Service and maintenance schedule

[Grumpy Bear]

53 minutes ago, Donstar said:

No matter where I have my vehicle serviced, I am aware that I could fall victim to an incompetent, disgruntled or unscrupulous mechanic.  I do my best to assess the shop's environment and check the work when completed.  Something like a transmission pan drop and filter change could easily be charged for but not done.   I grew up in the trades and was taught to take pride in my work.  This pride also applied to those tasks that were hidden and would never be seen by the customer.  I believe this work ethic is more common than not and know the odds of receiving  quality workmanship are in my favour!

Jiffy Lube changed the trans fluid fluid in my 65 Ford just before heading to the west coast. About Nebraska the thing was going through fluid by the case. Wrong fluid. Ate the seals. (they use to color code fluids)  

 

Took my Mustang to the dealer for some work which they did half of what I asked. When my sister-in-law dropped me off to pick it up the valet was doing smokey burnouts across the back of the lot with it. So I didn't have to pay for half a job and a full beating.  

 

I paid of a new clutch at a Honda Dealer. Sold the car a month later. Clutch went out in a week. It was a kid so..... When it was replaced the father of that child (a close friend) was at the shop and insisted on a look see before replacement. Honda likes to paint fasteners to show if something has been worked on. The bell housing bolts were undisturbed. Evidently they just filled the master and bled for the price I paid. (pressure plate bolts ditto). 

 

Changed dealerships when we moved. Second shop tried to sell me a pair of front struts after the wife hit a pot hole. I'd taken it in to check the alignment. Said passenger side bend the shaft and was leaking and they are replaced in pairs. A grand in parts? I told them to put it on the ground. I took it to Deegans, a shop I had heard good things about. He put it on the rack and had me in the back five minutes after they had the mirrors in place. Alignment was fine. Struts were fine. He asked me how they decided the rod was bent much less leaking without disturbing the inspection boot and showed me of course.

 

Finding a good shop with a great mechanic is hard. I will now keep the same mechanic even if I move a full days drive from him.  

 

Deegans has been my shop since. I'm still driving the Honda on those struts 10 years after. Replaced a spring a few years ago. 

 

 

[diyer2]

Most people can tell you about a bad experience with car maintenance.

I used Jiffy Lube to do trans fluid exchanges on my 93 Silvy.

Never had a problem with 4 services. 

 

You're not allowed on the shop floor due to insurance reasons they say.

OK

I stand outside the bay door where they are working on my vehicle and watch.

Did this with Discount Tire also.

I have answered questions and caught mistakes.

 

[Donstar]

I'm trying but I can't think of a really bad service experience in the past couple of decades.  I could have been cheated but unaware of such an incident.  I believe I present myself as a relatively fussy customer and I do express interest in everything being done to my truck.  However, I doubt they would say I'm a  p.i.t.a.  I also make sure that the final invoice reflects the work that was completed and any concerns that I've expressed.  I do give my appreciation to the mechanic and/ or his supervisor when I'm pleased. BTW-GB I record my mileage to the 1/10th.  Many years ago a mechanic thought it was ok to use my truck to go home for lunch.... (I didn't)