What was your experience with workshops?

[D4rkFly3r]

Hi, im new to this forum. Finally able to start my first thread.

 

I would like to share my experience with the workshops i have visited.

 

Few weeks back, my airbag light came on. Went to one reputable workshop to diagnose the problem. When approached them and told them my problem, they seems shocked as though its their first time encountering it. Proceeded on, they plugged in their ODB2 scanner and diagnosed my car. One of the technician been meddling with the settings for half an hour with my car being started and shut off. I managed to see the error code and message, it says "Passenger airbag deployment error" or something, so i asked them what happened to my car. He told me nothing happened and lied to me that he cant get into my airbag ECU and only agent could detect using their "computer". At that point of time i believed his words and wanted to charge me $40 for diagnostic without solving it. Bargained a little and paid $20 for nothing.

 

The following week, i went to another workshop and this time, they diagnosed and took out my airbag ECU for reprogramming and will take a few days. They told me that they will not charge me if problem not solved. At that time i was quite relieved for not being charged unnecessarily.

 

Few days later they called me telling me that the reprogramming is done and ready to test on my car. Went there but problem still persisted. I knew that the ECU is still working as they were able to reprogram it. From there onward, as per my last visit to the first workshop and saw the error message, i believed that it might be some wiring issue over at the passenger side. I had to arrange another appointment for full check-up on my car as they were about to close.

 

That Saturday, i went there in the morning so that they will have ample time to check on my car. So i left my car with them for 4-5 hours to check on my wiring. At last, they called me telling me that the issue has been resolved. I was happy and relieved and went back to the workshop to collect my car and make payment. To my surprised that i have been charged $400 for reprogramming of airbag ECU which i believed that is not the issue. The manager insisted that they did a second reprogramming and it worked. Had no choice but to pay since they have already solved my problem.

 

Sorry for the grandma story as just wanted to share my experience with you guys.

 

How was your experience with the workshops you have visited? Can we still trust workshop mechanics these days?

 

Cheers.

[Leijasper]

Hi, im new to this forum. Finally able to start my first thread.

 

I would like to share my experience with the workshops i have visited.

 

Few weeks back, my airbag light came on. Went to one reputable workshop to diagnose the problem. When approached them and told them my problem, they seems shocked as though its their first time encountering it. Proceeded on, they plugged in their ODB2 scanner and diagnosed my car. One of the technician been meddling with the settings for half an hour with my car being started and shut off. I managed to see the error code and message, it says "Passenger airbag deployment error" or something, so i asked them what happened to my car. He told me nothing happened and lied to me that he cant get into my airbag ECU and only agent could detect using their "computer". At that point of time i believed his words and wanted to charge me $40 for diagnostic without solving it. Bargained a little and paid $20 for nothing.

 

The following week, i went to another workshop and this time, they diagnosed and took out my airbag ECU for reprogramming and will take a few days. They told me that they will not charge me if problem not solved. At that time i was quite relieved for not being charged unnecessarily.

 

Few days later they called me telling me that the reprogramming is done and ready to test on my car. Went there but problem still persisted. I knew that the ECU is still working as they were able to reprogram it. From there onward, as per my last visit to the first workshop and saw the error message, i believed that it might be some wiring issue over at the passenger side. I had to arrange another appointment for full check-up on my car as they were about to close.

 

That Saturday, i went there in the morning so that they will have ample time to check on my car. So i left my car with them for 4-5 hours to check on my wiring. At last, they called me telling me that the issue has been resolved. I was happy and relieved and went back to the workshop to collect my car and make payment. To my surprised that i have been charged $400 for reprogramming of airbag ECU which i believed that is not the issue. The manager insisted that they did a second reprogramming and it worked. Had no choice but to pay since they have already solved my problem.

 

Sorry for the grandma story as just wanted to share my experience with you guys.

 

How was your experience with the workshops you have visited? Can we still trust workshop mechanics these days?

 

Cheers.

 

 

Leaving ur car wit a workshop that u aint familiar wit w/o ur presence sounds a bad idea right fr the start.. B4 u get to know a workshop well, u kenah chop 1st.. I suppose we all learnt some lesson the hard way.. Since paid, treat it as a lesson learnt n nvr repeat history again.. Suppose next time u should ask ur peers whom been driving for long time which workshop they patronize, ask them to recommend.. Usually it turn out betta unless they been Robert themselves w/o realizing it lol.. Pardon me my frankness n hope u dont get offended :)

 

I too had extreme bad experience wit an alignment workshop, told me to install front camber.. Paid up $180.. End up when I do my alignment again aft I change my absorber, the alignment guy ask me, where on earth is the front cambar which I claim to have lol.. I paid $180 for air actually lol.. We all get chop here or there thru learning lol.. Else, my visit had mostly been pleasent as I visits what my friends recommend me..

[Xlentlow]

yes. it is not easy to meet mechanic or workshop that doesn't try's to over-charge customer.

my usual way of style. ask for the problem, ask the price for solving the problem. if price isn't acceptable, ask a few more workshop. if price range is around the same, then decide on which workshop to go by their service attitude when I ask so many questions.

[D4rkFly3r]

Leaving ur car wit a workshop that u aint familiar wit w/o ur presence sounds a bad idea right fr the start.. B4 u get to know a workshop well, u kenah chop 1st.. I suppose we all learnt some lesson the hard way.. Since paid, treat it as a lesson learnt n nvr repeat history again.. Suppose next time u should ask ur peers whom been driving for long time which workshop they patronize, ask them to recommend.. Usually it turn out betta unless they been Robert themselves w/o realizing it lol.. Pardon me my frankness n hope u dont get offended :)

 

I too had extreme bad experience wit an alignment workshop, told me to install front camber.. Paid up $180.. End up when I do my alignment again aft I change my absorber, the alignment guy ask me, where on earth is the front cambar which I claim to have lol.. I paid $180 for air actually lol.. We all get chop here or there thru learning lol.. Else, my visit had mostly been pleasent as I visits what my friends recommend me..

 

Yea, lesson learnt. Thanks for the advise bro. :)

[D4rkFly3r]

yes. it is not easy to meet mechanic or workshop that doesn't try's to over-charge customer.

my usual way of style. ask for the problem, ask the price for solving the problem. if price isn't acceptable, ask a few more workshop. if price range is around the same, then decide on which workshop to go by their service attitude when I ask so many questions.

 

Thanks for the advise.

[Carpools]

When to come to electronic and software, I think it best to go back to agent.

Servicing and accessories like brake light,tyres, engine oil, wipers, spark plug, sport rims should be ok.

[Kru]

Trust with workshop is built up over time and with proven quality work delivered plus good customer service. I am quite ok with my trusted wshop but still will neg , agree on price beforehand and be around when doing any major work so as to ensure no misunderstanding.

 

Based on your account I am quite surprised you went back to first wshop when initial encounter dont seem to instill confidence in their capabilities.

[Yeobh]

Shop should provide on time repair /replcement information /photos to customers via sms/whats app or email. This will cut down customers time increase trust level and congestion in the workplace - also reducing the chances of accident.

[QQDreamer]

Shop should provide on time repair /replcement information /photos to customers via sms/whats app or email. This will cut down customers time increase trust level and congestion in the workplace - also reducing the chances of accident.

 

 

bro if every workshop in sg is like that you said then every car owner will have a peace of mind. but sad thing is it is not happening here in sg.

[Yeobh]

Shop owner just have to innovate to get the best customers and be the leader in its field. This method is widely used by professional mech in US Europe and etc. If every car owners ask for such add on service and willing to pay the right prices for repair/services, I am very sure many shops will jump in.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Yeobh

[Jansonchua]

yes. it is not easy to meet mechanic or workshop that doesn't try's to over-charge customer.

my usual way of style. ask for the problem, ask the price for solving the problem. if price isn't acceptable, ask a few more workshop. if price range is around the same, then decide on which workshop to go by their service attitude when I ask so many questions.

 

 

I agree with you. We are the paymaster and they should try to think of ways to convince us to give them the job.

[Yeobh]

There are few types of paymasters and for those very demanding and poor rate paymaster no shop will not want to work for them.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Yeobh

[Solar]

What I usually do is to ask for price first before they proceed to repair.

Yes, check with friends and forums will also give u insights.

 

The other day I got an restraint error on the console and refused to start.

Lppl i called cnc and was told they charge $50 for coming down to assist.

While waiting I did a search and found this error also appear when there's battery issue and cnc charges like $600 for battery. It's not covered under warranty.

I canceled and called AA instead and got the battery replaced for $250. It was really a battery issue.

[Vicsaw]

For airbag signal, just check below your seat or your passengers, ensure that the connector below is fasten and not loose and the airbag indicator may go off. It works for my car. Next time I help you. I will not charge if cant solve ur problem.

[Fuelsaver]

Shop should provide on time repair /replcement information /photos to customers via sms/whats app or email. This will cut down customers time increase trust level and congestion in the workplace - also reducing the chances of accident.

U know any here pls rec. don't think they exist in spore. Not even the rec ones.

[Yeobh]

Local shops hardly think out of the box. They only do templating, undercuting and for some they are professional BS.

If they are make to realise that such add on service can improve customer base and in turns improve the company's bottom line, am sure many will jump in. Maybe for a start try encouraging yr reliable mech to do it and see the result.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Yeobh

[Nojoke123]

maybe it's better to agree on the cost prior to the repair, so that won't get heart attack due to the huge bill.

 

[Mcf777]

unless you know the technical thing of the car very well.

if not, whatever the mechanic said, seems alien to me.

 

And we cant really see what spoilt deep inside the engine compartment.

And it is up to them to chop carrot.

 

something agent is good.

something is bad. They dont repair. They just change a new set.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Mcf777