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In the end ultimately, it really depends on the discussion that took place with the customer-the tone that was taken by both parties and how the situation “feels”. If both parties go into it hard headed, then the resolution is going to be harder fought than if both parties go into it with understanding.
Showing the customer the badly rusted link and explaining to them that the other side will likely fail due to the same cause should resonate with the customer unless they are completely clueless. If that’s the case, then you either keep it simple and just tell them that they break on vehicles often due to corrosion, or go into detail if you think they can keep up with the discussion.
I don’t work on cars for a living, but I do deal with customers on site every day. I make sure that anytime I get the opportunity to educate my customers, I take that time to fill their head with as much information as I can stuff in it, not to mention get to know them on a semi personal nature. For me, it makes the customer comfortable knowing the guy working in their house has a personal interest in what they have hired him to do. I get fewer call backs from the customers that I get to talk to than the ones I don’t. Every job I do, no matter how big or how small gets the highest degree of customer service that I can dish out…I go out of my way to make my customers happy. I work longer hours for it, and sometimes get roped into doing things outside of my line of work, but it makes me happy knowing that I’m out there helping people out and I do it without expectation of recompense.
A small investment in time pays bigger dividends than taking the money and just doing my job.
Oh, I know them. And unfortunately there is a need for them. I guess for me, it’s akin to making an appointment with the doctor. I don’t want to go to the doctor to have them tell me something I already know with a bill attached to it, but there are times when you know that you need to go in and see them.
Oh, I know them. And unfortunately there is a need for them. I guess for me, it’s akin to making an appointment with the doctor. I don’t want to go to the doctor to have them tell me something I already know with a bill attached to it, but there are times when you know that you need to go in and see them.
“A 2357 bulb is a direct replacment of the 1157. Same physical bulb base, but has bright brake element (40 lumens versus 32 lumens) with minor additional current draw”
Found that with a quick google search.
So, yes, you can use either bulb, you will have different brightness from them.
“A 2357 bulb is a direct replacment of the 1157. Same physical bulb base, but has bright brake element (40 lumens versus 32 lumens) with minor additional current draw”
Found that with a quick google search.
So, yes, you can use either bulb, you will have different brightness from them.
most of the time it’s ignorance. We had a car in the shop for an oil change and it wouldn’t restart. The mechanics looked at it and said the fuel pump went. Of course, that looks bad to the customer because it worked just fine when we drove it in. How do you explain to a customer that the vehicle had a component fail in your care? Fortunately, his grandfather came in to pick him up and talked with the mechanic and agreed that sometimes, stuff happens. We gave them a quote for the repair and offered assistance in getting the vehicle to their home.
Sometimes you have to “eat it” to keep your reputation. It sucks because you are losing money on the repair, but in the end, you are gaining in the long run.
It’s best to educate the customer first, explain the situation and then decide what you are going to do. Offer the repair at half the cost since it’s a relatively simple job ( the sway bar link ) or do it for free depending on how the situation unfolds.
Documentation is key.
most of the time it’s ignorance. We had a car in the shop for an oil change and it wouldn’t restart. The mechanics looked at it and said the fuel pump went. Of course, that looks bad to the customer because it worked just fine when we drove it in. How do you explain to a customer that the vehicle had a component fail in your care? Fortunately, his grandfather came in to pick him up and talked with the mechanic and agreed that sometimes, stuff happens. We gave them a quote for the repair and offered assistance in getting the vehicle to their home.
Sometimes you have to “eat it” to keep your reputation. It sucks because you are losing money on the repair, but in the end, you are gaining in the long run.
It’s best to educate the customer first, explain the situation and then decide what you are going to do. Offer the repair at half the cost since it’s a relatively simple job ( the sway bar link ) or do it for free depending on how the situation unfolds.
Documentation is key.
I really like the opening page with the big colored radio buttons for your current problem! Anyone visiting the site for the first time is going to find that super easy to use. The forum so far for me has been very smooth and easy to use, everything seems to be easy to find and replying to topics is set up nicely.
I really like the opening page with the big colored radio buttons for your current problem! Anyone visiting the site for the first time is going to find that super easy to use. The forum so far for me has been very smooth and easy to use, everything seems to be easy to find and replying to topics is set up nicely.
It all depends on what you really want the most, comfort or mileage. It seems to me that you aren’t looking to spend a lot of money on a newer ride if you rode out 300k on your current one. I could suggest the Honda Element as a blend of mileage and comfort. They get near 30mpg, are comfortable for a larger person to get into and drive ( head room and leg room ), not to mention you’ll get some of the convenience of the truck as the rear seats fold flat, and then up..enough to park two mountain bikes INSIDE the darn thing!
not to mention AWD, or FWD, automatic or a stick depending on what you need for traction. However, they do hold their value for low mileage models. We ultimately ended up in a Santa Fe due to not wanting the larger car payment and having a vehicle that was still stout enough to tow with ( the Element is only rated for 1000lbs ).The only way you are going to get decent mileage with an SUV otherwise is to get an Escape with FWD and a 4 cylinder, and I’ve heard from owners that they are a bit sluggish/underpowered.
It all depends on what you really want the most, comfort or mileage. It seems to me that you aren’t looking to spend a lot of money on a newer ride if you rode out 300k on your current one. I could suggest the Honda Element as a blend of mileage and comfort. They get near 30mpg, are comfortable for a larger person to get into and drive ( head room and leg room ), not to mention you’ll get some of the convenience of the truck as the rear seats fold flat, and then up..enough to park two mountain bikes INSIDE the darn thing!
not to mention AWD, or FWD, automatic or a stick depending on what you need for traction. However, they do hold their value for low mileage models. We ultimately ended up in a Santa Fe due to not wanting the larger car payment and having a vehicle that was still stout enough to tow with ( the Element is only rated for 1000lbs ).The only way you are going to get decent mileage with an SUV otherwise is to get an Escape with FWD and a 4 cylinder, and I’ve heard from owners that they are a bit sluggish/underpowered.
First of all, that’s nonsense. Unless you are experiencing transmission issues, you are supposed to change the fluid. It doesn’t go bad, but it gets contaminated/burnt depending on usage.
If you were to buy, say a 1988 Pontiac Grand am with 288K on it and the tranny fluid looked as black as the engine oil, then I’d say don’t mess with it, because you will lose the tranny in short order as the new fluid will act as a cleaner and start breaking down all the deposits inside the transmission and start circulating them through the valve body or wherever they can get to and start to wreak havoc within. ( ask me how I know this 😀 ) This was after a flush machine and a pan drop and filter change btw.
First of all, that’s nonsense. Unless you are experiencing transmission issues, you are supposed to change the fluid. It doesn’t go bad, but it gets contaminated/burnt depending on usage.
If you were to buy, say a 1988 Pontiac Grand am with 288K on it and the tranny fluid looked as black as the engine oil, then I’d say don’t mess with it, because you will lose the tranny in short order as the new fluid will act as a cleaner and start breaking down all the deposits inside the transmission and start circulating them through the valve body or wherever they can get to and start to wreak havoc within. ( ask me how I know this 😀 ) This was after a flush machine and a pan drop and filter change btw.
Just to close this thread, we decided on a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 3.5L, fully loaded. Nicest car we’ve owned up to this point. I’d preferred a 2007 model with the 3.3L because-timing chain, but I’ve got at least 20k before this one is due for a new belt. The job isn’t exactly easy to do, but most timing belts are intrusive anyway. Seems like there are relatively few problems with these SUV’s as well, so I think we made a good decision. So far, I have to say that I really like it. We are averaging 18 mpg and seeing over 20 with a higher percentage of highway driving.
Just to close this thread, we decided on a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 3.5L, fully loaded. Nicest car we’ve owned up to this point. I’d preferred a 2007 model with the 3.3L because-timing chain, but I’ve got at least 20k before this one is due for a new belt. The job isn’t exactly easy to do, but most timing belts are intrusive anyway. Seems like there are relatively few problems with these SUV’s as well, so I think we made a good decision. So far, I have to say that I really like it. We are averaging 18 mpg and seeing over 20 with a higher percentage of highway driving.