There are many times that people come in and already feel like there getting screwed over before they walk through the door. Whether its just for a simple state inspection or bring it in simple because you don't know how to turn off the oil change light on the new model SUV your wife drives. If it was so easy for you guys that know how to "turn a wrench" then why does this sound like you? Thinking businesses like these are out there to get over on people. The point is, if everyone knew how to take care of their cars then why do people come in lining up? That's simple, because he's a surgeon, she is a lawyer, you are a teacher, they are all bankers, police officers, delivery drivers or anyone that has to drive. That's why these businesses are here because everyone has their own profession, we are simply auto technicians and like other profesionals we are here to help if you need our services.
Do any of you question your doctor when he tells you bad news like the pain in your arm is in fact a fractured bone? You are more or less like "what do I do", they tell you their professional opinion and how to resolve this before it worsens. The doctor recommends a surgery to make sure that it does not allow an infection to spread. Imagine if he suggested just a pain killer if you could not afford the surgery or said it would be cheaper to do such.
More or less we do the same thing except people do not always have the same response as they would a doctor when reviewing their diagnosis. Unlike the doctor, we can tell you the how to keep your car going along until it breaks with other things or we can tell you how we will fix it before it gets any worse. It is a fact that motorized things eventually break but not as often as people think they should. That is why we tell people about the scheduled manufacture maintenance as that does come in every car owners manual. Everyone has their own opinion on that subject but beyond that its always up to the guy that checked under your hood to keep things straight with you and gives you his professional opinion.
Every place I have ever been have only tried to help their customers before they really get their car in bad shape. Its up to the to the technician bring attention on anything unusual in order help you as much as they can. So if you come in with the know it all attitude and are just badgering the inspector before anything, don't expect him to do you any favors. Yes he can fail you because your brake fluid was low and the reason he did not top it off for you because he did not have to, go get your own and come back for a re-inspection Mr. Nice Guy.
This is not like the service industry where a waiter will spit on your food if you make them mad. Its more like the guy that would reach out to you it you needed a hand, so come in nicely, listen to our professional opinions and do not try to be Einstein over there.
I admit that this is a bit of an angry intro but it had to be put out there otherwise I would just be holding in what a lot of shop guys do not want to say. There are also so many times a funny sound in car ends up being something funny talk about.
Until then,
Oil Monger
