In a fantasy world, many would accept such trips, but in the real world, there are no 4 day trips and not even cheap pens anymore. Food (within a specific budget is allowed if there is education about the product) but that about it. No pens, no note pads, no cheap deskclocks. Sounds fair to me. I wonder if our policiticians who feel so strongly about this would agree to similar rules?
22/30 auto shops fail mystery "shopper" test
- Thread starter DaleK
- Start date
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Re: 22/30 garages fail mystery "shopper" test
Sadly, those 8 shops may be the ones that aren't doing well.
I'm sure that every industry has their stories.
My wife works in the hospital, and she has stories of incompetence that I'm sure I should not repeat.
The thing that bothers me, however is paying for all the CYA stuff.
My doctor has to order 5 tests, when he used to order 1 - just in case he needs to show he was being thorough. (my doctor is great, BTW).
A few years ago there was an accident where some guy ran into the car behind me while we were stopped at a light - that car then rammed into my trailer hitch - which pushed me forward a couple feet. The hitch did a number on the grille of the car that hit me, but it only sustained a broken safety chain ring. I took it to a hitch shop and asked them to put a new ring on - nope gotta scrap it - no work done on hitches - CYA.
In my line of technical work, there are a few people - maybe along that same ratio of 8/22 that are really competent. However they don't always look like the competent ones. In fact, some of the more financially successful folks are the least competent, but actually appear to an outsider to be the most competent. It's a real racket, and my company falls for the incompetent blowhards time after time.
And, I will admit - the folks who've been the most openly religious that I've known have been some of the most dishonest. It's the quietly religious folks that can generally be trusted.
Sadly, those 8 shops may be the ones that aren't doing well.
I'm sure that every industry has their stories.
My wife works in the hospital, and she has stories of incompetence that I'm sure I should not repeat.
The thing that bothers me, however is paying for all the CYA stuff.
My doctor has to order 5 tests, when he used to order 1 - just in case he needs to show he was being thorough. (my doctor is great, BTW).
A few years ago there was an accident where some guy ran into the car behind me while we were stopped at a light - that car then rammed into my trailer hitch - which pushed me forward a couple feet. The hitch did a number on the grille of the car that hit me, but it only sustained a broken safety chain ring. I took it to a hitch shop and asked them to put a new ring on - nope gotta scrap it - no work done on hitches - CYA.
In my line of technical work, there are a few people - maybe along that same ratio of 8/22 that are really competent. However they don't always look like the competent ones. In fact, some of the more financially successful folks are the least competent, but actually appear to an outsider to be the most competent. It's a real racket, and my company falls for the incompetent blowhards time after time.
And, I will admit - the folks who've been the most openly religious that I've known have been some of the most dishonest. It's the quietly religious folks that can generally be trusted.
rocklobster
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Messages
- 184
I watched the show and the maintenance performed was not at all needed. The car was in tip top shape with just a loose battery cable and a customer that comes in saying that sometimes the car will not start. Just because the customer agrees to have it done they are relying on the professional advice which was shown in the show to be suspect.
One shop that machined the rotors did not even do it property, they just machined 1/4" of the very outside rim of the rotor. But I will admit the show definitely had a bias and an agenda.
The best thing I got out of this show was how my wife appreciated how much money I have saved us in the numerous years that our vehicles have not seen a mechanic (justifies more tools!!!). I do all the car work (except the damn e test) and I admit that I will sometimes perform preventative maintenance or change a part that is not necessary just to be on the safe side.
I agree with this statement, if you show up with a general knowledge you will be able to protect yourself. This day in age you are the only one you can rely on to protect yourself.
Lotek
Well-known member
Would like to see some proof of your claims, those are serious accusations. What, exactly do you do for a living, your post doesn't make that clear. In fact your entire post isn't very clear...
Remember, the only differences between doctors and mechanics are that doctors only have to work on one make, two models, and they get to bury thier mistakes...though in their favor, they do have to do all their work with the engine runing.
cyanidecotdpnuts
Well-known member
Spoken like a true champ.
This is not in defense of either side in the story, but the test of the old starter was way off base. You can't put a starter in a vise and connect it to a battery using 12 gauge wire and show that it is good just because it spins. Also, there ARE manufacturer recommended intervals to change brake fluid, transmission fluid and spark plugs and wires. Most people don't bother with that stuff because the car runs and drives "perfectly fine". Yes, the shops could have just tightened the battery cable for free and sent them on their way, however, people don't just loosen a cable and then take their car to the mechanic to find the problem. When you are on the other side of the counter (as the SW, not the customer) you have to think that there must be a major problem or they wouldn't bring it in. I have been caught myself with only getting half of the story from customers. Things like: "everythings fine, I just want you to check it over" then when they come to pick it up and I didn't find anything they'll ask "did you find the squeek in the brakes when I run through a 3 foot deep puddle?". How am I supposed to know that the brakes squeek when you run through a 3 foot deep puddle? Part of the blame goes to the counter people in this story and part should be placed on the customers. I don't know if we saw the entire conversation between the 2 but just saying "sometimes it doesn't start" isn't good enough. A longer than normal start sequence could be due to old worn out plugs or a weak/slow starter, but a loose connection at the battery would probable cause it to not turn over at all. How's the tech or SW to know without the full story? It comes back to CYA on both sides of the counter.
Lotek
Well-known member
I really hate these shows. I perform a free courtesy inspection on a customers truck and write up a list of 15 items that need repaired on a truck that wouldnt stand a snowballs chance in hell of passing a DOT, and probably puts everyones lives at risk daily, and that makes me a scam artist, because Joe trucker knows everything thats wrong with his sweet *** Peterbilt thats falling apart and runs like dog ****.
A fellow tech was called a ***** to his face a few weeks ago when he recommended adding SCA to coolant that tested low, because, "That stuffs a scam..."
No problem sir, should I schedule you for an overhaul and couterbore cutting right now?
A fellow tech was called a ***** to his face a few weeks ago when he recommended adding SCA to coolant that tested low, because, "That stuffs a scam..."
No problem sir, should I schedule you for an overhaul and couterbore cutting right now?
cyanidecotdpnuts
Well-known member
Remember, the only differences between doctors and mechanics are that doctors only have to work on one make, two models, and they get to bury thier mistakes...though in their favor, they do have to do all their work with the engine runing.
this.
