Do you foot the bill when . . . . .
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 184
From: Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Do you foot the bill when . . . . .
As the customer do you expect to pay for parts broken by the shop? Do you expect to pay for the time it takes to re-do a mechanic’s screw-ups?
If you shopped around for a shop to do your work, was it any concern how they charged for their work? By the job, by the hr.?
If you shopped around for a shop to do your work, was it any concern how they charged for their work? By the job, by the hr.?
GM Cert Corvette Tech
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,559
Likes: 585
From: Anaheim Hills California
It all depends on the situation.
You don't explain what he screwed up and what he's charging you for it. Providing more information will get you a more accurate answer.
For example.... If they're changing the water pump and a wrench happens to hit the radiator and put a hole in it than its the mechanics fault and should be his responsibility.
But if he's changing the water pump and a bolt happens to snap inside the engine block then that's not his fault and that expense would be passed onto the consumer.
You don't explain what he screwed up and what he's charging you for it. Providing more information will get you a more accurate answer.
For example.... If they're changing the water pump and a wrench happens to hit the radiator and put a hole in it than its the mechanics fault and should be his responsibility.
But if he's changing the water pump and a bolt happens to snap inside the engine block then that's not his fault and that expense would be passed onto the consumer.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
It all depends on the situation.
You don't explain what he screwed up and what he's charging you for it. Providing more information will get you a more accurate answer.
For example.... If they're changing the water pump and a wrench happens to hit the radiator and put a hole in it than its the mechanics fault and should be his responsibility.
But if he's changing the water pump and a bolt happens to snap inside the engine block then that's not his fault and that expense would be passed onto the consumer.
You don't explain what he screwed up and what he's charging you for it. Providing more information will get you a more accurate answer.
For example.... If they're changing the water pump and a wrench happens to hit the radiator and put a hole in it than its the mechanics fault and should be his responsibility.
But if he's changing the water pump and a bolt happens to snap inside the engine block then that's not his fault and that expense would be passed onto the consumer.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Its like when your getting a massage and the masseuse slips and she.........oops, wrong forum. YA the broken bolt analogy, ya thats a good one, go with that
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Im very jaded on this subject ,
But no, i wouldnt pay for a techs ***** ups,
i have in many ways many times,
You would think i would learn not to be so trusting,,
Last edited by The13Bats; Oct 26, 2017 at 06:43 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
I think you don't go into a shop with a big job cold. You find some possibilities and have them do relatively harmless this and that to get a feel for their work ethic. Decide if they are really car guys or not. You have to talk to people, know their names. I learned this from my father. If they are all business and wearing uniforms, I would move on. I realize that is a little fuzzy, but I have a pretty good feel for the local shops and where I would go for what, and whom I can have an honest discussion with about unforeseen circumstances.
An example I have in my experience was a gas station I frequented where I came to trust the owner. And probably he came to expect my repeat business. My car was up on a lift, the mechanic opened the door with the frame sagging and chipped the edge of the B-pillar. He called me up, told me what happened and said my car would be a little late because he was sending it out to a paint shop to fix the damage. That is not my only example.
Those pre-requisites being in place, I would not expect to pay for a screw up without a really good reason.
If you're inner alarm bells are going off, probably time to move on.
An example I have in my experience was a gas station I frequented where I came to trust the owner. And probably he came to expect my repeat business. My car was up on a lift, the mechanic opened the door with the frame sagging and chipped the edge of the B-pillar. He called me up, told me what happened and said my car would be a little late because he was sending it out to a paint shop to fix the damage. That is not my only example.
Those pre-requisites being in place, I would not expect to pay for a screw up without a really good reason.
If you're inner alarm bells are going off, probably time to move on.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 316
Likes: 39
From: Machesney Park IL
Need more info, but I see a difference between a screwup, and for want of a better term, "chit happens".
Broken bolt, r&r a radiator and a seam starts leaking, anything fitting "Geeze, it's 40 years old" it comes with owning an old car, no matter who works on it. Stupidity, like poking a hole in the radiator, leaving trailing arm shims out or overheating for a loose clamp, that should be on them.
Broken bolt, r&r a radiator and a seam starts leaking, anything fitting "Geeze, it's 40 years old" it comes with owning an old car, no matter who works on it. Stupidity, like poking a hole in the radiator, leaving trailing arm shims out or overheating for a loose clamp, that should be on them.