mechanics sale practices

mdjd4020 · Aug 20, 2009

I once had a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba that needed an inspection. This is New York State and the first thing they do is scrape the inspection sticker off the windshield. THEN they put it on the lift. Right away they came back to the waiting room and informed me that I had a sticking front brake caliper that needed to be replaced and I should replace the pads while they were in there. First of all, that caliper or the other one for that matter never stuck, chattered, or had any problems, and I replaced the pads 2000 miles before I took the car to them. Upon hearing this garbage, I sat in the waiting room until the desk jockey left, grabbed my keys off the hook, andwent to my car which was now parked outside because I rejected their diagnosis, and drove home. All of this was after a 3 hour wait on a Saturday to be rescheduled to the next day, Sunday, and waited 2 more hours then. They will never lay another hand on anything I own, ever!

Anonymous-0 · Aug 20, 2009

Good for you,,,, hope you find some one who will be honest... but hard to find these days,,,

Tramway Guy · Aug 20, 2009

They are not supposed to scrape off the sticker unless it was already expired!

John (C-IL) · Aug 20, 2009

Had a similar thing happen here with a one ton truck. We took it in to have some minor malady taken care of and got a call that the brakes on all 4 wheels needed to be redone. The caller was the service writer who sits in the office and takes the orders from the customer and reports inspection results to the owner for possible repairs.

I suggested to him that he leave his office, go look at what the mechanic was talking back and report back to me. 10 minutes later he called me back and apologized for the mechanics analysis of the situation and he could clearly see all of the new parts.

We proceeded to have a conversation about honesty in inspection reports and reccommending unneeded repairs. They tried a couple other times to pull the same "needs brakes" routine on my wife. I told here that her car didn't need brakes and we would take her car to another mechanic to have the brakes inspected. Guess what! Yep, no repairs needed.

Getting your car worked on is just like going to the doctor. Find someone you trust and always get a second opinion.

Owen Aaland · Aug 20, 2009

(quoted from post at 22:12:20 08/20/09) They are not supposed to scrape off the sticker unless it was already expired!

Here in Minnesota when I do a DOT inspection on commercial vehicles, the first step is to remove any existing stickers. Failure to follow the stipulated procedures can result in suspension or cancellation of my certification to do inspections.

cj in wisconsin · Aug 21, 2009

I've been a mechanic for 32 years and have spent most of my carreer educating people that not all shops are out to stick it to them. The problem as I see it, is most chains and large shops have their techs working on a flat rate basis, this inherantly leads to dishonest practices by both the techs and service writers. Have seen it over and over in differant shops over the years. Am now back in a small town three bay shop with no service writers, we have a very faithfull customer base because the mechanics deal directly with the customers, maybe not as efficient as a money maker but it keeps the customers very happy.

sjh · Aug 21, 2009

In Ny state there are only 2 reasons to remove sticker. It has passed inspection or you have a expired inspection. If you fail a inspection they have to leave it on if it is still valid.

Kentb of SWMO · Aug 21, 2009

I had a truck mechanic friend of mine tell me yesterday that the job description for a sevice writer IS: If you CAN NOT fix a peanut butter sandwich, YOU can be a sevice writer.

Kent

Mike (WA) · Aug 21, 2009

The problem can go the other way, as well- my mechanic is totally trustworthy- took Mr. Lincoln in for brakes, fronts were squeaking. Figured he'd do the whole car. He ended up doing fronts only, said the backs had another 5k miles in 'em. Kinda wish he had called and asked- its inconvenient for me to be without my car, and I'd rather he did all four than have to go back in a couple of months. Didn't say anything, of course- you never want to discourage honesty.

dhamps10 · Aug 21, 2009

Several years ago, I took a company truck to be inspected in IL. No brake lights, the owner told me they were not allowed to repair any failed inspections. I had to take it to another shop for repair, then back to the inspector,for the sticker. Only one inspection fee.

Billy Shafer · Aug 21, 2009

My wife took her car down for an inspection while I was on the road. They told her that she needed a new battery because the old one was to weak to pass the inspection. I told her that was BS and I would handle it when I got home. Went to that shop and told them to show me were it calls for a battery test. They said they did not have to show it to me. So I told them,I am in the Guard with the local DPS inspector of stations. I will have him show me. The owner stopped me at the door gave me my money back for the battery. Also got to keep the battery.

jose bagge · Aug 21, 2009

NOT TRUE IN VA...first part of safety inspection as mandated by state police is the old sticker comes off!

RockRon · Aug 22, 2009

Here's another twist...I always inspect my vehicles BEFORE the inspection. Had a Sunbird that the turn signal went out on the way to the shop. When I picked it up later, it had a new sticker and the turn signal was still out! If I have to pay to get it inspected, I expect someone to at least look at it.

mechanics sale practices

mdjd4020

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Anonymous-0

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Tramway Guy

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John (C-IL)

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Owen Aaland

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cj in wisconsin

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sjh

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Kentb of SWMO

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Mike (WA)

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dhamps10

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Billy Shafer

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jose bagge

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RockRon

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