Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2016 17:50:34 +0000
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Shop experience gas tank
In-Reply-To: <CAKBchpoC1ZMEwk58HGwWOrM8fykMq-LoNgZxbsdShS9=ULT4xw@mail.gmail.com>
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I think that kind of crime is pretty common these days. I recently had a
set of tires put on my Jetta. Mind you this is a place I have been going to
for 20 years, bought out and now it is a Pep Boys. I got a call while the
car was on the rack telling me that "your two front struts are shot, you
have a left rear wheel bearing shot, and your CV boots are split and
slinging grease all over the place." He quoted me about three grand to fix
all that. I told him that since the car got brand new Bilstein struts
November before last I doubted that the front end was anything to worry
about at this point, and that I would take care of the rest as needed.
I got the car home and checked underneath. No grease, no torn boots. I put
a stethoscope on the right rear bearing and it was silent with no
discernible play.
I mentioned this at the shop where I buy my parts and the owner told me
there was one place in town who was spraying WD-40 on the struts to
convince the owner they were bad.
I cannot imagine the millions of dollars a year that must be stolen from
customers just in my town. Once, many years ago, my mother in law's VW
beetle went to the shop to "have the transmission replaced." they charged
her a big sum. I was suspicious and got under the car with a flashlight.
Not a single bolt had been touched with a wrench. She got her money back.
It's endemic to the industry, I think. One mechanics may have to be
regulated and inspected like restaurants.
You did the right thing.
Jim
On Sun, Jul 3, 2016 at 12:20 PM bernie <1234bjs@gmail.com> wrote:
> I was having a gas smell occasionally in 85 westy
> and I took it a shop that I often go to.
> The fellow phoned me later in the day and said that
> the tank was rusted.
> He said "at the point that the grommets connect to the tank it's rusted".
> I said " you mean there is nothing for grommets to hold to".
> He said "exactly".
> The vehicle has been parked undercover for it's whole life and is a very
> rust free vehicle.
> I took him at this word and gave the go ahead for a new tank as per
> recommendation.
> When I went to pickup vehicle I said I wanted to see the tank.
> He took me back to tank where grommets where in excellent condition, I had
> replaced them sometime ago, and there was no rust on tank.
> I said "Where is rust on tank near grommets like you indicated".
> He said " I didn't say that. It was leaking at the seal where top half of
> tank connects to bottom half".
> He showed me an area of concern. I am not expert but it looked like it
> could be a problem area.
> I said well I am not disputing that I may have needed a new tank however my
> concern is the reason for the tank has changed.
> Basically he said he never said anything about
> rust and grommets.
> I paid the bill and told him on the basis of these events I had lost
> confidence in the shop and we could no longer do business as to me a man's
> word is everything.
> I know what he said to me on the phone.
> Did I over react or did I make the right call to be done with this shop.
>
> Bernie
> Vancouver
>