Sucky or not?

[protege]

I haven't snapped at anyone yet, but I think it's going to happen soon. I'm a bit annoyed at the garage that's been working on my MG. (All details are posted in my LJ). Anyway, every time I go over there, things that should have been done (and have been paid for) either aren't done, or not done correctly. When I call them on it, I'm always given the "we'll take care of it" smile and nod.

Call it an "entitlement" complex, but I'm tired of this crap. I've spent some serious money having that car worked on, so I think having to deal with this crap is annoying. I have no problem with little things that are uncovered during the repairs, because, well "stuff happens." However, when I get charged for things, pay the bills, and then the work isn't done, I'm a bit pissed off.

For example, when I went to collect the car the first time, the hood wouldn't latch. No matter how we messed with it, it wouldn't shut correctly. I don't know about you all, but I'm not about to drive a vehicle that the damn hood won't stay down. Rather than take a chance, I left the car behind, with the intention of picking it up the next weekend.

Next weekend came around, and it started good. I fired up the MG, and drove out of the lot. Dad was behind me in my Toyota. It wasn't to last though--the car only went about 5 miles before developing problems. As soon as I'd hit third gear, it would splutter and require a restart. Sick of this, we switched cars, and attempted to drive it back to the garage. Managed a few more miles out of it, before it ground to a halt. I wasn't about to take a chance on damaging the rebuilt engine...and had the car towed. As of last week, the car was still sitting where I'd pushed it.

What pisses me off, is this: Every time I go over there, I get excuses. I also notice that they spend more time messing about with the various race cars they sponsor...rather than customers' vehicles. They don't seem to have the time to work on customers' vehicles, yet are constantly screwing around with those damn race cars. (I've heard the "I don't have time right now" comment too many times!) As such, when the car is running, I *don't* plan on going back. I'm going to learn how to fix it myself!

[Akasa]

I'd get my money back and take it to another shop.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I second that motion.

As a customer, you are entitled to a certain degree. You are entitled to have the work done that was paid for and have it done correctly.

You are also entitled to have it done in a timely manner. While stuff does come up, having what should have been a 3-hour job turn into a 3 week job is a bit much to have to put up with (as an example.)

You have the right to discuss with whomever runs the shop and let them know exactly why you are dissatisfied with the services that have (or have not) been completed.

I would have already talked with someone by this point . . . and if the explanations/excuses continued, I would have went to the manager (or owner) of the place and gotten a refund what was was paid for but not done and the car taken somewhere else.

I know SC's use the word "ridiculous" a lot, but in this case the word is appropriate for this situation.

So, march yourself over there, talk to whomever is in charge and see if they can either get a move on with the MG or you can get your refund and take it elsewhere.

And keep us posted, of course. I don't want to hear about any bloodshed or turn on the evening news and hear about somebody in PA going "retail" in a garage.

[Evil Queen]

Hell, gimme your address and I'll help you put it back together! At this point you can't trust that garage.

[Bramblerose]

This shop asks for up-front payment for repairs? Wow, not encountered that.

I think you should find some Chris DeBurgh and break out Don't Pay the Fairyman for them.

I'd be thinking legal action m'self.

[protege]

Most of the work that hasn't been done (or at least not correctly) was supposedly done months ago. The hood latch should have been fixed when the engine was reinstalled and the hood put back on. Looking at the last bill, it's not on there...unless it's hidden in the labor amount somewhere. Nearly everything on there shows up as parts.

What really sucks, is there aren't many garages that can handle these cars. With that said, it's no wonder there are always a crapload of cars in needing work.

[Becks]

What really sucks, is there aren't many garages that can handle these cars. With that said, it's no wonder there are always a crapload of cars in needing work.

No, I think a better reason would be

I also notice that they spend more time messing about with the various race cars they sponsor...rather than customers' vehicles. They don't seem to have the time to work on customers' vehicles, yet are constantly screwing around with those damn race cars.

:raising eyebrow:

[rerant]

I'd get my money back and take it to another shop.

Agreed. Although you may not be able to get your money back (I don't know how repair shops do business, as I've never had a car and thus never entered one with the issue of repairs) you at least won't have to chuck any more cash at them unnecessarily.
Let them know as politely as possible that you're unsatisfied with their work and you've decided to go somewhere else.
I'd avoid using the phrase, "I'm taking my business elsewhere," because we all know how effective that is, but without stating one of the classic SC lines still try to make that point as clear as possible.

But to answer your question no, you're not being sucky. I see no mention of you throwing temper tantrums in the shop or acting like an entitled brat. You just want what you paid for and you deserve to get it, and if they can't provide that then it's time to go to someplace that can.

IMO the boasting about working on race cars and all that seems like it's just an attempt to make themselves look better. Like someone having a mid-life crisis and constantly reliving that one fantastic football game they played in a la Al Bundy.

[protege]

IMO the boasting about working on race cars and all that seems like it's just an attempt to make themselves look better. Like someone having a mid-life crisis and constantly reliving that one fantastic football game they played in a la Al Bundy.

They're not boasting--there are at least a half-dozen BMW and Porsche racers in the workshop. They'll be in there until the racing season is over in a few months.

[Geek King]

I think you should find some Chris DeBurgh and break out Don't Pay the Fairyman for them.

Umm...the song is Don't Pay the Ferryman. You know, Charon and the river Styx? Don't pay the Fairyman man sends all kinds of other images, which will probably entertain me for hours.

[Mark Healey]

I'm going to learn how to fix it myself!

That's the only way to go. For most repair jobs, buying the tools costs less than paying someone to do it for you and in the end you still have the tools. I'm sure that there are online sources for help and advice. I know that there are a bunch for air cooled VW's.

[protege]

Most of the jobs on the MG are pretty easy. There's no computer system to mess with as everything is mechanical. All of that isn't too difficult...once you know how things work. I've taken most of the car apart, and was careful to label all the bolts and different pieces...so putting it together shouldn't be a problem. The only thing that could give trouble...is tuning the twin SU carbs. These can be a bitch to tune...but at least the proper tools are available...and I've done plenty of reading up on them.

Now what would be awesome...if I could get an MG Midget, tune the hell out of it, and beat the garage's ass on the track

[jerkface11]

SU's omg I feel for you. At least it only has 2 of them. Don't forget the electrical problems it's bound to have though.

[Samaliel]

I'd avoid using the phrase, "I'm taking my business elsewhere," because we all know how effective that is, but without stating one of the classic SC lines still try to make that point as clear as possible.

Well, there's nothing sucky in saying that you're taking your business elsewhere and actually, you know, doing it. Suck only comes into play if you're using the line as a threat, like : "If you don't do the work by yesterday morning, give me a full refund, your first born son and surrender your immortal soul to me, I'm taking my business elsewhere !"

But yeah, you've got to state it as politely, firmly and clearly as possible.

[protege]

Don't forget the electrical problems it's bound to have though.

It shouldn't have any--one thing I did was to rip out the original wiring. After nearly 40 years of "repairs," it was simply easier. Several places had new wiring let into the original harness...with the old wires left in place, and bare connections against the bodywork While I was at it, those Lucas (aka the "Prince of Darkness") relays went as well. As if that wasn't enough, the twin 6-volt batteries were replaced with a single 12v unit. So far, everything works correctly