Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 15:57:06 -0700
Reply-To: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject: Ignorance is Bliss
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Guy drives up to the shop today in a Wasserboxer.
"When I go down a steep hill, the oil buzzer comes on."
Well, I tell him it could be a problem with the circuit or a pressure
issue. I ask him about the maintenance history. He says he just had the oil
changed. I go back and take a look. Havoline filter. I ask him what weight
oil was used. Window sticker says 10-30. It's 70 to 80 degrees out. I tell
him he needs a proper filter and oil and that will likely resolve the
problem. He says they told him they used a Bosch filter. I tell him Bosch
filters are no more spec for this engine than Havoline, both are designed
to be cheap. That's all you can get from the quicky designed to be cheap shops.
He then reminds me he talked to me at some point in the past and I advised
he bring me all his maintenance and repair receipts so I could advise what
the vehicle needs before I pick up a wrench, and also explained to him the
need for proper spec filters and fluids for his particular Vanagon. Sounds
like I gave him the typical 20 minutes of education, and he ignored it. He
asks when I could change the oil and put on a proper filter. I says how
about now. He says he hasn't got his check book, but he will run and get it
and be back in 15 minutes.
An hour later, he finally shows. Oil is black in 100 miles and thin as
ether. I tell him he has a dirty motor due to insufficient change interval
and the black oil is empirical evidence of the tar build up inside the
motor. He tells me he changes the oil every 2000 miles so I'm full of shit.
I tell him he can shut his mouth and open his eyes and ears or tell me to
go to hell. Make your choice.
So, the quicky oil change shop lied to him about the filter, didn't know or
care about the specs, and gave him poor results. I, on the other hand, gave
him the right advise some months ago at no charge, identified and corrected
the problem in very little time, spent extra time twiddling thumbs waiting
on him and educating him how to improve his results, didn't lie to him, but
showed him the facts, which he didn't like.
If he should ever call again, I will refuse to give him the time of day
unless and until I see the documented history. If he wants to waste his
money acting in ignorance he can do so at any of the several other shops
around. That's what they specialize in. Serving up invoices to the
ignorant. I, on the other hand, will refuse to act in ignorance, and give
him the facts with both barrels, whether he likes it or not.
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