Here's my two cents,
I do most of the work myself on my six but when a lift is required I use a
mechanic. I contacted a LBC once about doing some work , installing and
exhaust system . The guy told me to drop it off during the week and he would
get to it . I asked how long he would need my car, he said maybe two weeks,
two weeks!! I said, to put in an exhaust system. I asked if I could just
make an appointment , even if it was a month away and drop the car off in
the morning and pick it up that night, he said he didn't work that way. By
looking around his shop I got the impression it was "the old horse shoe
deal". In the old days when you'd bring your horse in for shoeing the first
thing the farrier would do is pull your horses shoes off so you could go to
the guy down the street , then he'd throw him in the coral with the 25 other
horses waiting to be done, no thanks. I noticed that the guys that seem to
really have it together are also good business men as well. My engine guy is
like that , he never answers the phone he has his wife run interference for
him and he books his work, so when you want something done he checks his
schedule and tells you when he can do it and that's that.
----- Original Message -----
From: "James Franks" <jimmble@adelphia.net>
To: "6pack" <6pack@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 6:29 AM
Subject: Re: LBC mechanics
> Parts for German cars are more reliably obtained, fit when installed, and
> work as specified. Much tougher to actually 'fix' a British car sometimes.
> Parts houses don't carry adequate stock, and quality of some components is
> questionable.
>
> Like Robert says, too a 1 or 2 mechanic shop has a tough time getting the
> work done with interruptions and distractions. I used to want to strangle
> the rep's who would come in to sell their wares.
>
> We also would get the constant calls from people who wanted info, but
never
> intended to ever use our services. All in all, I'm glad I quit and became
a
> pilot!
>
> What you might do, is request a due date from your guy, one you both agree
> on. Try to find words to respectfully express your dissatisfaction with
his
> current practice.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Jim
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert L. Gannon" <trsix74@comcast.net>
> To: <SamuelsMA@aol.com>; <6pack@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2002 8:24 AM
> Subject: Re: LBC mechanics
>
>
> > I work part time for a LBC shop. I listen every Friday afternoon and
> > Saturday mornings to my boss (Owner and Operator) about the people that
> > bring their cars in and spend the a good hour yakking about all sorts of
> > things, mostly asking for advice, about beefing up this, that or the
> other.
> > So now the solo mechanic has been pulled away from doing any repair work
> on
> > the cars that are piling up. Then the multitude of phone calls to
discuss
> > trivial matters or inquiries into "How far are you?" Think of this: Your
> > under the car. Your doing a job that needs setting something up. You
> start.
> > The phone rings. You stop. Wipe your hands. Answer the phone. Its that
guy
> > again asking about "how far are you on my car". Not to be impolite, the
> > response is not what you would like to say. Finally, farewells are made,
> and
> > you put the phone down. In absolutely no mood to proceed on the job at
> hand,
> > because you have just spent the last hour being pissed off at someone
that
> > has wasted your time. What some people don't understand is that time is
> > money and every phone call is costing money. I have never seen on any
> repair
> > bill going out, a line item for wasted time: 5 hours at $47.00 per hour!
> >
> > And my part of this: my boss has a week of this building up. So when I
get
> > in to work on Friday afternoon, I get to here it all, as he vents. And
now
> > my time is wasted at $7.00 per hour. I know that this didn't answer your
> > question, but boy do I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent!
> >
> > Robert L. Gannon
> > trsix74@comcast.net
> > TR6 1974 CF22956U
> > TR3A 1960 TS70951L
> > http://hometown.aol.com/twodzusfittings/myhomepage/auto.html
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