Don't know about the independents but many if not all manufacturer dealers have a inspection checklist that they go thru. The Lincoln dealer near me calls it their "40 point inspection". They check the usual stuff like fluid levels, check for leaks, check for brake wear and check for TSBs etc. Almost all of these are simple visual inspections that don't require much more that pulling a dipstick or access hatch or cap.
Even those Jiffy lube places have a checklist inspection where they check mostly fluids including brake and coolant.
Dealers and chains promote these check lists as a courtesy. Of course they are also a chance to upsell. But most reputable shops will not perform any work without authorization.
For most uninformed motorists, these inspections do provide some value by keeping them aware of issues with their cars and recommended services. It's the shops who go too far that cause problems.
If the inspection checklist bothers you just tell the shop not to perform any inspections other than those required to do the job you requested.
If you don't like their service, don't go back and find a shop you trust.
For most uninformed motorists, these inspections do provide some value by keeping them aware of issues with their cars and recommended services. It's the shops who go too far that cause problems.
If the inspection checklist bothers you just tell the shop not to perform any inspections other than those required to do the job you requested.
If you don't like their service, don't go back and find a shop you trust.
Just my experience,
Jim Henderson
Gotta agree with Jim here. I use to work at a small 20 min oil change shop and we had our own list of things to "visually inspect" on a customer vehicle. Most people are clueless when it comes to vehicle repairs. I feel that in most shops a simple checklist and inspection is just a courtesy to the customer, no need to get all bent outta shape about it.
The same people who whine and moan about inspections and recommendations would be the same be who'd whine and moan, and possibly sue, if the car was brought in for an unrelated repair and inspection(s) were not done. A failure of an unrelated part occurs and they try to pin it on the shop they had just visited the week before, because the shop didn't do a general inspection and present the owner with the findings. The customer is always right, even when they're wrong, I guess.
__________________
96 F150 Eddie B. Edition, 302/E4OD 52,000 mile gem
94 F150 XLT 4x4, 302/E4OD. 3 inch lift, 4.10s, 32X11.50 BFG TA-KOs, E-lockers, Warn Premium hubs
79 Mustang w/ built 347/C4 - 86 F150 351/C6 - 82 F100 undergoing a 460/ZF5 swap
Don't know about the independents but many if not all manufacturer dealers have a inspection checklist that they go thru. The Lincoln dealer near me calls it their "40 point inspection". They check the usual stuff like fluid levels, check for leaks, check for brake wear and check for TSBs etc. Almost all of these are simple visual inspections that don't require much more that pulling a dipstick or access hatch or cap.
Even those Jiffy lube places have a checklist inspection where they check mostly fluids including brake and coolant.
Dealers and chains promote these check lists as a courtesy. Of course they are also a chance to upsell. But most reputable shops will not perform any work without authorization.
For most uninformed motorists, these inspections do provide some value by keeping them aware of issues with their cars and recommended services. It's the shops who go too far that cause problems.
If the inspection checklist bothers you just tell the shop not to perform any inspections other than those required to do the job you requested.
If you don't like their service, don't go back and find a shop you trust.
Just my experience,
Jim Henderson
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo beam
Gotta agree with Jim here. I use to work at a small 20 min oil change shop and we had our own list of things to "visually inspect" on a customer vehicle. Most people are clueless when it comes to vehicle repairs. I feel that in most shops a simple checklist and inspection is just a courtesy to the customer, no need to get all bent outta shape about it.
The same people who whine and moan about inspections and recommendations would be the same be who'd whine and moan, and possibly sue, if the car was brought in for an unrelated repair and inspection(s) were not done. A failure of an unrelated part occurs and they try to pin it on the shop they had just visited the week before, because the shop didn't do a general inspection and present the owner with the findings. The customer is always right, even when they're wrong, I guess.
Good posts both of you. While I can see your points, too often and more often than not, places like the one that Tim visited use this as a money maker. Many times, the cited and recommended service, etc. is not necessary and is a way for the shops to line their pockets. And lots of times, they capitalize and focus these attempts on women thinking they are naive enough to not know any better. There are reputable shops out there that do a fine job but those that are less than reputable tarnish the image for the rest.
__________________ John
2005 F-250 SD Lariat CC 4x4 6.0 TS Auto.
2007 GMC Yukon Denali
I worked at a CarX shop for 6 months and the manager there constantly sold un-needed service. It was like a game to him to see how many people he could rip. Needless to say that shop is now closed.
For who said about the Mitsubishi brake rotors being thin from the factory, yes some of them are. I did a brake job on a Mitsu (dont remember the model) roughly 80K miles 4 wheel brake job pads/rotors for $1200. Couldn't believe the markup that ******* charged! The lady had no problem paying for it, she even waited the hour and a half it took me to do it. Can you imagine paying 1200 for a brake job?!?!?!? Oh and yes I measured the thickness on all 4 rotors and they were under spec.
__________________ The average human body contains enough fat to make 7 bars of soap.
I had taken a truck in for it's first oil change, 5000 mi., (we have a fleet account at this quick change place), the bottom man held a piece of white paper out and said my differential fluid needed changing. We still use them but, my rules are " oil change only" to all my service techs. I think there is a lot of pressure from mgt. or a lot of bonus cash for up-selling.
I had taken a truck in for it's first oil change, 5000 mi., (we have a fleet account at this quick change place), the bottom man held a piece of white paper out and said my differential fluid needed changing. We still use them but, my rules are " oil change only" to all my service techs. I think there is a lot of pressure from mgt. or a lot of bonus cash for up-selling.
many moons ago when I worked at a 10 minute oil change place,we got commission for things we sold above and beyond an oil change,so there is pressure there to sell stuff that may not be needed. The owner of the place where I worked was a christian and very honest. If he caught somebody selling stuff that wasn't needed,they got one warning,after that,you were fired.
__________________ I'LL KEEP MY GOD,MY GUNS MY FREEDOM AND MY MONEY YOU KEEP "THE CHANGE"!!
1995 f150 xlt extended cab flareside 5.0 33" tires 3" body lift
At my shop we use a GM multipoint checklist. I disagree with the thought of "since he couldn't find anything underneath the car........" When I get a car on my lift and whether it's there for just an oil change or a major repair or diagnosis I look it over really good. Just because I find one thing doesn't keep me from continuing to look. If I find 20 things it needs then I write them down. I hate to clobber people over the head with a huge estimate but when they leave they know what issues their car has. If I only go half hearted the next time in a different tech might find stuff I didn't write down and now there's even more stuff wrong than last time-- I would be more pissed. Wouldn't you want to know everything that needed attention the first time instead of getting hit everytime you come in? So if you need a huge load of work maybe it would be better to consider a new(er) car. It sounds like the guy who tried to sell the extra services sucks at his job and didn't approch you with the estimate very well.
__________________
Phinxter
1977 Ford F-100 Custom Rustbucket
1993 Plymouth Sundance
2009 Saturn Aura
ASE Master Recertified Automotive Tech
I agree Phinxter. I used to do the same thing. Every time I brought a car in to my work area it got a pretty thorough inspection. I felt that it was a service to the customer, and I didn't get paid to do it except in the case of a major service. But if a guys chassis is rusted through, you need to let him know about it first instead of doing a clutch job (or whatever he brought it in for,) that is only going to go to the salvage yard.
__________________ Bruce, Nevada Chapter (gone power mad!)
I was married by a judge, next time I'm getting a jury!
I agree Phinxter. I used to do the same thing. Every time I brought a car in to my work area it got a pretty thorough inspection. I felt that it was a service to the customer, and I didn't get paid to do it except in the case of a major service. But if a guys chassis is rusted through, you need to let him know about it first instead of doing a clutch job (or whatever he brought it in for,) that is only going to go to the salvage yard.
exactly. BTW since you live in Nevada do you even know what rust looks like?
__________________
Phinxter
1977 Ford F-100 Custom Rustbucket
1993 Plymouth Sundance
2009 Saturn Aura
ASE Master Recertified Automotive Tech
exactly. BTW since you live in Nevada do you even know what rust looks like?
It's really not bad for rust here, but I started my professional wrenching career in the north suburbs of Chicago. Rust was the cause of half the repairs!
__________________ Bruce, Nevada Chapter (gone power mad!)
I was married by a judge, next time I'm getting a jury!
At my shop we use a GM multipoint checklist. I disagree with the thought of "since he couldn't find anything underneath the car........" When I get a car on my lift and whether it's there for just an oil change or a major repair or diagnosis I look it over really good. Just because I find one thing doesn't keep me from continuing to look. If I find 20 things it needs then I write them down. I hate to clobber people over the head with a huge estimate but when they leave they know what issues their car has. If I only go half hearted the next time in a different tech might find stuff I didn't write down and now there's even more stuff wrong than last time-- I would be more pissed. Wouldn't you want to know everything that needed attention the first time instead of getting hit everytime you come in? So if you need a huge load of work maybe it would be better to consider a new(er) car. It sounds like the guy who tried to sell the extra services sucks at his job and didn't approch you with the estimate very well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdox
I agree Phinxter. I used to do the same thing. Every time I brought a car in to my work area it got a pretty thorough inspection. I felt that it was a service to the customer, and I didn't get paid to do it except in the case of a major service. But if a guys chassis is rusted through, you need to let him know about it first instead of doing a clutch job (or whatever he brought it in for,) that is only going to go to the salvage yard.
I'm not convinced that all repair shop's intregrity is at your repective levels.
I recognize that there are plenty of people that simply drive the hell out of thier cars and do nothing to maintain it then complain when it breaks. These are the people that these checklists are made for. I am hyper-vigilant when it comes to automotive maintanence, I read the owners manuals and the scheduled maintanence brochures that come with the vehicle. Ford does a great job of outlining these items in their brochures and even offer a place for the dealer's stamp of completion.
I perform most of it myself. Items such as tranny flushing and injector / intake cleaning, I normally take it back to the dealer as they are competetively priced.
Unless it's a dire emergency, a tire place will not perform any work outside the scope of tires.
Tim
__________________ SCPO United States Coast Guard Retired '04 Expedition XLT 4x2 '99 Taurus Wagon SE 24V '88 F-150 4x4 XLT Lariat 5.8L 5Spd
Rights of Passage: CPO Initiation, Submarine Qualified (SS), Golden Shellback, Blue Nose, Order of the Ditch
I'm not convinced that all repair shop's intregrity is at your repective levels.
I recognize that there are plenty of people that simply drive the hell out of thier cars and do nothing to maintain it then complain when it breaks. These are the people that these checklists are made for. I am hyper-vigilant when it comes to automotive maintanence, I read the owners manuals and the scheduled maintanence brochures that come with the vehicle. Ford does a great job of outlining these items in their brochures and even offer a place for the dealer's stamp of completion.
I perform most of it myself. Items such as tranny flushing and injector / intake cleaning, I normally take it back to the dealer as they are competetively priced.
Unless it's a dire emergency, a tire place will not perform any work outside the scope of tires.
Tim
I'm not sure whether to follow those owners manuals on maintenance or not. The Plymouth I drive everyday that I have owned since new says to change the oil every 7500 and the filter every other oil change. Maybe if it was running on LPG or CNG.
__________________
Phinxter
1977 Ford F-100 Custom Rustbucket
1993 Plymouth Sundance
2009 Saturn Aura
ASE Master Recertified Automotive Tech
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