"hairpin" (aubreyrichter1015)
12/03/2013 at 11:18 • Filed to: None
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"hairpin" (aubreyrichter1015)
12/03/2013 at 11:18 • Filed to: None | 4
| 8 |
Sexism in Auto repair.
I'm sure it's something most women run into. Mechanics seem to think they see a sign on my head that says "take advantage of me". Little do they know behind this 5'3" girly exterior, (yes, I even like to rock bows in my hair) I know my cars. I went to get my vehicle inspected. (2003 Chevy tracker with a lift). I had decided to take it to a place around the corner from where I lived instead of its usual mechanic. When I tried to pick it up, the mechanic proceeded to tell me that I needed to replace one of my tie rod ends, and that it would be $200.00 to fix it. Plus labor. This made me angry of course. I proceed to tell the man that, although I may not look like it, I know what tie rod ends are and I know for a fact that mine are not bad. Also tie rod ends only cost about $20.00 in store so he was obviously trying to rip me off. He tried to argue with me after that, so I asked for my keys back. He then proceeded to tell me he already ran the inspection so I couldn't leave without paying the $15.00 for it. I realized further arguing was pointless, so I paid, took my keys and drove home without an inspection sticker. So the convenience of taking it to get inspected around the block turned into a bigger headache than it was worth. Thank you sexist mechanics for reminding why I like to work on my own cars instead of taking them in. It's just too bad that I have no choice when it comes to inspections.
thebigbossyboss
> hairpin
12/03/2013 at 13:27 |
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I am not a lady, but I approve of Trackers, and your automotive knowledge. I don't even really know what tie rod ends are.
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hairpin
> thebigbossyboss
12/03/2013 at 14:31 |
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Thank you :-)
zadtheinhaler
> hairpin
12/03/2013 at 20:34 |
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I've long hated the tendency that some mechanics (not all!) have towards women. I would've snagged the keys and buggered off. charging $200 for a 420 parts. That's a dick-move right there.
Ferrero1911
> hairpin
12/04/2013 at 01:35 |
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I hope that guy thinks twice before trying to rip off another woman. It sucks that you didn't get your inspection sticker, but at least it only cost you $15. As a fellow lady I feel your frustration.
Ian Duer (320b)
> hairpin
12/04/2013 at 05:31 |
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That's terrible. What decade is this? Last I checked it wasn't the 50's.
As a guy I only had to deal with this once, when I first went away to college. When the inspection mechanic realized from the address on the registration that I was a college student he clearly thought he could pull one over. Gave me a whole laundry-list of things wrong with the car. When I said "Can I have my keys? This really blows my weekend" he looked confused, until I followed up with "naturally I'll be laying on the pavement fixing all this stuff." I took it back to the same place the next Monday with the only actual problem fixed, which wasn't even something on his fake list of broken parts. Got my inspection sticker. I continued to use the same garage for inspections and they never tried any BS again. Once I realized that college kids were another rip-off target of unscrupulous garages I spent a good part of my time in college explaining to incoming freshmen, both male and female, how to deal with garages so they didn't get ripped off.
Bean-O
> hairpin
12/04/2013 at 20:04 |
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Sing it sister! I don't take junk from mechanics either. If something is wrong upon inspection I say "Show me the issue or broken part." Catches them off guard. One up side to being the only girl in the fam. Keep up the great (car) work dolly!!
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Bean-O
> Bean-O
12/04/2013 at 20:05 |
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It's goffeebean BTW :-)
aquila121
> hairpin
12/04/2013 at 22:54 |
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+1 for bows in your hair, +5 for calling him out on price-gouging BS.