A GARAGE has said it is the “final straw” and shut its doors for good after numerous incidents involving ‘violent, threatening and non-paying’ customers.  

JJ’s Auto Services and Repairs, on Globe Lane in Poole, has closed after eight years saying that the actions of the few have caused the closure.

Speaking on social media, a spokesperson for the garage said small businesses rely on “people’s integrity and respect” and that late or missed payments can be crucial.  

The garage thanked most of its customers who have been ‘friendly, kind and the type of customers that they love’.

However, the post read that some people have been rude, violent, threatening and non-paying.

“People seem to not realise the effect of their actions, we get called out to jobs at all hours of the day, for the longest time we would be on call 24/7,” it said.

“No-one should get out of bed at 02:00hrs to attend a breakdown and be shouted at.”

The garage added that it had already reduced its working hours to Monday to Friday, to allow a better work life balance and only attend breakdowns on the weekends.

However, instead of support the staff received abuse.

“A business such as mechanics, along with the vast majority of small businesses only work efficiently with a steady cash flow in and out of the business, we have payments terms for a reason.

“It's to enable us to continue serving, now when you pay late, when we have to involve solicitors and small claims courts, this impact can be massive, both to the business and personally.”

The garage added: “A small business is not a bank, we are not a credit card, there's no interest free period, minimum payment etc, there's an invoice, a bill with a set payment deadline.

“99 per cent of customers understand that, to the one per cent who don't, do us a favour and go shop at a multi chain who can afford to wait, who has a team of lawyers who job it is to deal with people like you.

“Stay away from small businesses who rely on people’s integrity and respect.”