Date: Sun, 3 Jul 2016 14:29:41 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Shop experience gas tank
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk3bHmLaavy-ROthW76wMrm7GNYKu8wgMdroJhA5GegUoQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Most states do have regulations in place for repair shops. Folks need to be better educated and learn about the DMV complaint department. Part of the problem is the cost to operate a shop and the structure within to make money. Most shops pay mechanics on clock hours so they have incentive to "build" profitable jobs. For example add ball joints or wheel bearing to a brake job. The guy at the service counter is usually paid by commission based on parts or parts-service sales. The owners see that each bay needs to bring in $1,500 to $2,000 per day just to remain in business so the incentives are high. It not unusual for a good tech to get 60 book hours of work done in 40 hours' time.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jim Felder
Sent: Sunday, July 3, 2016 1:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Shop experience gas tank
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
>
