Interesting story

[Shaun_300]

Here's a little story of something that happened today, I was pretty well fuming by the end of the day. A guy I know was programming his truck with an aftermarket programmer, something happened in the process, either power was lost to the programmer or something like that in the middle of it. Which screwed up the PCM in the truck (2001 Sierra). So he takes it to this place that sells used vehicles, why I don't know, guess he thought that it'd be cheaper since their labour rate is probably $15-$20/hour cheaper than ours. He never told me about this before he took it over there. They say the PCM is fried, told him he needed a new one. They put a used one in, tried to start it, it starts but stalls a second after startup because the theft deterrent in the truck doesn't recognize the VIN number in the used PCM and puts it into Security lock. They think it's the passlock sensor in the ignition switch, and they saw 2 cut wires in the steering column which they thought was the passlock wires. Wrong, it was the tow-haul switch wires which has nothing to do with the theft deterrent. So they replaced the whole steering column with a used one, still starts and stalls. My buddy calls me telling me this and I could picture the thoughts in the so called mechanic's head, throwing all these parts at it. I told him to get it towed over to the dealer and I'll fix it for him. They throw him a bill for what they did even though he had to tow it out of the place. I program the PCM and the theft deterrent and vroom! Fires right up. Had it fixed in 15 minutes. They had it for almost a week. So I went across the street to where his family owns a gas station and towing business where he's working, tell him what I did to fix it, and what he had to do in the first place to fix it. He didn't need anything they put in, all he needed was to put the original program back into the truck from GM which would have cost him $95 and he would have been down the road again. There would have been a slight chance he may of needed a PCM but I highly doubt it, all that happened was the programming got interrupted, which shouldn't have harmed the module. Obviously he is really ticked off, and calls the place after he picked his truck up from me. He tells them what I told them and is basically demanding his money back for all this crap they threw at his truck when they probably know they don't have the GM programming software since they're not a dealer. They are apparently extremely POed at me now, and are calling me a liar, saying I'm lying to my buddy and telling him a load of crap trying to make them look bad and all this stuff. They say they're coming over to the dealer to talk to my boss and they're gonna get me fired and all this BS. This REALLY aggrivates me in a way, but I'm laughing my head off in another way. Yeah, I'm the "liar". I told my friend the truth, knew exactly what was wrong with the truck over the phone, had the thing running in no time. Yet I don't know what I'm doing, and I'm a liar, and I'm gonna lose my job. HA HA HA! Fat chance.

This place is known for screwing people over, the crap they sell is absolute junk and half of it probably doesn't pass a legal safety. I've heard many horror stories about this place in both the sales and service. My best friend bought a car from there a couple years ago that looked great, but was absolutely junk. So many issues that they wouldn't take care of for him even a few weeks after he got the car. There's cars in town with big lemon stickers on the back windows saying "This car is a lemon, I bought it at this place".

Man oh man, I'm so scared I'm gonna lose my job..... NOT!:pop:

I told this to my boss and he just laughed and told me I had nothing to worry about, which I wasn't in the first place. Just thought you folks might get a kick out of this. It doesn't always pay to take your vehicle to Joe Blow's garage. I'm not by any means bashing all small garages by any means! Some do great work with awesome mechanics and really know their stuff. This place however.... not so.

[Goinghuntin]

Sounds like it's been a good day

Nathan

[PA_Spike_King]

Yeah I know just what you mean. My cousin that owns his garage used to work for a bigger shop that he used to have to fix most of the screw ups and decided to quit and go on his own. His old clients from the old shop now come to him and his prices are lower than many others and his shop is always busy. That and he is GM and Chrysler certified and is very honest.

[Shaun_300]

Yeah mechanics can get a bad reputation from others being dishonest! I know we get a lot of business from Ottawa customers because of that in the city. 20 minutes and they're at our dealership where the labour rates are $20-30/hour less than the city dealers and get family like service.

[redkneck]

Doesn't surprise me at all. I learned a long time ago not to trust folks when it comes to getting ANYTHING worked on, lol! I advise anyone to join a forum or two with matters concerning your ride if you really want some good advice from some really sharp folks just like yourself Shaun.

I don't trust independent shops anymore than I trust dealerships! About two years ago my wife called me when her Ford Explorer was missing like crazy and she was barely limping to work. I had been chasing down a few codes on the truck, but still hadn't resolved them all. I was really busy and couldnt come right away so I told her to get it to the dealership where a good friend runs the parts dept and have them do an estimate on it. I later got over there and gave her my truck to get to work while I waited for the mech to finish looking it over. After a few hours on the machine, backpressure tests, etc.... the service manager comes over and tells me I got no compression on 3&4 (dont remember exactly but i know they were on opposite sides of the engine, ruling out a headgasket blown between cyls). He quoted me a new and salvaged engine. I paid him $120 and took the POS home. Checked compression myself Sat morning at the house, all were decent considering the mileage and put a cheap set of plugs and wires on it (the old set wasnt 5 months old) and she ran like a top, all codes cleared. The service manager told me that they dont do an old school compression check, just hook it up to the machine, and he reluctanly refunded my money after insisting he see the truck at his shop to verify my claim.

Moral of the story, dont trust anyone unless you know them. Get a second opinion. Sometimes paying more for labor at the dealer can save you a LOT. Sometimes taking the truck to Bubba down the road is the better choice.

[Prairiepredator]

Great story Shaun! I think wherever you go there is always going to be people like that and you just can't help but laugh at them becuase you know you are a better person than them.

Edited April 9, 2010 by Prairiepredator