Fred,
I have learned to do the same thing after many bad experiences.
I was a QA/QC inspector for ten years in California. I have worked
on Dams, Oil refineries, Schools, Military bases, and even the Ronald
Reagen Presidential library. I have seen so many short cuts taken, and
work that was said to be done that wasn't. After the Northridge earthquake
you wouldn't believe what I saw.
I no longer take my cars in for any service. Other than the ones I can't
perform myself. Like machine work and alignments. I document just about
everything I can. It doesn't hurt to be cautious when its your life on the other
side of that steering wheel.
Mike
Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us wrote:
> I tell my wife and daughters: you're taking your car to someone charging by
> the hour. The faster they go, the more money they make. That means more
> mistakes, sloppiness, and unfortunately, cheating. I've worked gas stations
> in my youth, and one that I quit was because of my disgust at an owner that
> cheated customers. So I'm wary around mechanics.
>
> In recent years, I was never sure the dealorship was doing the work, and
> got in the habit of checking the car ahead of taking it in, and marking
> parts. A few years ago, a local Nissan service center, in the Serramonte
> area near SF, wanted about $400 for a warranty visit. I said they didn't do
> the work; they showed me a checked-off checklist, and insisted they did the
> work. Until I dragged a manager around the car for a look-see and showed
> him numerous items including dirty covered and marked grease fittings
> (never touched), dirty aircon access parts (not checked or recharged),
> non-replaced marked parts, etc. They immediately put it on the lift and did
> the work (and later told me the mechanic was fired).
>
> Sometimes an alternative to doing it yourself, is to let them know you're
> watching them!
>
> Fred
>
> _______________________ Reply Separator ___________________________
> Subject: Re: $20 Lesson Learned
> Author: RickStayner@aol.com
> Date: 12/20/99 6:36 PM
>
> In a message dated 12/20/99 1:02:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> daniel@seaport.net writes:
>
> << Do you ALWAYS have to do something yourself, if you want it done right? >>
>
>
> Well, pretty much.
>
> Rick Stayner
> 69 2000
> Harrisburg, Pa
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