bose radio blues
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I know we are off the posts topic here....but what the heck...
BOY DO I AGREE TO THAT...which I bolded out in you post.
IT IS ALL ABOUT PROPER PROCEDURE...and I know that some procedures evolve and get better or improved upon. And it is a mechanics DUTY (in my opinion) to KNOW what they need to do to ensure that ALL service operations are CORRECT. THAT is where the problem lies....many mechanics will NEVER pick up a service manual and read it. I have an extensive Corvette Service Manual library and using will compare the text in a few different years to see if anything changed...and sometimes I am amazed on what I find.
I actually like it when customer does their 'homework' and spends time in doing research and LEARN about the process that is going to be performed...because many of my customer do not do that....which is fine also. Whatever 'tips' someones trigger is what I say. But those that do some research lets me know that they are interested.....and if the owner starts spouting out 'stuff' that is not correct...due to the INTERNET...I pull out the service manual...and let them read it. Or if I am using a procedure that is not outlined in the service manual....I explain WHY I am doing this. And if they do not like it...they can take their car to someone who will jump through the hoops that want like some circus monkey....which I am NOT. Many people seem to forget that I am the PROFESSIONAL...and it is my BACKSIDE on the line....and I know what is best. Because their LIVES depend on me doing what is RIGHT.
But it also all boils down to TIME....for me at least. Because I can not be talking about every step on this particular job and doubling the amount of TIME I am spending on the job...and not getting compensated for it. Because if many of you feel that this is WRONG...then work a 40 hour work week and then go into the payroll department and tell them to pay you for only 20 hours. Because that is basically what would be asked of me. Spend double the time...for half of the pay for the time spent.....when I could have been on another job getting paid for my time.
DUB
NOT as smart as you might think. i learned the hard way instead of hearing of other's screw ups and learning. Took me some time before I connected the dots. I read up the procedure and watch them to it if I feel that I don't have the tools or the facility. For instance, rear end gears. I don't have the tools and I don't want to struggle or buy tools to do one job and never use it again. However, I read up the procedure and I can tell when you are deviating. When I see deviation, I want to know why. I don't mind paying you for an answer since I learn if you have a different technique that I can research and see if it is acceptable. OTOH, I don't want you to assume you can get away with murder because I won't know for several months.
I knew of a Mercedes mechanic that would do a brake flush by sucking out the old dirty fluid. MB procedure calls for that PLUS flushing the lines. I am not going to pay you to flush the lines and remove old fluid if all you are doing is remove old fluid. If I don't see you flush the lines, you better have a damn good reason why. IMO these procedures keep the mechanic honest.
I knew of a Mercedes mechanic that would do a brake flush by sucking out the old dirty fluid. MB procedure calls for that PLUS flushing the lines. I am not going to pay you to flush the lines and remove old fluid if all you are doing is remove old fluid. If I don't see you flush the lines, you better have a damn good reason why. IMO these procedures keep the mechanic honest.
IT IS ALL ABOUT PROPER PROCEDURE...and I know that some procedures evolve and get better or improved upon. And it is a mechanics DUTY (in my opinion) to KNOW what they need to do to ensure that ALL service operations are CORRECT. THAT is where the problem lies....many mechanics will NEVER pick up a service manual and read it. I have an extensive Corvette Service Manual library and using will compare the text in a few different years to see if anything changed...and sometimes I am amazed on what I find.
I actually like it when customer does their 'homework' and spends time in doing research and LEARN about the process that is going to be performed...because many of my customer do not do that....which is fine also. Whatever 'tips' someones trigger is what I say. But those that do some research lets me know that they are interested.....and if the owner starts spouting out 'stuff' that is not correct...due to the INTERNET...I pull out the service manual...and let them read it. Or if I am using a procedure that is not outlined in the service manual....I explain WHY I am doing this. And if they do not like it...they can take their car to someone who will jump through the hoops that want like some circus monkey....which I am NOT. Many people seem to forget that I am the PROFESSIONAL...and it is my BACKSIDE on the line....and I know what is best. Because their LIVES depend on me doing what is RIGHT.
But it also all boils down to TIME....for me at least. Because I can not be talking about every step on this particular job and doubling the amount of TIME I am spending on the job...and not getting compensated for it. Because if many of you feel that this is WRONG...then work a 40 hour work week and then go into the payroll department and tell them to pay you for only 20 hours. Because that is basically what would be asked of me. Spend double the time...for half of the pay for the time spent.....when I could have been on another job getting paid for my time.
DUB
