Some of you proboly know that I own my own repair garage. Well today I had a new costermer come in to the shop. She explaned that she had a noise in her car when she made a turn. She said that it was like a clicking noise. Told her that I would check it out and call her later. I noticed that she was wearing a skarf over her head, she was probly on kemo. So I go out to her car and I see that her side view mirror is hanging lose. A better look showes that she has tried to glue in on before. Okay so I take her car for a ride and get to the first turn and there is the noise, click, click, click, a bad left axle. So I call her up and tell her what I found, I discribe the noise and explane why it is the axle. She says go ahead. Being a good guy I also try to reglue her side view on, no charge. She comes to get the car, no big deal pays and then goes to leave. She gets almost out and turns around, OH Sh@@ here we go. She comes in and rips me a new as$$$le. The noise is still there and what the f$$$ did you do to my side view. I go for a ride with the coustermer and the noise that we fixed is not the noise she wanted fixed. She also sayes that her side view was not lose before she brought it in. OH NO I am in so deep that I will never see daylight. Tryed to explain what we did and why, even said that I thought that I was doing her a favor for gluing her sideview on. She called me every name in the book except a white boy. She is bringing it back tomorro for me to do something. I dont know what.

I am sorry for venting but thank you for reading. I am going to drink now. Some days I really hate my job..

Paul

 

Paul,

I've been in my county's prosecutors office for 12 years now. It seems no matter what I do, I make someone mad. File a charge on behalf of the victim or State, I make the opposing person and their ENTIRE family angry - but I make the victim and their family happy. Let me tell you, I've had my ears pumped full over the years.

My advice is, don't let it get to you. Do your job and do the best you can. This way, you can proudly look your opponent in the eye as you find a polite way to tell them to "Screw off!!" Just keep thinking to yourself as this person is b*tching at you, I have my L to drive home. Works for me....

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Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
JDM street program
JDM 2# blower pulley (ordered)
J.L. Stage II ram-air
FRPP Oval throttle body (ordered)
90mm MAF
MagnaFlow Exhaust

 

I have run an independant shop also so I know where you are coming from. People think it is your fault they drive a piece of sh#t. I would handle it this way: First I would remind her that you road tested the vehicle, heard a clicking noise like the one she decribed, called her with a diagnosis and estimate, and she said go ahead and proceed with the repair. Second, I would show her the bad part, show her what you told her on the phone, and tell her it would have been dangerous to keep driving on the bad shaft. If you do this with a kind and concerned attitude, I would suspect that she would start feeling better about the repair you have done. I would then remind her that you are in business for yourself and dont make a habit of fixing things that arn't broken because you have a reputation to uphold. Tell her hou got that reputation by going above and beyond what the average shop would do, that is why you fixed her mirror for free, to gain her respect and confidence. Then you tell her that you know the mirror wasn't broken in your lot because you saw, and show her the old glue. Tell her your other mechanic saw the mirror hainging when she brought it in if she wants to talk to him. Kindly tell her that you arn't interested in working on her car again, in fear she might try to blame you for something else that is already wrong with her car. I would drive to the bank, cash her check as fast as possible, and if she comes back, double the estimates for any future work. Its unfortinate that some people act like this, but they do. I would forget it ever happned and move on. One unhappy customer wont hurt your repution.

 

Way back in my younger days I was considering a possible career in the automotive repair field. I did a complete Brake Job on a customers car. The next week I had the customer come back and raise hell and blame me because their clutch went out. I think their reasoning was since the clutch and brake pedals are right next to each other, I obviously must have done something to screw up the one that worked the clutch.
Needless to say, I chose a different career.

God I hate customers (stupid ones anyhow)

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Cars and Trucks are made to be driven. NOT worshiped

 

My clients never gave me any s**t. They probably realized that if they did I would arrange for them to have a heart to heart with the Judge.

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I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'84 Alan Record Carbonio, Aerospoke wheels, Campy brakes.

'00 SVT Lightning, silver, built 2/9/00, #133 of 4966, G-tech Pro, JBA headers, 4.10 gears, Swanson chip, Pro-M, NGK plugs, carbon drive shaft, Roadmaster suspension kit, TransGo shift kit,
13.39 @ 102.5

2001 Kevlacat 2400, twin 115 Evinrude FICHT, Raytheon VHF, radar, autopilot and GPS chartplotter/fishfinder.
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=429389...4647875&idx=15

gmvye@pacbell.net

 

Yeah, dealing with the general public must suck like an Eaton at 10psi. Glad I work for somebody ELSE welding pipe. Pipe never gives me a hard time, wait a minute, pipe IS hard to weld, bastard positions, X-rays, and such. What Iam trying to say is, work sucks! First ten beers are on the Gator at Englishtown friday, two fast 4 u.

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99 Black#1940, Modified Airaid box, Pro-M 80, Swanson Chip, Wet Okole's, Loud Clunk, Bedrug, Clear corners, 2" Aim drop, 2nd set well worn F-1's, 135 W Xenon Fog Lamps, Red Line Water Wetter, That's all folks!

 

I sympathize with you two fast for u, and all the rest of you "honest" mechanics. But, the devil's advocate in me say, where do you think this defensive attitude comes form. Rip off repair men. I loathe having to take my cars in for any type of service. One never knows what the mechs might "find" or charge. Sorry, my feeling.

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US ARMY DRILL SERGEANT
HOOAH!!

HIS:
00 HD F-150
00 Triumph Daytona 955i

HERS:
01 Nissan Pathfinder
00 Buell Blast

 

I feel for you 2fast

I used to wait tables and bartend. Nothing like an "Amateur Sunday" to make you feel worthwhile. (ie: $2 tip on a $75 bill after great service) This usually consisted running my *** off for things they "forgot." Comprehension of "May I bring you anthing else?" is impossible.

Now these challenged folk bring me their abused computers and happily PAY me to fix/upgrade them...

Bitter? Me? nope, practical.

 

Ok, we can all relate, sux. SO what's the click, click, click? If i got it right she is paying for the axle she needed, and you have the old one your keeping right? Pictures if returned to the owner.
Here's a futur idea, use a form like the car rentals when taking in rides for repair. Exterior/int defects ect... as part of the work order they sign. I'd fix the damn click if possible, cant be more than the axle, lol. You can deny the mirror, turn it over to insurance, suit her for attempted fraud, good luck i imagine, or run it over to your buddie the body man and supoerglue and bondo that MFkr back together. A little paint and for 100.00 she's history. Just some thoughts.

ya ya, i had 2 kids messing with me saturday, had the wife and kid in the L. Kept blocking me, i passed, stopped in the road, got out and walked to the back of the truck and looked the driver dead in the eye. I shook my finger at him and yelled angrly, "STOP THAT"! LOLOL. His eyes as big as S dollars nodded yes as he mouthed OK. I'm already regretting my actions and before i can pull away, yup, lights coming up on both of us sitting there. I was let go first after an embarressing explaination, just received advice, "pull off and lettem go". I am going to be 43 next week, what a dumb a$$. What a hot headed, impatient, immature dip *****!
OK, the first part of changing anything is realizing it's there right LOL. It's not really new news, but i will reflect on this before i do something so silly again.

So buck up as you've done a thousand times before and deal with her. we are all behind you, in spirit, hehe

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Silver '00 Lightning.
#3962/4966 6/16/00
PSP filter kit.
JL 300/4 amp, JL-XR's, VR's and 10WO, Crossfire 75.2 amp.
Ligted Logos.
Xenon bulbs X 4.
Clear corners, Altezza tails on order.

 

Many women feel that mechanics are condescending to them and put up a huge barrier. Part of it is rooted in perception or bad past experiences, and part in feelings of inferiority when it comes to dealing what they perceive to be a male dominated field. Plus, many women have hearing that exceeds that of cats and can detect car noises that men cannot begin to fathom.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

 

No I think women put up a big barrier to mechanics because of shows like "NBC Dateline, the fleecing of America." Man that show gives me a headache.

If you turn off the sound, the faces the 'reporters' make when they uncover 'wide spread fraudulent acts' is pretty funny at times. How dare small mechanic shops make a dime of your repair! Give me back my dime!

I am just trying to lighten the mood. I work at a pizza place, and even that can be stressful.

 

First off I would like to thank you all that replied to this post. I did not think any one would read this. It is really nice to have some place to go were you can find people that care. Once again THANK YOU ALL.

Well last night I made up my mind what I was going to do. When she showed up this morning I all ready had her full refund printed out. Before she could even upen her mouth I told her that like was to short to have to deal with people like her. I gave her refund and asked her if she would not do any more buissnes hear. I then asked her that when she was telling every one how we riped her that she also tell them that I gave her money back. I think she all of about two words.

Well today should be a better day.

 

I am a consultant and work with the public all the time.

My daddy told me when I was a little bitty boy --- he said "Son" ---- He always called me son ---"You are going to find in life that you will not find a horse's head for every horse's A$$" . He was so right!!! I have found significantly more horse's A$$es than I have heads, but unforntunately they also come with only two legs!!

 

So I'm not the only one that has a bad day. Every day our office tries to make people feel better. We usually succeed. I'm a younger Dentist. Public perception is that I make a lot of dough. I don't. Maybe in several years things will be easier. As of now I donate over $25k of service per year to kids. Make us feel good. Then there is the few persons that are getting basically free help who feel it is my duty to do this. Don't show up then yell at my staff when we explain that we're sorry we can no longer see your child because you missed the last three. Anyhow thanks for the listen. Wanting to buy an L but can't afford it now. I am learning alot from you guys and ladies. thanks

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'00 EB AWD.