Should I trade my astro van

[windymichelle]

when i took the chinook in on thursday i was told it would be ready on friday. when i called friday around 4 pm i couldnt reach the mechanic directly and was told it will be ready monday. when i called yesterday around 4 pm the secretary answered and said he told her "it's not done yet" when i asked her what the hold up was she said she didnt know but she would have him call me. he hasn't. when i first contacted him (i was referred by a friend of a friend who is a retired mechanic) he promised me that they would just get in there and do the work, not drag it out to charge me more per hour. now im stressed out trying to figure out if they just put it on the back burner or if they are going to charge me for 3 days work instead of one. i was quoted $500. you would think they would call me and let me know if it was going to be more expensive and make sure i was ok with it. so aggravated right now.

 

[Seraphim]

States generally have a law that if it's going to be a certain percent higher than the quote they have to inform you.  Could be he's waiting for parts or information, or has another job he's working on. Go on down to the shop, look at it, and see what state of repair it's in.

 

[windymichelle]

i finally got a hold of him. he said that the wiring had been all messed up so it was taking longer than expected. he didnt say anything about it costing any more. he also said he was hopeful it would be done today but either way im gonna go down there and see whats up. i really don't mind if it was taking longer than expected or he was busy with something else, i was just aggravated by the lack of&nbsp;communication. i feel better now though <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[rokguy]

<EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Hi windymichelle,</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Before you get the RV back ask the mechanic for an itemised bill. It willl have to state parts list, parts delivery price&nbsp;and actual hours worked on the vehicle not how long they've had it.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Yeh. on the dealer thing, I was recommended diesel mechanics who just screwed things up I cost me money in the long run.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I ended up taking all my trucks to Kenworth dealers&nbsp;(big truck mechanics) yes it sounds overkill and at$100AU an hour expensive but they diagnose any problems so much faster, hence less time in the shop.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I good example was I got exhaust manifold gaskets replaced&nbsp; by Joe blow mechanics&nbsp;who used garbage parts, stripped a thread took 2 days (4 in the shop) and damaged an under skirt of my truck withou telling me. Charged me $800. gaskets failed after 3 months.( didn't want to take it back cause I saw the way they treated other trucks later.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">now Kenworth pulled the exhaust manifold machined it onsite, new genuine Ford !! gaskets. new head studs (bolts that hold the exhaust to the head)</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">&nbsp;I left the truck at 7.00am got on the train to go to town and&nbsp;halfway through coffee shop&nbsp;meal I got a call saying your trucks ready. They told me when I left it would be all day.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">After arriving back at Kenworth they handed me an itemised bill $450 4 hours + parts.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">I been taking my trucks to Kenworth dealers ever since and they are consistently reliable. The two 20 year old trucks (Ford / Mazda) I take there I bought secondhand and are trucks KW never sold.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">So, I never discount a dealer (trucks) just based on hourly rates.</SPAN></STRONG></EM><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="COLOR: #888888">Geoff</SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[windymichelle]

thanks rokguy i'll do that. i still don't have it back but should today. he was waiting for some parts that are supposed to be there this morning. after that he said it shouldn't be more than an hour. i'm excited to get it back so i can start working on the interior!

 

[windymichelle]

got it back today, $1000 lighter but happy it's over. apparently the genius who owned it before me had tried to rewire the electrical system using speaker wire. wow. so the entire thing had to be completely rewired which is what took so long. he dropped $400 off the labor because he knew i couldn't really afford it. he said he knew when he found the problem that he was going to have to eat the labor on the wiring but he wanted to make sure i was safe on the road. pretty nice guy. now the interior!

 

[Ballenxj]

Congrats Michelle, I just read through this whole thread and didn't think you did too badly. Wiring can be a real nightmare on the road, so I'm glad you got through that OK. <br>PS, I've known people that have owned that approximate vintage motorhome and they without exception loved them. They had an almost "cult" following. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>@ Cubey, Sorry to hear all your troubles. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>@ Geoff, Glad to hear you finally found a reputable dealer in the end. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[windymichelle]

Thanks Bruce. I'm happy with the choice I made. We should be heading out any day now! So excited.