The tow truck came around the corner of my shop with a 2003 Focus strapped down on the bed. It’s Stacey’s daughter’s car.
Everyone has a reason why they use a dealer repair shop vs. an independent shop… These are a few of those reasons I’ve run into over my decades of independent service work.
Alternators, starters, voltage regulators, window motor assemblies, light bulbs, serpentine belts… the list goes on and on of the various cheaply made replacement parts available. Being able to distinguish what parts are good or bad is part of being a professional in this crazy world of automotive repair.
After high school I made the choice to join the Marine Corps. It was a big step for a young guy who really didn’t have a direction, nor thought about the future. So, off I went to boot camp. I’ll admit it was tough, it was physically demanding and very mentally challenging. But, I did very well, got a lot of good marks and even a couple of special awards.
One of the biggest surprises was when my platoon was on the “mess and maintenance” week. I was assigned to the commandant’s headquarters building. I was to shine all the brass, wax the floors, and general building maintenance. One day the Sargent in charge said it was time to mow the grass. He sent me and two other recruits out with scissors to clip the lawn in front of the headquarters building. Really, I’m not kidding…scissors, and I’m not talking about a large pair of scissors, no… more like the kind you'd find in any home office or school desk.
OK, I really do fix cars for a living. I take a car that’s acting up, locate the problem, and make the appropriate repair. Sometimes I haven’t a clue where to look when I start, but with a few proper tools, a little ingenuity, and a whole lot of experience I’ll find the problem eventually.
During World War II the US used a secret type of language to send and receive messages, so the enemy couldn’t find out what they were talking about.
Charlie comes in every now and then. I guess you could say he’s a regular but I think I would call him more of an opportunist when it comes to his car repairs.
Years ago my younger brother came to work for me. He didn’t know a thing about cars, but was willing to learn all that he could. Teaching new technicians is an art that most shop owners have to learn to do, but teaching your little brother can be a chore and can test your patience.
“Don’t try adjusting the throttle cable—there isn’t one. I can tell when it’s dark enough for the headlights. Your Air Conditioner is under my complete control, along with steering, windows, stereo volume and braking. Don’t be alarmed, I’m here to help assist in operating your vehicle. Who am I? Why, I’m your friend, I’m your PCM. Some people may call me a “Human Assistant Logistic” device—call me Hal for short. I like that name.”
If there is one thing I find hard to deal with in this topsy turvy world of the auto repair business is the way some people will react when they are at the repair shop. It’s the way they conduct themselves at the shop when it comes time to get their car repaired.
Over the years I’ve been praised and degraded. I’ve been called a saint and I’ve been called the devil (or worse). I’ve heard the shouting and the stuff I probably wasn’t suppose to hear (walls don’t always block sound you know). After a while you’ve heard it all before, and the attitudes that you see at the front desk become a part of the daily grind. Coping with all this is what I call; “growing alligator skin.” I try not to take things so personally, I’ll let the alligator skin handle it, and then take off my protective coat before I get back home to the wife and kids.
What gives with the need for such a thing as “alligator skin”? I believe there a several factors inherent to the automotive industry that brings on this crocodilian coat of protection.
Mistrust of the automotive repair world in general is what I believe is the number one factor; but what brings on that mistrust? Is it the incompetent mechanic? I doubt that is always the case. Is it the money out of their pockets which they were not expecting when they drove down the road to the repair shop? I believe it’s more in the hands of the unknowing consumer who reads and watches too many evening news reports on the unscrupulous business practices of the few out there that really are rip offs and not the normal operations of countless decent shops in this country.
Ok, who out there knows everything about automotive repair? Who out there has seen it all, and wouldn’t be surprised if something so common to do now turns out to be not so common? Well, one thing is for sure—it ain’t me. I learn something new about this crazy car business every day. Especially when it comes to the electronics in today’s cars.
A body shop dropped off a 2005 Nissan Titan XE for a trailer light problem. It was hit in the rear and had folded the bumper under the body.
Leave it to the manufacturers to take a simple thing like heat and air conditioning and turn it into an electronic jungle of wiring, sensors, and computer components.
Sometimes I wonder if the things I find wrong with some cars are there for me to find out how ridiculous some people can be. I’ve got to question the thought process and not-so- brilliant ideas that some people have, just before total stupidity takes over. I gotta ask … “What were you thinking?”