Do your own Repairs..
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 145
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Do your own Repairs..
Sometimes i wonder why I'm bustin my knuckles fixing all the family vehicles..
Then I see that they just did a national "sting" of auto repair shops up here in Canada and at least a third were rippin off the customers...BIG ones, including Canadian Tire..a BIG one up here
...and Cdn tire responds by running full page quality "propaganda" ads today.
the worst apparently are those who have reward employees for parts sold.
Don't know what its like down there in US..but I feel for those that can't so some of their own work. At least you know what you're gettin when you do your own.
Then I see that they just did a national "sting" of auto repair shops up here in Canada and at least a third were rippin off the customers...BIG ones, including Canadian Tire..a BIG one up here
...and Cdn tire responds by running full page quality "propaganda" ads today.
the worst apparently are those who have reward employees for parts sold.
Don't know what its like down there in US..but I feel for those that can't so some of their own work. At least you know what you're gettin when you do your own.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 156
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Do your own Repairs..
We have a pretty good service manager here at our Canadian Tire. Having stated that, I still don't take my car there as I too have heard a few unsettling stories. Canadian Tire is my favourite store when it comes to everything but vehicle service. I would like to do more of my own work but I lack a good garage to pull it into.
Fordy
Fordy
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,577
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From: Southern MD
Do your own Repairs..
A few years ago, both Sears and Montgomery Ward auto shops were caught, and fined big money for screwing customers in their shops.
Seems like quite often some shop gets caught by those consumer action shows on the TV news.
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Seems like quite often some shop gets caught by those consumer action shows on the TV news.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,135
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From: Canada
Do your own Repairs..
i've had a sears die hard battery leak over the winter and cause some damage to my dad's motorhome. it ate away the wood, and a lot of the motorhome is wood. and canadain tire just plaine sucks. they have dumb mechanics and they rip you off for any little job. some guy waited 2.5 hours for an oil change there. i had my beef there regarding engine mounts. never agani will i do to places like sears and canadian tire. if at all possible i will do it myself
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 684
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Do your own Repairs..
Just yesterday I picked up a Sunbird convertible from a well-known shop because the "Engine is blown, and will cost $1,500 to repair." An employee that I know told me that a woman had driven it in with a water leak, and the service manager told her the car was shot, without even lifting the hood. I haven't looked at it yet, but I'm thinking bad thermostat. I see more and more of this all the time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Do your own Repairs..
Yeah, it happens here too. Like 94van said, it's seen alot on the local news shows. The one I saw was on brakes. They took a car in that just had a complete brake job - new parts all around. They claimed that it squeeked.
They got every kind of response from "that's normal" to "everything has to be replaced".
Some place have total idiots for mechanics, some have thieves, and some are actually honest and smart. It's just hard to find the smart & honest ones.
K.
They got every kind of response from "that's normal" to "everything has to be replaced".
Some place have total idiots for mechanics, some have thieves, and some are actually honest and smart. It's just hard to find the smart & honest ones.
K.
New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: York New Salem USA
Do your own Repairs..
Being an ASE certified Master Technician, I have seen and heard a lot of horror stories about repair shops. I have given up more than a few jobs when asked to do "slap together" or "replace it all" work. It's a shame that a few bad apples DOES spoil the image.
Just a word of caution, for what it's worth. Most of the shadiest I've ever seen were used car lots. I know, I'm throwing the same mud that I hate to see on me. But I've seen it from both sides, and the view ain't pretty !!!!
Have a nice day !!!!!
Just a word of caution, for what it's worth. Most of the shadiest I've ever seen were used car lots. I know, I'm throwing the same mud that I hate to see on me. But I've seen it from both sides, and the view ain't pretty !!!!
Have a nice day !!!!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 1
From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Do your own Repairs..
I know this topic has come up several times, but this is just another example of how great a well organized hobby shop would be.
I have always done my own repairs, no matter how extensive or difficult. When the AC thing got into environmental hysteria and I had to pay $1000 for an AC repair, then another vehicle had a problem and I was facing it again, I decided to get what I needed to do that myself. So I bought some gauges, a vacuum pump, and got me one of those internet-based courses to get a certificate-so-you-can-buy-R12.
Now, I just convert to r134 so it's easier. But that is an example of how "independent" I am. The only thing I can not do for myself now is mount and balance tires, and turn brake rotors. Believe me, I have been tempted to buy that equipement for myself too. I have had such poor service, most of the time, in both areas.
That's where a good hobby shop would be nice. A full service shop with all the equipment that members could use whenever they wanted. There would be problems, and a lot of oversight, safety liablities, etc. But with strict discipline of requiring training on the use of tools and equipment, liablity assumption, etc, it could work. Maybe we should form a self-service auto organization, complete with training on the use of diagnostic tools and repair equipment.
Winford
I have always done my own repairs, no matter how extensive or difficult. When the AC thing got into environmental hysteria and I had to pay $1000 for an AC repair, then another vehicle had a problem and I was facing it again, I decided to get what I needed to do that myself. So I bought some gauges, a vacuum pump, and got me one of those internet-based courses to get a certificate-so-you-can-buy-R12.
Now, I just convert to r134 so it's easier. But that is an example of how "independent" I am. The only thing I can not do for myself now is mount and balance tires, and turn brake rotors. Believe me, I have been tempted to buy that equipement for myself too. I have had such poor service, most of the time, in both areas.
That's where a good hobby shop would be nice. A full service shop with all the equipment that members could use whenever they wanted. There would be problems, and a lot of oversight, safety liablities, etc. But with strict discipline of requiring training on the use of tools and equipment, liablity assumption, etc, it could work. Maybe we should form a self-service auto organization, complete with training on the use of diagnostic tools and repair equipment.
Winford
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Do your own Repairs..
Thats a great idea...however....
I think "discipline" is the key here..
My brother joined one of the clubs up here that was attached to a military base. They took some civilans in. It was a well stocked shop but for him the costs were soon greater than the benefits. He ended up spending a bunch of time helping people who had the best intentions but knew nothing. And he didn't want to see them take off unsafe.
Its smart to know what you are not capable of doing either. Maybe some parts stores should post this. Gotta have a basic mechanical background knowledge at least.
We both grew up in the country. You fixed it or you didn't move.
And then there is the big issue of beer/drinkin in the garage. Best left to later in the day, but some can't wait. Major problem.
Again..I guess discipline and rules are key.
I think "discipline" is the key here..
My brother joined one of the clubs up here that was attached to a military base. They took some civilans in. It was a well stocked shop but for him the costs were soon greater than the benefits. He ended up spending a bunch of time helping people who had the best intentions but knew nothing. And he didn't want to see them take off unsafe.
Its smart to know what you are not capable of doing either. Maybe some parts stores should post this. Gotta have a basic mechanical background knowledge at least.
We both grew up in the country. You fixed it or you didn't move.
And then there is the big issue of beer/drinkin in the garage. Best left to later in the day, but some can't wait. Major problem.
Again..I guess discipline and rules are key.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Do your own Repairs..
I have done my own repairs since I was at least 14. My experience with dealers and several independents is not confidence inspiring.
Most of us know our vehicle's idiosyncracies better than a mechanic that has to wiz through maybe 100 different models. So for most work we can do a better job because A) We know it better, B) We like it better and C) It will cost us big time if we don't.
My mom had a Datsun 510 when I was too young to drive but wanted to tinker. She had two problems over time. One was a severe rear wheel hop when braking. Dealer had no idea. I replaced the rear shocks, problem went away. A garage once tried to buy the car from her cheap since the engine was shot. I replaced the leaky noisy water pump.
My wife had a Nissan Maxima with a straight 6. The dealer wanted to replace the timing belt, duh the stright six had a chain.
Everytime I let a dealer do a job it costs double what I think it will and usually is over $500. I only use dealers when I am hard pressed for time or "think" the job might be too complicated. I do need to get a scanner so I can leave the dealer out of the computer biz too.
Jim Henderson
Most of us know our vehicle's idiosyncracies better than a mechanic that has to wiz through maybe 100 different models. So for most work we can do a better job because A) We know it better, B) We like it better and C) It will cost us big time if we don't.
My mom had a Datsun 510 when I was too young to drive but wanted to tinker. She had two problems over time. One was a severe rear wheel hop when braking. Dealer had no idea. I replaced the rear shocks, problem went away. A garage once tried to buy the car from her cheap since the engine was shot. I replaced the leaky noisy water pump.
My wife had a Nissan Maxima with a straight 6. The dealer wanted to replace the timing belt, duh the stright six had a chain.
Everytime I let a dealer do a job it costs double what I think it will and usually is over $500. I only use dealers when I am hard pressed for time or "think" the job might be too complicated. I do need to get a scanner so I can leave the dealer out of the computer biz too.
Jim Henderson
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2002
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Do your own Repairs..
Our friend carried her van to a tire place for a new set of tires. She gave them the keys. The guy who was supposed to drive it around into the work area backed into a light pole, then ran into the building, then sued her because his back hurt.
Needless to say, I dont want some airheaded redneck touching my truck. I do everything to it, except glass work. the rear window and front windsheild I dont do. I have a glass place come to my house and do it in front of me. If I see something that doesnt look right, I'll start asking questions.
Needless to say, I dont want some airheaded redneck touching my truck. I do everything to it, except glass work. the rear window and front windsheild I dont do. I have a glass place come to my house and do it in front of me. If I see something that doesnt look right, I'll start asking questions.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Do your own Repairs..
How does one Carry a Van to a tire place?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Do your own Repairs..
Some things we just can't do...
Like windshields.
I watched the guys that installed my windshield on my Taurus wagon, but didn't notice that one wiper wasn't seated quite right....
It's trashed...
Why does it seem to me that any time someone else touches my vehicles, some part of them gets BROKEN?
(THIS IS WHY I BUY TOOLS)
Like windshields.
I watched the guys that installed my windshield on my Taurus wagon, but didn't notice that one wiper wasn't seated quite right....
It's trashed...
Why does it seem to me that any time someone else touches my vehicles, some part of them gets BROKEN?
(THIS IS WHY I BUY TOOLS)
