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Reputable Mechanics -- Separating Fact from Fiction

93 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2010 at 1:28 PM

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

Messages Page 10 of 10

#90 of 93 Re: Customer service and honesty [efitzgerald] by autodr

Dec 20, 2007 (9:17 pm)

Replying to: efitzgerald (Dec 06, 2007 6:48 am)
Wow. Sorry to hear about that rough time you had. So, the tire store... who's primary business is under-car work such as tires, brakes, alignment, rims, and maint services like oil changes... couldn't figure out why your engine's control system, a complex electronic control system that requires special equipment and technical knowledge to diagnose, had a malfunction and couldn't properly run the engine. Honestly, I'm not sure how to express my degree of lack of being surprised. But I think it rivals that of my level of surprise for when Elton John came out of the closet.
 
Looking at it from the tire-jocky's stand point, if the problem was somewhat intermittent... which is how your post reads... if he couldn't get it to act up in the relatively short period of time he had it (relative to how long you get to drive it) then what else is he going to do but look it over for past due maint? From the sound of it, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and TB cleaning, that's pretty much to be expected of nearly any vehicle with some miles and age on it if they haven't been done in a long time. The only thing there is what was promised.... communication... if they said "this will fix your car"... then I have a problem with that against them. If they said something more like, "we'll we can't get it to act up, and don't really see anything wrong other than some maint issues that might or might not be the cause...." then they really just did the only thing that was in their power.
 
When you took it back, they panicked and started guessing. You spent a lot of money there and they needed to do something to fix it. So they started reaching for straws. I feel like instead of reaching for straws at this point, they should have just said, "Look I'm sorry, but we can't really do anything more." That would have been the most upfront approach and at this point they wouldn't have done anything wrong. But the problem here is that they were probably more scared than anything that you'd start demanding for a refund of the... probably legitimate... maint work that they had just performed simply because it didn't fix your original complaint. So, at the very least, do you see what kind of a position they are suddenly in?
 
Then the Ford dealer... MMmm boy. Of course you know you are actually driving a Nissan right? Well... part Nissan and part Ford. But the engine and electronics are Nissan. And of course it is the Nissan part you wanted a Ford dealer to fix. Granted, they are supposed to be ready to fix it because it is marketed as a Ford. But you are expecting a lot right there.
 
I was working in a Ford dealer up to '93 and was hired over to a Nissan dealer.. why? To help them on the Nissan Quest, or so the service manager's idea was. The Nissan Quest and Mercury Villager came out in '93 and both sides of the fence were nervous about it. He knew it was half Ford and needed a Ford tech. I fit the bill. In '94 another Ford dealer (a Lincoln/Mercury dealer) hired me away from the Nissan dealer. Why? same reason only in reverse. Kinda funny isn't it?
 
Anyway, the point is that every so many years car makers come out with a mix-breed vehicle that no one is prepared for, no one wants to touch, and no one has the equipment or experience to fix them... ever. When they are new, everyone is caught off guard and when they are old everyone has moved on and forgotten about them. Which bring me to the point I am getting to about the Ford dealer. They moved on, I'm betting when you're vehicle rolled in every tech there was praying he didn't get it and when one did the others pointed and laughed at him... seriously, I really mean they literally likely laughed "Oh.. I see you got the Villager... better you than me buddy... lol"
 
I'm the only one in my dealer that is not afraid of them and actually kinda like to get one every now and then, and no one stands in my way for one either.
 
You're bad experience at the dealer was likely due to the fact that... on that vehicle... the dealer was on the same, or close to the same, playing level as the tire jockys you just came from... only the tire jockys took all the maint away already. So, they reached for the only things they saw wrong, bad battery cables... ect.
 
The Nissan dealer fixed it because, well, it has the same Nissan stuff on it that has been in place on other Nissans (most closely the Maxima) for years upon years upon years. For that problem on that vehicle, the Nissan dealer was actually the best choice. It was just another Nissan to them.. no fear, no surprise.

#91 of 93 Car Mechanic Reviews Websites by lhy

Feb 21, 2009 (5:17 am)

I am looking for websites that provide reviews and ratings of car mechanics.
 
I searched the Edmunds site for reviews of mechanics in my area (Oregon), but I didn't find any ratings.
 
Can anybody recommend some other review websites?

#92 of 93 Need a reputable mechanic by jasonscar

Jun 17, 2010 (11:28 am)

I just bought a house in Romeoville where things are tight already and of course we have two cars. The 2007 Kia Sportage needs brakes and The 2005 Nissan Quest has windsheild wipers that aren't working. I can hear the motor working but they aren't moving. I think they got disconnected some how. I live in Aurora, IL right now and am moving to Romeoville, IL with in the week. Anyone know of a trustworthy mechanic in the area?

#93 of 93 Re: Need a reputable mechanic [jasonscar] by kiawah

Jun 17, 2010 (1:28 pm)

Replying to: jasonscar (Jun 17, 2010 11:28 am)
Both would be very common repairs that many places can handle.

Messages Page 10 of 10

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