ThosL Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I was looking for feedback on this topic--reporting sub-standard work by mechanics or other such licensed professionals. Does it do any good for the sake of other customers? Do the relevant authorities actually do anything to correct specific issues? Will other garages, mechanics do a better job if they could get reported for not doing good work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I have used yelp, google maps, tripadviser and other sites when looking for reviews of many kinds of services. I have also left reviews at yelp and tripadvisor, etc. That said, that stuff is only as good as the info. If there is one or 2 glowing reports - that could just be some guy's relatives or friends. But, if there are a dozen or more reports that seem reasonable/intelligent - I think that is a better 'datapoint' than a guess as to who to call. Sometimespeople just have a bad car or bad luck with a car and might take it out on the last mech that worked on it. So, like anything else, reviews must be used with some intelligence. Did you have specific question as to how or where you were reporting the experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 yes and no. check relevant places for feedback online like he mentioned, the BBB is also generally available. reporting is helpful to gauge some things. it's also a place for overtly meticulous, OCD, obsessive, untrained, uninformed, unknowledgeable, or high maintenance people to vent and unleash their frustration, so it's not without hang ups. there are plenty of bad mechanics - but there are far more bad customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Having been on both ends of this issue, whether a shop that either does bad work chronically, or just has a human screwup issue...the way the shop handles it is what matters most. Stay away from the chronically bad, ripoff, lazy mechanics. But if a reputable shop has an issue, if they address it and make it right with the customer: those are the places you want to go back to because they're going to take care of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Harik Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 yes and no. Check relevant places for feedback online like he mentioned, the bbb is also generally available. Reporting is helpful to gauge some things. It's also a place for overtly meticulous, ocd, obsessive, untrained, uninformed, unknowledgeable, or high maintenance people to vent and unleash their frustration, so it's not without hang ups. There are plenty of bad mechanics - but there are far more bad customers. haha lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 I have used yelp, google maps, tripadviser and other sites when looking for reviews of many kinds of services. I have also left reviews at yelp and tripadvisor, etc. That said, that stuff is only as good as the info. If there is one or 2 glowing reports - that could just be some guy's relatives or friends. But, if there are a dozen or more reports that seem reasonable/intelligent - I think that is a better 'datapoint' than a guess as to who to call. Sometimespeople just have a bad car or bad luck with a car and might take it out on the last mech that worked on it. So, like anything else, reviews must be used with some intelligence. Did you have specific question as to how or where you were reporting the experience? The mechanic I have used here is good in general with work they know how to do. Not good in complicated engine diagnosis. Do mechanics admit they cannot do a job, or something went wrong? Very unlikely. I have dealt with mechanics who pretty much insist on cash, no check, credit card, etc.. We supposedly live in a system of law and order. Reporting unethical licensed pros to the tax authority or the state regulatory agency, consumers affairs, repair oversight facility, is not something most of us want to do. We are all entitled for good work for the money we spend and an invoice. The law requires a written estimate before work is performed but do we ask for that? Don't allow yourself to be bullied into silence, folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The mechanic I have used here is good in general with work they know how to do. Not good in complicated engine diagnosis. Do mechanics admit they cannot do a job, or something went wrong? Very unlikely. I have dealt with mechanics who pretty much insist on cash, no check, credit card, etc.. We supposedly live in a system of law and order. Reporting unethical licensed pros to the tax authority or the state regulatory agency, consumers affairs, repair oversight facility, is not something most of us want to do. We are all entitled for good work for the money we spend and an invoice. The law requires a written estimate before work is performed but do we ask for that? Don't allow yourself to be bullied into silence, folks. I HAVE had mechanics suggest I call someone else - to eventually find out they were uncomfortable with the car brand or the problem I had approached them with. Around here, there's almost as much specialization in car repair as in medicine - these guys only work on GM products, this guy does electrical and A/C only, etc. Or, a guy with a shop will send your car to his specialist buddy for an alignment w'ever. Like you suggest, there have been times I was too trusting, and other times I dropped an issue because, let's face it, small claims court just doesn't seem convenient or useful for many of us. I have also reported someone to the BBB in the past and I once ratted someone to Consumer's Reports for using their review in advertising. I'm thankful that people do share ther experiences and expertise - I learn stuff everyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Harik Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 You can really damage a business just by posting complaints ( anywhere) on the internet. So know what you are talking about( do research) before posting. If I am going to do business ANYWHERE, I always look up complaints on the internet first. If I don't like what I see( like what was said above, you have to sift through the garbage) I will go somewhere else. This has saved me a lot of trouble and money. Complaining online is a very power tool and you need to make sure you are fair and truthful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 had two unhappy customers in ten years both when i sold a car for somone else have been fixing subarus for 15 years and have done thousands of them my shop only works on subarus and 90 % of my work is cleaning up other shops mess but its buyer beware if you dont know what the shop is doing or replacing it you fault know what you are buying expecting the shop to know is a bad mistake leting them throw parts at your car and gessing is unactcepible most of the substandard work i c is from the dealer becuse they get piad by the job and rush evrything so they get paid the qauality suffers because of thiss and the dealer like to take short cuts to save money on waranty eg not surfacing heads orbital grinders and ignoreing commen problems the best is when the customer complains and they say well we fixed that problem we fired that guy so problems fixed dosent help the car any sorry rant rant rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 one more thing i treat evry customers car like its my personal subaru [ there are no bad subarus ever biult .] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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