TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:54 am

Do they only do work for their friends? If they don't answer an email do they not want your business? I understand customers can be douchey, and I read somewhere that they will tell you a high quote if they don't want to do your work. I also saw somewhere about mistreating "annoying" customers to get rid of them. I don't know, just venting. I hope I haven't been douchey.

The stank of rotten puntang fills the air...

Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:17 am

There are a lot of good quality shops out there that DO NOT hang out on the computer. Even in today's technology you still have to use that cave man invention of the telephone. Your car CAN NOT be fixed over the Internet or phone anyhow. You must take your car in to be looked at. At my friends shop you go to the end of the line no matter who you are, and when he is very bussy, he won't answer the phone.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:43 am

beesty1 wrote: Do they only do work for their friends? If they don't answer an email do they not want your business? I understand customers can be douchey, and I read somewhere that they will tell you a high quote if they don't want to do your work. I also saw somewhere about mistreating "annoying" customers to get rid of them. I don't know, just venting. I hope I haven't been douchey.

The stank of rotten puntang fills the air...

So,
May we assume you're having problems with getting repairs done?
Multiple shops or just one?
If it's just one shop, it's them
If it's multiple shops, it's you.

An old saying about how to treat people, all people.......
You catch more flies with Honey than Vinegar.

That Squeaky wheel gets the grease crap? The squeaky wheel is annoying and irritating, it gets pushed out or away ASAP, at best, just to shut it up it may get sent away with some crappy grease applied to it hoping they never ever return again!\
Oh yeah, squeaky wheel often gets charged more too!

Dave

Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:59 am

No I am not really having a problem with anyone. I have asked a couple adhoc kind of questions to shops. Didn't get any answers. I figured they were either busy or didn't want to bother with me. And erring on the side of not wanting to bother with me I didn't push it any further. I understand they might be busy, but no response at all.. ever? You would figure they would eventually answer. Anyway I was curious how it all went down.

I figure friends get first priority, but one can only have so many friends. And how does one become a friend? Well, whatever. I feel so high school at the moment.

Why should I waste someones time on the phone asking if they perform a particular type of service when I could just through a email question out there and hope I eventually get an answer. I don't have to deal with the too busy to answer the phone thing.

I guess what I am ultimately doing is trying to stir up poo just for the sake of it. Boredom is a killer.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:11 am

Sadly, you're just a tire kicker. Having been in the repair field for many years, there isn't any time to waste on someone who is just asking "how much" and "can you" questions.
One can sense that this isn't a real customer and is just shopping for the best price or to justify doing it themselves.

Are all repair shops nice people? By and large they are but by no means are they always nice, some are down right dysfunctional people but boy can they fix a car! Conversations and social behavior? not so good.

Attitude towards Computers? "Who needs them! I've got plenty of customers coming in the door with no advertising at all!"

The computer age isn't fully here just yet. To some it is an annoyance and bother as well as a confusing mystery.

REAL customers often become friends over time. They move to the front of the repair line and sometimes don't even get charged for things others do get a bill for. It's life, it's NOT fair at all.

Dave

Fri Oct 03, 2008 8:28 am

That is a damn good explanation. Thanks. Hey, I might be tire kicking, but that could lead to a sale. I don't mean to be a pita, but when you have adhd moments and want a quick answer to finish up some thought process, like "how much am I going to have to get together for this endeavor?". It is nice to know... you know? If it turns out to be a common question it should be put on a a website of services offered with prices(or at least prices relative to a stated condition). And if someone isn't going to monitor their email, they shouldn't advertise it as a means of contact.

I got to thinking about it though. I imagine it could be quite a load to sift through a large volume of "tire kickings". It is too bad you can't train a shop dog to do it for you.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:39 am

The bigger shops have those people to give prices and answer questions.
The small shops (and often BETTER shops, size often does equal quality) don't have the staff or the need. The good mechanics don't really need you anyway, they're busy enough and don't want to become a big shop. Maybe two or three guys, that's it.

The Big shops push volume and sales quota. They WILL find something wrong with your car while you are in for an oil change. Not saying they're robbing you and they do it under the guise of "service", they really want the work. The small shop will also find things wrong but, you are his customer and friend and neighbor. He wants you to motor safely, sure he can use the money but he's got enough work without putting brake pads on YOUR car anyway.

If they're too busy to help you, this is the shop you want. Just like don't ever eat in a restaurant with no cars in the parking lot!

Dave

Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:11 am

Time is money. If all you are doing is calling or sending email with no promise of coming in, just a "I'm curious how much this would cost?" you are costing them money.

If they are a small shop, they can't waste time answering questions for people who won't bother to bring their car in or reimburse for time spent answering questions.

Put yourself in their position. I guarantee that you are not the only one calling or emailing asking for free advice and not showing any green.

If you don't trust a shop or are trying to gauge skill level, take them a "small" job, something worth doing. Then have a conversation with them when they're finished and you're paying the bill. Then they know you'll spend money with them and not just full of questions and promises of "future work."

Otherwise, don't waste their time, they are trying to earn a living.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:18 pm

I will take that, at least in my case, as don't ask until I am on the cusp of doing something. I won't bug them anymore (pun not intended). I will only do it when I go in to pick up a product or something. I feel adequately vented. If anyone feels like spewing forth advice go ahead. I don't think I will post back to it.

I guess this isn't necessarily a field of the quick fix.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:00 pm

beesty1 wrote:
Why should I waste someones time on the phone asking if they perform a particular type of service when I could just through a email question out there and hope I eventually get an answer. I don't have to deal with the too busy to answer the phone thing.

That says it all in a nut shell. Why should I waste time answering an email, when I could call you back and catch you when YOU are too busy to answer the phone.

Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:30 pm

I equate internet questions as DYI people wanting questions answered for them so they can do it themselves. That is what The Samba and forums are for. Ask questions, collect answers, and decide if you want to tackle the job yourself or take it to a pro. Stuff I want to get done by a Pro, I call their shop, leave a message if I get an answer machine, and let them know I need such and such done and can I come in to get a quote. This way they can inspect and quote better. Over the phone quotes can be so far off and they really need to see the vehicle so they can best quote the repair, etc...

I use their web sites to just get familiar with them so I get the rosy feeling they are a good shop and I can trust their work. Then I take it to them.

tj

Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:49 pm

Most Good, Independent mechanics, doing it for a living to support their families, don't have time for web sites. Many don't even have a computer at the shop.

Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:55 pm

I must be either wonderful or in the promised land.

Every VW shop I've been to in Mesa AZ is great at answering my questions and helping me decide what to do in what order on my car.

I spend money at these shops, but they answered my questions before I bought anything.

Sometimes I just buy parts, sometimes I have them do everything.

Screw the internet. When you show up in a well maintained VW they can see you're serious. If the car is good looking or unusual, the employees will come out and admire it.

Most of the employees have their own VWs. Make sure you admire their cars too.

My car is running great and is more fun to drive because the local shops freely provide me with advice.

One last point. The local shops can get the same parts you'd buy mail order or online for the same or even lower prices. This helps them stay in business, and they know the quality of many of the parts because they use them.

Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:49 am

djkeev wrote: The bigger shops have those people to give prices and answer questions.
The small shops (and often BETTER shops, size often does equal quality) don't have the staff or the need. The good mechanics don't really need you anyway, they're busy enough and don't want to become a big shop. Maybe two or three guys, that's it.

The Big shops push volume and sales quota. They WILL find something wrong with your car while you are in for an oil change. Not saying they're robbing you and they do it under the guise of "service", they really want the work. The small shop will also find things wrong but, you are his customer and friend and neighbor. He wants you to motor safely, sure he can use the money but he's got enough work without putting brake pads on YOUR car anyway.

If they're too busy to help you, this is the shop you want. Just like don't ever eat in a restaurant with no cars in the parking lot!

Quote: REAL customers often become friends over time. They move to the front of the repair line and sometimes don't even get charged for things others do get a bill for. It's life, it's NOT fair at all
Dave

well said Dave.
,

Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:25 am

They don't answer your e-mail because they are busy dealing with the people that call on the phone or walk in the door.

A lot of e-mail gets overlooked because of the large amount of spam that comes in. Also, you read it and before you have a chance to respond, the phone rings, or a customer walks in. Then that e-mail gets lost to history.

To stay in business, you have to deal with the "here and now". You can only spend so much time on the "what if".

Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:38 am

drscope wrote: They don't answer your e-mail because they are busy dealing with the people that call on the phone or walk in the door.

A lot of e-mail gets overlooked because of the large amount of spam that comes in. Also, you read it and before you have a chance to respond, the phone rings, or a customer walks in. Then that e-mail gets lost to history.

To stay in business, you have to deal with the "here and now". You can only spend so much time on the "what if".
well said.
i go to the shop and meet the people and ask ballpark how much as if"nothing else comes up"because these are old cars and things come up.
i also ask to be phoned on any problems and if there are i will give an ok on the phone unless its something crazy.
but the thing is for me,i can do most repairs myself just dont have time

Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:35 am

I found my mechanic by word of mouth from a parts store owner. I went to see him and spent some time talking with him, working 3rd then I had plenty of time in the mornings. He can repair anything from an ATV to a big rig, and does.
I can honestly say he is a friend of mine and if I am in dire straights will drop everything to get me on the road again. And when he drives 25 miles each way in the dark at 7pm in the rain to tow my ride to his place because the clutch arm broke, removes my motor and replaces the TO bearing and fixes the arm, reinstalls the motor and charges me less than $200 I know I am a friend of his.

However I do not try and get any work out of him that is not completely necessary because he is always jam packed with work and making sure that he is making his living is more important to me than having piddly stuff done to my car. I don't get to spend as much time at his place, he works in his garage in the back yard, now that I'm on 1st but I still go out there a couple times a week and spend a couple hours and we try and get to shows when we can.
If you want an impersonal relationship with your mechanic and just what you can get out of one then take it to Midas for brakes, Jiffy Lube for oil, and on and on.
Personally I appreciate what my mechanic does for me because I am the one that needs him. The fact that we have become friends is because of our personalities and character and not about me being his customer.

Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:35 pm

There are different business models.

If you are repairing a $40,000 SUV or car for a person who buys a new one every three years you get treated pretty good.

Problem with an old VW is it takes much more time and effort for even the old-time experienced mechanics to make the repairs and they don't want to risk any negativity from anyone do to what might be considered excessive bills. It easer to just work on the more profitable easier to repair newer cars because they don't have multiple problems to start with. Also many say if the parts are even available they many suck and take a long time to get.

The guy I know in town that has his own VW shop and has worked on nothing but ACVW for 10 years and VWs in general for 35, sends old ACVW people away.

You have to beg him to work on one telling him you know how dam good he is and you insure him you won't complain about the bill or revisits do to bad parts or anything else. If your lucky or you have history with him he will work on it.

I let him do the easy things like adjust valves, because the hour he bills me I can make way more money working an extra hour @ what I do, and he always dose a great job and he has all the old factory tools.

Sun Oct 12, 2008 5:56 am

stevehenderson wrote: There are different business models.

If you are repairing a $40,000 SUV or car for a person who buys a new one every three years you get treated pretty good.

Problem with an old VW is it takes much more time and effort for even the old-time experienced mechanics to make the repairs and they don't want to risk any negativity from anyone do to what might be considered excessive bills. It easer to just work on the more profitable easier to repair newer cars because they don't have multiple problems to start with. Also many say if the parts are even available they many suck and take a long time to get.

The guy I know in town that has his own VW shop and has worked on nothing but ACVW for 10 years and VWs in general for 35, sends old ACVW people away.

You have to beg him to work on one telling him you know how dam good he is and you insure him you won't complain about the bill or revisits do to bad parts or anything else. If your lucky or you have history with him he will work on it.

I let him do the easy things like adjust valves, because the hour he bills me I can make way more money working an extra hour @ what I do, and he always dose a great job and he has all the old factory tools.

This guy makes no sense. He's got the proper tools and he's got the experience and know how yet he is "afraid" to fix a car because it may be rusty, hard to work on and may lead to other billable work?
He is "afraid" of the parts available?
Something doesn't add up here.

He is either afraid to bill for his work,
He grossly underestimates the repairs on a consistent basis and gets screwed by his own bad business practices,
He's not really as good as you think he is, but he's knows the truth and is afraid of doing air cooled work.
He hasn't taken the time to locate a good parts source.

Will he work on "newer" AC engines and shuns the 25, 26, 40 HP models?
For my money, given the choice, I'd snap up the easy to work on early models and shun the newer smog controlled or water cooled engines.

To me there is a puzzle piece missing with this guy.
35 years puts him at 1973 starting to work on VW's, the end of the air cooled era. So if he did 10 on only AC he stopped in 83 fixing AC engines and switched to Water Pumpers.

Dave

Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:34 am

stevehenderson wrote: There are different business models.

If you are repairing a $40,000 SUV or car for a person who buys a new one every three years you get treated pretty good.

Problem with an old VW is it takes much more time and effort for even the old-time experienced mechanics to make the repairs and they don't want to risk any negativity from anyone do to what might be considered excessive bills. It easer to just work on the more profitable easier to repair newer cars because they don't have multiple problems to start with. Also many say if the parts are even available they many suck and take a long time to get.

The guy I know in town that has his own VW shop and has worked on nothing but ACVW for 10 years and VWs in general for 35, sends old ACVW people away.

You have to beg him to work on one telling him you know how dam good he is and you insure him you won't complain about the bill or revisits do to bad parts or anything else. If your lucky or you have history with him he will work on it.

I let him do the easy things like adjust valves, because the hour he bills me I can make way more money working an extra hour @ what I do, and he always dose a great job and he has all the old factory tools.

Sounds like someone has an ego problem.