Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:10:42 -0700
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Apology to List...especially the Mechanics
In-Reply-To: <135933.1245.qm@web83606.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Very well said Richard. Its always good to consider the view from the other
side.
Seeya, Jake
PS Now get out there and change your radiator! ;)
On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 11:03 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>wrote:
> Yesterday I posted the events that transpired when visiting my mechanic to
> solve my leaking transmission seal at the CV joint. I implied that they
> might not have been totally ethical in their approach, recommending
> expensive repairs to fill their wallets and empty mine. It was pointed out
> to me that I was dead wrong.
>
> Thinking it through....
> This independent shop I go to has been a thriving business for over 30
> years; their reputation is solid, and that doesn't happen by accident.
> Years and years of very hard work and dedication go into building a business
> like that, providing service and wisdom that is often totally
> under-appreciated. Yes, they could have just done the seal work....but in
> retrospect I must commend them for going the extra
> mile, spending their time and effort to investigate other potential
> trouble points as a courtesy. Leaks, cracks, and the like don't fix
> themselves....they are a gentle warning sign that something is brewing; fix
> me now while it's easy or fix me later when it's now turned into something
> really expensive or even dangerous to myself or others on the road. They
> are simply being professional, and doing the right thing.
>
> Also, they have no idea of the mechanical knowledge of the general
> customer, they have to assume the worst case of total ignorance, and do the
> best job they can to "call it like they see it", however unpleasant that
> news may be.
>
> It's like going to a doctor or dentist for one problem; they check things
> out, do some tests, and find 3 or 4 more things that when dealt with early
> are easy, but if ignored start compounding. "An ounce of prevention is
> worth a pound of cure." That sort of thing.
> Frustrating perhaps, disappointing for sure, but that's life. Nobody
> likes bad news.
>
> And my implication that they might be trying to take advantage of the
> situation was an insult both specifically to them, as well as all the other
> fine folks in their profession, including the Professional Mechanics on this
> List, who generously spend the time and effort to help and inform without
> compensation and often little thanks. Dealing with rude, impatient,
> ungrateful, suspicious, insulting and ignorant customers don't make their
> jobs any easier as well; the grit, the heat, the solvents, the aches, the
> injuries, the noise, the expenses are all bad enough in themselves...yes,
> it's a tough profession, so under-appreciated.
>
> For this, I apologize.
>
> I appreciate the opportunity to speak, and next time I visit my mechanic
> will do so with a new perspective. Thanks.
>
> Rich ....learning from my mistakes
>
>
>
> Took van in this morning, just got a call back. They said there is
> "some" play in the drive shaft; if I just replace the seals (a seal kit,
> am assuming it replaces seals, o-ring, and cap) they won't guarantee
> that it won't leak. Rebuilding the transmission would be next option.
> No. I'm going to take the $250 gamble and just do the seal kit. (I'm
> aware of the 3rd/4th Slider Hub problem; my driving style is as gentle
> and silky smooth in shifting as possible, plus most of the miles are
> long distance freeway where it might be hours between shifts, so I think
> I've got good life left in the tranny. Maybe when it's time for a new
> engine or conversion, but that's still 25,000 miles away, maybe more.)
>
> They
> also "looked" around. Said power steering rack was leaking, parts and
> labor is $750. Now, I am aware of this
> TINY weep of a leak, from that little cover with 2 hex bolts about in
> the middle (I took it off, cleaned and polished things up, no gasket
> that I could see, put back together, and GREATLY reduced the already
> tiny weep). Ends of the rack and everywhere else is bone dry. So to
> just "matter of factly" recommend a fairly expensive and in my view
> unnecessary replacement of the ENTIRE rack starts to make me suspicious
> of my mechanic's motives...of course he'd like to get the tranny
> re-build job too and a bundle of cash.
>
> They also noticed a bit of
> crusty fluid on the side of the front radiator; says not leaking now,
> but might. Could that just be where I did the bleeding, ran down the
> side and the stuff dried into crystals? Anyway, times must be hard at
> the mechanics shop, too, but I'm feeling a little like they are trying
> to take advantage of an uninformed Vanagon owner. 'Course, little do
> they know that I've got The
> Vanagon List in my arsenal of tricks! So while I agree with GoWesty,
> for instance, that a redo of the cooling system should probably go along
> with an expensive new engine, I'm going to watch and wait on that one,
> too.
>
> I'm definitely a proponent of keeping ahead of the game on
> the vehicle, and would rather do repairs here in town than a couple
> thousand miles away, for all the obvious reasons. Still, don't want to
> throw money away on "biased" recommendations for repairs. The total of
> their recommendations is probably approaching $3K....I think I'll be
> fine (for now) at a tenth of that.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
Crescent Beach, BC
www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
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