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Reputable Mechanics -- Separating Fact from Fiction

91 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2009 at 4:17 AM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Brakes, Electrical, Engine, Exhaust, Fuel System, Steering, Suspension, Transmission, Car Warranties, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

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#1 of 91 Reputable Mechanics: Separating Fact from Fiction by kirstie_h HOST Feb 20, 2004 (5:23 am)
How does the "crooked" stereotype of mechanics affect your perception of your technician? Does a high repair bill automatically make you suspicious that you're being ripped off?   As with any type of business, it's likely that there are far more honest and competent mechanics than crooks, but how do you figure out who's telling the truth? Let's use this forum (suggested by 0patience) to discuss how to talk to your mechanic, why certain repairs or parts are recommended with your best interest in mind, and what advice is pure hogwash.   kirstie_h Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
#2 of 91 Good Topic! by Mr_Shiftright HOST Feb 20, 2004 (8:54 am)
If I may interject a thought right off....thank you.....   There is a basic conflict of interest between a modern mechanic and a modern car owner, that being that the mechanic wants to 'fix it right" so that he doesn't get a comeback or have to do a dreadful job over again; the owner wants to "save money" (naturally) and can't always see why you have to replace the clutch disk AND resurface the flywheel (looks fine to ME!) and rebuild the clutch slave cylinder (WHY? it's working!) and put in a new pilot bushing (do we HAVE to?) and a new throw out bearing AND use the part from the factory and not the one from Mel's Discount Internet Clutches.com.   Modern car owners have to come to grips with the reality that car repair has become expensive custom work done by specialists. You don't argue with your dentist but you will with your mechanic, right?   On the customer's side, the main problem is not dishonesty but incompetence, and it is very hard to judge.   Licensing is for the most part voluntary. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but technically a 16 year old boy could open up a repair shop and fix your brakes, I mean legally speaking, if he got a business license, he could do that. Right or ??? Replies to this message: carconfused (Sep 16, 2004 11:24 am)
#3 of 91 Just like how I passed by driftracer Feb 20, 2004 (11:34 am)
all 8 specialty areas in my ASE exam without ever taking a formal course - I borrowed the books, studied a few evenings over a month, and tested.   Granted, I've been around cars all my life and always have avoided hanging out with the shadetree guys who "don't mess with them computerized vehicles", but to pass these exams with a year and a half at WyoTech says a lot.   I really respect the folks who have passed these tests AND possess several years of experience applying what they've certified on, though.
#4 of 91 well, I like to guess the problem and look it up first, myself by swschrad Feb 20, 2004 (1:16 pm)
so if I have klunking from the driveline or the left rear suspension, and I've checked on what is back there and what repairs and diag trees are involved, I like to think I have some insight into whether the tech telling me I need a new alternator and floor mats is sober or not.   if there's a broken bolt on the spring mount, and they want to sell me a rebuilt differential instead, I now know what the reputation of the shop should be.   not that I'm putting out a line of heavy repair manuals next month on absolutetruth.biz or anything, but if a repair procedure starts with, "build frame under vehicle chassis; remove driveline; remove welded rear frame members," it's also reasonable to assume that I don't want to pay that bill myself or play shade-tree with it.
#5 of 91 by 0patience Feb 20, 2004 (7:29 pm)
Ok, I asked for this topic. Mainly because there has been alot of bad press for mechanics lately.   A certain TV show had a segment last night on oil change places, but inferred that these were service centers.   Some folks complain about their repair costs without understanding what the repairs or costs are. Why they should use certain name brands/OEM parts over aftermarket is one such thing. A book on the internet goes to state that folks can easily go with aftermarket parts for everything, when in reality, some aftermarket parts are known to cause greater problems than they help.   My hopes are to help educate folks as to why certain repairs are so much, why certain things should be OEM parts and why you shouldn't believe everything you read about how the mechanic is out to steal your money.   The mechanic is only the person working on your vehicle, he/she does not decide the costs of the parts or labor. They only fix the vehicles. Blaming them is like blaming a ticket taker for a bad movie.   Some folks will have you believe that by reading a book, you will be able to tell if your mechanic is trying to rip you off. The only way you can protect yourself is to learn about your vehicle, which is why we are here.   I have seen several people who were able to get things taken care of, because they educated themselves and learned here, what to ask and how to ask it. So, how can we help you learn?
#6 of 91 Mr Shiftright, by 0patience Feb 20, 2004 (7:34 pm)
You are correct. Anyone with a shingle (and money), can open a shop.   In this day and age, the systems on vehicles are combined, so you may come in for a trans problem and the mechanic may tell you that you need an intake gasket. He is NOT trying to rip you off. He is in fact trying to repair the problem.   There is alot of incompetence out there, there is no question about it, but there are also alot of quality shops out there, that do honest, quality work.
#7 of 91 Get References by tigercat21 Feb 21, 2004 (1:05 am)
When any one I know needs car work I always tell them to get a reference, don't just trust to luck that the place your going to is honest. Not that repair shops are any more crooked then any other business, its just that its real easy to fool someone on car repairs. Any kind of business is out to make money and with all the overhead a repair shop has, tools,employees,taxes,licenseing fees,insurance, rent,heating, etc., well when a business owner starts to get pinched he might try to make more on a job then is warrented. Stick to a place your family and friends trust and always mention that to shop owner. Myself, when I go for car inspections, I know theres not much money in it for the shop so I give him a tip, and for that small fee I've gotten a place I can pretty much trust.
#8 of 91 Another problem... by isellhondas Feb 21, 2004 (7:15 am)
Sometimes a shop owner can't win. I can remember, every time I tried to save a customer a few dollars, it would come back and bite me.   That throwout bearing that looked and felt just fine, decides to start squealing two weeks later.   Then there were the people..." It never did that before you worked on it"   Nevermind, we changed a water pump and now the transmission is leaking.   It's not easy trying to do a good job while keeping costs down at the same time!
#9 of 91 by kirstie_h HOST Feb 21, 2004 (4:57 pm)
When you're faced with a big repair estimate, is it reasonable to seek a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion? I always do with medical issues - if it's costly or painful, I want to make sure I'm hearing that I need it from more than one source. Is that insulting, even if I plan to return to the first shop to get the work done if needed?
#10 of 91 by 0patience Feb 21, 2004 (5:51 pm)
Hi Kirstie, Yes, it is absolutely reasonable. Anytime you are faced with a large estimate, there is nothing wrong with getting a second estimate. Be aware that you will most likely have to pay the diagnostic charge and sometimes a tow bill.   If the mechanic is insulted, then you may want to explain to him/her, that it is alot of money, more than you can afford and you need to be certain of the problem. If they are still insulted, then you may want to find another mechanic anyway.   As you stated, you would get a second opinion from a doctor, why not from a mechanic?   2 occasions where I would definitely get a second opinion, are when it is extremely high and when it doesn't sound or sit right with you.   I have seen alot of head gaskets replaced when the culprit was the intake gasket. Several of them had come to me for a second opinion and I informed them as to what I would recommend. Since I was unable to get to the job, I recommended that they take the info back to the original shop and ask that they confirm that it isn't the intake gaskets, as that engine happened to have a history of the problem. I supplied them the TSB regarding the problem and the shop did the work and the customer and the shop ended up happy.   The shop was unaware of the TSB and after talking with them, they agreed to do some more diagnosis and found that the intake was indeed the problem. They were willing to work with the customer and information provided by a third party, so they ended up with a customer who now trusts them to do the right thing.

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