So pissed off!

[Katman]

If have built my business on the foundation of gaining my customer's complete trust by ensuring that I am honest and transparent in any work I do for them.

Far too many workshops just see their customers simply as cash cows.

[Ixion]

So the more useless/inexperienced/untrained/stupid a mechanic is the more it is going to cost you while he tries and guess what the problem could be?

If you take a vehicle in for a specific problem - they cannot give you a big bill with your vehicle still having the problem.

No, if the 'specific problem" is indeed specific. But a vague "ez not workin, feex et" is another matter.

For instance. I take in my car. "The right rear tyre is flat, please fix it". Now, I may get a small bill for a repair. or a much larger bill for a new tyre. But either way, no, I would not expect to still have a flat tyre!

But something vague "It's overheating". "OK. Could be a good many things. Low radiator water; dud thermostat;munted radiator; munted water pump; broken fan belt/defective fanbelt drive; faulty gauge/sensor;blown head gasket; any of the above plus cracked and warped head."

It's going to take some time to figure out which. Some can be eliminated quickly ("low water ? nope, lots") ; I wouldn't expect a charge for that. But others will require significant investigation. Blown headgasket, f'instance. A good mechanic can probably diagnose that reasonably quickly. "Yep head gasket's gone. Head MAY be cracked, or not. Do you want me to go ahead ?". If I say no, I would expect some charge for what he has done so far. A 'generous' mechanic MIGHT let me off. But if he goes further, removes the head, crack tests the head, and it's a writeoff. "Maybe not worth fixing. You want me to go ahead?". if I say no now, why should I not expect to pay the mechanic for what he has done. The labourer is worthy of his hire.

[dipshit]

"Maybe not worth fixing. You want me to go ahead?". if I say no now, why should I not expect to pay the mechanic for what he has done. The labourer is worthy of his hire.

Absolutely no problem with any of that and paying a good mechanic to identify problems.

If however the mechanic says it's x problem and they replace certain parts but then it hasn't solved the problem... so then they say it's something else so you get another bill but it still hasn't fixed the problem. That is very unprofessional and substandard service.

[dipshit]

Which is generally OK because 99% of the bike mechanics in NZ are more useful than bike owners that take their bikes to them... Its a matter of relativity after all...

How about when i had to take my bike in for its compulsory services and the useless mechanics at a certified dealer workshop couldn't even change the oil properly... overfilling it to the point where you had to lean the bike waaaaa over before you even saw the top of the oil line...??? Or they just about threaded a side cover screw from where they had tried to drive it straight in with a rattled gun by the looks of it...??? Or their idea of a properly adjusted chain was waaaaa loose...??? You shouldn't have to fix your bike up yourself after getting it back from a service!

No wonder lots of riders prefer to do their own maintenance as much as they can because clearly they can do a better job than the "professional mechanics" that are trying to do things at 100mph and don't care as much about your bike as you do.

I probably would have had my SV in at a shop to change the fork springs and oil by now, but i simply don't trust the same shop to do the job (considering they can't even change engine oil properly) It seems like going to a bike workshop in NZ is a bit of a crap shot.

i.e...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...61#post1918461

[Ixion]

Absolutely no problem with any of that and paying a good mechanic to identify problems.

If however the mechanic says it's x problem and they replace certain parts but then it hasn't solved the problem... so then they say it's something else so you get another bill but it still hasn't fixed the problem. That is very unprofessional and substandard service.

yes, i would agree with that. Certainly unless the mechanic had discussed it with me first . "It might be the X, but it is not possible to be sure. I can replace it but it may not solve the problem. Do you wish me to try ?" I think this is not likely to be very common.

What is probably more common though is when the mechanic knows basically what is wrong, but it is a combination of issues . Replacing all the worn parts is economically not on, and replacing any one or more of them MAY fix (or ameliorate ) it. Or not.

The classic example is an old bike with worn carburettors (and usually, much else also) . The owner complains of hard starting , lack of power etc. But cannot afford to replace the carbs completely (and rebore, new valves etc ). The mechanic can TRY adjusting and fettling . Which may or may not work. If it does not the owner will accuse him of not knowing his trade. Which is why many shops will not work on older machines.

[mikeey01]

My Honda Melody kept cutting out when I gave it any more than half throttle and it wouldn't go any faster than 45kmh, so I took it into a bike mechanic to get it fixed. I paid about $162 labour and the mechanic said the exhaust was blocked so I needed to sort it out myself. On the way home it stalled and wouldn't start again so I had to push it home. The next day I had to get someone to take my scooter back to the mechanic and the guy had another look at it for a few hours. Got it back the next day and he said that a seal had broken and blocked the main jet so he fixed it free because it was his mistake. Even after that it went exactly the same as before, and he insisted that the muffler was blocked. So I cut the muffler off and it's even worse. So $162 and it's worse than it was to start off with. Rode it round for another week and tonight after work it wouldn't even start at all. And before any of you give me shit for what I ride, if I had the money then I'd have a proper bike.

Fair cop to charge you for the labour to find the fault, if this actually is the fault.

You had a fault, took it to a mechanic to get it fixed, they didn't fix it but gave you their best guess at to what it could be, charged you for the labour so far and sent you on your way with bike not fixed and gave you bad advise as to how to fix it.
Fark me that mechanic is a noob or they are taking the complete piss! Are you sure this is actually a reputable licenced dealer / bike shop?

I'm not sure what dis-appoints me more, they did not fix it after telling you what the fault is or told you to cut a piece of the exhaust off and fix it yourself!

[roadracingoldfart]

How about when i had to take my bike in for its compulsory services and the useless mechanics at a certified dealer workshop couldn't even change the oil properly... overfilling it to the point where you had to lean the bike waaaaa over before you even saw the top of the oil line...??? Or they just about threaded a side cover screw from where they had tried to drive it straight in with a rattled gun by the looks of it...??? Or their idea of a properly adjusted chain was waaaaa loose...??? You shouldn't have to fix your bike up yourself after getting it back from a service!

No wonder lots of riders prefer to do their own maintenance as much as they can because clearly they can do a better job than the "professional mechanics" that are trying to do things at 100mph and don't care as much about your bike as you do.

I probably would have had my SV in at a shop to change the fork springs and oil by now, but i simply don't trust the same shop to do the job (considering they can't even change engine oil properly) It seems like going to a bike workshop in NZ is a bit of a crap shot.

i.e...
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...61#post1918461

So you have a problem with one specific workshop in this country (you sound like an import) and you tar every mechanic as incompetant and useless .
Get fucked asshole , sorry i mean Dipshit .
I resent your generalising critisism of all mechanics because of what you claim to be so major and yet you are (by your own opinion an expert at, why not fix it yourself in the first place ) and yet you want to bitch your ass off and stain my and my colegues trade.
If you have an issue with the particular workshop then take it up with them but don't wave your mouth around like you are in such a generalisation.
I would love to know how such a dipshit can claim that mechanics dont care about your bike / car as much as you do . Unless you have a replica of the biggest pile of shit on the road then most mechanics dont really give a crap what age or model you present to them , the only condition i have personally is the actual health concerns with some types of off road vehicles but a simple wash before i touch it normally sorts that out.

I agree you should not have to "fix your bike after a service" and if you took your bike to what you call a certified dealer then they will be part of an organisation like MTA and you can use that affiliation to remedy any concerns you have with what you paid for through arbitration services. Instead of mouthing here i suggest you use that service to get the bad tast out of your mouth.
Please feel free to take this post personally

[Katman]

Please feel free to take this post personally

As I've already said, I am a motorcycle mechanic with my own motorcycle workshop.

I also believe that the majority of mechanical repair businesses have a substandard approach to the way they deal with customers and those same customers problems.

Please feel free to take this post personally.

[Laxi]

"And before any of you give me shit for what I ride, if I had the money then I'd have a proper bike"

thats fair enough, most people know where youre comming from


"So I cut the muffler off and it's even worse."

but surely we can give you a little bit of shit for that???

[Owl]

I also believe that the majority of mechanical repair businesses have a substandard approach to the way they deal with customers and those same customers problems.

I'd have to agree!

I specifically asked a shop to replace an oil filter when doing an oil change. It wasn't done and the response was (mechanic) “Oh we could still get you one if you wanted” (me) “And how am I supposed to replace it now without losing the oil” (mechanic) “Ha Ha, oh yeah”....

Now I have a fantastic mechanic that I would trust with a blank cheque (seriously) and know I’m not going to get ripped off! He’s certainly restored my faith and well worth the 2 hour ride!

[davebullet]

Do you warm your bike up before you ride it - like for about 3 - 5 mins?

I had a yamaha step through 50 2 stroke when I was young. I didn't know about the need to warm up a 2 stroke and wondered why the exhaust kept gumming up. It was because I was running it cold so all the waste gas was just condensing (with the burnt oil) on the inside of the muffler. When it is hot - it is far less likely to do that.

[Paul in NZ]

As I've already said, I am a motorcycle mechanic with my own motorcycle workshop.

I also believe that the majority of mechanical repair businesses have a substandard approach to the way they deal with customers and those same customers problems.

Please feel free to take this post personally.

Granted - my point is many (OK Most) rider have a substandard approach to the way they deal with mechanics.. A good relationship is about mutual respect...

I've had plenty of second class experiences myself and yes - standards are relatively low which is why when i DO need some help I'm prepared to pay over the odds for a proper professional. If you are not happy you have to make a decision, do I make a fuss and get it sorted or do I try someplace else / fix it myself. Certainly asking here for help or advice is a good step.

One area that is a concern to me is changing tyres... Looks like I'm having to change where I've had tyres purchased and fitted, I think after 4 time wasting screw ups on the trot I do 'finally' get the message they really don't want my business. Thats OK, I know I'm not a new bike a year kinda guy and they are there to sell bikes. Odd because I always go there first for any accessories and gubbins (batteries, gloves etc) but to be fair theres no $$ in that shit.

So - I'll get the local guy to do it - slightly more expensive and a wee bit more inconvenient for me but at least he wants the business. Besides Vicki can drop it off for me.. and pick it up.... (and pay for it)

[roadracingoldfart]

As I've already said, I am a motorcycle mechanic with my own motorcycle workshop.

I also believe that the majority of mechanical repair businesses have a substandard approach to the way they deal with customers and those same customers problems.

Please feel free to take this post personally.

Its pretty hard to take something personally from you when its clear you think you are superior to me or anybody else as a mechanic and an ambassodor for the workshop thats represented. I must surely be too humble to accept such an accolade as to consider it personal.
To also believe that MOST mechanical workshops are substandard in providing the level of service is another way of saying you think you are the only w/shop capable of providing said service levels.
Good on you for thinking and believing that and as i dont know you or your workshop i wont judge you or the work you do . That would be doing what you have done when you label the majority of workshops other than yours as substandard.
I was the service manager of the second largest m/cycle workshop in Wellington and presently the foreman of a Ford & Mazda workshop.
We pride ourselves in good service and workmanship and if we dont provide it for some reason we have a very good system in place to put the situation rite for the customer, no matter who they are.
The differance i see between yours and other of workshops is that the larger dealers are not fronted by the owner and yours seems to be fronted by
you ( im assuming) . When you deal with the owner over a complaint its more than likely dealt with in a very differant way when compared to a dealer franchise that has sallaried front people. The stance to remedy a problem can be made on the spot without delay and the customer can then see the issue is not a victim of carpet sweep syndrome.

Cheers Paul.

[roadracingoldfart]

Besides Vicki can drop it off for me.. and pick it up.... (and pay for it)

Always heard you were dodgy , nice tactic lol.

[Katman]

Granted - my point is many (OK Most) rider have a substandard approach to the way they deal with mechanics.. A good relationship is about mutual respect...

Indeed. I sometimes wonder whether it's a 'chicken or the egg' situation.

The thing is though, far too many workshops have lost sight of the fact that without customers there is no business.

I simply try to treat my customers in a manner that I would like to be treated myself.

(And no, I don't subscribe to the theory that the customer is always right, but there are certainly diplomatic ways of making them realise that they are wrong).