Go hug your Mechanic - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/24/2005 09:04:07 AM · #1

HUH?
Yup - you should, or least feel a little differently about them next time you are at the shop. Our lives can be a booger at times.

Case in point is what we have to go through at times such as replacing a heater core in a Mazda as I am doing right now. (for those not knowing, the heater core is a small radiator of sorts the hot water/antifreeze runs thorugh to keep you warm inside the car)
When they leak, the floor up front gets rather soggy. On some cars, it's practically the first thing installed inside, meaning it's a "Scrap the Caddy Clyde" process to get it out:

Oh and did I tell you that it should only take 4.5 hours to do it? or at least that's how many hours a mechanic would get paid for doing this job. That includes the pleasure of having to lay upside down while you work, getting your hair in slimy/soggy carpets regardless of how well you used the wet-or-dry shop vacuum and remember how to put it all back together RIGHT!

Glad I charge 6 hours for this job!

The rant forum seemed an apt place for this one....

Message edited by author 2005-02-24 09:21:09.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/24/2005 09:10:29 AM · #2

So what's the big deal? Looks like the dash of your Camry. ;-P

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

02/24/2005 09:12:28 AM · #3

Go hug your banker.

02/24/2005 09:12:54 AM · #4

Originally posted by scalvert:

So what's the big deal? Looks like the dash of your Camry. ;-P

OUCH!

Message edited by author 2005-02-24 09:15:21.

02/24/2005 09:14:52 AM · #5

Originally posted by Jacko:

Go hug your banker.

I would, but my wife would probably a bit upset. (so what new?) Great idea! LOL

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/24/2005 09:25:40 AM · #6

I'm going to be upsetting my mechanic very soon when he has to get my '81 golf cabriolet through the road test.

Any recommendations of how to do a bit of convertable roof surgery to get me though till the summer?

Anyone giving out hugs to clinical database programmers? (like adding 'clinical' makes it something more special) :)

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

02/24/2005 09:28:04 AM · #7

It's hard to hug a mechanic when his hand is already in your back pocket to get to your wallet! ;) I'm sure you're one of the few "honest" ones out there though.

02/24/2005 09:30:09 AM · #8

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

It's hard to hug a mechanic when his hand is already in your back pocket to get to your wallet! ;) I'm sure you're one of the few "honest" ones out there though.

Not so sure - he's already admitted to charging 6 hours for a 4.5 hour job ;)

02/24/2005 09:36:27 AM · #9

Originally posted by colda:

Not so sure - he's already admitted to charging 6 hours for a 4.5 hour job ;)

But there is a twist here. The estimating guide is based on what a dealer tech would get paid to do it. In that 4.5, clean up is not included, nor is initial check out, broken things, aftermarket stereo, alarms, etc.
Dealer will revise and am sure it would be higher than mine when it's all said & done.
The estimating guides are written when a vehicle is new and things aren't rusted, brittle, etc.

02/24/2005 09:47:21 AM · #10

Originally posted by BradP:

Originally posted by colda:
Not so sure - he's already admitted to charging 6 hours for a 4.5 hour job ;)

But there is a twist here. The estimating guide is based on what a dealer tech would get paid to do it. In that 4.5, clean up is not included, nor is initial check out, broken things, aftermarket stereo, alarms, etc.
Dealer will revise and am sure it would be higher than mine when it's all said & done.
The estimating guides are written when a vehicle is new and things aren't rusted, brittle, etc.

Ahhhh, all those additional charges ;)

j/k, I've always had good friends that are also mechanics, plus I'm a bit of a monkey wrench mechanic myself :)

Any hints on quick fixes for my roof?

02/24/2005 09:49:52 AM · #11

Originally posted by colda:

Any hints on quick fixes for my roof?

Sorry - never did any convertible work, and haven't worked on German cars for over 15 years.
:(

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/24/2005 09:54:20 AM · #12

Originally posted by BradP:

and haven't worked on German cars for over 15 years. :(

No wonder you get stressed ;)

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/24/2005 10:17:41 AM · #13

Originally posted by BradP:

On some cars, it's practically the first thing installed inside, meaning it's a "Scrap the Caddy Clyde" process to get it out:

That should be, "Go beat your car designer."

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

02/24/2005 10:22:53 AM · #14

That's why mechanics charge big bucks per hour for labour. Don't take me wrong, in most cases it is deserved. I've had some pretty good experiences with the honest guys - the guy who does my work now is great. But there are those out there who take advantage, just like in every trade.

Tamron SP AF 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical IF for Canon

02/24/2005 10:33:29 AM · #15

Originally posted by orussell:

That's why mechanics charge big bucks per hour for labour.

To kinda' put something in perspective, an average technician of say 10 years has typically in excess of $30K invested in tools, is in never ending schooling to try and keep up, has a bad back (or will soon enough), has some high-frequency hearing loss (or will soon enough), has to work around chemicals & exhaust fumes, and has a worn-out body after doing it for 25 years.

Glad I was smart enough to wear eye protection, hearing protection, latex gloves and a back brace (when needed) for the last 15 of my 25 years.

My shop's $85/hr labor rate just doesn't seem like enough some days...

nards656

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

02/24/2005 10:39:52 AM · #16

Brad could make a fortune just doing PM on all my beat up old cars :(

That's why I have to do my own. Not because the mechanics don't deserve it, but just because I can't afford it!

Prof_Fate

02/24/2005 10:56:05 AM · #17

I got out of mechanic for pay because my body was getting killed. My back, the chemicals...and around here while the shop may charge up to $75/hour, the grunt doing the work often gets under $10 an hour. And has to buy that 30 grand in tools too. And of course, many are accused of being ignorant, dishonest and incompetent. (some are, just like any profession).

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/24/2005 10:57:54 AM · #18

((((BradP)))) that's the closest I could come to a hug.

We just took our car in on Tuesday for some work. No problems and got it back early that afternoon. We have finally found a dealer with a service department that fixes things right the first time, does exactly what they say they're going to do when they're suppposed to do it, and communicates with us effeciently and in an intelligent and friendly manner.

This is the first time in almost 25 yrs of marriage that we've owned a car that was still covered with a manufacturer's warranty. Boy, is it nice. I so appreciate someone who takes good car of a vehicle in which I spend a LOT of time.

My job is also vastly underapprciated....everyone thinks I make a fortune for doing next to nothing.

bod

02/24/2005 11:01:24 AM · #19

Hug my mechanic??? I'm gonna punch the little *&^%$Â£ when I see him. Or I would if he wasn't my brother! : )

Goddam fuel pump which he allegedly fixed last week died again this morning leaving me with a nice long walk to work in the snow (which I quite enjoyed, but don't tell him that).

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

02/24/2005 11:21:51 AM · #20

Originally posted by BradP:

Originally posted by orussell:
That's why mechanics charge big bucks per hour for labour.

To kinda' put something in perspective, an average technician of say 10 years has typically in excess of $30K invested in tools, is in never ending schooling to try and keep up, has a bad back (or will soon enough), has some high-frequency hearing loss (or will soon enough), has to work around chemicals & exhaust fumes, and has a worn-out body after doing it for 25 years.

Glad I was smart enough to wear eye protection, hearing protection, latex gloves and a back brace (when needed) for the last 15 of my 25 years.

My shop's $85/hr labor rate just doesn't seem like enough some days...

I'm aware there are things like overhead, training, exposure, ect. that the average person off the street doesn't take into account. I can fully appreciate where you are coming from.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/24/2005 11:39:55 AM · #21

A heater core..........don't you live in California somewhere...... a heater core indeed. I would almost bet the flies are still flying around there.

Now in Canada, trust me,,, we do need heater cores. It gets so cold up here that often you see bankers and politicians with their hands in their own pockets. (hehehehe..... no offence meant to any bankers in this group)

Ray

PS: If you managed to do all of that in 6 hours, my hat is off to you.

Message edited by author 2005-02-24 11:42:18.

orussell

Canon EOS Rebel T6s

Canon EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM

02/24/2005 12:10:11 PM · #22

Originally posted by RayEthier:

I hear it can get mighty cold in the Sierra Nevada region. Maybe his customer was from somewhere near there.