keep your opinions to yourself and take your forum and put it where the sun doesnt shine.

[03/10/2010] GET A GRIP: endofmytether..........

If im such an idiot why is it i own businesses that dont struggle and actually make more money than you even see?

Its not me that wasted 20k+ on a franchise then moans when it all goes wrong, i believe in business you make your own sucess, if you fail you have no one to blame but yourself!!?

You all made the choice to spend your money on smart abc, no one put a gun to your head and made you do it.

Very easy to blame others when it all goes wrong, at the end of the day it is yourself that makes the choices and its you that has failed no one else.

the-smart-forum.com will help with advice, when that is obviously what you need to be sucsessful?

Its not difficult to make a good living just stop living with excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[03/10/2010] endofmytether: GET A GRIP.............Keep your suggestions to yourself. Nobody is interested in joining you on the-smart-forum. Like I have hinted at, if the caliber of people that are on this forum are like you I will take my chances elsewhere. If you had good intentions you would not hide behind GET A GRIP as a user name.......... Now go away like a good little boy onto your silly little forum.

[03/10/2010] apprentice: Why is it that we have all failed??? Iam still trading and doing ok all you smart repair forum wannabes dont understand anything about us so why are you even here? I have asked for some help of one of your forum guys about fade out but cos i wont pay he wont help, very simple to reply to! i think one of the posts my be from rent boy. one of your smart repair forum guys has trained 350 people so he says and i bet 300 have failed say no more.

[03/10/2010] ex Smart guy making a lot money: To the Smart-forum guys..............It is very obviouse to me now that you guys are trying to extort money from us by claiming to have knowledge in the Smart industry, when we ask for help you demand money !!!! now if you guys don't crawl back under the rock you came from, i will start a new thread on here titled the "Smart Repair Forum" because a little birdie told me that you guys have up-set alot of people.................so as stated before piss off and stay off this thread or i will create a new one one for you !!! i'm sure theres alot of people out there that will have negative things to say about you's!!...

[03/10/2010] ex smartabc man: Canyoutrustthem has been a fantastic site, we have had over 18500 hits on our threads alone, can't imagine how many people it has pre-warned about the scam by Nick Bicknell (MD) and Jamie May at SmartABC ........i really do beleave that this site has saved peoples lives from being ruined.....To make sure these parasites never return with the same scam, infomation from companies house has been detailed here, so please watch out for any new companies that may start up using these details NICK BICKNELL, GRASMERE BARN, CHURCH MEADOWS, GRIMLEY, WORCESTER, WR2 6LU, also the tech guy who was not capable of doing a repair as proven on a customers car!! JAMIE MAY of SKY COURT, CHECKETTS LANE, WORCESTER, WR3 7QJ (info to the best of my knowledge).......

[03/10/2010] Smart researcher: Why are smart ABC now advertising for an open day on 6th October on the website????
Just a side note www.the-smart-forum is a crap little site with very few members and about 3 that post reguarly, they set it up because they were barred from the original forum!!

[03/10/2010] apprentice: smart resdearcher:- any idear why they were barred, wasent crap tech help was it? as for web site i think that the web site is set to roll round on its own every 2 week or so without anyone doing anything it has been set that way which is why it somtimes reads 1969 sometimes it needs resetting. Maybe wedensday somone will find out what is going on with it.

[03/10/2010] Smart researcher: Apprentice,
No Idea mate, fallout with some of the hierarchy on the other site I think. Just thought it was a bit off to slag you guys off and then tell you to join his forum!!!

[03/10/2010] MOOOOOOOOOOO: Im leaving you,you cow!

OOOh i do love a bit of alan partridge.

The reason i did shit at school was all my teachers fault! I like farming out all my anger on others now tho.

Ill have a pint of bitter! back of the net! cash back! kiss my face! I belieeeeeve weve established that!

[05/10/2010] mark: whats with all the ranting at alex? How much do people honestly think you can be taught in 3weeks? a bodyshop apprenticeship is 5yrs! I can honestly say I was happy with the training Dan and Alex gave me, I repaired a keyed wing on my second day. If you'd actually asked them both about repairs they did give honest answers,and they told me about work drying up around summer holidays and christmas etc, and both left smart because they saw that nick wasn't giving the support needed, they could've stayed and been paid by smart but both couldn't stand-by while nick robbed more people. Its not really fair to be trying to blame alex for the lies told by nick,ivan and jamie, I traded for 5months but I'm not trying to point the finger at the training,........

[05/10/2010] still trading: Hi mark why have you stoped trading? any one who can do the job should be still trading you must of got refural work? were you trying to charge 100 QUID FOR BUMPER SCUFFS? What repairs did you do on live cars? not wings on panel stands.

[05/10/2010] apprentice: They left cos they wouldent and couldent work under ian as he was HEAD trainer.

[05/10/2010] Time served: Mark nobody is blaming the trainers for failure rates,Me an a few other people are just saying the trainers were NOT competent to train others and it looked like Alex was looking for free ride number 2,these people will feed off franchises for as long as they are allowed too,there is power in numbers

[05/10/2010] screenie: Still trading......
What you saying wrong with charging 100 per corner?
I charge more than that everytime and some of my competion charge more than me!!!

Don't knock someone for trying to keep prices up it only idiots that sell there services too cheap. If your actually any good charge well for your repairs don't. Undersell yourself .

Some of you might be better off in an other industry if you can't repair to a high enough standard to get paid well for it

Some lads just needed a little more training than others can't blame Alex if some guys couldn't get to grips with painting because some got the same training and do a great job.

[05/10/2010] apprentice: No i dont want to take the world on greg, the training was clearly not consistant. as for saying is there anything wrong with charging 100 quid for bumper scuff no as much as you can get there are plenty of paint shops charging 65 quid a corner to the public where would you go? no one area is the same just wondered why you are not trading if you charge more than 100 for a bumper scuff.

[07/10/2010] Troll muffer: Troll catcher;) I would pay good money for that entertainment well worth it.
Ps get your own troll stealer don't do sharing.

[07/10/2010] Troll 69er: I wont find one better so you will have to try to get your own.

[11/10/2010] Paul Bannatyne: If you bothered to do some research you'd see that there is more than one smart repair forum out there. You don't seem to be able to differentiate between them all. Rather than hiding behind silly names on this forum and the others why don't you contribute something useful? Just because you bought a franchise doesn't guarantee you loads of money. If you got off your backsides and did some research and some work rather than moaning all the time and blaming everybody but yourselves you might not have failed. Stop whinging and get off your fat backsides and do something about it.

[24/10/2010] Alan : Hi all.

Really sorry to read about all the problems some of you have faced with SMARTABC. Its a shame there are so many cruel posters here and this has become a little childish.

As for SMARTREPAIRFORUM, It does have some good guys who are willing to help BUT the forum is run badly by the admin and is more a sales site to get you to pay a fee to use a site that is riddled with a few good techs but also a lot of bad techs who seem to give poor advice. Most professionals do not post on this site but may read it for entertainment! (blind leading the blind) Trainers offering poor training and such. It will try and pull you in and before you know it you are invited to open days and certain posters will pester you via Private mail to offer you products or training.
Its a shame because the original forum was run by a great smart repair company called Smart Express. The had to shut the forum down due to certain posters causing problems. Hence and new not so good forum started and downhill it went.

Give it a try, but just be careful as most of the SMARTABC victims have already been conned!

I have been in the car body repair industry for around 16 years and been running my own(independent) smart repair business for over 10 years now.

It is a very good business to be in and I enjoy it very much. Its not for everyone. Its not an easy money maker. It takes hard work and plenty of determination to succeed.

For those of you struggling, if you want to make it in the SMART repair industry, there really is nothing stopping you.

Hang in there and get PROPER TRAINING!

Beware of the likes of Bradley's and the SMART repair companies who are just interested in selling you their overpriced re labelled products and "systems".

If you want good training I would suggest seeking it from a Independent and make sure they are out on the road or at least operating their own smart repair business and have at least 5 years experience.

Best of luck to you all.

[24/10/2010] Black Baron: Alan

I don't know where you are getting your information from. Before and after the 23/09/10, the Smart ABC techs were given a 'free pass' to roam the forum without limited access. This was not only to help them get the suppliers they needed and discounts for equipment and discounts for Smart Express training should they require it but to also in someway reassure them that they're not alone.
I think we both know who you are on about in reference to the admin offering training and products. He asked to be removed from the forum because he and a moderator clashed and the forum obliged. He has not returned and not been part of the set up since early this year !
I'm sure the administrators try to do their best. There is a good balance there of independents and a franchisee to balance things out. I think you'd find a change for the better there. Of course they're not going to satisfy everyone but who can do that anyway?
The super slick salemen that sell the franchises should hang their heads in shame I'm however a firm believer in karma. They'll get their just deserts at some point.
There's no need to apologise for your point of view Alan, it would be a dull world indeed if everyone agreed.

Good luck to all.

[21/02/2011] Dale: I have just stumbled across this site and I am very shocked at how many people seem to have had discrepancies with the company. I am an ex franchisee and was 19 when I signed the contract for the business. I did everything in my power to keep that business afloat but was giving no support form Nick Bicknell or any of the others at Smart. That is not how you run a business, look after current customers before new!

I was the third to buy a franchisee and believed in the company and Nick when signing the contract. When things started to go a little pear shaped I pieced a few things together.

Due to the lack of guidance from the company I subsequently went bankrupt 9 months after buying. Now people may believe the story that he tells that I was too young, under motivated etc but it was just another lie by the Managing Director. They had a very good sales pitch and misinterpreted the facts and made outrageous estimations of what franchisee's could/were making!

I want to make this clear because I think every franchisee who has bough after me has heard the story that I personally wasn't fit for owning the company! I want to set the record straight. I was very dedicated to the business, I would work 7 days a week and take home around 1800 per week ( this is going back 2 years when the climate wasn't as bad as it is currently ) the reason the business didnt work was due to a many things...

-Outgoings too high
-Failure of equipment (sander, mop, compressor, guns, spectrometer )
-Lack of support when needing to replace equipment

during my time owning a franchise I was called in for promotion days and sat in on various meetings with possible franchisee's ( some of you may have been there on the days I was ). I realised shortly after when work began to dry up and less and less communication was between me and Jamie and Nick that they were too focused on getting new people on board and not on their current guys like myself.

If anyone wants any advice feel free to email me dalebishop465@hotmail.com

[14/09/2011] Ray: Upto date does anyone know how many of the vans supplied to the franchisees by Mercedes / Mudi - Bond are lease vans? How many of these have been returned to mercedes ? Have Mercedes Finance enforced payment or taken legal action against anyone ? Has anyone considered takeing legal action against Mercedes Finance for knowingly continuing to fianace these leases knowing what was going on and how fast the franchises were failing ? There are rules regarding responsible lending for FSA regulated finance companies. Feel free to e.mail me any info you have so I can get a clear picture of the situation raymond.everett91@gmail.com