Mechanic thrashing my car? wtf??? - Page 6

**Falcon Coupe** · 01-08-2007, 06:54 PM

Great result, well handled.

mcflux · 01-08-2007, 06:57 PM

a very good result!

Tiapan · 01-08-2007, 06:58 PM

good job mate, beats smashing his windows...

Grajy8 · 01-08-2007, 07:00 PM

hey guys. i'm a qualified mechanic ( in victoria ) and ive been in the trade for nearly nine years now. i have tooooo much pride in my own work and workplace ethics to do something so stupid as that. to me, this is not acceptable by the "mechanic". SHAFT him before he shafts you again. i know theres alot of poor mechanics out there, ive worked with quite a few. i dont let anyone else work on my, or, my mates cars, because of that reason. good luck bro. the blue oval's rootin' for ya!

black mummba · 01-08-2007, 07:00 PM

you are my new hero cant believe your so calm well done! would hate to think wat i would've done :togo:

schmidty · 01-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Nothing more humiliating than being caught red handed then confronted with the cold hard truth having no where to hide. He knew he'd been done, and i think he did well to own up and cop it sweet. Good on you for approaching him and making him aware that it was something serious and upsetting to you.

Grajy8 · 01-08-2007, 07:09 PM

oh my god. just read the final chapter. didnt know it was finished yet. sorry guys. well done for the outcome. very well handled. congrats. i hope everyone takes something out of this.

**Full Noise** · 01-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Definitely the best result you could have hoped for.

In a situation like this it’s always good to leave an out for the other person, no point boxing them into a corner as it leaves no room for negotiation.

Calm words tend to solve problems, where jumping the counter only causes more.

I just wish that someone would have drummed that into my head around 20 years ago. :hihi:

:

It'sTheVibe · 01-08-2007, 07:41 PM

You should apply for a job with the Dept. of Foreign Affairs. They could certainly use staff in overseas missions with diplomacy skills like yours!

MeLLy · 01-08-2007, 07:44 PM

Excellent outcome!
Well Done!

ripd'n'curld · 01-08-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfords-dot-org

Ok so just got the car back..

As i was walking into pay i said "oh mike, i saw you driving my car the other day after i dropped it off and was a bit P1ssed off" he said "oh why" and i go well i saw you hammer it up the street then leave 2 big blackies" he goes >> "OH ...OK WHERE WAS THAT?" <<

I am a bit more sceptical about how he answered you mate, to me its like "oh I got caught, and at what corner or set of lights did he catch me at ??? ".
So how many burnouts,launches etc etc, did he do whilst he was in you car ?

The best thing you can do is him off, hes has no respect at all, and take your free trip in the rally car then its goodbye..

my2c

**DJM83** · 01-08-2007, 07:55 PM

Well done mate good to see you put him in his place, not sure if id be going back but only you can decide that.
FORD3V i do have a go sometimes but there is only certain things you can do on the road and limits to adhere to (thats what drag strips and tracks are for)

blownba · 01-08-2007, 08:02 PM

Awesome job mate, well done. Still not the perfect outcome but not far off.
He does sound like a decent mechanic cause as I said the threat of losing a good customer is usally punishment enough.

GT0132 · 01-08-2007, 08:41 PM

A good outcome , but he only came clean because you approached him....He's probably doing it to other customers cars and has probably done so for years. I wouldn't be going back

J.C. · 01-08-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfords-dot-org

Ok so just got the car back..

I rocked up, had a chat about the work he'd done (speaking of which my car looks awesome slammed

)

As i was walking into pay i said "oh mike, i saw you driving my car the other day after i dropped it off and was a bit P1ssed off" he said "oh why" and i go well i saw you hammer it up the street then leave 2 big blackies" he goes "oh ...ok where was that?" i ago " at the carpark for the bus stop" he goes "oh yeah, um yeah that was me" i interrupted him and said "mate i pay you to work on my car, not trash the Sh!t out of it while using it as a taxi service", he goes "yeah mate sorry, i'm not going to bullsh!t you" and i replied "well if you did mate i'd see you in court and you'd end up with the cops on your doorstep", he goes "yeah mate sorry, i had to go pick the misses up and i just couldn't help myself cuz i love driving the AU" So i replied "fair enough, that doesn't make it right though, would you let me take ur rally car for a shrap around the block a few times?" he said "yeah i see your point and i'm glad you approached me because you've always been a good customer and i dont want to lose you" so i said "well i still haven't decided if i'll ever return again but we'll see" Then i questioned him about if he crashed my car what would happen he replied well my insurance would cover it, so i said "for the price of a stock AU? or the price of my car with the stroker in it, interior, brakes etc is really worth?" he nodded and said "yeah never really thought of that". I told him that i had seeked advice from the consumer affairs but i had decided not to pursue it futher so i think he should be thankful.

We then continued to chat for a couple of mins while i (diplomatically) vented my anger..

So the end result was i got $100 off of my bill, and he is organizing to get some electrical gremlins fixed at another shop free of charge. And he has offered to take me for a spin in his rally car at one of the events coming up.

So although i am still annoyed i am happy with the result, he was genuinely sorry and really had no out as i really put him on the spot (oh, in front of another witness that was a mate of his) so he never really had any choice but to admit to it.

But all in all, a better outcome then if i went off my head, or screwed his missus as someone so cleverly suggested..

(you better be proud of me kristy

)

Well done mate. You did really good. Take a bow.

As for the trip in the rally car ..... ask him for the keys, then tell him to walk in front of it 30 yards and then stop and touch his toes and close his eyes, for this won't hurt a bit. Drop the clutch, leaving two big black marks and drive his rally car up his .....

Seriously, you should be proud of the way you have handled this. Hats off to you. Your parents have done good. Should be more like you around. Cheers.

blueoval · 01-08-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfords-dot-org

Ok so just got the car back..

I rocked up, had a chat about the work he'd done (speaking of which my car looks awesome slammed

)

As i was walking into pay i said "oh mike, i saw you driving my car the other day after i dropped it off and was a bit P1ssed off" he said "oh why" and i go well i saw you hammer it up the street then leave 2 big blackies" he goes "oh ...ok where was that?" i ago " at the carpark for the bus stop" he goes "oh yeah, um yeah that was me" i interrupted him and said "mate i pay you to work on my car, not trash the Sh!t out of it while using it as a taxi service", he goes "yeah mate sorry, i'm not going to bullsh!t you" and i replied "well if you did mate i'd see you in court and you'd end up with the cops on your doorstep", he goes "yeah mate sorry, i had to go pick the misses up and i just couldn't help myself cuz i love driving the AU" So i replied "fair enough, that doesn't make it right though, would you let me take ur rally car for a shrap around the block a few times?" he said "yeah i see your point and i'm glad you approached me because you've always been a good customer and i dont want to lose you" so i said "well i still haven't decided if i'll ever return again but we'll see" Then i questioned him about if he crashed my car what would happen he replied well my insurance would cover it, so i said "for the price of a stock AU? or the price of my car with the stroker in it, interior, brakes etc is really worth?" he nodded and said "yeah never really thought of that". I told him that i had seeked advice from the consumer affairs but i had decided not to pursue it futher so i think he should be thankful.

We then continued to chat for a couple of mins while i (diplomatically) vented my anger..

So the end result was i got $100 off of my bill, and he is organizing to get some electrical gremlins fixed at another shop free of charge. And he has offered to take me for a spin in his rally car at one of the events coming up.

So although i am still annoyed i am happy with the result, he was genuinely sorry and really had no out as i really put him on the spot (oh, in front of another witness that was a mate of his) so he never really had any choice but to admit to it.

But all in all, a better outcome then if i went off my head, or screwed his missus as someone so cleverly suggested..

(you better be proud of me kristy

)

Im impressed mate. You handled it really well. I hope he feels like a complete bastard now. He'd better watch his step. Doesnt look like he's gonna receive anymore work from anyone here thats for sure.

Vdouw · 01-08-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech Trainer

There is only one thing wrong with this post. You did not tell us who he is and where his shop is.

Bad publicity via word of mouth can hurt a business.

Personally if it was my car I would return to the workshop and tell him I had changed my mind, due to the fact that I had just witnessed a person driving my car in a manor I did not consider to be respectful or me or my property.

Do this in a quiet calm manor and then never darken his doostep again. Cheap work is not worth that!

Mechanics like this annoy the daylights out of me. They tarnish the image of all the caring good mechanics out there.

Definatly the best bet from all aspects. You don't legally get your self in trouble, you apear like a real man and you hold maturity. Man i'd be just as ****ed as you infact the thought of it drives me wild but tempers should be defused not blown.... i sound like a shrink!

Vdouw · 01-08-2007, 09:27 PM

... note to self read whole post ... GOTTA STOP BEING LAZY!!!!.

None the less good work. If you take his for a drive tell us how it goes.

ripd'n'curld · 02-08-2007, 12:45 AM

fastfords-dot-org you will have to show everybody a pic or two of the new slamed AU.

Neeek · 02-08-2007, 06:43 AM

Good work, mate! Well done!

Ringo · 02-08-2007, 08:22 AM

Wow....how restrained of you...well done....

I have a new 'team manager' who has been promoted over me to run the dept I was running up until Monday. He seems to be taking the 'working class can kiss my ar.se, because I'm a supervisor.....' stance with me. Sure as hell isn't doing any work yet...

I have to set him straight today or else an outburst may ensue and I take inspriation from your discussion.

XR6Gal · 02-08-2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastfords-dot-org

(you better be proud of me kristy

)

I am! I am... very proud,

: you did really well Cam! Best outcome you could have wanted in my opinion, nobody got hurt and you got a discount and some other stuff and the guy knows that you aren't impressed.

See, being cool, calm and collective wins out rather than going off your nut

(thats my way of saying...told you so :P bwahahah)

photn · 02-08-2007, 09:40 AM

i still think you should of bonked his wife hahahaha..

But when i read your reply of what he said..

it looked to me as if he was like. oh yer, you caught me at the bus stop.. and when he said.. ohh yer.. it was me.. whats that meant to mean.. that every one gets a drive.. also.. he said that he loves DRIVING the AU.. that would indicate to me that he has done this more than once...

Well its a good outcome nonethe less...

Next mod should be a Service Tune! max speed 50 and a 3k rpm limitier....and switch the tune on when you go to get it serviced..

Dreamscience offer something like that.. just plug it in.. load the tune. then unplug the unit.. after you get car back. plug Dreamscience back in, reload performance tune and off you go!

CMH86 · 02-08-2007, 10:54 PM

I took my car to a mechanic at Slacks Creek Springwood (only reason I took it there was because it was under warranty) and not only did it take 5 return trips for him to attempt to fix a squeak (that he never fixed cause I gave up on him) the second time I noticed that they used 60km's of fuel and only travelled 10km's! I said something to him, politely, and the other times it had to go back there, everything had been reset...any responsible mechanic wouldnt treat a car like that, the only excuse for a mechanic giving a bit to a car, is if something is wrong when you hit high revs and they need to find out what it is....But again...NO EXCUSE for a mechanic thrashing your car

tapeworm · 02-08-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

i know the guys at ford service give my car a thrashing. i always take note of the odo/dte reading before i give them the keys to do their thing. i get it back with like 10 kays more on the odo, but about 100 kays less on the dte

:

Same here man, If your've got a car with some herbs it's pure thrash material for especially the young bastards. Thank I can fix the beast myself now as an apprentice. We have a road outside the workshop and all we do is drive up and back, that's all you need. Would cop a severe hiding from the boss if I acted like a wit.

Silentsfastcar · 03-08-2007, 12:22 AM

Very impressed!! i sorta got to do the same thing with my EL, it was at the panel beaters having front end resprayed, and on day 4 i saw it take off from the lights that i was crossing. (just down the road from the crash repairers) Smoke was pouring out of the tires but i managed to get it on my phone (thank god for the 1 click video cam function lol). Took it to him and showed him the vid. He told me to get in the front seat, and he drove me to the tire mob and bought 2x brand new rear tires

and then went back to the shop and verbally kicked the crap outa the newbie that did it!!
The best part.. the tires were 95% worn anyway lol!!!!!!

but it is the only way to handle things, calmly and respectfully and people do feel obligated to make amens with you as you are the innocent by stander :P

all in all great stuff mate!

DBourne · 03-08-2007, 12:45 PM

good result mate. well done!

XA-MONT · 03-08-2007, 01:01 PM

fantastic, what a good panel shop(apart from the chap doing the wheelies), good on em

FPV70 · 03-08-2007, 08:57 PM

Icy Cool huh....
I know the guy you are talking about.
I went there ages ago to have Air Con put in my Wifes UC Torana and he said he wouldn't touch it cause it was too old.
The car had a total rebuild from ground up and looked shmick but due to it being a 78 model, he wouldn't do the job.
He was an Arrogane A$$ back then and by the sounds of it, he is an Arrogant A$$ now.
I used to use Kiwi French on the corner of Kingston rd and Monty st (could be wrong) but next to the car yard there and always found him to be quite good.
Only prob I had with him was he said he would look after me with a RWC for my car to put into my name (Nothing wrong with the car) he failed it on a few minor things like small rust spot on roof, and courtesy light not working in the door.
Or there is Murray from Murrays Auto's at Watland st. Small shed up near the other end of Watland st. My Mechanic Dave used to work for him before he passed away and Murray is a good bloke.

Good luck.

TaraHymen · 03-08-2007, 09:48 PM

just read this whole thread, far out some ppl havent got a clue. consequences of revenge gone wrong far outweigh the initial act.

how many times have you been happy trusting this mechanic? and then he makes one mistake so you think he should be shot. i think he might deserve better than that. otherwise best of luck finding someone else to fix the car that you will trust regardless of how good they are.

he sounds like a genuine bloke and he had the balls to admit it. who hasnt up before? you had a good outcome and he'll probably roll out the red arpet should you decide to go back to him.

for the record, to the people who think thier DTE meter is a good measure of how a mechanic drives your car; have you ever watched your DTE when you're sitting at traffic lights? do you know how the DTE works? it draws an average of kilometres travelled versus fuel consumed in that distance. when the car is stationary it drops rapidly because there is fuel consumption without the kilometres travelled. if you have any engine work done or even just a service your car can spend a considerable amount of time running without a single kilometre being travelled. of course it's going to effect the average of fuel vs kms if the kms are zero.