kennith said:I wouldn't say it's normal to avoid telling someone that there will be a fluid charge, but I'll say it's common when dealing with many cars to forget an expense here and there. It's also reasonable to expect a few growing pains when dealing with the replacement of a major system.
Some have ended up skipping certain things such as seals that don't really need to be replaced because they are tired of people complaining about it and accusing them of trying to gouge people.
You should always return for a checkup and any required adjustments after running a replaced major system for a while. That's just the way it goes. Mechanics aren't magic. It's a rare occasion that a replaced part solves an issue entirely and immediately. Sometimes the part needs running in, or sometimes the mechanic forgets something.
Give them a chance.
Also, find a specialist mechanic. Find someone who deals exclusively with vehicles people find odd or exotic, regardless of whether or not that impression is warranted. Be sure you aren't dealing with someone who thinks you are a pompous ass, and don't come off as a cheap fuck, especially on your first visit.
Mechanics deal with cheap fucks all the time, and also deal with judgmental types. They don't like them. It's an industry that burns people out. Many of them genuinely want to fix a vehicle, but they've just given up. It's easy to restore their faith if you are sure to give them as good an impression as you expect them to give you.
One more thing: Yelpers are fucking annoying as hell. Use your mind and senses to get an impression of people at a shop. Ask other shops how they feel about each other; you can learn a lot about people that way. It's okay to be ignorant, but don't be an ignorant person that expects at people. I know they should just help anyway, but they are constantly bogged with people who wear them out.
It's not a job that makes millionaires. It's a job people do because, at one point in their life, they loved it. Now they are stuck with the investment whether or not daily dealings have worn their enthusiasm out.
Now, there are downright bastards in the world of automotive repair, sure enough, but most people do indeed want to help, and they love customers that are willing to roll with the punches a bit. Give them a chance, expect a few issues here and there, and you'll find you might develop a great relationship.
Remember: Odds are they trust you less than you trust them. They've been stuck countless times, and they don't want a repeat performance.
...And we'll criticize your language all we want. Words like "vaycay" are just embarrassingly stupid.
Cheers,
Kennith
All great points.....even the vacay one. haha. Noted.