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Before the lock down, my car needed new tyres. The advice I received was to buy the tyres online and have a local company fit them. Instead I went to my local company (family business) and they quoted the same price for the same tyres as I could get online but their price included fitting. Deal struck, tyres ordered and fitted the next day. Then I was told to stop by anytime and they will check the pressures and adjust for free as part of the service. I appreciate this is a smart way to keep my custom but they have my business and my recommendation for as long as I'm around.
It would be great to hear other experiences of good value and service in Portugal.
Before the lock down, my car needed new tyres. The advice I received was to buy the tyres online and have a local company fit them. Instead I went to my local company (family business) and they quoted the same price for the same tyres as I could get online but their price included fitting. Deal struck, tyres ordered and fitted the next day. Then I was told to stop by anytime and they will check the pressures and adjust for free as part of the service. I appreciate this is a smart way to keep my custom but they have my business and my recommendation for as long as I'm around.
It would be great to hear other experiences of good value and service in Portugal.
Hi Gerry,
Yes, we have had the same treatment 😊
We have been here for 4 years now. When we needed tyres for our British registered car the online advice was to buy online.
A guy in our village works at a service centre in our nearest large town (Covipneus, Fundão) and he suggested going there. So, we thought, why not? We want to be Portuguese so yes, we'll do that. Shop local, support the local economy, and all that.
Well, they have been fantastic. Now that we have a Portuguese 4x4 we have all of our servicing, repairs, new tyres, pre-mot (IPO) done with them. The attention to detail is amazing, the aftercare is amazing, the cost is sensible. Sometimes it's ridiculously cheap!
Our last pre-inspection involved the normal testing of brakes, exhaust, etc, and two new bulbs. Because of Covid they are short staffed. We said ok and left our wagon there for three days. They rang us to say that we could collect it. The cost was €15.
As we have found with everything in Portugal, people have a job. They are proud of that job. They do that job to the best of their ability. (Look at the conductors on the trains! Smart uniform, very proud of their employment)
The UK used to be like that 😳 Not any more 😠
I took ours to our local tyre centre, had 2 tyres fitted and the car came back cleaned as well. In the uk they cannot even be bothered to clean the wheel
I took my chainsaw to have the blade sharpened. Total cost 3 Euros 😀
@cowboy As a lumberjack's daughter from northern Maine, I can testify that is a killer price. Good to know.
Walking down the street and strangers who you don't know say hello/good morning or good afternoon. Friendly people
@astridff Where the HELL does this happen? I get screamed at by strangers for being on the same sidewalk as them, or pushed out of the way by women with five shopping bags that can't be bothered to share the sidewalk. In fact, I've found Porto to be the second least-pleasant city I have EVER lived or been in terms of how people behave towards others.
i live in Funchal and the people here are rude and aggressive. I think that is the trait of the Portuguese in general.
@beryl @eniguy I live in Lisbon and I rarely experience that. Actually, I can't think of a single time, but I suppose it must have happened in the 6.5 years I've been here. I was surprised to read your comments!
@sally-in-lisbon - I've only ever felt warmly welcome in Lisbon and that spans over years of visiting. You could even say that I could feel the love. We also have a Great Dane that people marvel at whenever I walk her, large dogs are quite an unusual sight in my area.
@advanced-engineer That is funny, because I have a very tiny dog which are also somewhat rare. People stop and pet him frequently. This took some getting used to for he and I both but now we use it as a way to make new people and dog friends!
We have been here in the Algarve since 2017 and only once did we ever have a bad experience and I really think it was the circumstance at the time and not that person's regular nature. We have seen the person since and they were fine. We have found the Portugues to be particularly kind, generous and giving. Even the CTT people were nice during the Christmas rush. In all of our years, decades really of traveling all over the world, we have found that the majority of people react the way that they are approached. Frankly it can be a little embarrassing. Your attitude will take a U-turn back on you. And what I really don't understand is if anyone were to find themselves as unhappy as you and @eniguy, why do you stay?
@peggyL
How I can talk to you I need information about healthcare and i try to contact you. Can you please send me a privet message at 267-825-4997
Much appreciated.
Hello @peggyl is no longer a member of our community but I have sent you a private message and will be glad to try and help with your healthcare enquiries.
Regards
Gerry
@gerry I hope she is doing ok, thank Gerry you I will definitely look at your message.
@enlguy I have lived in Porto 2 months and have only had very positive experiences. People have been helpful and kind to me and made me feel welcome.
Family run, non-chain restaurants offering 3 course lunchtime specials including wine and coffee for 7 or 8 Euros all in. 😋
@louiejack I live in a building in downtown Porto and the diner on the first floor is a wonderful place for coffee, lunch or evenings if there is a football (Soccer game) on.
They already know me and know how I want my coffee! American style with milk.
A similar tyre story - we had just had four new tyres fitted from one of the big tyre shops (you can't have one or three in Portugal I have decided .. they have to match (back 2 and front 2) and every time you need a new one you end up buying two!) ... a week later we had a nail in a front tyre, our local neighbour said "come with me" and we followed him up to the local tyre shop in the village. Ten minutes later, tyre fixed at a total cost of 7 euros. 🙂
