After collecting a puncture, which I only realised after having driven 100m or so and ruining any hope of repair in the process, I called into a Beaurepaires at an undisclosed location. The staff were friendly and accommodating but for some reason, could not follow simple instructions:
1. Fit 2 x new tyres to the front wheels (matching tyres but already ~30k in so elected to buy two etc)
2. Move best remaining tyres to rear wheels
3. Conduct alignment
Arrive to see them tightening up the wheel nuts. New tyres are on the rear wheels. Instruct manager to correct. Suspect alignment's probably not done either but give them benefit of the doubt. See invoice printed, no alignment. Query.
Alignment is conducted *sigh* come on man, you had one job!
The balancing and alignment, to their credit, was good - a high speed run down a private test track confirmed this. I was also interested to see a portrait of Sir Frank Beaurepaire in their waiting room, something I'd never seen before (it looked period correct, as in old as hell). Apparently when he (the new manager) took over the shop he'd seen it discarded among some other bits and pieces.
To his credit, he fished it out and displayed it. As an immigrant, I'd heard of the name "Beaurepaires" but never thought anything beyond it being a peculiar name. As an avid student if history, I conducted some research and it's fairly interesting.
I shudder to think of what the founder of this business would have thought to have his portrait thrown away. It's sad because it speaks volumes about society today, there isn't much love history these days. The manager certainly (in my opinion at least), redeemed himself by at least having a respect for history and the brand that he represents.