Garage Equipment Association (GEA)

Jan 5th, 2023

So far i would have to agree with the previous comment, they are supposed to be independent however since contacting them to request a review of one of their members installations they do not respond to telephone calls or emails. This is ongoing however is in its second month and i am no further forward.
May 31st, 2019

Sep 25th, 2018

Dont Trust The GEA approval, I had an issue with garage equipment i purchased attempted to contact the GEA on several ocassions for advice and help and never had any reply , All they are interested in is golf outings and large companies buying in to there so called aproval. No help to small independent garages that when help is needed their back is turned.
Jul 8th, 2018

To begin with I should say that the Chiefs of Snap-on UK are members of the GEA Board. As mentioned by other reviewers here, the GEA are not independent. Here is an account of our situation; I am Proprietor of a small company, 4Play Jeep, specialising in Jeep brand vehicles. We have extensively equipped specialist workshops, import/export parts, and carry considerable parts stock for workshop & retail/mail order sale. We have been trading since 1981. In February 2018 I ordered a second new lift from Snap-on. A specific model, launched in a magazine article as new to their range, by their then UK Sales Director. This person is now second in command of Snap-on UK. Snap-on supplied a cheaper model, and installed it badly, being twisted and out of alignment from outset. To cover their error (if not intentional), a senior member of their management team, the UK Aftercare Manager, changed the ID plate to indicate it was the model I ordered. This was captured on our CCTV system. An inspection of the lift was carried out by a recognised company which deemed it 'unsafe for use'. A NDT test was carried out to evaluate the lift. This showed the lift to be lighter built in comparison to our other lift. Our insurance company refused to cover the lifts use. It has never been used. It has taken me 3 years and the loss of use of a workshop to bring this management regime to book, resulting in me receiving my money back plus 14,500 in damages and 22,500 in legal expenses. Initially, Snap-on admitted problems with the install to my Solicitor. We had 4 differing stories, the lifts are all the same, there has been a specification change (but could not tell me when this was), the lift I ordered was no longer available and finally, back to the lifts are all the same again. Later, they denied all liability. They sent unconvincing, altered copies of lift manuals to my Solicitor in a desperate bid to cover themselves. A 50 page report was commissioned, at a cost to me in excess of 7000.00, for the purpose of providing evidence for a trial. This was done by a forensic engineer and HSE specialist. The findings were conclusive the lift was unsafe and unfit for purpose. Snap-on commissioned their own report, 2 years following install. They refused to produce or disclose their inspectors findings, presumably it didn't support their stance. Snap-on have never issued an apology or admitted liability but the pay-out says all. Snap-ons second in command boasts the following; 'Fully responsible for strategy and P&L and an advocate for best practice, I am a hands-on visionary leader who drives business growth and innovation backed by an extensive network and strong relationships internally and externally. A member of the Institute of Directors and an elected Fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry'. Our experience is best practice comes along way down Snap-ons scale, at the top being business growth and profit margins. Health and Safety has a price it seems. The present management team have been flying the Snap-on flag for many years and their H & S practices are just as dated. The specialist said 'their practices indicate their general work ethics'. If Snap-on were to apologise, I believe they would only be sorry they got caught, and sorry they under estimated our ability to pursue them. Would they do this again to someone else? I believe so, they would be just more careful not to be caught out again. The internet has made the world a smaller place and other parties within the motor trade intend to publish further information showing their innovative practices in relation to our case as a warning to other automotive SMEs regarding Snap-ons management culture when something goes wrong. The damage repair work to our workshop began on the 6th April 2021 at a cost of 11,500 + VAT. There are many conscientious lift suppliers and installers to choose from other than Snap-on. I have chosen Rotary Lifts. NB. The lift was removed by Rotary Lifts and collected from our premises by Snap-on in November 2020. See photos of floor bolts.
Feb 18th, 2022