Not happy with my mechanic!

[donthekawguy]

I very rarely have someone else work on my vehicles. But when I do I would always take them to a guy the next town over. He is an old school drag racer guy that I have know of for years and would hear his name way back when I was drag racing. Anyway, I was replacing the rear end in my truck and when it came to doing the rear brakes I ran out of steam and had it towed to his shop last thursday. he told me it won't take long and should be around a hundred bucks. I had all new parts for the brakes and asked him to install the front wiring harness fro the tail lights (I already installed the lights and rear harness), put in a new u-joint (that I had given him), and adjust the rear end because I put in an adjustable track arm. That was last thursday at around 1030 am. I stopped by at 530 pm that day and he hadn't even pulled it in the shop. He told me that he had two quick jobs in the morning and he would get to the truck. Friday-nothing. He is closed sat and sun. I called him monday and he said he was still fighting with it and would call me. Yesterday (Tuesday) I call and he said he needs a plunger for one of the wheel cylinders because I forgot to send one with the truck. I find one in the garage and take it to him. I take a look at the truck and he has only put the brake parts on. The new wiring harness is still not in the driveline is not in and the rear end has not been adjusted. He tells me he should have it done by 530. Nothing. Now I'm waiting for his call today and nothing yet. I could have done all the work within a couple of hours out in my driveway. Next time I'll do it myself or take it to Les Schwab for brakes! Just had to vent!

[Rich 5150 69]

I not sure why you took it to him in the first place if you can do the work, thats part of the fun, I know that that there are some aspects of work we detest but still do it anyways, I`ve never taken any of my projects to some one else other that major paint....or machine work.

[tincan1966]

I don't think anyone could do all of that in a couple hours, and if he did and only charged $100 he was doing you a favor. His shop rate must be about $20/hr.

I agree he should be reasonable as to when it would be done, tho.

[donthekawguy]

I only took it to him because I was burned out on it. The truck was up on stands in my driveway for weeks. I'm also not a big fan of doing drum brakes. I could do them but I would hate every minute of it due to the rain and gravel driveway and just plain being burned out with it.

[donthekawguy]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

I don't think anyone could do all of that in a couple hours, and if he did and only charged $100 he was doing you a favor. His shop rate must be about $20/hr.

I agree he should be reasonable as to when it would be done, tho.

The brakes shouldn't take more than a couple hours, the wiring harness maybe 20 minutes (just plug it in at the firewall and run it to the back and plug it in), adjusting the rear bar maybe 15-20 minutes, and replace a u joint another 20 minutes. If I had a big enough garage or a lift thats how long it would take me and I don't do it every day. A week is a joke.

[63ChevC10]

I wouldn't have taken it to Les Schwab either. I don't know about the ones out there, but the ones here are terrible!
I hope he gets the truck back to you soon and it's done right.

[donthekawguy]

It will be done right because he is very good. He just dropped the ball this time and turned a easy few jobs into a few side jobs that he will get to when he gets to them instead of whipping them out and making some easy money.

[Sillyoldman]

It's been sitting for weeks, so why the rush now? Not trying to be a Richard or anything but if he's a good mechanic doing that much work for cheap I'd be real patient. I'd probably be sending pizza to his shop. LS would try to nail you $3-400 for the brakes alone. Take a deep breath and let him value you as his customer.

[donthekawguy]

The price was just to assemble the brakes. I bought all new brake parts from drums to springs and just needed them put together. Then I added on the u joint, wiring harness and track bar just because it would be easier for him to do it while it's up on the lift than it would for me rolling around in the wet gravel being rained on. I'm not really in a hurry but when he says a couple of hours and it turns into a week it gets a little annoying.

[tincan1966]

It never ceases to amaze me how "simple" repair work is when someone else is doing it.

[donthekawguy]

I wouldn't call brakes and a u joint brain surgery.

[vgnope]

Hey if the truck isnt your DD, then no need to worry and stress/rush the mechanic. If it were me... case of beer, wife yelling at me cause the compressors running at midnight and where this bolt go again... No need to streeeessssss.. Theres meds for that you know.
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[vgnope]

As long as your tires dont come back bald, motor knockin, trans slipping.. You'll be in good shape.
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[Clyde65]

I have had the same issue with a mechanic friend I have, we have known each other for 30+ years and he does excellent work and is very reasonable with his charges to me and the people I have recommended him to. He always treats everyone the same and tells you up front if he has something in front of your vehicle.
That being said, he tends to get roped in on these " hey just come look at this on my car" type of deals and then his time is eaten up with those and he doesnt get to yours when he thought he could. I take my truck to him when I dont have time or the knowledge to do something, many times he lets me bring my truck up to the shop and use his lift after hours as long as I bring the beer. I do get frustrated when it takes longer than what I think it should or the time he gave me for completion but Im not being charged that much and its done right and that is what matters, done right!

[63burban]

I do side jobs once in a while, sometimes the day just does not go as planned, always something comes up.
I have a guy that I send my newer stuff to, it will sometimes take him two weeks to do something relatively simple. Lately he calls me when he is ready to work on my vehicle, I go over and watch him and shoot the bull while he is working, 1,2,3 and he is done. Doesn't charge me much.

[newbe351]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

"he tends to get roped in on these " hey just come look at this on my car" type of deals and then his time is eaten up with those and he doesnt get to yours when he thought he could."

Bingo!

[LEEVON]

Favors are ALWAYS worth what you pay for them! Take it to a real shop.

[contagious102]

I only took it to him because I was burned out on it. The truck was up on stands in my driveway for weeks.

Seem's like it should be ok,to get it back in one or two weeks.!!

[donthekawguy]

I think the major problem is that I haven't drivenit for a couple months and it's so close to being done. Now the weather has cleared up and I need to shred some rubber! Plus my son just closed on his house and I need to sneak over and do the yard work while he is at work to surprise him and I can't fit the mower and trimmer in my Buick.

[doobiebro]

Turning wrenches is what I do for a living and $100.00 bucks is a steal!! I work for a Civil Service shop 5 days a week and I also work at home on my time off. Personally I do agree he should have been honest up front of his work load...I know I would. I would just be patient with him perhaps he might feel bad on the situation and charge you less at the end.. I have had many regular customers for many years from my side work and they never have a problem waiting because they know my prices are cheaper than a "real shop"!!!

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I'm with you on the time and driving Don. First place he should have told you "I think I can finish it in three days, but it might take a week and a half if it's messy or life gets in the way." That way he wouldn't be getting calls.

I get very frustrated when I can't drive my truck because it's full of a load for the dump or it's down for engine fixing or restoring something. Angry frustrated. You'd think we were married lol.

But in this case he's a friend doing you a favor. I'd just flat out ask him, "It's been a week. You need another week? I don't mind, but I wanna know so I'm not making plans to take the little lady for a spin in it and then I disappoint her and I get yelled at, know what I mean?"
He'll probably be OK answering after that. He probably knows what that's like!

[McCoyAZ]

We live and learn. After I took my truck to a body shop that promised a great price and to have it done in 3 weeks, when the reality turned out to be 5 months and crappy work...I learned a lesson.

Take a deep breath, relax. You don't need the truck, you WANT the truck. Big difference between the two.

You are not the only customer the guy has, be patient. And thank him for the $100.00 deal.

[Vernski]

I can understand the frustration of waiting when you need to use the truck, sometimes Murphy's law applies in these situations. But if you were not quite clear when you needed the truck back, it leaves it open for the mechanic to interpret when he needs to finish it and it's left up to his discretion. You may need to ask when you could expect it done. I hope it all ends well Don, waiting can be a real pain...Vernski

[donthekawguy]

Originally Posted by Vernski

I can understand the frustration of waiting when you need to use the truck, sometimes Murphy's law applies in these situations. But if you were not quite clear when you needed the truck back, it leaves it open for the mechanic to interpret when he needs to finish it and it's left up to his discretion. You may need to ask when you could expect it done. I hope it all ends well Don, waiting can be a real pain...Vernski

This won't be as bad as the local guy I took my other truck in to have the tank replaced. He said it would be a couple hours and 5 weeks later I finally got it back. And the other local guy I took the other truck to who missed the broken steering stabilizer. Thing is he was replacing the front wheel bearings so the stabilizer was 6 inches from his face. I'm weeding out all the mechanics around here and soon will have to go to Spokane to get anything fixed, or just nut up and do it myself.

[cortcomp]

Gotta nut up and do it yourself, saving a buck and paying someone, or paying top dollar, no matter who i pay to do what, they miss some detail that i just consider unacceptable and easy, some mistakes seem so careless. If only i had a machine shop and knew how to run the equipment....