[Shop-talk] Question to ponder- When someone brings their vehicle to your garage, do you do the work or do you let them do it?

[Benjamin Zwissler]

Interesting topic that I have had to spend some time thinking about.  I
agree that's its difficult to determine whether they can be left on their
own, require help, or just need me to do it for them.  I have a few people
I trust to just leave on their own and most of the rest fall into me just
doing it for them.  Not very many fall in the middle of needing limited
help.

I have a lift and a key decision I make is whether the job is realistic for
the time I'm willing to let them stay in my shop.  Many people have
unrealistic expectations of their skills and haven't properly estimated the
parts, tools and time they'll require.  Having a partially repaired car on
my lift or in my shop for days or weeks is something I desperately try to
avoid.  So far I've managed it pretty well, but I've turned
down/discouraged a few people from working in my shop.

Ben....

On Thu, Sep 20, 2018 at 1:18 PM <sentenac.rw at gmail.com> wrote:

> For me, it depends on the task and the person.  Primarily the person
> and whether I know their skills.  Whenever in doubt, do it for them.
>
> -Roland
>
> On Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:38:59 -0400, you wrote:
>
> >I just wanted to start a little conversation about a question that
> bothers
> >me (albeit very little.)
> >When someone brings their vehicle to your garage, do you do the work or
> do
> >you let them do it?
> >
> >Here is the context, due to my garage, everyone I offer to help brings
> >their vehicles to me to fix.  Once there, I do the work for the most
> part.
> > I enjoy doing it, so it's no big deal.
> >
> >But a few people commented that they expected to do most if not all the
> >work once there.
> >
> >I understand that they may enjoy working on the cars as well, but here is
> >my thought about it...
> >
> >One, since it's my garage, I know where every tools, part, etc is
> located.
> > I know what I have and don't have.  When doing the work, I know what
> >equipment I have will work the best for the situation.
> >Also, I also know where to put everything back when I'm done.
> >
> >This is the fastest and most effective way to do the work in my opinion.
> >
> >I realize that this takes away their ability to learn through first hand
> >experience, but I do include them in the work when possible.
> >
> >So, what is the proper way to handle this?  Is it a "home rule" thing, or
> >a should I step aside and let them do all the work?
> >
> >One more thing, if they are doing the work and break something on their
> >car that requires a trip to the auto parts store, I now have to drive
> them
> >there (this I don't like.)  At least if I break it, I don't mind the trip
> >as much.
> >
> >What's your take?
>
> ---
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-- 
Ben Zwissler
bjzwissler at gmail.com
Columbus, IN
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