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Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

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  • Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

    There is lots of publicity for con-men and less-than-honest mechanics and shops. But, I’ve had different experiences. I want those guys to get rewarded for being honest and generous. How can you best ‘reward’ honest and generous mechanics? Repeat business, only? How else?

    Have other people had GOOD experiences with mechanics?


    My recent examples: Awhile ago (Feb?), I had an electrical problem with my Jeep. For various reasons, I had to take it to the dealer. Shortly after that, I was driving on the highway and the hood flew up and smashed my window at 60mph. I managed to get the hood back down to see. I was outside of New Glarus, a tiny town, and drove on the edge of the road to a tiny body shop on the edge of the tiny town. The owner of the shop managed to wire the hood shut (it latched, too)—but when he tried the hood release, it came off in his hand. This body shop owner did all of that (30 minutes work, maybe) and refused to take money from me for his help.

    I later got an estimate to fix that all from another dealer and it was several thousands of dollars. So, I just drove with it wired shut until now (I don’t put many miles on my car). Now, I needed an oil change. Today I called another small-town shop (different town) and asked them if they’d be able to even open the hood. They said, ‘sure.’ So, these 5 guys at the oil place spent an hour on my car, charged me $27 (total, with the oil change) and offered to later install race-car pins to keep the hood shut (that I could buy and bring to them) for a few minutes labor charge for drilling and putting in.

    (Oh, and if anyone thinks these racing pins to keep the hood closed are a bad idea, for any reason, please tell me.)

    So, I really think the 'good guys' are getting a bad rap for what the few dishonest are doing... do you agree?
    Last edited by Anahita; 06-07-2006, 06:36 PM.

  • #2
    Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

    To reward a good mechanic by publicly praising, you should tell us who he is.

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    • #3
      Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

      For mechanical work, stop by my uncle's shop - where I work. Discount Tire Centers. Simi Valley. We do excellent work, and always have the lowest prices.

      I'm not just saying that because it's my uncle's shop. Honestly. Our prices are the best in any town. We give discounts for no reason. Sometimes I wonder how we make money. Plus, if you know me, my uncle will MAKE me give you a big discount. Basically, he'll charge you no labor.

      Discount Tires. Simi Valley. Holla.

      Oh, and in 3 weeks, we'll be on Sunset Blvd.

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      • #4
        Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

        I am in no way affiliated with One-Way but I again fully endorse discount tire centers. Their road hazard warranty especially ... cannot be beat! Their prices also might not seem cheapest at first but if you include mount, balance, valve stems, etc, they are very competitive almost all the time. Too bad the closest one is about an hour away from me.
        this post = teh win.

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        • #5
          Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

          All Discount Tire Centers will match or beat anyone's price. Got someone giving you tires for $500 out the door? We'll beat it!

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          • #6
            Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

            Something odd just happened literally 10 mins ago... first a guy in the parking lot of a little store offered to buy my Jeep in cash, right there. Tempting, but I think he offered way too low.

            Then, the clerk at the little shop saw my windshield (was broke a bit by the first incident and then more by hail later) as I left and gave me a number for his friend who will put a new one in beating any price I get. I told the clerk about the other guy... we both thought that was odd. (but not nearly as odd as most things in my life... )

            For mechanical work, stop by my uncle's shop - where I work. Discount Tire Centers. Simi Valley.
            Next time I have a mechanical problem, I'll keep him in mind. Does he offer free towing to his shop, from Wisconsin?
            Last edited by Anahita; 06-10-2006, 04:47 PM.

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            • #7
              Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

              LOL and OMG @ Anahita driving earth destroying Jeep SUV
              this post = teh win.

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              • #8
                Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

                Originally posted by Sip
                LOL and OMG @ Anahita driving earth destroying Jeep SUV
                OMG, we must be 'evil.'

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                • #9
                  Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

                  Oh no ... you're not taking me down with you here. Mine's a TJ ... and FYI .. Check out #1 here.

                  But based on your hood flying open story, I doubt yours is the same
                  this post = teh win.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Loyalty to good mechanics/shops

                    Originally posted by Sip
                    Oh no ... you're not taking me down with you here. Mine's a TJ ... and FYI .. Check out #1 here.

                    But based on your hood flying open story, I doubt yours is the same
                    I think that link you provided on the Global Warming thread was REALLY important! I do understand that gas mileage isn't the only measure (and a rather simplistic measure in whole) of harm done to the Earth by a particular car.


                    Quick example: Mitsubishi (sp?) made a huge publicity campaign about the harm being done by little subsistence farmers--while, they, at the same time, deforested more of the Amazon than all of them combined, by far (and failed to mention that Mitsubish-type of deforestation is permanent. Tiny swidden ag has been going on in the Amazon since people have been there, and if done in ways, can be good for the forest. That company is not good for the Amazon--last I KNEW. I wouldn't buy a car from them--regardless of fuel issues.

                    Plus, I always have this in my head about the ecological costs of making new cars. Yeah, they might use less gas, but do they (when viewed from the whole) do less harm. I gave the example of the single smelter providing raw materials for new cars will be responsible for 16% of loss of the Amazon, alone. This is the significant version of "Paper or plastic?" Maybe, "cloth bag" is a better choice.

                    When I taught at the University, there was a project for students that involved taking a simple item: like a pencil, an aluminum can with soda, or whatever. The students traced all of the materials required to produce that, where they came from, the local impacts of extraction, etc. When people think like that, they realize the whole chain of what happens.

                    Aside from that: The energy to make a single new aluminum can is = one gallon of gas.

                    I still have a love for Jeeps--one saved my life (with some other help, too.)
                    Last edited by Anahita; 06-10-2006, 05:44 PM.

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