Meeting people as a mechanic.

[ceyko]

A good shop educates the consumer. Unfortunately, some (most?) people don't want to learn.

Edit: that said, the customer that is willing to learn is in a good position to be a long-time, valuable customer.

This is an old post, but any service being provided it's best for the customer/client and service provided to be a team. Just because you're paying for something, does not mean the person providing it is your bitch or beneath you...etc.

Same goes for the person providing the service. Provide good customer service and you will gain loyal customers. Don't bullshit them, just have integrity and good work ethic and things tend to work themselves out.

Based off the stories posted though, it's okay to fire some customers - happens in every business.

[Nash B.]

No I don't know how to do that, can you guys take my battery out to charge it for me, it went dead last night and I've had to jump start it twice and it just needs to be charged.

No I'm sorry we do not take out batteries because the alternator is suppose to charge the battery, if the battery is not being charged the alternator is bad.

I'm not sure that's correct.

[helosailor]

I'm not sure that's correct.

I'm sure it's not correct.

[Grimpala]

I'm not sure that's correct.

I'm sure it's not correct.

If I'm correct, you two are not sure.

[helosailor]

[4king]

4king - Sounds to me like you're your worst enemy. Why don't you just stop engaging in diagnosis talk and just sell them the parts they ask for? I mean, I can understand SVT, but he has a shop, not just selling parts. It sounds like you also need to learn how to say no, without lengthy explanation.

"Will you take my battery out?"
"Nope, sorry, we don't do that."

Conversation over.

Can you take my battery out?
No
Why not it says you charge batteries
Yes we charge batteries
Can you charge my battery
Yes if you take it out
But it says you install batteries for free so you can take mine out and charge it. I need your help I'm a single mother of 3 and my welfare check just bounced my baby daddy is behind on child support and I really need your help. .....
Long story short I explain the problem before stupid people think that their life's problems entitle them to pity from me.


I've said it before but even a simple oxygen sensor code brings the question of what's that thing do, and can you install that for me. And yes we tell them you need to see a mechanic

Yesterday the guy with the oxygen sensor code called asking for a blend door for an 04 f150. I asked him if it was the heritage model, that confused him, I asked if it looked like a 99 of if it looked like a 98, I asked him if it had a separate turn signal housing or was just one piece. My answer: man I don't fucking know you work at an autoparts store don't you, you should know this stuff

I appreciate all the critics. I think my stories are funny but that's just how I roll with the daily flow of customers

[mstng86]

[Tremor14]

im starting to think all mechanics are psychopaths

[Baron Von Crowder]

im starting to think all mechanics are psychopaths

hang on, mechanics or parts counter monkeys?

[Matt]

Can you take my battery out?
No
Why not it says you charge batteries
Yes we charge batteries
Can you charge my battery
Yes if you take it out
But it says you install batteries for free so you can take mine out and charge it. I need your help I'm a single mother of 3 and my welfare check just bounced my baby daddy is behind on child support and I really need your help. .....
Long story short I explain the problem before stupid people think that their life's problems entitle them to pity from me.


I've said it before but even a simple oxygen sensor code brings the question of what's that thing do, and can you install that for me. And yes we tell them you need to see a mechanic

Yesterday the guy with the oxygen sensor code called asking for a blend door for an 04 f150. I asked him if it was the heritage model, that confused him, I asked if it looked like a 99 of if it looked like a 98, I asked him if it had a separate turn signal housing or was just one piece. My answer: man I don't fucking know you work at an autoparts store don't you, you should know this stuff

I appreciate all the critics. I think my stories are funny but that's just how I roll with the daily flow of customers

Why not make some side cash and change it out for them after work?

[Scott Mc]

Or get a side piece for your troubles.

[LaserSVT]

Friendly customer walks in, looks familiar and is very friendly says he needs a check engine light looked at, says he has done a tune up on it but the light didn't go away

So there's bank 1 lean and bank 2 lean on a 99 f150 v6 and by definition the computer says probable cause mass air flow sensor.

Oh ok so mass air flow I'll buy one of those, where is that, that will fix my problem right?

No sorry the computer automatically lists mass air as a probable fault, it is most likely a vacuum leak behind the mass air sensor going to the intake manifold.

Customers response: vac-yume? Where is that air thing again ? You can sell me that hose thing too right

I then go outside and show him the mass air sensor and tell him how to check for vacuum leaks using carb cleaner. The evap hose from the firewall is pretty spongy and most likely the problem and needs to be replaced I explain as an example of what could be the problem. I show him all of this, with narration as i touch the hoses and explain how the air goes into the engine. We then walk back inside

Customer: So once I use the air cleaner on the hose the engine light will go away right. Should I buy the air sensor too just to make sure it is fixed?

I describe the problem again to him, draw a diagram, and tell him I can't just sell him one part to fix it, the problem could be as advance as needing a new intake manifold gasket or something else. The evap hose needs to be looked at (it is generic hose probably 1/2 inch diameter) and I sell it by the foot. Yeah sell me that hose too. OK I explain again I don't sell that hose and he would need to take it off of his truck so I could cut him the correct length. No I can not work on your car, if it turns out I don't sell that hose for some reason and you can't drive home then I have to pay the tow bill. I explain to him to bring me that hose inside and I'll match it for him, he says "no that's ok I'll look at that later"... ok pal what else can I do for you?

OK I'll take an intake manifold gasket too. where is that on the engine?

I shut down. Sorry man I just can't sell you one part to fix the problem. I give him the adress and phone number of local shops and mechanics but he seems taken back by the though of a mechanic, Convinced he understood everything I just said he tells me he wants that air sensor and the intake gasket and a hose. He asks me again where the air sensor is even though I just showed him a few minutes ago and drew a diagram of his engine pointing exactly to where it is.

Intake manifold gasket set $59.99 mass air flow sensor $59.99. Customer explains oh man that's expensive let me think man I don't get paid till Friday

Friday rolls around and I hear one of my employees going through the exact same thing with him. Yeah I was in here last time and I think the guy said it was an air sensor..........

He comes in every Friday and never spends a dime. Still has no clue what he is doing but says he is working on it but it's still giving him problems. To answer the question, I asked him if he has done the spark plugs and wires and his answer was no it doesn't need them yet. I haven't bothered to ask what he thinks he was working on before he came in for the check engine light. Even if I played stupid, sure $60 for mass air sensor sale, he would be in there literally every week until he was convinced autozone sells terrible parts and he would swear we have never made a good mass air sensor for his truck

Could I have fixed his problem? I don't know, the hoses had connector fittings on the end of them that would have broken. I could have spent an hour out there because a connector to a connector broke and ford has a special one I don't carry or something. That type of person could care less if I did fix it, and the next time he came in with a problem he would EXPECT it to be fixed for free. No the manager knows me he will fix it I'm sure it's something easy

Argh. Have a couple of those. lol

[03mustangdude]

Why not make some side cash and change it out for them after work?

Big liability. Auto parts stores have it on the employment conduct book as well. If someone can't afford to change out part you doing it cheaper and it messing up down the road they will expect you to change it for free since its a warranty part.

Plus that's why mobile mechanics exist.

But i've seen some be so dumb as to break the customers car out front and drive away

[helosailor]

...
Plus that's why mobile mechanics exist.

When I was a 'zoner, we had one that was one of my commercial accounts. He really came through often.

But i've seen some be so dumb as to break the customers car out front and drive away

Luckily, he was smart enough to never bite off more than he could chew.

[appelingogt]

im starting to think all mechanics are psychopaths

I've got your psychopath hangin Hillary.