mechanics that cheat you

[VanKitten]

I planned to take the beast over to get a quote on a paint job.   I realize I probably cannot afford it, but I wanted to know what I might be facing.

WELL... after driving just a short distance, the beast was overheating!  
Stopped.  Looked...  coolant was pouring out of the engine compartment.   
I couldn't really tell where it was coming out of.   (Everything is so tight in there...460 engine in a small space).  

Go towed.    The water pump failed.  BUT, here is the thing.  I paid a garage in Sanford, NC to replace that pump last December!    Garage here says it is an old pump.  I have the part..it sure looks years old!     Also, I paid a mechanic in Florida last June to replace ALL the rubber in the beast.   Hoses, belts, gaskets, ... everything.    So, last evening I saw the bottom hose for the radiator...it was so old it was crumbling in my hand.    It was sure going to fail soon!

On separate occasions I paid to have wiring completely redone.  Paid for it..never got the work actually done.   Finally did the wiring myself.   

I am past frustrated.   This isn't the first time I paid for parts/service that never got done. 
Last year a mechanic names Randy Stevens was paid for extensive work that was never done.  Parts I paid for simply disappeared.  Additional things were broken or Gerry-rigged.  (I posted warnings about him all over Craigslist in NC). 

Geez.   I expect to have to pay mechanics to get most work done.   What I cannot seem to get done is finding honest garages.

 

[tx2sturgis]

This sucks.

I have a friend who uses a permanent marker or a tiny bit of white-out to put a small, barely noticeable mark on any parts or gaskets that he knows should be replaced when he pays for a repair job. He also takes a picture of the item, this is before taking it in to the shop of course, and you have to know ahead of time what is being replaced. 

This is not always do-able in every situation, but he has caught at least one shop that didnt replace something that they said they did.

He got a refund there, because, who would trust a dishonest mechanic a second time?

Yep...many of us are at the mercy of the locals, and having an out-of-state plate sure doesn't help.

 

[dr_nelson]

I don't know how it works in the US, but in Switzerland a "real" mechanic will show you all the old parts and ask if you want to take them home or if they should dispose of them.
When picking up your vehicle after a repair, ask the mechanic to show you the old parts. Depending on his answer/reactions you might know whether you need to doublecheck.

 

[wagoneer]

Ditto when my tranny failed in Bishop, I asked around even the local Sheriff for a good place 3000 later the mechanic had a tray full of clutches and discs 20 minutes explaining how it failed
I only had to trust that these were indeed parts from my old tranny.( Outside of camping in the garage and watching the rebuild).

 

[tx2sturgis]

Sometimes they have to do a core exchange on parts, depending on what it is, so you might not always have the option to see the old parts.

Besides, any dishonest shop will usually have some old take-off greasy mechanical parts they can show you.

I know of shops in the past who will squirt oil or lubricant up into the shocks when you're' getting a brake job done, or a muffler replaced, and then bring you in and show you the 'leaking' shocks. 

So, you pay to have new ones put on, then they have 4 good shocks they can sell as used or install on one of their own vehicles.

It's amazing what can be done by a shop if they are downright dishonest.

BTW, marking with white-out is also a good idea when you have 4 tires rotated and you will be dropping off the vehicle or cant watch the work being done.

 

[SoulRaven]

After being burned by a mechanic I trusted I went to the shop that inspected my truck when I bought it. I will list them on the 'sticky' , everything they have done as far as repairs has been fairly priced.. On one occasion I took it in for front alignment because when I hit a bump in the road my front wheel would shake a bit. They took it in back for 20 minutes, came and told me the wheel was out of balance and my cost was $12.00. They were right , drives fine now. Good people.

Autoworx , Mansfield Texas, I'll post the phone number in the sticky.

 

[Vagabound]

... I'll post the phone number in the sticky.

Which "the sticky"?

Tom

 

[SoulRaven]

It's down the list of subjects.

"Positive Reviews for Repair and Service Providers"

 

[jonsun]

so the water pump was put on in december 2015 or 2016? It could look old if it's been on a year and a half. Also, the way parts are anymore I cant tell you how many times I've put something on and had it fail way too soon. I pretty much buy the lifetime warranty stuff now if it's hard to put on.

shops are there to make money. even if they're not outright crooks they pay some young grease monkey relatively lousy and he does a half ass job that day cause he's busy or pissed or whatever. aka your lower radiator hose.....they probably just over-looked it. I can almost guarantee they didnt put new gaskets on too. I mean to really do new seals and gaskets is practically taking the engine out; head gaskets, intake gaskets, front and rear main seals, oil pan, time chain cover....no way they did all that.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I mean to really do new seals and gaskets is practically taking the engine out; head gaskets, intake gaskets, front and rear main seals, oil pan, time chain cover....no way they did all that.

Good catch.

Belts and hoses, yeah, but all the gaskets...no way. Maybe the oil pan gasket if it was seeping...

Yeah head gaskets and such involve a lot more work.

I sure hope a mechanic did not actually charge for all of that...or lead her into believing it was done for very low amount of money.

 

[Gary68]

i would never pay until after i have inspected and is satisfied
educate yourself so you know what to look for,when they say the job is done you break out a big flashlight and start asking questions

if you document the issues you can file a claim and go to court

 

[XFILE36]

I'm not a mechanic and this is slightly off subject, but I took my 27 speed bicycle in for new tires. I didn't know if the tubes were any good or not. He said he'd put air in them and wait until the morning and see how they hold up. He called me in the morning and said I needed tubes too. I chose the thickest ones and paid about $100. (Even though I was broke, thought I could use it locally instead of the car. I regret it) And, I asked for the old parts. When I got there I asked for the tubes. The guy was REALLY nervous and asked me if he could throw them away, but I said no. He helped me put the bike on my rack. I asked him about adding a reflector to the back since mine broke off. He went inside and put one on and I asked how much and he said it was FREE! He then went inside and added another strap to the rack, FOR FREE. I should have known something was up because, I filled the tubes with air and months later the one is JUST FINE and has no leaks. I have yet to call him, but I am asking for a refund on the tubes. Small claims court still is within the statute of limitation. I know it's been said here, but I usually ask for old parts if I don't trust them. P.S. Sorry you were ripped off.

 

[jonsun]

Idk why he would just poke a pinhole in the tube

 

[VanKitten]

Well...here is the whole story.

In June of last year I had to drop everything and get to Colorado. My Mom had a stroke, and come to find out my Dad was in even worse shape! Neither could be left alone.

I found a mechanic who was going to finish the work in the RV and I would figure out how to get it from NC to Colorado.

Well...that mechanic failed to do the work he said...even though I bought parts and paid for the work. Long story there....but by Sept. it was clear I was going to have to get that RV to someone to get this work done. (Remember..I was in Colorado from July onward).

Anyway..RV was towed to a shop in Jacksonville. They were to finish the work and have it ready for pick up by Halloween. A friend tried twice to pick it up..but..never got more than a couple blocks before it was having to be towed back! Finally had to fly home without it.

In early January the RV was finally picked up and driven here. JAnuary 2017. That new water pump is supposedly only 8 months old. It has only been driven 2000 miles. No..that pump looks older than dirt. The hose was actually turning to dust in my hand...simply crumbled.

So... inspecting it before paying and taking delivery? Not from Colorado. I could not leave my parents alone for more than a couple hours....a trip to drive that RV back myself was not going to happen. Small claims court is not a choice...I cannot spend that kind of money to fly to NC, pay for hotel and car. Travel expenses are NOT recoverable in small claims.

So, I am just frustrated over how dishonest all these people have been.

 

[closeanuf]

Another thing to keep in mind on waterpumps.  NEVER let the shop talk you into a rebuilt waterpump.  They cost a few dollars less but take the same amount of time to replace and they will not last.  I've said this many times on this forum and I'm going to say it again.  Ask parts people in the local parts store (especially if you are not mechanically savey) and you will find out which shops are reputable.

You can always tell your mechanic before the work is done you will need the old parts because you will need to show them to your husband, wife, dad, uncle, grandfather whoever just let them know up front what you expect.  If you buy the parts yourself and take them to the shop so much the better.  If it's a waterpump tell them you need it for a core charge.  Yeah I know there probably isn't a core charge.  Let them know you are holding them accountable.

 

[Gary68]

if you can get a hold of them tell them what your situation was,what you have now found and if they have any morals they will make good,if not tell them to f off and get on with your life,chaulk it up to being educated on scammers

 

[waldenbound]

I have a mechanic who I trust with my life. But it took time to build a relationship of trust. I think when I leave here I will look for a mechanic around Tucson :heart: who I can build a relationship with and get more major things done spring and fall. Winter and summer just get oil changes, and that can be done anywhere.

 

[XFILE36]

I meant 21 speed, and to add to what Gary said I'd tell them I am putting what they didd on Yelp and all over the internet. I'd also call the Better Business Bureau. Sometimes they can help, start a case and see if it can be resolved.

 

[highdesertranger]

the lower radiator hose should always be replaced with a new water pump. highdesertranger

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Sorry to hear about your troubles VanKitten.

Yelp is a fantastic source of researching and reviews; I use it for restaurants too.

I have a trusted mechanic outside of Phoenix (I need post here on the forum "Positive Reviews for Repair and Service Providers"). In fact, I read recently on Yelp the shop owner Brian sold a used Ford Ranger with replaced transmission. The owner started having trouble with the truck, called Brain and he promptly put in another new transmission for free PLUS he got an old change and brake flush for free. The seller was beyond words. The shop owner is a stand-up, honest, forward shooter of a guy.