Am I Wrong?
Am I wrong to expect that the very least someone can do is thank me?
As a kid, maybe things were different, but a Please and a Thank You were some of the things I was taught to do.
Maybe because I specialize everyone expects me to help them out, just cuz' It's just a given that anyone can work on this stuff, GM's are nothing special, but let me ask my GM 'friend' when I run into trouble...
2012 Camaro, a shop in this complex gets in way over their head with a HVAC actuator. The car has been there for 2 weeks before the ESO approaches me with a list of DTC's, wire schematics - saying both windows are inop, no audio...He's not sure if it was like that before. Um, yeah...he's going to have you fix the HVAC and the windows don't work. I look at the 30+ list of DTC's and come up with X207 would be where I'd start. Yeah, we had to disconnect that...I see the car leaves. Crickets. I'm walking past and I mention - I see you got rid of it. Yeah, it was the connector, bent pin(s) Not a thanks, I spent --- looking for this. Um, OK.
Next up, on the other side of me a 1999 C-1500. How do you get the air bag off? And then, how do you relearn the Passlock system? They had replaced the cylinder and housing. Yeah, we tried that, it's not working. I take a look, 4.81 volts with no key rotation, and 4.81 volts when rotated. I'm starting there. Crickets once again. So, what fixed it? Oh, there was some alarm...
I'm not expecting eternal gratitude, but a simple thank you would suffice and to let me know I was right. If I was wrong I'm sure they would have gone to the trouble to bug me again.
I think I'm going to become a whole lot stupider - gee I don't know, but I could probably figure it out if you want to pay me.
Rant over...
Oh, (I guess the rant is not over) If you need to borrow specialty tools - I'm not sure where I put those. Handing me back something you broke and is dirty, I don't know what to say.
Maybe you need to start answering questions with questions? The first question, Vin number please,,,,, walk to your computer, open an RO on the vehicle, and present a charge before the questions and answers are given? Ya I know, people don't like that, but that is reality. You don't know the stuff you know because someone stuffed it down your throat.
My life became a whole lot easier when I became extremely dumb unless I was being paid. I make exceptions for loved ones and the occasional charitable repair. Sure you'll have less "friends" but are people who only want free stuff from you really your friends?
When you choose to hang out in the pig pen, expect to get some poop on you. Why are you complaining about it? I am really curious about why you were visiting that facility.
Marlin, Because rent is so high in California it is common to have multiple shops in a complex. So you literally have auto shops on either side. You can't really choose your neighbors when a new tenant moves in.
Exactly Michael! Unfortunately, I've been a day late and a dollar short every time a piece of property that comes up for sale that the city will allow an auto repair facility to operate. In this city of 200k there are 7 locations and 5 of those are multi-use industrial complexes. I'm at the whim of the landlord and whom they choose to lease to. I tried buying this property a few years ago, but…
I'm not sure about other areas, but auto repair around here is we're the pariah's of society, sometimes for good reasons. In this complex, one of the genius property managers rented out to a body shop. I'm thinking at least it's not another repair shop. They lasted about 6 months until a 3 day pay or quit notice is affixed to the entry door. They moved out in the dead of night over the weekend…
I know that, but didn't realize that is his situation. I am not sure that I could accept such an arrangement.
Hi Marlin, You misunderstood, they visited me. I did 'visit' the other shops a few days after I see the vehicles leave without a word spoken. They made the effort to ask me for help, but they didn't have the courtesy to let me know they appreciated the help. I don't walk around here seeking whom I can help out of a jam they shouldn't even been involved with in the first place. You do bring…
Ewa my good friend hope everything is well with you yes you are my people just don’t say thanks so much best thing for you is just to start charging them that’s the best thing to do as I have had so many tech diagnose vehicles for them and they can’t ever say thank right now just charge I’ve been in the business for more than 30 years I must’ve helped a lot of people in that time it’s just not…
Yes, I didn't understand your "in this complex" statement. Such an arrangement is very foreign to me, and I have often wondered how it works. The perspective of many (most?) people regarding exchange of valuable skill and knowledge is sickening to us who are professionals. In fact, most people prefer to listen to blah blah blah, rather than factual, useful information. This may suddenly change…
The stupider you become, the better the checkbook will look!
Yeah I got tired of that years ago too. I opened a mobile business and forced customers to thank me with a check. After that I didn’t need to hear it anymore
I've gotten to the point of I'm not Cleo... make a work order and I'll get to it. You need me then I'll need you to do something for me.
I am not surprised at ingratitude any more . A few years ago a dealer tech I know well lost his home in a flash floods. A mutual friend told me about it and I gave him a few hundred bucks to give to the tech, which he did. I have yet to receive a thank you although I have seen him many times since. I guess some folks are raised different than you and I.
Hi Dave, The only thing that would make sense in that story was the mutual friend took the money and never passed it along. That didn't happen so,... If I were in that situation and in need, that would have brought me to tears. Even though he didn't say it, well done.
Did the mutual friend tell the dealer tech that the money come from you? Or, did the mutual friend present the money as coming from him, instead of you?
The friend is a stand up guy, that's why he is my friend.
Scott, This used to happen to me constantly in my business. I would call shops back that I gave free advice to and would be told "oh yeah that fixed it". It was really disheartening that I wouldn't even get a thank you or call back. It took me years to come to terms with this and stop this practice. Now, I politely reply I will need to see the vehicle and you will be charged accordingly. This…
Hi John, That's what troubles me about all of this. I'm/You're the one who has invested their time in becoming professional. I've bought tools, equipment, pay for SI/TIS, and all the other costs so I can give this to you? What investment have they made? I've pointed this out - you've got that expensive box, I bet that cost a lot. What investment have you made past that? Um, what do you mean?…
When I was working at one of the shops that I worked at,I was always the goto guy.If you can't figure it out,go to Stu and he'll help you out.Their numbers were going up and my numbers were going down.I was called into the office and was repremanded for my numbers being down.Several months go by,another call to the office,again,low…
As has been said about another profession, and true here...time and advice are your stock in trade.
The owner of a shop down the road from where I work keeps a pink light up musical toy fairy wand in his box. When people want something done to their car for nothing he waves the illuminated singing wand over it and declares it fixed.
Scott, Yes you are wrong, courtesy no longer exists, compliments are a sign of weakness. I went through similar emotions and experiences years ago. Nearly every day someone would call or stop by asking for help and I would gladly provide it. I never heard a thank-you or received a follow up call. If I wanted to know the outcome I had to either call or remember to ask about it during their next…
Hi Eric, I appreciate your thoughts on this. Congratulations to all involved in the new addition to the family. Grandkids are pretty special! I'm sorry the travel plans had to be postponed, but feel free to stop by when you're in the area. Where does your son live?
The lack of appreciation and never hearing a thank you doesn’t surprise me in this day and age. What I have difficulty relating to is the cost of real estate, and the oppressive government and environmental regulations you have to deal with out there. I live in semi rural Ohio where 12 years ago I purchased a 3,200 square foot building on 2 acres for $150,000. Do my best to care for the…
Lamont, I live in Ashland, Ohio Had our home built in 2002. I have the septic tank pumped out every 7 years. Only service I do is put the pastic elbow on the other outlet to the septic field twice a year (when time changes) Use to put in a chemical every month but the man who pumps out system said it was a waste of money. So dont do that any more. We dont have inspections here.