Let`s compare prices of services and products in Poland

Unfortunately, some car mechanics in Poland are a bit like most solicitors; they believe they have a God-given right to charge whatever they want for a crap service.

Here's a good one. A friend of mine recently heard a strange noise from her car. She took it to a mechanic, who shook his head and estimated, after making a phone call to his 'colleague', 3000 PLN to repair it. She said she'd have to stop using the car, save up some money and come back. A couple of days later she was passing a garage which she remembered was owned by the father of an old classmate and pulled in to get him to have a look. He reconnected a wire, didn't charge her a penny and the car is now fine.

I had some terrible cars in Poland back in the days when imported cars were prohibitively expensive and I had to buy junkers that I could afford, and I wasted a lot of money having them fixed (or Fixed) at backyard mechanic's. Even now, things are dodgy. I bought some summer tyres this year and the garage told me my steering arms would break in max. two months. I took the car to the mechanic I've used for several years (they don't sell tyres) and they said there was nothing wrong.

Find a reputable mechanic by talking to people, and stick with them. I must have been to a dozen places before I started using the one I've now used for about five years. They are decent guys who tell the truth, provide a full faktura and know that if they rip clients off, they won't come back.

Is it really any different in other countries?

I can speak only for US and everything you said applies there too.First thing,when you are going to car mechanic it is much better (cost wise) for you to know what is wrong with your car or you will end up paying a small fortune.Example:was quoted $360 (parts included) for brakes work at the garage,told them no thanks,went to backyard mechanic got it done for $115 (inc.oil change). Second, NEVER EVER let them buy parts.Ask them what they need then go to Autozone or AdvanceAutoParts and buy parts there,you will save at least 50% and I mean at least.Third, always walk a car around when picking it up from garage.They will not tell you that they broke something until you point it out to them.One time they broke windshield in my Mercedes when replacing wipers motor and tried to return me the car like that and the other time they broke rear turn signal and put it back together with Scotch tape.Forth,always ask for receipts,including parts receipts (if you let them buy them for you ofc.)As for all season tires, they are not worth **** when it snows.

Simple,thats why I always use dealerships costs a bit more but guaranteed work done Properly by the factory standards even in Poland they dont fug around.

Because I was an idiot and didnt know the ABCs of driving with a turbo. After driving at highway speeds or very sprited driving always wait before before switching off your engine, I heard from 20 seconds to one minute. You should do this even if you dont have a turbo. Anyway, if the engine is hot hot hot and turned off, the turbo literally cooks itself since you killed any oil circulation. Do it a few times and bye bye turbo.

Turbos are great great devices if you want power without killing fuel efficiency. The push for turboing most cars today imho is a good decision. I honestly prefer superchargers, but parasitic drag is a major issue.


This is a tricky issue. Technically, there is no law saying you must use winter tires. And the police can't give you a ticket for it. But from what I heard is that if the police do stop you, expect them to measure your tread depth and check if its more than 1.6 mm.

First two years I had to use one of the (then) two dealers in Warsaw who handled service work as well as sales. Had nothing but problems, every job needed doing multiple times and whenever I wanted to drop the car off or pick it up off, it took at least half an hour. Since then I've used two independent garages who have both been excellent (only stopped using the first because somebody at work recommended a place just up the street from me, which meant I didn't have the hassle of needing to wait for the mechanics to come and collect my car).

One thing though, do you really pay the extra for a faktura?

You must be joking. Nissan tried to tell me my oil sump was suffering "excessive corrosion" and "highly recommended replacing" when I took my father-in-law's Almera in for its service (he wants the stamp in the book, otherwise I'd do it myself).

The service's guy's face was priceless when I asked him how the aluminium could have corroded. And they wanted 1400zl for a full set of brake discs and pads (BOSCH) inc. labour. I bought them instead from a motor factor for 600, and did the work myself in three hours, and I doubt they're paying the mechanics that much...

Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Hook line and sinker.


What does that mean, pay "extra"?

You've never noticed how the garage bill gets bigger if you ask for a faktura?

Oh, in that sense. After a while I learned when negotiating a price to always ask whether nett or gross. If he says gross and you'd like to pay net and in cash, you could not only knock off VAT but even tell him to take another 19% off.since theres no podatek dochodowy.

I never do that; you're already saving 23% when there's no VAT so why not let him have the 19%?

What??? Harry, this may come as a shock, but you live in Poland. Its your obligation to squeeze everyone dry of every last grosz, then follow up with ripping other people off, complaining, kombinowanie, some lying, a bit of cheating, park badly, and dont forget to take your dog out and let him defecate on every squareinch of sidewalk.

winter tires and summer tires are a cash cow.

I come from one of the coldest cities, with the most snow in Canada and we (meaning general population) only ever used all season radial tires. never been in an accident.

Have you ever even used a dedicated summer or winter tire? Do you even know why you should use a winter tire? Here's a clue, it's not only for snow.


Welp, that's all the proof I need. I'm going to take out my ABS system tomorrow, cause I never use it. And why do I even buy insurance? Silly me.

Shes only putting her point accross, really no need to be such an @sshole.

oh WB women that drive are quite used to it....

Hey, grow some skin. Just because Im direct and confrontational and sarcastic doesnt make me an *******. But then agaiin, I dont know what Im doing talking to someone who has 6000 posts on an internet forum. ZING

Tell you what really makes my blood boil, its guys who give it the absolute large when out on the road and they have an issue with a woman driver. I see it all the time - some guy sticking his hand out of the window making abusive signals followed up with verbal issue, 9 times out of 10 the person they are abusing in the other car is female. Theyre not so tuff against guys. This pantless chap definitely fits that profile.

haha oh really?
I thought they did that to everyone....
I drove down into England the other week, and literally as soon as I crossed the bridge it started.....(there's a certain level of courtesy in Wales)

like, there I am, in the fast lane, merrily breaking the speed limit, having a great time, unable to go any faster due to the traffic ahead,and some twollox starts tailgating and flashing,

well after a few miles i get bored of it, and switch lanes, and the guy drives by, somehow....doing a slow hand clap.....lol.

but as for comments like
*Do you even know why you should use a winter tire?*
oooooh no, of course ai don't, excuse me while ai paint mai nails
....FFS
but the best moments are at the garage.....like...ooohhh (sharp intake of breath through pursed lips) that'll be at least £500 quid LOVE, that's the one that really makes my blood boil.

Does it cost more or less the same to run a car year round in Poland as here?

ok- then explain to me why in Canada it is abnormal to use summer and winter tires. The general population uses all season unless you live somewhere far north and then it is chains on the tires.

whatever, don't explain, I don't really care anyway.

Really? That's madness - unless tyres are prohibitively expensive.

If anything, a good reason to have them is with the speed that the snow comes down in Poland, not to mention the performance gain from having dedicated winter/summer tyres as opposed to all year ones.

Wow, you nailed it. Thats me. I also overtake on double lines, speed twice the limit, ride 5 cm behind your bumper and park in handicapped spots! Best of all, I have a shaved head and drive a BMW. I am the pirat drogowy.


Because people are cheap? Clueless? Most people stay home when it snows? Or if they drive its how fast, 10mph? Maybe its cause Canada like the US have huge plowing/salting infrastructures aimed at clearings roads within minutes of snow fall? How the hell would I know what you Canadians do or don't do. You live there, you figure it out. Winter tires use different rubber compounds that are softer in colder temperature, offering more grip, while a bunch of design parameters allow them to actually steer and drive on snow. Yup, for me that sounds like a giant conspiracy by tire manufactures to steal our money.


Why would you. Tires are the one and only thing that keep you on the road in all sorts of adverse weather conditions and speeds for tens of thousands of miles. If theres one thing you can skimp on and cut costs, it's definitely tires. Now a sound system, or tanking premium when your car only needs regular, thats where I'd blow my money. Dont forget to take out your ABS system.

don't be ridiculous. It has nothing to do with money- not with me anyway. I have never, since I have owned a car bought anything other that all season radial tires- and I come from a very cold and very snowy city. Yes, the snow plows are on the snow just as fast as it comes down but it doesn't lift the black ice. Bet you never lived in a city where it reaches -45 with the windchill and hovers at -20 most of the time.

For those who genuinely are clueless about tyres, this clip gives you a braking distance comparison. Three indentical cars (BMWs) fitted with winter, all season and summer tyres respectively, braking on ice:

youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s#t=2m09s

Why would I live in a city like that? Im not retarded. When I want it cold I go to the mountains. What does that have to do with tires? If you want to get personal, then for me its evident you drive like my grandmother and things like curves and turns don't exist in Canada. :) Look, a smiley face.

Btw, did you hear about that other giant conspiracy, the one with vaccinations?!? Those pharmaceutical craporations seriously thing we're going to dish out money on shots on things like tuberculosis... puhleeezzz. Who ever gets tuberculous?

Quality Tex Mex Salsa (230 or 350 g) from 8.91 to 10.90 PLN with delivery.

santamaria24.pl/pol_m_TEX-MEX_Salsy-237.html

In popular chain stores even cheaper - 3.3 PLN.

fanlidla.pl/gazetka/2012.04.30.spozywcze/5625,Dip

Come on, where do you get those Polish prices from? The moon, as the Polish saying suggests? :):):):)

I won`t call you a liar because I am a gentleman, but next time if I lose my precious time again checking your sad input, I will.

Omega Seamaster wrist watch UK £2770
goldsmiths.co.uk/product/omega-seamaster-300m-chronometer-gents-watch-17330820

The exact same watch but in Poland 13,600 PLN or £2629
wkruk.pl/product-pol-2319370-ZEGAREK-OMEGA-SEAMASTER.html

Take into consideration that in the UK the wages are 4 times higher and the Zloty is weak at the moment.


I said 14 PLN so big deal.


I'm talking about well respected brand imported products, the whole comparison was based on imports, come on keep up. Delph already said there are some good cheap local salsa's.

Ohh no Pawian dont call me a liar, please anything but that.


Its not 230 - 350g at all, ones garlic the other is traditional salsa - thats why there is a price difference, nice try though.

I am trying to keep up and still don`t understand why you don`t provide links to your British prices. :):):)

Show me this well respected brand salsa for 2 pounds, then I will not call you a liar. :):):)


I am talking to you, son, not Delph. :):):)


Explain because your typing seems faster than your thinking. :):):)


In case you dont` understand what I mean, look again at the link I provided:

santamaria24.pl/pol_m_TEX-MEX_Salsy-237.html

Can you see two pics?

Good.

Now look at the titles of products in bold type.

Can you see 230 g in the first and 350g in the other picture?


You need to work harder to say the same about you. :):):)

Yes dopey, they are different prices based on whats inside not the weight as you tried to make it sound, so salsa is 10,90 PLN not 8.91 PLN, theyre not honselty going to stock garlic salsa in a 230g and 350g jars, I know you have limited intellect but try to comprehend and understand the point this time. Its YOUR friggen link after all.

and whilst we are on the subject of prices:

Childrens bed IKEA £120 UK ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80123993

The same bed in Poland 499,99 PLN ikea.com/pl/pl/catalog/products/80123993

So in Poland exactly the same bed will cost more or less the same (depending on the FX rate) especially considering the massive difference in wages.


^^NOT BEDS^^ hi hi hi hi

I didn`t try anything. I just provided info on weight and prices, that`s all.

Stop seeing things which werent` written. If I wanted to convey such meaning, I would have said it clearly, just for you. :):):):)


Hey, could you stop giving links to the Polish sites where the stuff is the most expensive? It is not fair.

luxtime.pl/pl/p/Zegarek-OMEGA-SEAMASTER-MIDSIZE-300M-CHRONOMETER-2222.80.00/916

You seem to be fixed on prices which start with 14 and I regularly have to correct them by about 20% down. :):):):)


:):):):) I am happy to see you happy. :):):)

Poland
Luxtime.pl/pl/p/Zegarek-OMEGA-SEAMASTER-MIDSIZE-300M-CHRONOMETER-2222.80.00/916 10,850 PLN = £2098
UK
bodying.co.uk/2220-80-00-omega-seamaster-series-diver/watches/8305 = £2081

MORE expensive in Poland. ha ha


still believe that do you?