Mechanics' policy of ignoring the owners' theories?

[scottzg]

Is there just some tradition of ignoring whatever an owner theorizes about a problem? It seems that every time i need to rely on a pro, i usually know what's going on, and say as much. Every time though, the mechanic comes back to me with a different reason that im experiencing whatever it is, and (at least the last two times) this has been wrong. They don't even explore my theory.

For instance, i smacked a huge rock in the road, got a flat, and had the tire replaced and moved to the front. When i had the tires rotated a 60mph shimmy manifested. So i asked if they could rebalance the damaged rim, and see if it could still be used. Nope, instead i got a explanation how i had 2 damaged struts and an alignment issue. Bullshit. I ended up taking everything apart to be sure though- cost me 2 hours. Last time i ended up swapping differentials because my wheel bearing was gone. Really frustrating.

[magicmike]

Stop giving them a problem and pay for a solution next time. Just tell them what you want done and only agree to pay for that. If they give you shit take yout money elsewhere.

[evolutionmovement]

A lot of customers are idiots and they learn to ignore them. The other reason is insecurity among mechanics who don't want to believe a customer knows better than them. Chances of bent struts on a Subaru are pretty unlikely. I've rammed curbs and just bent rims.

[Murphy]

the above statment is what i think as well
god knows how many people come in with ideas that have nothing to do with the problem they realy have, people who just like to think they know what they are talking about, sorta like me when it comes to telling whats wrong with a car, so i think some mechanics automaticly asume something else even if the person was right

[evolutionmovement]

Other times, too, the customers get these ideas from 'car expert' friends (or even worse, family) and reiterate what they suggest which even on the off chance they were right, the ignorant customer will likely remember incorrectly when talking to the mechanic. Not to just take the mechanic's side since there are plenty of idiots out there as well.

[Kelly]

Oh no.......It always goes like this: My car is running bad, I read on the internet that. . . . Or fucking NASIOC that. . . .


Drives my absolutelly batty. A good mechanic however will listen to the customer and what they think might be the problem. Chances are, that if they pay attention to where the noise is, and when it happens, they've probablly already saved you some troubleshooting time. Or at least are pointing you in the right direction.

But sometimes, people really havn't a clue of how a car REALLY works, and just start pulling theories out of the ass. I know of some service writers who are worse at this than anyone.

[Manarius]

It really helps to have a mechanic you know well. So then, when you suggest something, the mechanic is far more likely to take your idea into consideration. Or, in my case, most of the time, I diagnose the problem myself and just take the mechanic the parts and he does it for me. It's very clean for him, I just give him the parts and he does it and I pay him labor. No squabbling.

[n2x4]

I've learned to do the work myself, esp. since it's an import. Nobody knows how to work on subaru's around here. It's cheaper that way too. But you're right, it's very frustrating.

[Bheinen74]

I've learned to do the work myself, esp. since it's an import. Nobody knows how to work on subaru's around here. It's cheaper that way too. But you're right, it's very frustrating.

ditto. plus having a mechanic of 40 some years in the family and having the FSM service manuals is all i need.

[subytech]

Oh no.......It always goes like this: My car is running bad, I read on the internet that. . . . Or fucking NASIOC that. . . .


Drives my absolutelly batty. A good mechanic however will listen to the customer and what they think might be the problem. Chances are, that if they pay attention to where the noise is, and when it happens, they've probablly already saved you some troubleshooting time. Or at least are pointing you in the right direction.

But sometimes, people really havn't a clue of how a car REALLY works, and just start pulling theories out of the ass. I know of some service writers who are worse at this than anyone.

I agree, when talking to a customer i always give them a chance, usually after about a minute you can tell if they know what there talking about or if there just trying to impress the pro with an off the wall theory, good techs do this, they know that it can save them LOTS of time and frustration. And you should never blow off a customer no mater how dumb, they are after all trying to give me their money! Oh and if you are continually getting frustrated talking to a service manager see if you can talk to the tech, i know most service managers can be real ass holes sometimes

[Manarius]

I agree, when talking to a customer i always give them a chance, usually after about a minute you can tell if they know what there talking about or if there just trying to impress the pro with an off the wall theory, good techs do this, they know that it can save them LOTS of time and frustration. And you should never blow off a customer no mater how dumb, they are after all trying to give me their money! Oh and if you are continually getting frustrated talking to a service manager see if you can talk to the tech, i know most service managers can be real ass holes sometimes

You're just the kind of mechanic people need. A mechanic who understands that a customer is trying to give you their money, so listening to them may save you a lot of time and effort. I come across far too many mechanics who just blow off customers and think that they know everything, even though the customer is the person who drives the car every day and has a chance to feel how the car drives.

[wiscon_mark]

My dad's (and mine as well) mechanic is very good about listening to both of us, because he knows us well and knows we're not stupid/full of shit. When the brakes were starting to shudder, my dad and I disagreed on the cause (I thought it was warped rotors, specifically the rear, he though it was worn out pads). Took it to the mechanic, we both explained our theorys, he looked at it. Warped right rear rotor. heh, close enough

It's always cool to go to his shop, he restores classic Porsches