Would you trust this shop?

[greg334]

I just don't see a righting of the wrong. Offering the wash is something done to shut people up but not fix a problem.

If the owner cared about their customer, they would not even mention policies but did something to make it up to you - refunding the differences should be at the top of the list. We are not talking about a nation wide chain with set corporate policies but a small/medium shop where the owner can make corrections on the fly.

 

[Streakn1]

I think now that there have been several responses to this thread, both positive and negative it would be a great idea to copy this thread and leave it in the suggestion box for the owner/management to read. What better input than this. What do you think folks. Do you want you comments and opinions heard regarding this issue? After all you could be, could have been a potentual customer, or have been a customer in the past. If the majority of you say yes, I will in fact leave a copy of this thread for them to review.

 

[Turtle]

Just don't use my real name. Use my alias, Testudine, instead.

 

[Bruno]

A surcharge on "user supplied parts" would have been strikes 1, 2 and 3 with me. That's blatantly ridiculous. If anything, you should charge them a fee for supplying the parts, as they have to expend zero time and effort in obtaining the parts. Them charging a surcharge for user supplied parts is nothing more than them saying, "You need to give me some money, just... because."

I would have to agree with Turtle on this one. After the 1st time they got me they would never do it again.

 

[nightcreacher]

This isn't about trusting this shop,but about being cheeted.You already said that you have respect for the employees,it's the cost of the work your having trouble with.If I already know there is going to be an issue,because I'm bringing the parts to fix my truck, this is to save time or the money they are going to charge for getting the parts,then if you go back,its your problem.Myself,they would never see me again after the first time.Most shops,if they have to go to an outside vendor for your parts don't charge to send someone for them, these shops also have the dealerships deliver parts on a regular bases .THe shop I go to at home,has a gofer guy,that does exactly that,runs after parts,but there isn't any charge for this,it's a service to keep there customers happy.I don't have service work done at the TA truck stops,even though they are a Freightliner service center,why pay their high dollar charges,when they give you a minimum wage mechanic?

 

[Streakn1]

Just don't use my real name. Use my alias, Testudine, instead.

All they would see is an exact copy of this thread as you and I view it on the forum. I see no names present other than our aliases. Im the only one that would be outed as they have a photos of our truck on their wall in the chrome shop!

 

[Streakn1]

This isn't about trusting this shop,but about being cheeted.

This could be an interpretational thing here Steve. Maybe what my meaning is "would you trust this shop not to cheat you? " LOL

You already said that you have respect for the employees,it's the cost of the work your having trouble with.If I already know there is going to be an issue,because I'm bringing the parts to fix my truck, this is to save time or the money they are going to charge for getting the parts,then if you go back,its your problem.

Correct. The difference is this, knowing what is policy and how its applied, now as an informed customer I know to call ahead, let them know that I'm bringing my captive parts that they don't have for them to install, and have a written quote prior to the work being completed showing that I'm not being charged a sur-charge and the the quote shows a reasonable amount of labor time comparable to kenworth, that is if they want by business.

Myself,they would never see me again after the first time.Most shops,if they have to go to an outside vendor for your parts don't charge to send someone for them, these shops also have the dealerships deliver parts on a regular bases .

Our experience has been if the parts house delivers the parts to the shop, we are not charged a "runners" fee. When calling the parts house myself and pricing the same part, its obvious most shops place a 10-20% markup on non-stocked parts depending on their cost for the part. Oh the price we pay for convenience!


THe shop I go to at home,has a gofer guy,that does exactly that,runs after parts,but there isn't any charge for this,it's a service to keep there customers happy.

As do the shops at home we regularly frequent. Local shops commonly tend to give their local customers a break over an out of towner they most likely will never see again. We try to limp home every chance we get rather than be at the mercy of a shop we know nothing about on the road. That is why when we get the quality of service that we have received at Danny's, we continue to go back.

I don't have service work done at the TA truck stops,even though they are a Freightliner service center,why pay their high dollar charges,when they give you a minimum wage mechanic?

For us T/As are just an oil change stop if we absolutely are down to the wire on an oil change.

One thing we are adamant about, before our expensive truck goes into any shop, we first disuss the repair with the mechanic that will actually be doing the work on our truck. That is our terms. If that's not exceptable to the shop, we simply drive away when posible. Once speaking with the mechanic and feeling comfortable in that the mechanic seems knowledgable in what he/she is about to do, only then does the job commence.

Well I guess I screwed that multi quote up! LOL

 

[greg334]

Streak,

Are trying to justify using these guys?

You keep repeating that it is their 'policy'.

Come on, that's something that can be changed on the fly, no one is sitting there telling the write up guy what he can't do to keep customer's happy.

This is not T/A or some chain dealer but a small place with an owner.

Mechanics?

Are the hourly or commission?

A lot are commission and don't care about the customer regardless what you think. If they did, they would give extras out, labor things like change the light or go over the truck carefully - all takes time.

Did you speak to the owner?