Randall wrote:
>> You can't blame a shop for looking to make
>> a buck.
>
> I'm sorry, John, I simply disagree. What you are talking about is fraud,
> pure and simple. It is wrong. It is illegal.
I've gotta agree with Randall on this. I'm 41; I've NEVER found a pro'
mechanic that wasn't doing something a little shady. At *best* they just
overcharged me. Worst case, I've had malicious damage done to my car.
Years ago I was a poor 22 year old at my first "real" job. Was driving a POS
Toyota Celica. It needed a water pump belt one summer, so I bought one myself.
But I lived at an apartment complex that didn't allow wrenching in the parking
lot and I never got around to installing it, so a couple months later I went to
the small shop around the corner from work.
I suggested to the guy I had a belt they could install if they didn't mind. He
got REAL pissy with me, which I immediately picked up on. I quickly retracted,
saying "I'm not trying to be a cheapskate, I bought it months ago, blah blah"
"...don't want to cause any problems, PLEASE install yours and forget I asked."
He sold & installed a belt all right... and apparently used a 15 foot pry bar
to tighten it. Mo*******er! The water pump and alternator died or bearing
failure within three weeks.
Could I prove the failure on the 140,000 mile car was his fault? No.
Any doubt in my mind the SOB did it? Not a bit!
All because I *suggested* denying him the mark up on a belt he wanted $6.50
for. I'd still like to beat the shit out of him for that. I hope he's died a
slow painful death some time in the last 19 years.
-Wayne
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