Why this page exists
Cars come with a lot of jargon, a lot of numbers, and a lot of people talking them up. Most people who walk in to talk to me do not want to become experts in film. They just want to know they have not chosen wrong.
That is a hard question to answer if the person answering is the one selling. So I wrote this page, so that you can decide for yourself how far to listen to me.
Three things I hold to when I speak
One — be believable. Every number I quote must have a source. When I say how much heat a film stops, I will also say what standard it was measured to, because numbers that do not say how they were measured cannot be compared.
Two — be approachable. Ask any question, including the ones you fear will make you look clueless. I have chosen wrongly before, so I do not want anyone to feel shy about asking.
Three — some jokes, but with limits. I can tease about things in the trade, but not the audience, and I do not use competitors as material to make myself look good.
What you will see from me
Stories about cars told so they are easy to understand, help in thinking when you cannot make up your mind, and finished work that can genuinely be checked.
What you will not see is pressure to decide today, or a claim that the expensive thing is always the good thing.
What people ask me
- Can I just ask you directly?
- Yes, just ask. No appointment, nothing to buy. If the answer is short, I’ll keep it short. If it genuinely depends on your car, I’ll say I need to see it first.
- Why say you’re not selling when you do sell?
- I do sell, and I won’t hide it. What I mean is that I start from understanding how you use the car, not from the product — and if the answer is the cheaper option, or not yet, I’ll say that.
- How do I know the work meets a standard?
- Work installed through our network is registered for a warranty you can check online yourself. You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it — including mine.