I'm a little upset right now.
As I was driving back to Pittsburgh tonight (a 120-mile trek), my exhaust fell off somewhere near the catalytic converter. For those of you keeping score at home, I just paid $400 for a new exhaust system almost two months ago to the day. When I asked about it then, the mechanic said, "Your catalytic converter is kinda worn out, but we were able to reuse it." Cool, I thought.
Now, I am 120 miles away from where I got it fixed. I have a car that sounds louder than a semi at WOT. I have a mechanic here who could probably fix it, but I've already spent a ton of money on it, and I think I deserve better. I'm not even sure it is a rusty catalytic converter since it just happened at about 12:30 as I was crossing the Ohio border.
Fortunately, I am only driving the car once a week right now to pick up groceries and whatnot. I am taking the bus system to and from work. For anyone who has ever dealt with a mechanic/quality assurance in a mechanic's shop, what in the hell should I do? It's not like I can go back to Ohio every week right now (I am working 20 hours right now on top of going to school full-time, and this shop isn't open on weekends)?
Swap cars with a parent or Ohio-resident broheim until it gets fixed, then swap back?
Quote from: Laconian on January 30, 2011, 11:42:29 PM
Swap cars with a parent or Ohio-resident broheim until it gets fixed, then swap back?
This.
How close to the cat did the pipe break? And was it the same spot where the new exhaust was mated, or is it a new spot? If there's enough material aft of the cat to make purchase, I'd find a ghetto ass exhaust shop to just reattach everything, knowing that it's not going to last forever.
If you need to get back to Pittsburgh ASAP, bale up the exhaust with some wire, buy some earplugs and make the drive.
This happened to me once (in a much newer car). Was 100 miles into a 300 mile drive home, and the back end of the exhaust parted ways at 70 mph. Bailed it up, finished the drive home, and it was two weeks before I had it fixed. Hit a raccoon on that trip too. Made a thread, as I recall.
:lol:
I'll check it out tomorrow. It's cold outside, and I wasn't too eager to shine my cell phone underneath my car to check.
I'mma see whether or not I can get the Subaru out here, I guess.
Just checked it out. It separated right at the header. Either their welds were shoddy or the quality of parts were shoddy.
And the shop owner is a douche.
(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5544/exhaustp.jpg)
To weld or to replace? That is the question.
Quote from: the Teuton on January 31, 2011, 03:10:43 PM
Just checked it out. It separated right at the header. Either their welds were shoddy or the quality of parts were shoddy.
And the shop owner is a douche.
That is NOT a header, it is an "Exhaust Manifold." :lol:
I would say to ask what your local mechanic suggests, but it does not look like it broke (at least not in that photo), it looks like the just did not put a flang on the end after putting on the flange clamp.
You are probably looking at an hour and a half worth of work, maybe $100 to fix it by adding a flange. Might need to get a new pipe if it is not long enough for them to bend in a flange.
So, whats the news on this?
Quote from: hounddog on February 04, 2011, 01:30:36 PM
So, whats the news on this?
It's getting towed back to Ohio in the near future.
(http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/4515/receipth.jpg)
Evidenced by a non-rusty pipe in the pic, is this receipt enough to say that they did, in fact, replace said part that just went? The mechanic doesn't seem to think so. I think he's full of crap.
Front flex pipe, resonator pipe and adapter plate sound like everything after the cat.
Are you sure the exhaust came off from the headers the first time?
Quote from: 2o6 on February 04, 2011, 09:25:42 PM
Front flex pipe, resonator pipe and adapter plate sound like everything after the cat.
Are you sure the exhaust came off from the headers the first time?
I thought so, yes.
This may simply be a second leak.
Quote from: 2o6 on February 04, 2011, 09:32:20 PM
This may simply be a second leak.
Then I'm going to scrounge up $100 and get it done here, I think. Or should I just call up my shade tree mechanic and have him do it?
I guess here's the big question: Is it worth shipping back to Ohio?
Cut-rate muffler in Akron (Romig Rd) is the place that I got my exhaust work done.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 04, 2011, 09:34:49 PM
Then I'm going to scrounge up $100 and get it done here, I think. Or should I just call up my shade tree mechanic and have him do it?
I guess here's the big question: Is it worth shipping back to Ohio?
I thought you shipped it back to Ohio already? If not, and you have a guy that will do the job for $100 locally, then that's the way to go. You don't have to get the car to OH, hope they cover the repair, get the car back to you - meanwhile you're without a car for a few days. One hundred ducats is well worth avoiding that situation, IMO.
Quote from: The Pirate on February 04, 2011, 09:38:58 PM
I thought you shipped it back to Ohio already? If not, and you have a guy that will do the job for $100 locally, then that's the way to go. You don't have to get the car to OH, hope they cover the repair, get the car back to you - meanwhile you're without a car for a few days. One hundred ducats is well worth avoiding that situation, IMO.
I should be able to get it done for less than that, but we'll see.
I like my under the table mechanic.
The place I went to wasn't under the table.
Quote from: 2o6 on February 04, 2011, 09:41:41 PM
The place I went to wasn't under the table.
You know this, but even as cheap of a place to live as Pittsburgh is, it's still a lot more expensive than Ohio.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 04, 2011, 09:55:21 PM
You know this, but even as cheap of a place to live as Pittsburgh is, it's still a lot more expensive than Ohio.
Two tons o' fun: What year is plasticar?
It looks like that downpipe is not original. It's crimp bent, and OEM stuff usually isn't. Also, the flex pipe is sold like this:
(http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/mam/339622/image/4/)
so, it appears that the part that they put on was defective. Not the mechanics fault, unless they improperly mounted the exhaust causing too much stress at the weld. It may have a 1 year warranty on the part, but autozone only shows a 3 month warranty on it.
Fancy that, it happened within 2 months!
You sure, Sean? That'd be awesome if so.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 04, 2011, 11:05:39 PM
Fancy that, it happened within 2 months!
You sure, Sean? That'd be awesome if so.
It looks like it. The pipe still looks shiny, no way it's original. You can buy just a universal flex section by itself, but I think they bought the entire downpipe.
If you tell them the header broke they will say "GTFO", but if you tell them the new flexpipe broke at the weld, they would have to admit they put the part on.
I didn't even realize the thread had pictures.
The shop owner told my dad from the printout he showed him that the pipe looked old, and his mechanic didn't replace it. Bull.
I wouldn't normally do this, but I am going to take my car to a chain and ask them for a professional opinion. Then, next week, I'll either have it fixed here or call up the guy in Ohio depending on what I find out.
And if the guy in Ohio still rejects doing the work, I don't know what I'm going to do if that's the case -- lawyer up?
I have in my possession a copy of my receipt signed by the manager at a Monroe Muffler saying that the part that broke was, indeed, brand new. He said if there's any problem, the mechanic in Ohio should call him.
He also said there's no way on earth is couldn't be a new part.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 05, 2011, 10:45:20 AM
I wouldn't normally do this, but I am going to take my car to a chain and ask them for a professional opinion. Then, next week, I'll either have it fixed here or call up the guy in Ohio depending on what I find out.
And if the guy in Ohio still rejects doing the work, I don't know what I'm going to do if that's the case -- lawyer up?
What!? A lawyer, over $400? If you want to take him to court, take him to small claims court.
Quote from: Laconian on February 05, 2011, 01:17:05 PM
What!? A lawyer, over $400? If you want to take him to court, take him to small claims court.
I've never had to take someone to court before, and I hope I don't have to do so now.
Small claims is the way to go, but, you will probably have to sue him in Ohio court.
Which means, you will "probably" have to go there to file unless they have a place to file on their website, which I doubt, then return there for the court date.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 05, 2011, 01:11:32 PM
I have in my possession a copy of my receipt signed by the manager at a Monroe Muffler saying that the part that broke was, indeed, brand new. He said if there's any problem, the mechanic in Ohio should call him.
He also said there's no way on earth is couldn't be a new part.
If you sue the first mechanic, have the second get the receipt and a written affidavit notorized so that the first cannot claim you created that yourself.
Best of luck, Teuton. Sounds like a rotten situation.
Fighting the guy who installed it to begin with is going to cost more than just fixing it.
Guess who is getting his car fixed for around $30 or however much gas costs from Pa. to Ohio...
Oh, fun times, fun times...
My dad spoke with the mechanic this past week to make sure the parts would be available to do the job -- the flex pipe and whatnot. He said it would. Okay, cool, I thought.
I get the car back today, and as soon as a I open the hood, I notice the pipe is exactly the same. The car is quieter again, but all they did was weld it back on with some reinforcements. That's not what I was expecting, especially given the fact that I just spent $400 to have it replaced two months ago.
My dad calls the guy up (he was busy towing a car, so one of his mechanics gave me my receipt and key back when I was there), and he says that the part would've been ordered from the same company, and he felt that this weld job would be stronger. I said that I didn't pay $400 for a greasemonkey weld job. I told him that it was either the integrity of the people who put it on or the part itself, and perhaps he should order better quality parts, to which he said he'd have to charge me more if that were the case. I said why should I have to be charged more for the job to be done right?
In the end, he told me that this will do, and he feels that he doesn't think it'll break. The conversation basically ended there with a rather sarcastic "Let's hope" from me. He hung up on me. What a fucking piece of shit.
The car is fixed now, but I am not happy. I will be calling the Better Business Bureau next week to express my discontentment.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 03:09:11 PM
Oh, fun times, fun times...
My dad spoke with the mechanic this past week to make sure the parts would be available to do the job -- the flex pipe and whatnot. He said it would. Okay, cool, I thought.
I get the car back today, and as soon as a I open the hood, I notice the pipe is exactly the same. The car is quieter again, but all they did was weld it back on with some reinforcements. That's not what I was expecting, especially given the fact that I just spent $400 to have it replaced two months ago.
My dad calls the guy up (he was busy towing a car, so one of his mechanics gave me my receipt and key back when I was there), and he says that the part would've been ordered from the same company, and he felt that this weld job would be stronger. I said that I didn't pay $400 for a greasemonkey weld job. I told him that it was either the integrity of the people who put it on or the part itself, and perhaps he should order better quality parts, to which he said he'd have to charge me more if that were the case. I said why should I have to be charged more for the job to be done right?
In the end, he told me that this will do, and he feels that he doesn't think it'll break. The conversation basically ended there with a rather sarcastic "Let's hope" from me. He hung up on me. What a fucking piece of shit.
The car is fixed now, but I am not happy. I will be calling the Better Business Bureau next week to express my discontentment.
You are hard to please.
If the welds hold up, then what's the problem?
And before contacting the bbb I'd ask for a warranty or something.
Quote from: thecarnut on February 19, 2011, 05:09:40 PM
If the welds hold up, then what's the problem?
And before contacting the bbb I'd ask for a warranty or something.
I have a year warranty.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on February 19, 2011, 04:16:05 PM
You are hard to please.
A job worth doing is worth doing right.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 05:18:06 PM
A job worth doing is worth doing right.
I'm sure the welds are fine.
Oh give me a break. You're a dick, Teuton.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 05:40:02 PM
Oh give me a break. You're a dick, Teuton.
And you're a hippie. We all have our problems. I paid good money for a half-ass job. Simple as that.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 06:34:12 PM
And you're a hippie. We all have our problems. I paid good money for a half-ass job. Simple as that.
Not really, though. The mechanic has a point. If a new part he put on there broke, why put on yet another identical part and potentially have the same issues? He tried to fix it a different way this time. And if everything works, you can't complain. If it doesn't work out, then you have a year warranty.
And I don't see why you expect him to put a better pipe on without paying extra for it...
Quote from: thecarnut on February 19, 2011, 06:40:26 PM
Not really, though. The mechanic has a point. If a new part he put on there broke, why put on yet another identical part and potentially have the same issues? He tried to fix it a different way this time. And if everything works, you can't complain. If it doesn't work out, then you have a year warranty.
And I don't see why you expect him to put a better pipe on without paying extra for it...
I expect him to put the parts on the car that will do the job properly. If that means a more expensive part, then so be it. That's not my problem. He probably pocketed a good amount speaking that he charged me $100 for the part.
I am not going back there unless it breaks again. There's no need. But if it does, expect me to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
Dude, it works like this:
Part (crappy, breaks) $100
Labor $300
___________________
Total $400
If you want Part (not crappy, doesn't break) $150, then you pay extra, durr.
$400 isn't that much for what you had done. You can't expect Chip Foose to work on your car for that much. You remind me of Dr. Zoidberg with his tricky dick fun bill.
The weld that they put on may be stronger than the original weld. Also, there may only be one supplier for that part. I think you're making too big of a deal out of this.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 06:54:33 PM
Dude, it works like this:
Part (crappy, breaks) $100
Labor $300
___________________
Total $400
If you want Part (not crappy, doesn't break) $150, then you pay extra, durr.
I don't care what he uses, but for the amount of money I spent, I expect it to be a) a new part and b) not break within two months of purchasing it.
Think about it like this: If you bought a new shirt and didn't see that it had a hole in it when you bought it, you'd go back and have it exchanged for a new one in better condition. Now what if all they did was tell you, "Wait a second while we hire a seamstress in the back to put a patch on it," and then they gave it back to you.
Wouldn't you be a little upset?
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on February 19, 2011, 06:57:38 PM
$400 isn't that much for what you had done. You can't expect Chip Foose to work on your car for that much. You remind me of Dr. Zoidberg with his tricky dick fun bill.
The weld that they put on may be stronger than the original weld. Also, there may only be one supplier for that part. I think you're making too big of a deal out of this.
Well, that's what I have to work with now. If it holds, we're good. If it doesn't, then I will be the first person to say "I told you so."
If he wanted to reinforce the parts new before putting them on the car so he'd never have to see me again, I'd be cool with that. But this is a band-aid fix. I didn't drive 120 miles to have a band-aid put on my car as a "warranty" fix.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 06:46:24 PM
I expect him to put the parts on the car that will do the job properly. If that means a more expensive part, then so be it. That's not my problem. He probably pocketed a good amount speaking that he charged me $100 for the part.
I am not going back there unless it breaks again. There's no need. But if it does, expect me to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
I hope it's fixed for you. I think that the point that Rag and the others are trying to make is that you paid for a certain quality of part (and though $400 is a lot of money to you and I, it's probably towards the low end of the quality spectrum). If it was discovered that an upgraded part need to be installed to provide satisfactory performance in your application, I think it's reasonable for you to pay the difference, even if he was covering labor and original level of part cost. You can't pay for part
x and expect quality and longevity of part
y.
I deal with this all the time at work (positively and negatively). One can buy a bicycle rear derailleur for $40 that will shift acceptably for a lot of applications. The rear derailleur on my bike retails for $215 and essentially performs the same task. But it will last longer and shift more efficiently, offering a higher level of performance.
Quote from: The Pirate on February 19, 2011, 07:02:10 PM
I hope it's fixed for you. I think that the point that Rag and the others are trying to make is that you paid for a certain quality of part (and though $400 is a lot of money to you and I, it's probably towards the low end of the quality spectrum). If it was discovered that an upgraded part need to be installed to provide satisfactory performance in your application, I think it's reasonable for you to pay the difference, even if he was covering labor and original level of part cost. You can't pay for part x and expect quality and longevity of part y.
I deal with this all the time at work (positively and negatively). One can buy a bicycle rear derailleur for $40 that will shift acceptably for a lot of applications. The rear derailleur on my bike retails for $215 and essentially performs the same task. But it will last longer and shift more efficiently, offering a higher level of performance.
Failure after two months and less than 1,000 miles is not the same thing.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 06:46:24 PM
I expect him to put the parts on the car that will do the job properly. If that means a more expensive part, then so be it. That's not my problem. He probably pocketed a good amount speaking that he charged me $100 for the part.
I am not going back there unless it breaks again. There's no need. But if it does, expect me to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
He's going to only put in the parts that you paid for. That is your problem. You want an upgraded part in the car, you pay extra for it. You can't expect him to pay for it. This seems like it'd be common sense to me.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:04:35 PM
Failure after two months and less than 1,000 miles is not the same thing.
Bicycle derailleur is merely an example of the broad range of quality available. As to the first paragraph of my post, it's totally relevant to your situation. Turn a wrench on a car and you'd know that.
Quote from: thecarnut on February 19, 2011, 07:06:03 PM
He's going to only put in the parts that you paid for. That is your problem. You want an upgraded part in the car, you pay extra for it. You can't expect him to pay for it. This seems like it'd be common sense to me.
He marks up the price of parts about 15% from what he paid for them. I asked him.
Quote from: The Pirate on February 19, 2011, 07:07:22 PM
Bicycle derailleur is merely an example of the broad range of quality available. As to the first paragraph of my post, it's totally relevant to your situation. Turn a wrench on a car and you'd know that.
It was a crappy example.
Teuton, the most he'll do without you spending more money is replace the failed part with another of the same exact part which has already failed on you once. Instead, he reinforced that part and welded it back up, and depending on the quality of the welds, you might even have a stronger part now than an exact replacement for the original. Plus you have the one year warranty. I don't see how this is the fault of the mechanic.
The guy didn't charge you $400 to "just fix it." He charged you some money for the part, and some for the labor. If it took less time, he would charge you less. It it took a cheaper part, he would charge less. If the good part costs more, then he would charge more.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:07:40 PM
He marks up the price of parts about 15% from what he paid for them. I asked him.
Well duh, he's also in the business to make a profit. You can't expect him to take the time of ordering parts, getting them, stocking and making an inventory for them and then just hand you the part for the same exact price as what he paid.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:07:40 PM
He marks up the price of parts about 15% from what he paid for them. I asked him.
And if he put on a more expensive part, he would still mark it up 15%. :huh:
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
It was a crappy example.
No not really. You get what you pay for.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:09:00 PM
It was a crappy example.
Of the broad range of quality available? It's a perfect example. The cheapo derailler will be hard to adjust, won't stay adjusted, won't be smooth, will be heavy, etc. The expensive one will be easy to adjust, stay adjusted, be smooth, and be light.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:10:34 PM
The guy didn't charge you $400 to "just fix it." He charged you some money for the part, and some for the labor. If it took less time, he would charge you less. It it took a cheaper part, he would charge less. If the good part costs more, then he would charge more.
All I expect is for someone who said he was ordering a replacement part for my car to give me the damn replacement part with a smile on his face so I can have a smile on mine. When did customer service go out the window? When did it suddenly become okay to slam the phone on a customer?
If he wanted it to not fail again using the same part, he should have ordered a new one and reinforced it. It's under factory warranty -- it's not costing the guy anything but a little less than two hours of labor.
Not a difficult concept. And he'd keep me as a return customer. Now he's lost a whole family of business because he lied and did half-ass work.
I don't expect miracles; I don't expect freebies; all I wanted was a new, unbroken part that held up. It is what it is now, but I thought the manner in which he handled it was completely unprofessional.
Nair his shampoo then.
You're ridiculous, Teuton. I don't know why you would insist on an OMG new! part, reinforced or not, when what you have is just fine. Two hours of labor is a lot of money and time, FYI. A full quarter of the work day.
And don't give me this OMG customer service! crap. He explained things, went through the whole bit, and then you were a sarcastic twerp. I'd hang up on your ass, too. The customer is wrong 90% of the time.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:25:14 PM
You're ridiculous, Teuton. I don't know why you would insist on an OMG new! part, reinforced or not, when what you have is just fine. Two hours of labor is a lot of money and time, FYI. A full quarter of the work day.
And don't give me this OMG customer service! crap. He explained things, went through the whole bit, and then you were a sarcastic twerp. I'd hang up on your ass, too. The customer is wrong 90% of the time.
When he tells my dad on Wednesday that he's ordering a new part, I expect a new part to be put onto my car.
You're dense.
Maybe he should have called and said that this would be better, but jeebus, everything works, and probably better than with a new part. You want a new part that he then reinforced? Extra money for the labor.
Why are you so hung up over the fact that it's not a new part? The mechanic did it in your best interest, figuring it'd be stronger. In the end for him it's far easier to just stick a new part back on there instead of reinforcing and rewelding everything.
You know that the world isn't out to screw you, right, Teuts?
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:30:07 PM
Maybe he should have called and said that this would be better, but jeebus, everything works, and probably better than with a new part. You want a new part that he then reinforced? Extra money for the labor.
Fortunately, communication doesn't cost a dime. Why are people so lousy at it?
It's a pain in the ass, that's why.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:35:09 PM
It's a pain in the ass, that's why.
See, by him not conveying this to me earlier, it caused headaches around, and it lost him a family that has been a fairly decent user of his services for the past year or so.
I don't trust the guy at all, and I still don't believe in the integrity of his work anymore. A phone call would have saved half of the posts in this thread, too.
OK, so you're really just super worked up that he didn't call you? :facepalm:
It's fixed, better than new, you didn't pay anything, but holy hell, he didn't call you, so he must have screwed you.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:43:38 PM
OK, so you're really just super worked up that he didn't call you? :facepalm:
It's fixed, better than new, you didn't pay anything, but holy hell, he didn't call you, so he must have screwed you.
Communication would've solved a lot. That and honesty.
What was dishonest? And who the hell cares about a phone call? If he had chosen to, say, paint the car pink instead of fix the flex pipe, and he didn't call first, sure. But he chose to fix it better instead of fix it worse. :huh:
I just don't see a problem here.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:46:54 PM
I just don't see a problem here.
I know you don't. It's called doing what you say you're going to do.
Considering your family has been going there for a year now without problems I think those welds should be OK...
And to drop a decent mechanic over a phone call is laughable.
Quote from: thecarnut on February 19, 2011, 07:50:08 PM
Considering your family has been going there for a year now without problems I think those welds should be OK...
And to drop a decent mechanic over a phone call is laughable.
He wanted to charge my dad $400 for a new ECU for the Legacy before I found one online for $45.
It's more than that.
Quote from: thecarnut on February 19, 2011, 07:50:08 PM
Considering your family has been going there for a year now without problems I think those welds should be OK...
And to drop a decent mechanic over a phone call is laughable.
It's not laughable- being reliable is what being a businessman is about. It might not be smart on the customers part by any stretch but it's not laughable.
Quote from: Rupert on February 19, 2011, 07:25:14 PM
You're ridiculous, Teuton. I don't know why you would insist on an OMG new! part, reinforced or not, when what you have is just fine. Two hours of labor is a lot of money and time, FYI. A full quarter of the work day.
And don't give me this OMG customer service! crap. He explained things, went through the whole bit, and then you were a sarcastic twerp. I'd hang up on your ass, too. The customer is wrong 90% of the time.
God you're an arrogant ass sometimes- why? Most of the time you're not even close to right but you still insist on being an arrogant ass. I don't get it. ;)
These mechanics have to remember they're employed by the guy who's car they're working on- piss him off for any reason and 5 of his friends won't be recommended to the mechanic- even if only 1 out of those 5 would normally go there that's 1 lost customer. If he lost 1 out of every 5 customers he might go broke.
Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Exhaust is just a metal pipe that channels gases and fumes from one area to another..... you shouldn't have to destroy a perfectly good piece of metal for no reason. A weld should fix it.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:53:12 PM
He wanted to charge my dad $400 for a new ECU for the Legacy before I found one online for $45.
It's more than that.
You sure it was new? $45 sounds like an ECU from a junked car. I remember that's roughly what guys were selling PCM's for my Neon for.
Quote from: rohan on February 19, 2011, 07:59:30 PM
It's not laughable- being reliable is what being a businessman is about. It might not be smart on the customers part by any stretch but it's not laughable.
God you're an arrogant ass sometimes- why? Most of the time you're not even close to right but you still insist on being an arrogant ass. I don't get it. ;)
These mechanics have to remember they're employed by the guy who's car they're working on- piss him off for any reason and 5 of his friends won't be recommended to the mechanic- even if only 1 out of those 5 would normally go there that's 1 lost customer. If he lost 1 out of every 5 customers he might go broke.
And on the converse, you can't (and won't!) please everyone. Sometimes it's better to cut your losses and go.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:49:25 PM
I know you don't. It's called doing what you say you're going to do.
HE FIXED A DEFECTIVE PART, FREE OF CHARGE.
That's AWESOME business, considering that he didn't have to do anything and could have just said "I'm sorry".
I mean, replacing the part makes absolutely no sense.
1) Who buys an ECU for a 1995 Subaru brand new?
2) He wasn't doing me a favor; he was doing himself a favor because small claims court is only so far away.
3) I paid for a new part; I wanted a new part. It was under factory warranty.
But replacing the part makes absolutely no sense.
I mean, if you were to order a steak "medium-rare", but the center was too cool inside (closer to rare), would you insist they throw that steak out and start over?
And due to legal issues, he'd have to buy the ECU new.
I think it's more like this: If I ordered a rare steak and it came out well done, you bet your ass I'd tell them to throw it out and start anew. I'd probably ask for a discount on my meal, too. What's worth doing is worth doing right.
But it isn't.
A good piece of metal is still usable and the situation can be rectified easily. Similar how a rare steak can be done to the right level, a piece of metal used for exhaust can be fixed and repaired.
It's not like he billed you for new exhaust when it was in reality your old exhaust.
I think the overarching issue is that he told me he was going to put a new part on there, and he didn't.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 03:09:11 PM
Oh, fun times, fun times...
My dad spoke with the mechanic this past week to make sure the parts would be available to do the job -- the flex pipe and whatnot. He said it would. Okay, cool, I thought.
I get the car back today, and as soon as a I open the hood, I notice the pipe is exactly the same. The car is quieter again, but all they did was weld it back on with some reinforcements. That's not what I was expecting, especially given the fact that I just spent $400 to have it replaced two months ago.
My dad calls the guy up (he was busy towing a car, so one of his mechanics gave me my receipt and key back when I was there), and he says that the part would've been ordered from the same company, and he felt that this weld job would be stronger. I said that I didn't pay $400 for a greasemonkey weld job. I told him that it was either the integrity of the people who put it on or the part itself, and perhaps he should order better quality parts, to which he said he'd have to charge me more if that were the case. I said why should I have to be charged more for the job to be done right?
In the end, he told me that this will do, and he feels that he doesn't think it'll break. The conversation basically ended there with a rather sarcastic "Let's hope" from me. He hung up on me. What a fucking piece of shit.
The car is fixed now, but I am not happy. I will be calling the Better Business Bureau next week to express my discontentment.
You're ridiculous, man. I hope you know that.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:49:25 PM
I know you don't. It's called doing what you say you're going to do.
He did. He fixed your car.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 09:35:29 PM
I think the overarching issue is that he told me he was going to put a new part on there, and he didn't.
And perhaps he was going to install a new part but when he actually took a look at what failed, realized that the part was fine and that simply replacing it with a new part would result in the same problem another month or two down the road, so he actually fixed the problem. Why does it matter that he chose to reinforce the practically brand new part he just installed a couple of weeks ago rather than bolt in another new one? It's not like you had to pay another $400 for this fix.
And exactly how much more pissed off would you have been if he'd just tossed in another of the same and it too failed after only 1000 miles and you'd have to drive another 120 miles back to have it fixed again?
Do you know what the difference between a grease monkey and a good mechanic is? A grease monkey will mindlessly replace broken parts without ever bothering to look at why they failed. A good mechanic actually fixes the problem.
Quote from: rohan on February 19, 2011, 07:59:30 PM
It's not laughable- being reliable is what being a businessman is about. It might not be smart on the customers part by any stretch but it's not laughable.
God you're an arrogant ass sometimes- why? Most of the time you're not even close to right but you still insist on being an arrogant ass. I don't get it. ;)
These mechanics have to remember they're employed by the guy who's car they're working on- piss him off for any reason and 5 of his friends won't be recommended to the mechanic- even if only 1 out of those 5 would normally go there that's 1 lost customer. If he lost 1 out of every 5 customers he might go broke.
I'm well aware of all of that, but there's only so much that can be expected from anyone. Given the replies in this thread, only one of the five people (you) Teuton tells about how terrible this guy is are going to listen and not use him. ;)
All jokes aside,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-98-Saturn-SL2-SC2-DOHC-Exhaust-Exhaust-Header-OBX-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230a89f6d4QQitemZ150500669140QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
I don't know if you've linked w/any Saturn forum dudes but now would prob be a good time...
Welding or fixing that shit's a waste of time... you already have a new cat back... kop a new header & a shitty little $60 cat and find someone to install it all for you, problem solved.
Damn just saw this page, $400 to weld a pipe? That's insanity man.
Quote from: giant_mtb on February 19, 2011, 10:17:00 PM
You're ridiculous, man. I hope you know that.
Expecting new for the price of new is ridiculous...only in America...
Quote from: sportyaccordy on February 20, 2011, 09:06:21 AM
Damn just saw this page, $400 to weld a pipe? That's insanity man.
No, the pipe was fixed with a new one ($400 fix), and 2 months later, it came undone. So the shop guy welded it up, free of charge.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 19, 2011, 07:16:26 PM
When did customer service go out the window?
Probably around the same time customers went to shit... :huh:
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2011, 09:53:35 AM
Expecting new for the price of new is ridiculous...only in America...
You got new for the price of new. It broke. Clearly not the best strategy. ;)
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2011, 09:53:35 AM
Expecting new for the price of new is ridiculous...only in America...
He gave you a brand new pipe when you payed for it. He welded it back together when it broke for free. It's an old Saturn. What do you want, a new titanium exhaust for $4.99?
When my Accord had the weld area for a hanger tear open I just bought a new pipe from interbutt and installed it. Granted I had that pipe for about six months before I was brave enough to attack that amazingly rusted-ass converter, but still.
Quote from: giant_mtb on February 20, 2011, 06:28:50 PM
He gave you a brand new pipe when you payed for it. He welded it back together when it broke for free. It's an old Saturn. What do you want, a new titanium exhaust for $4.99?
It's a broken part that he cobbled back together after he replaced it the first time with subpar quality. Would you want that on your Audi?
The part was sub par quality because you paid for sub par quality! I bet for $60 more, he could have put on a better part. As it is, your cheap ass has a working quiet flex pipe that is probably more durable than a new one, and you didn't pay for the repair.
BTW, if he had reinforced the part before he put it on the first time, he would have had to charge you another half hour to an hour of work on top of the $400. As it is, you actually came out ahead-- free reinforcing!
Quote from: Rupert on February 20, 2011, 09:31:24 PM
The part was sub par quality because you paid for sub par quality! I bet for $60 more, he could have put on a better part. As it is, your cheap ass has a working quiet flex pipe that is probably more durable than a new one, and you didn't pay for the repair.
BTW, if he had reinforced the part before he put it on the first time, he would have had to charge you another half hour to an hour of work on top of the $400. As it is, you actually came out ahead-- free reinforcing!
You act as if I had an option in all of this. I didn't initially. None whatsoever.
Quote from: the Teuton on February 20, 2011, 09:13:39 PM
It's a broken part that he cobbled back together after he replaced it the first time with subpar quality. Would you want that on your Audi?
A) My car is brand new and under warranty, so of course it would be getting brand new, OEM parts from the dealership.
B) That makes that argument completely irrelevant.
C) You chose this "greaseball" mechanic...he didn't choose you.
D) If it breaks again, I will allow you to bitch all you want and not give you a whiff of backlash.
Quote from: 2o6 on February 20, 2011, 10:06:13 AM
No, the pipe was fixed with a new one ($400 fix), and 2 months later, it came undone. So the shop guy welded it up, free of charge.
Ah OK. So what's Teuton complaining about?
Because apparently, he wanted another copy of the same (apparently shitty) part that the guy put on the first time. The mech said he'd put on a new one but instead just welded it up for free. And Teuton's pissed about.
The logic behind the anger, which nobody here except Teuts seems to understand, is beyond me.
He could have paid some hobos $20 to make a new exhaust out of dryer ducting and beer cans, but instead he went to a high end shop expecting first class service for his premium automobile. They didn't even provide him with a chauffeur while his car was being worked on! What kind of service is that?!
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on February 21, 2011, 10:35:25 AM
He could have paid some hobos $20 to make a new exhaust out of dryer ducting and beer cans, but instead he went to a high end shop expecting first class service for his premium automobile. They didn't even provide him with a chauffeur while his car was being worked on! What kind of service is that?!
Quite honestly, on a crappy car like that, I'd rather go to a cheapo "grease monkey" shop. The exhaust in my old Neon rusted and fell apart right behind the cat.
90 minutes later, and $47, he welded up a sleeve and I was on my merry way.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on February 21, 2011, 10:35:25 AM
He could have paid some hobos $20 to make a new exhaust out of dryer ducting and beer cans, but instead he went to a high end shop expecting first class service for his premium automobile. They didn't even provide him with a chauffeur while his car was being worked on! What kind of service is that?!
Bastards! :rage:
:facepalm:
I don't understand the anger either. Guy fixed it in a more robust way than just putting another cheap part in place that'll likely break the same way anyways.
Who cares if it's your two month old piece of pipe, or the new one? There's no difference. He welded it and fixed it. That's ten times better than putting in another piece of shit part with terrible welds from the factory.
And don't get one of those OBX headers. Those things are absolute shit.
Quote from: MrH on February 28, 2011, 12:40:06 PM
:facepalm:
I don't understand the anger either. Guy fixed it in a more robust way than just putting another cheap part in place that'll likely break the same way anyways.
Who cares if it's your two month old piece of pipe, or the new one? There's no difference. He welded it and fixed it. That's ten times better than putting in another piece of shit part with terrible welds from the factory.
And don't get one of those OBX headers. Those things are absolute shit.
My OBX headers are vunderbar.
Then again they probably care a lot more about Miata customers than they do drivers of FWD shitboxes.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 28, 2011, 04:25:31 PM
My OBX headers are vunderbar.
Then again they probably care a lot more about Miata customers than they do drivers of FWD shitboxes.
I try not to think of my car as FWD, thanks.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on February 28, 2011, 04:25:31 PM
My OBX headers are vunderbar.
Then again they probably care a lot more about Miata customers than they do drivers of FWD shitboxes.
They were god awful for proteges. Sound like complete ass and the quality is just straight turrrible.
I'm sure they're better than Pace Setters!