Car repairs.

[xelasnave]

The cluch was going so I book the car in.

They wanted it there by 7 am Monday so rather than risk a break down in Monday morning traffic I dropped it in Friday so as they could have it as requested.

The idea was as they told me to pull the thing down and be able to order parts when the parts guy came by at 10 am Monday...the parts would come in Tuesday and the car ready by close of business Tuesday. Hang it so efficient I wont get other quotes.

So I ring on Tuesday.
Oh it looks as if you need a new gear box ...waffle waffle...I finally got them to admit the car had not been pulled down at all and I formed the impression they had just forgotten to act on Monday as arranged.

The indicator for the clutch was $1600 minimum...but now we are discussing a new gear box and figures around $5k.

So I ask can we just do the clutch...er well no because I cant guarantee the work☺ ...so I figure they forgot and cant fit in doing the clutch ...so I ask again..is the car pulled down? No no we did not want to do anything until we spoke to you...mmm perhaps I thinks a call Monday may have been the way to go rather than wait until I wait to check when I can pick up the car.

So I say look forget it I will pick up the car make other arrangements for my trip and talk to you when I get back..ok $165 for the muck around☺

I call my mate, he calls back telling me he will drop me at the dealer at 7am the next morning to pick up my car and meet me at my place with his mechanic mate later...they arrive..get the car to my place says the new mate..I follow him and can see him wandering around the road whilst he is making frantic calls to order parts...I leave the car and my mate drops me home.

Mate rings at about 3-30 ..your car is ready $750 all up I will pick you up after the traffic eases and you can get it...phew...

What about the gear box...the oil was old but I put in new it should be ok.

I will ring the guy at the dealers later and tell him how lucky I was to get it fixed and at half the price☺.

Now all I hope is that the mates mate did a good job and the thing holds up for at least one more trip...cant miss the next dark☺.

I dont wish to say the name of the Hyundai dealer at Pennant Hills so as to avoid giving them free publicity but say they were friendly and courteous and it may be in time they are right that I need a new gear box...but somehow I get the feeling I should not have casually mentioned to the receptionist that I was thinking about getting a new car☺

Alex

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I suppose they will be right about needing a new box. Eventually.

Had similar once with a different make of car. Notchy unpleasant gearbox under warranty and occasionally unable to select gears. I reckoned the clutch was not right.

Firstly they lost my future business by taking “customer complains that gear selection is occasionally difficult” and writing “Customer says gearchange not smooth” (dealership “customer wont know any better” speak to get out of warranty work if ever I heard it) and second after two days of faffing around they could not find a cause. I took it home and bled the clutch and did another 150,000km in it.

I did not even bother trying to get them to diagnose the dead neutral switch that when it acted up left you with no power, many modern cars go to a “neutral” engine map that gives barely any throttle when in neutral to keep people from buzzing the rev limiter if they mis shift so when it happened mid overtake (Just about every time) it was a little dramatic

[Shano592 (Shane)]

They are known as Stealerships for a reason, Alex!

I think it is a problem that is quite common in this country. I frequent the Whirlpool Forums, as well as the Pajero Forums. The complaints you mention are unfortunately too common. And they get away with it, because unlike your good self, people automatically assume that the Service Manager isn't telling Porkies-for-Profit, and they don't question it.

There isn't really much you can do though, aside from name and shame (which leaves you open to legal hassles - even though you speak non-judgmental truths), a complaint to Fair Trading... which will be logged, but nothing else unless they get over 10 in the same year (I think), or complain directly to Hyundai Australia... who will promptly file your complaint in the round file, while thanking you for the information.

It's good that you were able to get it fixed so economically. The difference between clutch and gearbox issues is fairly distinct. If it is running as it should now, then they were most likely having a go, to see how much they could squeeze out of you.

[glend (Glen)]

Alex, you can probably buy a gear box from a wrecked for a fraction of that cost. Even a new crate gearbox will be way less. Don't accept getting screwed, shop around.

Take the time to learn how to maintain and repair your vehicle, and you will save a fortune. I bought mine new in 2007 and it is still in perfect shape today because never let it near a dealership. The markup on parts is astronomical, and labour charges have all the dealership overheads on top of the guy doing the work. To give you an example, my Jeep Cherokee CRD was coming up for a timing belt change, the dealer wanted to charge me $2000 for that job; I bought the parts online from the USA and did the job myself, net cost less than $400 for the parts including shipping.
Right now, today, i am in the midst of pulling out my front struts and replacing the worn out ones with new; cost for the pair of new struts was $400 from my mate in Qld (helps to know people in the aftermarket parts business). This is a job that ARB or other 4WD shops would charge $1600 to do.
Those that can - do, those that can't - pay.
If a 70 yo guy, post heart attack, can do This stuff, anyone can.

[casstony]

A Ford stealership lost my business after charging $50 for a light globe and $64 for wiper blades, things that I could have replaced with equivalent quality parts for 1/3 of the price. After making a ruckus at the service desk I even had the manager ring me at home to explain why I was wrong to complain.

[AndyG (Andy)]

Originally Posted by casstony

A Ford stealership lost my business...
...I even had the manager ring me at home to explain why I was wrong to complain.

I had a friend who used to work at a Ford Dealership. One day, some years ago, they had a workshop meeting with the business owner. The owner encouraged them to maximise profits though modifying the way they advise customers. When challenged by the staff as to why, it was revealed that new car sales were not going ideally, and it was hard to meet sales targets. When challenged about what sales targets mean to the overall business, it was revealed that the owner had a certain lifestyle that he had become accumstomed to, and did not want to see changed. Think yacht, beachfront home(s), etc. The owner had unthoughtfully made a clear definition between his worth, and everyone else's (including the public).

Unsurprisingly, the peasantry in the workshop were not motivated any more than they were pre-chat...

[spiezzy]

and they wonder why car sales are down because the after sales crap they give you and service is well **** and when you get bitten you don't go back it is basic business scene you look after the customer and they will come back to buy again or recommend to friends .
I worked in spare Parts for Nissan for 27 years and seen it all bring out a good product and people will buy it as long as you have good after sales service which doesnt happen any more in this day and age they are to busy looking at the bottom line for there share holders

[xelasnave]

Hi Paul
I profited in my business because I gave respect treated people like they were my Mom or Dad and let them buy what they want...my Son told me ten years after folk would come in because they were respected in essence .. It is more profitable to be a straight shooter as it is easy to build a business☺.

I have been to salestraining where the ideas of manipulation are wrong really...
Alex

[xelasnave]

Hi Shane
I think it could be a mix of things.
First thing is I think he just forgot about it☺ and only had the two days he had given me...they were busy as you could not park easy so many jobs waiting I guess.
And being realisic they see a five year old car unloved outta a bush trip ...well not the image if you aee qhat I mean...anyways I have resolved to think only good thoughts and may change my call to show the dealer guy I understand the game I know he stuffed up but I wont make a song and dance if he can get me into a good new car so talk to them and set me up because I am special☺.
We are actors on a stage to a degree I had my role he had his.
The damage has been done but minimised☺.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Hi Glen
I know what you are saying and strangly I can do mechanics and have done a bit .... but the reality for me haw changed...
I need an electrician to change a light glob or a plumber to change a tap washer and unfortunately moving about prevents all my tools being in the one place...but even before there is stuff I cant do. . But I think its great you are ablw to so what you do.
I am stepping back from it all now☺ it was a weeks worth of being uncomfortable...but I have resolved now to keep a spare car☺.
I have learnt from the pump experience that you cant be without what you need as you will need another unit...so sometimes its going to break down so have a spare☺.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Hi Tony
I know what you are saying.
I dont feel angry now that I have the problem sorted.
A second car is what I need...with just enough life to get me past the repairs☺.
A mate has the right idea, actually the one who set it all up buys a good buy drives it sells it ...but I become attached...
Alex

[LewisM]

Re my damaged car in the shopping centre...

Insurance wanted $695 excess plus a $200 something that wasn’t clear. Wanted car at 3pm on Friday, meaning nothing would be done till Monday at the earliest.

Rang them, withdrew the claim. Said I found a panel beater who would do it for $600 including paint.

They didn’t like it. I told them I would be cancelling my policy ASAP too since another insurance provider offered business car excess for $500 instead of their $695 plus $200 fee.

[leon]

There is so much one can do if one has some mechanical knowledge.

Granted it is harder on newer cars with all the computer stuff and all.

However i just last week Bought front disc pads (Bendix)for my 2015 Colorado at a reduced place with a mates RACQ card and installed them myself.

It really was such an easy job and once the wheel was off took no longer than 5 mins a side.

They were going to charge me $220.00 for the job I did it myself for $72.00

And while the car was on the stands rotated the wheels as well, left rear to right front and right rear to left front.

All is well and works perfectly.

Even bought a large siring from the Chemist to extract the brake fluid out as the calipers were pushed back to accommodate the new pads.

There is lots to be saved.

Leon

[RyanJones]

Hi Alex,

I think the key thing in you post and the thing that I support your disappointment in is the lack of communication and them not doing what they said they will do. You have every right to be upset by that and It's one of the key things that I pride myself on as a mechanic. Some things don't go to plan, some things are unforeseen. Some times our repairs might seem like they are more than are absolutely necessary but a good mechanic will be trying to fix your car for more than the immediate future. You are a reasonable person and I know you know all this already. I understand your frustrations though and I do agree that dealerships often stretch the boundaries, so you have my back there.

To all others that say you can do what I do.... YOU CAN'T . I won't clog up Alex's thread or spend my time justifying why either because honestly I don't believe I need to.

[sharpiel]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Re my damaged car in the shopping centre...

Insurance wanted $695 excess plus a $200 something that wasn’t clear. Wanted car at 3pm on Friday, meaning nothing would be done till Monday at the earliest.

Rang them, withdrew the claim. Said I found a panel beater who would do it for $600 including paint.

They didn’t like it. I told them I would be cancelling my policy ASAP too since another insurance provider offered business car excess for $500 instead of their $695 plus $200 fee.

Well done! Two evils in the world are insurance companies and companies with shareholders. Both are instruments to increase costs to consumers. A win against either should be celebrated.

[Shano592 (Shane)]

@RyanJones, I definitely cannot do what you do! I pay mechanics good money to do the jobs they quote on. As far as I'm concerned, they earn every penny. It has been 30 years since I did head gasket after head gasket, on the old Nissan OHC engines (think Datto 1600). I was over it then, and am over it now.

And as others have said, the rise of computers in everything, makes it pointless to even try to start tinkering, beyond fluids...

The most I will do is brakes and headlight globes. Everything else goes to the mechanic. In saying that, I have found a good local, and they do the job reasonably... no crazy dealer inflation. Respect I think, goes both ways. The mechanic respects me enough not to gouge, and I keep coming back, because I trust his ethics and the end result.

[xelasnave]

Funny thing...if back in the day my racing bike (s) needed something replaced it was not a problem...if there was even a hint that one needed a new gear box it would be changed...
I hold no grudge ... in fact if they had not forgotten or had not introduced complications I would not have seeked a cheaper alyernative...I just hope it makes the trip tomorrow with no problems.

Alex

[AndyG (Andy)]

Originally Posted by Shano592

@RyanJones, I definitely cannot do what you do! I pay mechanics good money to do the jobs they quote on. As far as I'm concerned, they earn every penny.

I agree with this. I once did all my own work, both out of interest, and to be honest, out of shear poverty. I was lucky back in the day how interchangeable XD-XF series Falcon parts were. Dad's graveyard of 6 Falcons down the backyard spared us many dollars. At $100-200 each, these donors saved us thousands. They live out in the boonies though - I don't think 6 bombs out back is a good option in the suburbs...

These days, I have a real job, and there is a brilliant family owned mechanic shop 1 block away. I cannot praise them highly enough, and have been going their for 15 years now. Townsville people will know this place on Anne St (justified plug).

The auto mechanical profession involves a few years of instruction, a real qualification, and in the case of motivated exponents, lifelong skills development. It should be respected. It's a pity economics and commercialism brings out the bad side of humanity sometimes.

This is a major reason why I no longer have a motorbike. I simply haven't found a straight motocycle mechanic in Townsville any more. All the good ones retired, went broke, or died. Happy to be proven wrong. That, and the fact that I have no space to work on a bike, and my 4 year old Son fiddles with anything he sees...

[Shano592 (Shane)]

Originally Posted by AndyG

. I was lucky back in the day how interchangeable XD-XF series Falcon parts were.

Haha! I had a manual XE sedan, and the clutch went one morning, so I limped it home.

I still recall whittling a broomstick down to make a guide shaft for the clutch plate! I'll never forget just how heavy that 4-speed box was, too... for a scrawny 20-year old...

Alex, it's good that you bare no malice. A great attitude to take.

Personally, I think if you're behind on a deadline, you advise your customer. Not an hour ago, I had a customer down in Sydney freaking out, because the courier had not delivered a parcel for the last 2 days (on an overnight delivery, to a school). They need the goods for tonight, so I offered to re-pick the order, and hand-deliver it to them, if the courier didn't come through. Then I fired a rocket up the courier. It was delivered thankfully, but I was able to calm a lot of nerves, by offering the customer a solution that didn't leave them running around town on a Friday afternoon, for a problem that they didn't cause.

[multiweb (Marc)]

There's a lot of basic maintenance you can do without any specialised tooling on a car and save bucket loads of money as man hours are the bulk of the cost. Anything to do with engine fluids and filters such as engine oil, coolant, brake/clutch fluid. Most electrical, fuses, bulbs, etc.. Any hydraulics, transmission, clutch gearbox is best left to a mechanic. You could do it yourself but even if you know what you're doing you won't be saving much money. 5L of engine oil will set you up for ~$30.00, $7 for an oil filter and 30min of your time. I've seen prices in excess of $200.00 for an oil change by service centers.