Posted by Bill on July 10, 2006, 12:45 am
> The service manager assured me that everything would be to
> Toyota's specifications (including the oil, which I had also mentioned).
> When I checked the tire pressure in my garage the next morning, the
> tires were all between 30 and 35, with no two at the same pressure.
From what I've observed, the service manager is hired for his soft voice and
thick skin. His job is to stand between you and two other people: the guy
who sold you the car and made lots of promises in the process, and the guy
who is actually doing (or not doing) the work. Beyond that he's a paper
pusher. When you are charged for something that hasn't been done, like
rotating the tires for example, he's the fellow who chews the ass off some
mechanic in your presence, then laughs about it with him over a beer after
work. My advice? Set traps for them like putting a small mark on your
front tires so you can easily tell if they were rotated.
Posted by =?iso-8859-1?Q?mark=5Fdigital= on July 10, 2006, 9:22 am
> From what I've observed, the service manager is hired for his soft voice
> and thick skin. His job is to stand between you and two other people: the
> guy who sold you the car and made lots of promises in the process, and the
> guy who is actually doing (or not doing) the work. Beyond that he's a
> paper pusher. When you are charged for something that hasn't been done,
> like rotating the tires for example, he's the fellow who chews the ass off
> some mechanic in your presence, then laughs about it with him over a beer
> after work. My advice? Set traps for them like putting a small mark on
> your front tires so you can easily tell if they were rotated.
I think it's time to up your dose a bit, Bill.
Posted by Bill on July 10, 2006, 4:26 pm
>> From what I've observed, the service manager is hired for his soft voice
>> and thick skin. His job is to stand between you and two other people:
>> the guy who sold you the car and made lots of promises in the process,
>> and the guy who is actually doing (or not doing) the work. Beyond that
>> he's a paper pusher. When you are charged for something that hasn't been
>> done, like rotating the tires for example, he's the fellow who chews the
>> ass off some mechanic in your presence, then laughs about it with him
>> over a beer after work. My advice? Set traps for them like putting a
>> small mark on your front tires so you can easily tell if they were
>> rotated.
>>
>>
> I think it's time to up your dose a bit, Bill.
Think so, huh? Read about the Jiffy Lube scam here:
http://tinyurl.com/qov9v
It's reminiscent of the Sears scam some years back:
http://tinyurl.com/lszca
I remember taking my old VW to the VW dealership for a flat-rate tune-up
that included plugs, points and valve adjustment. The invoice had
checkmarks alongside each of those items. There wasn't a fingerprint on
either the distributor or the valve covers so I had them pull a plug. They
hadn't been changed either. The service manager scolded the mechanic and
forced him to perform the service with me standing there. Ya, sure, you
betcha. Use the proper form. The service manager will take care of
everything, including making excuses and chewing ass.
I remember the Buick dealer's service manager telling me I needed a brake
job only two weeks after getting a brake job at a muffler shop. Thinking
the muffler shop might have ripped me off I had them pull a wheel and show
me how bad they were. Upon seeing the new brakes, he explained that they
had confused my paperwork with a different vehicle. Ya, sure, you betcha.
What dose do you recommend?
Posted by Michelle Steiner on July 10, 2006, 6:57 pm
> I remember taking my old VW to the VW dealership for a flat-rate
> tune-up that included plugs, points and valve adjustment. The
> invoice had checkmarks alongside each of those items. There wasn't a
> fingerprint on either the distributor or the valve covers so I had
> them pull a plug. They hadn't been changed either. The service
> manager scolded the mechanic and forced him to perform the service
> with me standing there. Ya, sure, you betcha. Use the proper form.
> The service manager will take care of everything, including making
> excuses and chewing ass.
>
> I remember the Buick dealer's service manager telling me I needed a
> brake job only two weeks after getting a brake job at a muffler shop.
> Thinking the muffler shop might have ripped me off I had them pull a
> wheel and show me how bad they were. Upon seeing the new brakes, he
> explained that they had confused my paperwork with a different
> vehicle. Ya, sure, you betcha.
I had an opposite problem about twenty years ago. Mechanics at two
different shops told me that my alternator was good and that I needed a
new battery. Three different stores that sold batteries told me that
the battery was good, and that I needed a new alternator.
--
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Impeach the son of a Bush.
Posted by Mike Rosenberg on July 10, 2006, 7:16 pm
> I had an opposite problem about twenty years ago. Mechanics at two
> different shops told me that my alternator was good and that I needed a
> new battery. Three different stores that sold batteries told me that
> the battery was good, and that I needed a new alternator.
Geez, Michelle, don't leave us hanging! How did this story end?
--
Mike Rosenberg
<http://macconsult.com/cafepress/> Net Junkie and Mac-themed shirts etc.
<http://bogart-tribute.net> Tribute to Humphrey Bogart
<http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gifts
> Toyota's specifications (including the oil, which I had also mentioned).
> When I checked the tire pressure in my garage the next morning, the
> tires were all between 30 and 35, with no two at the same pressure.