Gawd sounds like they saw you coming! Welding for real?

That must of got you confused with Fred Flintstone and thought you had the bottom out of your car.

Geez sound like it is a little tricky to just get an MoT done there mate.

 

Brilliant.

There's nothin' better than scaring off (or otherwise discouraging) customers before they've even brought the car in, eh?

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Bro

I think it was more like ME seeing THEM coming (Lol)

So if they think I'm falling for something like that they've picked on the wrong person.

 

No doubt !

I'm just a little amazed at times by the stupid things a business will say or do.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Doug

You would be surprised (or maybe you wouldn't) how many people fall for that kind of stuff and all but hand them a 'blank cheque' to fix whatever is wrong.

Where being Billed on an hourly rate, it could easily end up costing you more than you paid for the Car.

 

Just imagine the poor gullible customer. Lucky you are on the ball OB

 

I spent 30 years in the auto repair industry. There isn't much that could surprise me .

I'm not 100% convinced that the shop who mentioned the welding was intending to be dishonest if/when you brought the car to them. Maybe, maybe not. It just struck me as a very poor way, from a business standpoint, to start off a relationship.

First, and obviously, it can be perceived as a set-up to a rip-off. And maybe that's exactly what is was. We'll never know.

But, also, such off-the-cuff dire predictions, even if made with no dishonest intent, can scare away the customers. I've seen it many times. The customer calls, explains the problem, and then hears all sorts of doom and gloom. "Might need a transmission overhaul" or "Sounds like you have burnt valves" ....or "It'll probably need a lot of welding". It used to infuriate me when my guys did that. Meanwhile, the car ends up at a competitor for what was (virtually always) a far less serious repair. The competitor not only got the customer's business but, more importantly, their trust.

The guy you spoke to should've just said "Bring the old girl in and let's see what we've got. No worries!"

OTOH, laying out a scary and expensive scenario is also a favorite way of eliminating cars that the shop simply doesn't want to be bothered with. Rather than just being honest and saying that they're unwilling or incapable of (let's say) repairing the climate control on your old Jag they'll say "It'll end up costing at least two thousand dollars, probably more"....thus ensuring you'll never darken their doorway !

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Bro

Although I've never been conned myself, I have learned lessons from the misfortunes of others, as an ex GF from way back had a Fiat 500

which failed the MOT.

Through rusty floor panels and not knowing anything about Cars or the way Shops work, when they asked her if She wanted them to fix it, She said Yes!

And the Bill was about £500 which was more than the Car was worth and unfortunately She only told me about it after the work had been done.

Or I would have advised her to Scrap it and buy a better one, before She went and gave them a blank cheque.

 

Hi Doug

Your suggestion would have been far better but the way the guy was talking really put me off, as he hadn't even seen the Car

and was painting a very Black Picture.

All I wanted was an MOT. Pass or Fail and nothing more than that.

If She needed fixing, I would have taken her away and done the repairs myself.

 

I used to call it "Putting new shoes on a dead horse". Not good business. Not fair to the uninformed and often not wise for the shop owner, either.

My policy was to let people know when they were entering that territory. If they still want the repairs done, that's fine, I'd go ahead....after taking a 50% deposit. It's pretty common for people to say "yes" and then change their mind....a couple days later, after the work is done. And abandon the car. That's why I say it's bad business....for all parties.

Cheers
DD

 

Hi Doug

'New Shoes on a dead horse' a very apt way of putting it.

But in my own particular case, the guy was being so negative that I was getting a really bad vibe from the 'get go'

So I just had to go with my gut and find somewhere else and this time it will be a Shop that doesn't do any repairs.

 

You were right to go elsewhere.

When asked for advice on dealing with repair shops I always tell people to go with their gut. If you get a bad vibe, there's probably a good reason. And, if you find a shop that you're comfortable with, stick with it...as there's probably a good reason for that, too.

Cheers
DD

 

i was talking with a guy from Netherlands(he has a 1965 Mini), he said UK was the rust capital of the car world!

i kinda think he may be right, my RHD XJS came from Kent area, I spent 2 years cutting out and replacing rusted panels.

everything all the way around the body ,i'm saying everything 360* around lower part of car!

BUT today i can say its 99% RUST FREE.

 

Hi Ron

My Car has sat outside for 17 years under a Car Port in all Weathers with just a Car Cover on and it is 99% rust free.

Maybe my breathable Cover from 'Car Craft' saved the day but the one thing that She does not need is Welding.

Although I'm not counting my Chickens until after the MOT.

 

Hi Doug

All sorts of problems finding an MOT station round my way.

One of them has a very angular incline, that could rip the exhaust off.

Another one wanted to jack the rear under the Trailing Arm Bushes.

And another one insists you stay in the reception area, while they are doing the Test (health and safety)

So those Three are crossed off the list.

 

sounds ok , probably has low miles on it, rarely out in winter wether!

any truth in city/county workers,during ice/snow conditions, would mix swimming pool acids into the salt for road surfaces?

also called Rapid recycle systems!

from a worker in UK.

 

Hi Ron

My Car has been out in All Weathers, Rain/Snow/Ice/Fog/Hot Summers you name it, why it didn't go rusty and fall to pieces I will never know.

Don't know about the Swimming Pool Acids, that is a new one on me.

 

Did you drive it a lot in the winter? Road salt kicked up into the knooks and crannies while driving is the biggest problem. Rain by itself not so much which is why you don't see rusty cars in warm and we climates like Washington State or Oregon.

 

Hi alabbasi

No, I didn't drive her at all or even try and turn the engine over, She just sat outside in all Weathers for 17 years!

Under a Carport open on all sides with just a Car Cover over and in all that time I never looked under that Car Cover.

On paper I should now be looking at a pile of rust but in fact She looks exactly the same as the day that I covered her up and walked away.

Which is almost 'out of the box' with 24,900 Miles on the Clock.

Although Mechanically I've had my Share of (self inflicted problems) from never Starting her up and using her.

 

to add info!

a good car tech from England and fameiler with Jags, i asked about the rust thing!

his opinion was around 1968 and onward, Jaguar was trying to reduce weight and strenghen the body steel.

a new type of body steel was being introduced, thinner and stronger, it was a type of tempered steel hardend and heat treated!

but it took a few years before they found it also rusted easily!!

anyone know anything along that line?