(Please take all of what is written here with a pinch of salt as we only have one side of the lesson here)
Many of you may have by now realised that if I cannot say anything good about someone, I'd rather stay silent. And don't misjudge this as being noble, it's just not smart, as mud flinging works both ways, and to a degree some of it always sticks, whether it's deserved or not.
But when I see things like this happen I just feel so sorry for the chap I want to go round, make things right and fix it for him, but there are a few hundred km's between us so I can't.
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/charlestown/cars-vans-utes/2004-alfa-romeo-147-hatchback/1109295068
I know it's from my training in the RAAF as a Ordinance Specialist (amongst other things), but I work very much upon two principles:
A/ If you don't know what your doing, LEAVE THE BLOODY THING ALONE!
B/ Do no harm. ( IE: We DON'T care if you blow yourself to bits, it's the poor sod next to you we care about!)
These principles I carry with me always and apply them to my current occupation and work. I probably am a terrible business man, as I just couldn't possibly look a client in the face after destroying their pride and joy, never mind asking that they pay for the privilege for me to fix what I ruined.
And one reason is because I have had the exact same thing happen to myself!
(Yes, it WAS a very long time ago, but it's something you NEVER forget, just for the GAUL of the idiot behind the counter.)
And please, I do not post this to start a tirade of abuse of past crimes carried out by the service trade, but just that next time you get your car back from being worked on, and the price is reasonable and fair, (not just for the work done, but for the facilities used, and the professionalism of it) thank your Mech sincerely, pat him on the back, or even buy him that beer you always promised him . . . .remember, you could have been the poor soul at the centre of todays lesson . . . . .
Check Six
Baz
Nothing coming up in the link, what happened?
Basically the gentleman spent a small fortune with a service dealer on his 147, including a timing belt change, which was not done correctly, resulting in valves punching pistons and then having the service provider wanting further payment to rectify the screw up.
Owner was unwilling to pay for the insult so put his pride and joy up for sale.
As said in the intro, take with a pinch of salt as we only have one side of the story.
But I just wanted to remind folk that when they get a reasonable bill for work done well, they should always take it as a blessing, and thank their lucky stars. ;)
Baz