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Why is it so hard to find honest/fair mechanics?
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:07 pm
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:07 pm
This profession is riddled with unscrupulous characters.
I've been slowly learning to do most jobs myself because I'm tired of getting taken to the cleaners by these bastards
I've been slowly learning to do most jobs myself because I'm tired of getting taken to the cleaners by these bastards
28
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:08 pm to FAT SEXY
Ask your husband. He probably knows the shops you can trust
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:09 pm to FAT SEXY
Mechanic has turned into parts replacer. Anyone really smart wouldn't be a mechanic for the shite pay
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:10 pm to FAT SEXY
It's not easy to find mechanics period. The old ones are retiring and young guys don't want to bust their knuckles and wrench their backs.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:11 pm to FAT SEXY
Cars have so many computers now you would be better off calling IT.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:13 pm to Skenes
I've been using one platform for the last 15 years: 97-01 Camrys. Simple and reliable cars.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:17 pm to FAT SEXY
Stay away from the dealers.
Find a dependable local shop - they are around.
Remember that there is a reason good shops are busy. Conversely, busy shops have far less incentive to gouge one customer.
- - - - -
Be honest with yourself when evaluating a shop. I sent my 69 Chrysler 300 convertible to have a new interior and carpet installed ($4000). But, I added work to get the electric windows and seat working along with the headlight doors. The part were expensive because only vintage parts were available. So, the end price was $8500. It was a fair price for the work.
Find a dependable local shop - they are around.
Remember that there is a reason good shops are busy. Conversely, busy shops have far less incentive to gouge one customer.
- - - - -
Be honest with yourself when evaluating a shop. I sent my 69 Chrysler 300 convertible to have a new interior and carpet installed ($4000). But, I added work to get the electric windows and seat working along with the headlight doors. The part were expensive because only vintage parts were available. So, the end price was $8500. It was a fair price for the work.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:29 pm to FAT SEXY
I don't envy them to be honest. Trying to explain mechanical stuff to someone only for them to think you are ripping them off sucks.
I tried to explain to a friend one time that his starter was a big job because it was under the intake manifold. A hell of alot of parts had to be removed and it needed a few new gaskets. He straight up looked at me like I was an idiot and said "the whole top of the engine doesn't have to come off to replace a starter".
I was gonna do it for him as a favor and about 200 in parts...he ended up paying a shop 1200 bucks lol.
I tried to explain to a friend one time that his starter was a big job because it was under the intake manifold. A hell of alot of parts had to be removed and it needed a few new gaskets. He straight up looked at me like I was an idiot and said "the whole top of the engine doesn't have to come off to replace a starter".
I was gonna do it for him as a favor and about 200 in parts...he ended up paying a shop 1200 bucks lol.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:31 pm to Tr33fiddy
quote:
Trying to explain mechanical stuff to someone only for them to think you are ripping them off sucks.
This is why decent people don't stay decent owning their own shop. The customer base is by and large unbearable
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:32 pm to FAT SEXY
Your problem is your blinker fluid is low
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:35 pm to Tr33fiddy
my 2022 Pacifica has many more sensors than a nuclear reactor, yet the manual sez to get serviced when ever a light comes on which entails the dealer hooking up a hand held meter to explain the light. Computers being easily scaled up, why not just have the dash board tell you what needs fixing.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:38 pm to FAT SEXY
quote:
Why is it so hard to find honest/fair mechanics?
Poor pay. Constantly having to learn new technology. Hard frustrating work. And worst of all, dealing with the general public who thinks every mechanic is out to get them.
There is a reason 95% of mechanic fathers have been telling their sons to not become mechanics for 40 years.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:40 pm to Trevaylin
quote:
my 2022 Pacifica has many more sensors than a nuclear reactor, yet the manual sez to get serviced when ever a light comes on which entails the dealer hooking up a hand held meter to explain the light. Computers being easily scaled up, why not just have the dash board tell you what needs fixing.
Because 98 percent of owners wouldn't know what "cylinder bank one too lean" means. If you want to see the codes and interpret what thy mean you can buy a obd scanner for like 30 bucks.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:58 pm to Trevaylin
Here is a good one relating to codes....
Check engine light comes on, scanner says "large evap leak" which sounds serious but It's nothing more than the gas cap not being tightened.
The codes the ecu throws don't tell you exactly what's wrong. The code won't say...you need a new coil pack. It will say something like cylinder 3 misfire. You have to diagnose yourself why that cylinder isn't firing.
Check engine light comes on, scanner says "large evap leak" which sounds serious but It's nothing more than the gas cap not being tightened.
The codes the ecu throws don't tell you exactly what's wrong. The code won't say...you need a new coil pack. It will say something like cylinder 3 misfire. You have to diagnose yourself why that cylinder isn't firing.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 7:59 pm to FAT SEXY
Many shops are handicapped by their limited diagnostic capabilities. The really good scanners cost thousands of dollars plus thousands more for updates and you need multiples of them for different makes/models of cars. Cars have become much more complex in many ways and you have to have mechanics that can keep up with all the new cars, new technology, special tools, new scanners and it can be overwhelming. Keeping up with all the different cars can be like keeping up with hundreds of toddlers that all need something right away.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 8:04 pm to sleepytime
quote:
Keeping up with all the different cars can be like keeping up with hundreds of toddlers that all need something right away.
I'm gonna remember this an use it myself lol.
Not long ago a family members hyundai had a no start issue. Just completely dead. The problem was that the sensor in the battery ground cable was bad. Yes...there is a sensor in the damn battery cable to "monitor the battery". Took me entirely too long to figure out
Posted on 4/8/25 at 8:05 pm to Tr33fiddy
I use what they charge me to replace air filters as a guide. If they charge me more than $50, they only rip me off. For less than $50, they are good, as I can order two online for less than $30. It literally takes 15 minutes to change both, so if a dealership is trying to charge me a lot for this, I know I shouldn't bring it to them for anything else.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 8:07 pm to Tr33fiddy
I get that some jobs are complex.
It's mainly their flag system that pisses me off. They charge you for whatever time the book says a job will take and not the actual amount of time it takes them to do it. The book rates are outpacing inflation.
$400 to swap a relay or $500 to replace a belt. Etc. Etc.
It's a joke sometimes.
It's mainly their flag system that pisses me off. They charge you for whatever time the book says a job will take and not the actual amount of time it takes them to do it. The book rates are outpacing inflation.
$400 to swap a relay or $500 to replace a belt. Etc. Etc.
It's a joke sometimes.
Posted on 4/8/25 at 8:08 pm to TheDonald
quote:
Patriot Automotive! Stop looking! Honest and the best at his craft!
LINK /
I had heard good things about this guy as well, why just down votes? Anybody have any insight?
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