Do you guys feel this way or am I just nuts!

The past few years I keep tackling bigger repairs myself on equipment I had and dragging in bigger projects! Now when I work on stuff sometimes you just need help wrestling something together! But my problem I cant trust anyone of my buddies yanking wrenches it just seems if I didnt put a wrench on it and done it myself I start sweating it may not have been done right! I like fixing things but I like doin it the first time! I guess when its all your money on the line you have a different attitude about cause I notice myself whaen im at work wrenching on something I dont care as much! Anyone else feel the same!

The very few times that I took a vehicle in to the dealers (for warranty work), I checked behind them and always found something not done or done wrong. Those guys are supposed to be certified mechanics? I've often wished that I had a place suitable to have an overhead hoist to lift the things that I can no longer lift as I don't trust help either.

What was that commercial: "I'd rather do it myself" comes to mind.

the old saying really applies here, "If you want a job done right do it yourself" I have had terrible luck with OEM dealers,, I do all of my own equipment repair but have taken my vehicles to our local Dodge dealer for repairs in the past,, NEVER again to this one, I know drive 100 miles one way to get to a good dealer,, even they have made mistakes but at least they make up for it,,, sad days when you know far more about anything than their "factory certified" so called mechanics, that are nothing more than a computer screen reading parts changer,,, and yes I have had chats with the managers of this store, they are a joke just like the "workers' in the shop as well as the low life's they hire as sales people,,, worse than leaches
cnt

I think some dealers are having a hard time, so they tell their employees to make work.
Examples of things I've been told:

Your battery needs replaced. We can install a new one for $160. $45 for a new battery.
Your belt needs replaced. We can install one for $150. $20 cost for a new belt.
Your tires need replaced. We can install a new set for $900. Tire barn did it for $600.
Your cabin filter needs replaced. We can install one for $200. BYW, No cabin filter on car.
We can check the valve clearance on your 4010 mule for $200. Did it myself in half hour.

These are just some of the stories I heard while at the dealer. If something is broken, what's the harm in trying to fix it yourself. In my case, if it isn't broken, I can do that too.

I tweaked the main frame on my snowmobile a few years ago and the insurance company paid the dealer to replace the frame weldment. Two years later I did it again and the insurance company totaled it. I bought it back from them because of major spare parts that I had on hand. When I removed the motor I found many little things done incorrectly at the dealer, the worst being coolant hoses that were rubbing on sheet metal edges and worn nearly through. I could almost hear the owner of the shop yelling at his $15.00 an hour mechanic to hurry and get it out the door and get onto the next one.

I know exactly what you mean! Nothing scares me more that to have to hire something done! Almost always feel like I come out the looser, both in quality of work done and the price charged.

What really terrifies me is the thought of having any kind of medical procedure. I've worked on several Dr's vehicles, from the questions they ask, I sure don't want them working on me! LOL

I worked in a shop for 12 years, and got burned out to the point I had to do something else. I took my work very seriously, and tried to do an excellent job. But it turned out that I took myself and the job too seriously. It was very difficult to please both the boss, and the customer. When I was offered the "position" of shop foreman by age 30, I had already decided to move on. That was the mid 80's. I quit, and started into the only other thing that I was familiar with, or had a chance at- crop farming! Remember commodity prices in that era? That was 30 years ago, and a tough haul. I have built, at least in part, two houses, several barns, and several grain bins. I have moved/reinstalled three dump/grain bodies on trucks. I bought, fixed, overhauled, and successfully used lots of machinery. That's all history now. The last few years, I've actually had some money! And it's a good thing, because the days of me climbing around on a building, or in a piece of machinery, are gone. I have two good friends, who are not close by, and are busy, but are excellent mechanics. They helped me out two years ago when my combine engine ventilated itself at the start of corn harvest. Otherwise, I hope to keep my repairs on the small side any more. I have hired a few things done. But as you indicate, it's tough to watch, and pay out a lot of money, for marginal work.

This forum and all of it contributors make "diy" possible for me. I too would rather do it myself. Even the off topic blogs on water heaters, furnaces, electrical get my attention as I don't want to miss an opportunity to learn about something that may cross my path. I want my "bad experiences" to be my fault, not someone I paid because I did not think I could do it. gobble

You are totally nuts! And so am I! I hate to watch anyone run my equipment, let alone work on it.

Took my 92 k1500 to local Chev dealer because 4 whl. was not kicking in. They checked it out and found bad switch,told me to go to NAPA and get a new one and install myself. They didnt charge me a dime.

Another time,took my 07 impala in for a sevice to same place. Cabin air filter was plugged and they told me to get one from NAPA and install my self. which I did on both occasions.

So I try to give them my work that I can afford.

The service department is a profit center, many of the new mega-dealers, especially the Asian franchises and most of the European franchises are real good at upselling service. They even have the new version of snake oil, the wonder coolant, transmission or engine flush. The local two point (Honda & Toyota) dealer even goes as far as to push the upsell while they're determining if something is under warranty or not. Seems to be a high correlation between those who turn down the transmission flush and those who had their warranty claims denied.

Although here in Iowa I have found a somewhat unique situation with the local Ford dealer, they're quite big, as far as unit count goes they're one of the top 5 in the nation. They have three Ford points that I know of and all are in a cities of 15,000 or less. The branch I've used is on our county seat (population 2,500 or so) about a block from the one stop light in our county. They have a 6 bay service department. They have fixed my truck for less money than the Honda/Toyota folks want to "diagnose" the seat belt issue on our Honda. Their Mopar point is in the county seat for the County to the North of us, they're a little pricey but seem to decent work.

So the really big question, why is a dealership in such a small town so big? I live in Garner Iowa which is the service truck crane capital of North America. Two businesses in town actively build truck bodies and cranes and install them on trucks, many of those trucks are purchased or at least courtesy delivered through our local Ford dealer but that's still not the big reason. The county North of us is Winnebago County Iowa, the county seat is Forest City home of Winnebago Industries. Somehow all those Ford chassis under Winnebago Motor homes, as well as the Dodge/Fiats come through our local Ford dealer.

Okay I'll admit it I sold cars for about a year and a half. Much of the problems we have with new car dealers is our own fault. 80 to 90 percent of the customers come in with an attitude that they're not going to buy a car unless they think you're losing money. So the folks that are good at convincing the buyers they are loosing money when in fact they're making money become the most successful, we have created a system that rewards the biggest liars, or at least in the big cities. Surprise surprise, it carried over in to the service bays. As we used to say on the sales floor "if they're not lying they ain't buying". When the average customer comes in with the attitude you're not going to make any money off them it creates a different consumer relationship. Those customers who came in with some knowledge, either what the invoice, spins and rebates are on the model they wanted or those who had basic negotiation skills would get good deals with less hassle and were usually happier with their cars (and their life) than the average I'm going to hurt you Joes. Many of these were local teachers and university employees as we had purchase agreements with the local teacher's and University's credit unions. It was amazing how the more educated were the dumbest to deal with. I think this is a reflection on the fact that the average wage earner in the US doesn't understand the cost of running a business and how much profit is fair. They feel that a dealer making $1,000 on a car is unreasonable because that's what they make in a week, not understanding that their employer pays them $1,000 but the actual cost of their labor for the week is closer to $2,000 by the time the employer pays the other half of social security, the workman's comp, unemployment, vacation/Paid Time Off, insurance and retirement. The problem with the credit union deals is we'd agree to sell them cars at invoice or $200 over invoice and let the Credit Union have the financing. The credit union members would still expect to negotiate thousands off from there. More than once they walked out on us and went to a competitor and bought the same car for more money and paid more for the financing. With the increasing capital required for a dealer franchise, and the return of estate taxes we can only expect that more and more local dealers will be controlled by fewer and fewer corporations and it will only get worse. The high cost of doing business and passing it on to your heirs will only continue to consolidate capital in the hands of fewer and fewer people.

I used to feel that way, but there comes a time when you no longer can do the work, and have to trust someone else to do it. I try to be calm when I do find a mistake in someone else's work, and explain to them why I'm not happy. They usually make it right for me without any extra cost. I know enough not approach them with too much anger. Otherwise they would make it their life's goal to stick it to me the first chance they get.

Doing it all myself now. Can't trust anybody to do it right anymore. Took my 97 Chevy in to get aligned, they called and said I needed to replace upper ball joints and pitman arm for 900 bucks. I told them to put it in writing and I will be there to pick it up but do not do anything to it. I get there and they won't put it in writing. They knew they were caught because I had just replaced all of that plus more. That was the reason for the alignment. People still fall for it though.

This is the very thing that keeps guys like my in business, with a back log right now of over 30 jobs....and more coming every few days so it seems.

Usually, when someone calls I assess the severity of their situation, and can sometimes tell them over the phone what to check, if they have the tools, and how to fix the problem themselves. You'd be surprised how many times this is possible.

Once people trust you, it insures your bills get paid. Now my problem is I don't have time to work on my own stuff. Heck my pickup has been sitting, broke, for 2 months because I don't have time to really devote toward getting it fixed. Fortunately I've got a neighbor who is better on the automotive stuff than I who has said he'll look at it for me, but he's so busy I don't know when he's going to get time to do it either.

The bad thing is when you take pride in your work, people notice, and it's hard to find anyone who will do as good of a job as you do. I was discussing needing, or getting help with one customer, and he said my biggest problem would be that (at least for him) was that, "When somebody called Wayne, they wanted Wayne, not some guy Wayne sent out in his place".

Make me feel good to have customers feel that way, but it also makes finding an assistant now days nearly impossible.

Oh well, one day at a time, one job at a time, and just hop it all works out.

Don't feel like the lone ranger ! I just HATE to have someone work on my stuff ! Getting harder and harder for me to do though. In addition to the ole saying if you want it done right do it yourself , there just isn't a lot of extra funds to pay someone to do things. I don't know how many can afford to hire every single thing done ?
Even when I had someone put up my pole buildings. Every time I walk back there I look up at the roof and wonder if it is leaking yet. They did a horrible job of nailing the roofing. I didn't even know at that time screws were an option as the builder never mentioned it.
I have been letting the dealer do the oil changes and tire rotates on the wife and daughters cars. I still do mine. I can have it done by the time it takes to drive to the dealer.

I do almost all of the repairs at our farm. I do all of the big repairs, I don't want my dad getting hurt trying to get into something too big, he does the smaller projects that aren't as hard to do. He wrenched for 45 years and now his eyes, ears, hands, joints, and everything else is worn out, I don't want him to overdo it on something I can do. We don't send ANYTHING out. I'm very nit picky though. My experience's sound a lot like NCWayne.

Ross

When I bought my 93 Dodge Cummins they offered ten free oil changes. I went in for the first one, and 500 mile later checked my oil. Black. Oh well, it's a diesel. After the tenth, I told them "so long, this is the last". Service manager said "no, you still have one to go". Yep, they didn't change it the first time, just did two or three minor new car warranty items. Turbo went out at 280,000 miles which was probably accelerated by the missed oil change but truck has been great otherwise.

I can't stand to hire work done at the house or on the farm, but I do hire guys I know to help under my direction and that works out good because I have a couple that will work. I'm very very lucky to have a guy that bought one of my rent houses who will do work on my others for part of his mortgage payment. He is actually cheaper than I am, runs a small engine repair business out of his house (does work for Lowe's and Home Depot as well as other businesses).

You are not the only one Gleaner... not the only one.

DITTO....!!

Both GM dealer needs business. Want to sell you things you don't really need.

Do you have sons that you are showing how to do things?


I'm at work sweating it today because the two boys (13 & 16) are at home screwing tin to the roof of the shed we've built. I keep picturing one or the other falling off the roof or dozens of holes where they missed the nailer or what else they could screw up without me telling/showing them how to do it. About 2o oclock they text me a picture of both of them hanging upside down off a rafters..... Got let them make their own mistakes even if it costs me otherwise they'll never be worth a &%#@ working for anyone else.

You have to look at people, some do very good and others well (enough said) Same as business some do well for there customers and some (never deal with again) I have 2 friends I grew up with plumber and carpenter Call them they come and help me out asap and are very reasonable and due top quality work. two equipment places I deal with will leave a part out if its after 5 or send me item and I send them a check. YES I CHECK THINGS OUT AND LOOK IT OVER to rule out poor work. You sound like you don't trust others?? IT is also important to use the right person for the job You would not use your motorcycle repair guy to rebuild a cat d-8?? As for dealers agreed some are very good and others are a scam. Several times a dealer has PROPERLY FIXED AN ITEM CHEAPER THAN A HACK JOB OR UPDATED A RECALL FOR ME Or loaned an item while mine was repaired or what about when they jumped right on the issue and said you bought it here off brands can wait.

I have two good friend that live real close,went to high school and even collage together. We all ended up working for the same company but in different areas. We all help each other with repairs on anything from combines to carpentry. Nice to have them and saves us alot of money except for beer!

As far as vehicles are concerned, I have the best mechanic anywhere. Been with him for 30+ years. If I take something in for a brake job, he is likely to do the front, and tell me "you've got at least 5000 more miles on the back, so we'll do them another time." Absolutely honest, and takes care of us. Took in a 6.2 diesel GMC van- I was sure the injector pump was going south- he called me a couple hours later- he drained something (excess fuel return line? I dunno), now its fine. What do I owe you? Oh, nothing- it only took a couple of minutes. I once complimented him on his honesty, and he said "I know its kind of corny, but I still remember learning the Golden Rule in Sunday school, and I've always thought that was a pretty good way to do things."

Down side- I buy older luxury cars, presently have an older Buick Park Avenue. Wanted to get a Cadillac- asked him about them- he said if you get something with a Northstar engine, I won't work on it. So much for that- if he doesn't like it, I won't buy it. The idea of taking a car to the Cadillac dealer for repairs puts me in a cold sweat.

Tractors? I do all my own work. Don't know of anyone I could trust to fix them.

Who else is qualified to work on my antiques? I had to draw the line on some of my repairs on the big stuff for work because it doesn't fit in my shop and there aren't enough hours.

Add me in as a DIY guy. I have seen too much shoddy workmanship in the dealers that I have worked for in the past. Everything from leaving out the bolts that were "too hard" to reach to just charging fore work that was not done. Then there are the ones that want to sell you the same parts that you just had replaced or replaced yourself.
Almost without fail, every time I have had to hire out any type of work, I have been disappointed. Work not done, work incomplete, sloppy work, parts or material missing, and the list goes on. Contractors are the worst. Just try to get one to finish a job!!!

One of the bad things when two people are working on something....you may assume the other guy tightened this or that and you know you didn't, but did he? He may think the same thing you are thinking lol. One of the reasons I like working and doing things myself, bad part is if it doesn't work you can blame anyone....

I can't remember having had anybody else work on my vehicles and equipment but me since i started with my first tractor at age 12,..I turn 66 next month.
I own 8 tractors 3 wheel loaders 1 track loader, 5 trucks and a whole lot of other stuff.
And none of was bought new but the stock trailer.

I know what you mean. I took a JD2550 to the dealer for an internal oil leak. They determined the high/low was leaking. Had them fix it. They had had to remove the cab, split the tractor and so on. Got it back in time to mow hay with the gooseneck haybine. I couldn't hold position and I had it wrote off as the gooseneck cyl having an internal leak and kept going. When I quit I find the back of the tractor covered with oil. The fool never tightened the oil lines to the remotes outlets. Lost several gallons of hyd oil. Good news was the deal gave me 10 gal of oil for their mistake.

Another was my Ford F250 psd. it had died and I couldn't figure out why. I replaced the commonly known to fail CPS sensor on it and still no go. Finally took it to the dealer. They tested it and said it had to be the injectors wanted to send them out to be rebuilt. I knew it wasn't that so ragged it back home, tested some more. Can't find a thing wrong. Last ditch effort got a genuine ford CPS and it fired right up. To rebuild the injectors they wanted $2000, only be wasted due to a bad cps worth $40.

I just need to do it myself unless it's beyond me. Then I still worry.

I don't think you're nuts but I've gone the opposite direction. Almost everything goes to the dealer or diesel shop now. Even off season service. My legs are all messed up from a farm accident so crawling around under something doesn't happen any more. One of my guys changed the oil in the modules on my 1411 NH discbine. Long story short, oil plug wasnt tight and all the smoke came out. For what that cost I can pay the deal for 7 years to service it. Now, if a plug comes out its on them, not me.

Yep- My wife took her PT in for oil & filter, called me from the dealer - something about the transmission leaking - Put the 'tech' on the phone says I - When he got on I asked 'What's the problem'. He tells me a gasket on the side of the trans. is leaking. 'How much fluid did it take' says me. 'Oh, it's not that low to add any' he says. 'Well then, How much to fix it?' '$600' he replies - 'Just make sure it's up to the full mark and send her home' I tell him.
I checked the level every time she used the car for a month, then weekly and finally once a month. Have yet to add any ATF. :twisted: