Classic awful mechanic making it hard for the good ones

[MoGas]

Wow.

Having been a professional mechanic for a number of years, I saw a lot of guys that were all about the turnaround time. I was always about quality and craftsmanship. I ended up making more money than these clowns in the long run, because people would request me, I would have jobs lined up all week while the other guys were changing oil or sweeping bays. I didn't always hit my book time, but I didn't charge more than I quoted. If I was quoting a job, I would let the customer know up front if there was a potential for underlying issues. If I found something, I would stop and call my customer to see if they could come down and I would show and explain to them what exactly was wrong. If I underquoted, I ate it. That grew a relationship of trust with my customers that has some of them still asking me to work on their vehicles if I happen to run into them out and about.

There are even a few people here on the board that can attest that I will give you honest work on your ride or even teach you how to do it yourself.

I'm sorry you have had to go through this and I hope you can recover something.


Dave

 

[expo80]

sorry you got stiffed man, its very had to find a good mechanic that can do these axle rebuilds let alone one with a cold chisel oops i mean 54mm hub socket :sombrero: I have rebuilt about 10 of these axles on the 80 series and every time i have been in there I have found the 54mm hub nut installed with a chisel
hope you get matters resolved with out to much hassle

cheers, nat

 

[Ruffin' It]

That is what I don't get. Customers are going to figure out which mechanics are good and which aren't. When I find a mechanic I trust, I will gladly go out of my way and pay a little more for their help. I really rely on my vehicles and will gladly "Cry Once" when it comes to repairs.

I have the sneaking feeling that since they knew I was from out of town (even worse, LA) that they could screw with me. I'm guessing they figure some guy flying in from LA to buy a truck must have money and is fair game. I wish that were the case.

Thanks for the support everyone, it does help me feel a bit better.

Wow.

Having been a professional mechanic for a number of years, I saw a lot of guys that were all about the turnaround time. I was always about quality and craftsmanship. I ended up making more money than these clowns in the long run, because people would request me, I would have jobs lined up all week while the other guys were changing oil or sweeping bays. I didn't always hit my book time, but I didn't charge more than I quoted. If I was quoting a job, I would let the customer know up front if there was a potential for underlying issues. If I found something, I would stop and call my customer to see if they could come down and I would show and explain to them what exactly was wrong. If I underquoted, I ate it. That grew a relationship of trust with my customers that has some of them still asking me to work on their vehicles if I happen to run into them out and about.

There are even a few people here on the board that can attest that I will give you honest work on your ride or even teach you how to do it yourself.

I'm sorry you have had to go through this and I hope you can recover something.


Dave

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The stories I could tell. Land Cruisers particularly their drivetrains do not have all that much in common with many domestics, in fact many auto shops have little experience with closed knuckles. I can stress enough that customers need to feel out prospective shops, ask them some questions, what kind of grease they plan to use, do they have the SST's and hub socket if needed?

Hope it all works out for you, bum deal.

 

[AndrewP]

There is a very good lesson here, and that is you basically have to work on these trucks yourself. Either that, or a Land Cruiser speciality shop only. No one other than you, or a few select individuals will take the time to do things right.

Your average general automotive shop just doesn't get closed knuckles, or birfields or the subtle differences in 2F cylinder heads.

For the OP-you have paid your $$ and I doubt any threatening letter is going to pry money out of a shop 2000 miles away. It's water under the bridge, and time to move on.

TLC has a great, if expensive reputation so I'm sure you are in good hands, but I suggest for your long term happiness, that you learn to do this kind of work yourself.

 

[Fergie]

From now on, you ought to just buy MoGas a plane ticket to LAX, and let him go to town on whatever issue it is. The guy isnt boasting when he says he is a professional...he is damn good. Took the time to teach me some things, and other here can attest to the same.

I hope that your issue is resolved with as little hassle as possible, and that it turns out in your favor.

 

[MoGas]

The stories I could tell. Land Cruisers particularly their drivetrains do not have all that much in common with many domestics, in fact many auto shops have little experience with closed knuckles. I can stress enough that customers need to feel out prospective shops, ask them some questions, what kind of grease they plan to use, do they have the SST's and hub socket if needed?

Hope it all works out for you, bum deal.

I learned about closed knuckles with my '43 MB.....



There are good mechanics and there are bad mechanics and then there are people posing as mechanics who really are just average oil changers or brake guys at best.

I can say it is a pretty safe bet that the guy who did the work on your rig was in way over his head and most likely lacked even the most basic of experience and education in automotive maintenance. At least I would hope that was the case and not malice.

Dave

 

[Faol]

Customer service is getting hard to come by...

Isn't that the truth. You would think, in this economy, that people would be making sure they had great customer service, so business would be good. If they aren't smart enough to know that, then they shouldn't be in business.

 

[Ruffin' It]

In my frustration, I forgot to mention this was the one and only shop the local Land Cruiser club recommended (Lone Star Cruisers or something like that). TheY only deal in Toyotas and had a number of Cruisers in the shop when I dropped off mine. I knew the Birfs were difficult, so I shopped around and asked lots of questions. These people obviously knew about the service as they were able to speak in depth about the service without taking the time to look it up. What kills me is they really should have been able to easily do the service and just choose not to.

The stories I could tell. Land Cruisers particularly their drivetrains do not have all that much in common with many domestics, in fact many auto shops have little experience with closed knuckles. I can stress enough that customers need to feel out prospective shops, ask them some questions, what kind of grease they plan to use, do they have the SST's and hub socket if needed?

Hope it all works out for you, bum deal.

 

[Ruffin' It]

I totally agree. I have the tools, just no space. Where I live now is all street parking without anywhere to really work on it. Hopefully that will change soon.

There is a very good lesson here, and that is you basically have to work on these trucks yourself. Either that, or a Land Cruiser speciality shop only. No one other than you, or a few select individuals will take the time to do things right.

Your average general automotive shop just doesn't get closed knuckles, or birfields or the subtle differences in 2F cylinder heads.

For the OP-you have paid your $$ and I doubt any threatening letter is going to pry money out of a shop 2000 miles away. It's water under the bridge, and time to move on.

TLC has a great, if expensive reputation so I'm sure you are in good hands, but I suggest for your long term happiness, that you learn to do this kind of work yourself.

 

[Weasel Mender]

You might also contact the atty general in TX as they may have a consumer protection/fraud program that can help.

I spent most of my life in TX and they do have one and they swing a BIG stick when aroused! Money and time spent on the phone developing a relationship will pay off, get the name and contact info for the agent and stay in contact. DOCUMENT EVRYTHING, having quality photos and professional decription of damage and shoddy work are huge. Consumer fraud agents in the AG's office are working stiffs just like the rest of us, anything we can do to make the case easier to persue and more winable will just be in your favor.
Don't turn loose, make them pray for thunder!

Weasel

 

[Willman]

Sorry to hear about this!

I would still work on getting those letters sent. Have you send them yet?

Good luck!

 

[Ruffin' It]

It is being drafted as we speak!

Thanks for the tips on the AG. I'm going to contact them today.

Sorry to hear about this!

I would still work on getting those letters sent. Have you send them yet?

Good luck!

 

[bluedog]

Did you happen to pay with a credit card? You could always open a dispute on the card? Might help to tie up the shops money a bit.

B

 

[Ruffin' It]

I wish I had. It was cash : (

Did you happen to pay with a credit card? You could always open a dispute on the card? Might help to tie up the shops money a bit.

B