Why are some (mostly younger) people soo scared of repair shops or dealerships

"EL_ULY" (uly)
08/04/2014 at 11:59 • Filed to: None

This is not the first time this has happened.

I got a phone call earlier today from a female with the tiniest little voice but enough to since her fear.

She said (in that super non threatening tone where the last vowel is higher pitched), "hello, my name is ____, um I lost my keys and my doors are locked in my car, how do I go by getting a new key please :]"

I said, "Ok ma'am what I am going to need is for you to come in with your title and drivers license so I could order you a key when you get a chance. We don't cut keys in store so they are ordered directly from Volvo and are to be pre paid before hand. Some do require a software so you can be able to start the car. For that, the car has to be here in the shop"

I have to tell people all this to cover our ass when people try to start their car without the key being programmed. They start bitch at us for not telling them and all that sheeeet. All the paperwork is for obvious legal reasons.

After I told her that, she completely freaked out. Opponauts I've met know that I have such a light weenie voice and I don't speak to customers like most assholes at independent repair shops. Still, she got freaked and said, "Oh ok umm, I don't want any trouble or trying to complicate things I swear but my title is in the car. I am sooo sorry. I do take my car there for service all the time"

Dang girl calm down it's ok, i'm here to help jeeze lol. I told her, "it's fine ma'am I can ask the service department to look up your info when you get here so I could use as a reference"

She freaked out again! she said, "oh i'm so sorry, was I supposed to call service? I called parts like a dummy I'm soo sorry"

LOL I told her, "it's fine ma'am I can help you out here. Just swing by whenever you get a chance so we can order a new key and we can get you back on the road"

She said, "oh ok thank you. How long does it take to arrive?" I told her about 2 days. She was cool with it and swung by just a while ago. Cute little thing around 20 or 22 years old. Big smile and that awesome tiny voice.

Thing is, this happens way too often with younger dudes and dudettes. They are completely terrified of anything to do with auto repair. Any other person would show up or call (usually with their horrible accents), "Yes I have 94 Volvo 940 INEEDTHEHOSEFORPOWERSTEERINGRETURNLINEYOUHAVESTOCKYES?"

I can't be all super friendly with those dudes because those are the asshole that try to return things when I clearly say no refunds on electrical items for example. "NOYOUNEVERTOLDMETHAT ITISFUCKINGBULLSHIT". That or don't bring back core and various other policies they think they are excluded from. I have to treat them like assholes because they try screw us over all the time on orders and other shit.

As for the younger crowd, i'm not sure why they are completely terrified of all aspects of the auto world like buying a car from "A scary salesman trying to hike up the price" Bitch please, put your big boy pants on and haggle haggle haggle just like your grandpa did back in the day.

Auto service? Do the easy shit yourself! Kids are lucky to have all the forums in the world, all the other online resources, hell, even DIY videos on Youtube. No excuse! Just nuts and bolts kiddos. Need tools, grandpa has a bunch.

Yes ask your grandpa. Most new dads work from home, no need for a work truck or a tool box like grandpa used to, busting ass for so long. He won't pay $450 for a 10k service at a dealer that's for dang sure.

So yeah, two types of customers. The "hey I have this shit car and I need this shit for it now" kind and the (usually younger 17-28 years old) kind that are 100% clueless and their fear doesn't help get the job done.

What sucks is my coworkers are so into their "deal with asshole, everyone is an asshole out to screw us over" mode that when a friendly honest person calls or shows up with a simple question, they speak to them in that direct and "to the point" tone. Kids today are beyond over sensitive and go straight to Google or Yelp and bitch about how they were treated.

Just wanted to share that lol. Don't let (all dealers suck and out to kill you) Automatch read this :]

DISCUSSION (52)

Reigntastic > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:03

Hahahaha, sounds just like me talking to my local Toyota service dept.

"Hey, I'm calling about my 1993 MR- yes, something broke on it again. The part I need is P/N:XXXXX"

"Yes, I'm aware you'll have to order it, that's fine."

"YOU WANT HOW MUCH FOR THAT PART THAT YOU COULDN'T EVEN FIND AT YOUR WAREHOUSE? TIME TO HIT UP AFTERMARKET LMAO"

GhostZ > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:04

It's because you never hear about good repair shops anymore, you only hear about the ones that overcomplicate and screw up your job. Since we make purchasing decisions based off of reviews and recommendations from people we already know, rather than doing the (arguably more energy/time consuming) method of learning enough about the field to judge work quality beforehand, we tend to bias toward having to act on faith and ignorance when we need a complicated job done. This is why people will be more trusting of large garages and repair shops than they will of smaller ones.

You can see the same thing happening in all the service industries, not just auto repair. It's killed the independent contractor, who must now sign on to a carpentry firm for a flat rate well below his many years of expertise, because the market deems him too risky as a rogue agent.

TurnDownForWatt > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:05

Millenials. Terrified of anything that involves moving their eyes and noses up from their cell phone. It's hilarious and pathetic at the same time. The possibility that someone may have a critical or differing opinion from them frightens them to the core. That's why so many of them have "social anxiety" and other bullshit internet-diagnosed mental disorders.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:07

You're right, there really are lots of great references available now online, and it's impressive how many folks on this forum and others are taking on projects and sharing their results.

To be fair, it's easy not to have confidence in your ability to wrench when all you've ever seen your parents do is drop the thing off at the dealer and complain about the bill afterwards.

And hey, at least check the forums and YouTube videos to see how hard the job is before you decide. In my case, I found an excellent video on replacing the bearings on a Maytag Neptune washing machine. It was so thorough it made me decide it was finally time for a new washing machine. :-)

505Turbeaux > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:08

Dealer: Everyone that comes in is an asshole and are out to get us

Customer: Every dealer is an asshole and out to get us

There is a perception from either side that needs to change before it gets better on both sides.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:09

My family doesn't like dealers we try to avoid going to them. So I usually am doing the maintenance.

Viggen > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:09

Because our parents told us the horror stories of labor charges spiking the price.

Bandit > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:21

"Kids are lucky to have all the forums in the world, all the other online resources, hell, even DIY videos on Youtube. No excuse! Just nuts and bolts kiddos. Need tools, grandpa has a bunch"

I'm 18 and can totally back up that statement. I do almost all of the work on the Trans Am at my grandpas house. I also have the Haynes and chitons manuals for the car but googling the solution is so much easier.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Bandit
08/04/2014 at 12:25

Haynes manuals are the best they make great reading material when you are bored and contain some sweet diagrams.

EL_ULY > 505Turbeaux
08/04/2014 at 12:28

lol yup. The problem is some employees cannot change their tone with different customers. But that can apply with all jobs

EL_ULY > Bandit
08/04/2014 at 12:29

you..... we need more peeps like you :]

505Turbeaux > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:29

true story

EL_ULY > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/04/2014 at 12:30

yes sir, 100% true. I still read my E28 bentley manual

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:30

Something similar happens to me. Whenever I'm talking to persons of higher authority in situations that require spontaneous responses, my voices goes unnaturally high pitched.

EL_ULY > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
08/04/2014 at 12:31

yeah dude exactly. Just gettng started is the biggest hump for someone starting off. Plus, the help is there on your phone, it's that easy :]

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:33

My parents bought me a cobalt one and said do the recall yourself.

EL_ULY > GhostZ
08/04/2014 at 12:33

yeah that is true about the independent contractor. This trend is sad. The only time really one want to do a survey is when a bad job was done, never the good. Sucks that service advisors get paid on customer surveys. One bad survey (usually for something the dealer had no control of) can cause up to $300 off their paycheck. That system is shit and i depending on the assumption that people are smart which most are not.

EL_ULY > Reigntastic
08/04/2014 at 12:35

lol yup. 80% of our calls are from independent shops that get 20% off anyways though

EL_ULY > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/04/2014 at 12:36

yup yup. But most are not as fortunate to have an awesome roadside mechanic like our buddy Vince :]

DipodomysDeserti > GhostZ
08/04/2014 at 12:36

I'm not afraid of dealers, but prefer to work on my cars myself. I have a really good relationship with the parts department at my local Subaru dealer. The guys are really chill and give me discounts on parts. However, every time I would bring my Forester XT in for an oil change (I received two years free maintenance when I bought it) they would put the wrong weight in (0W20 instead of 5W30). Not a huge deal, but come on, it says which oil right on the cap, and it's a turbocharged engine operating in 115F summer weather. Then my wife brings it in for an oil change around 20k miles, and they tell her it needs some sort of $750 maintenance. I'm like, wtf guys, I don't think they even charge $750 for the timing belts, and they're not due until at least 100k.

Turns out the service manager was trying to dick her around while she's in their for an oil change with my two kids. Situations like these are why people are leery of repair shops. I have no problem telling the SA he's full of shit, but someone who doesn't know much about cars and might not have the time or energy to haggle with someone is afraid to get screwed over. I have buddies who are mechanics, and you know as well as I that there are no shortage of douchebags working at car dealerships. The key is to find a good SA who you know isn't an asshole, and make sure you always bring your car to them. That or do your own wrenching.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:37

Haha your too kind.

EL_ULY > Viggen
08/04/2014 at 12:37

This goes beyond the price though. Still, you gotta pay to play either way here or aftermarket.

EL_ULY > TurnDownForWatt
08/04/2014 at 12:38

I try to help they out though. It just suck most other dealers and shop employees don't have the ability to show compassion like me. I can't blame them after dealing with assholes all day, but still, help the kid out.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:39

Yup. Although I do know some people who have proven they should not be trusted with a wrench. :-)

Viggen > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 12:41

True. I'm about to bring my car in for a service in 200 miles. We'll see how it goes.

EL_ULY > DipodomysDeserti
08/04/2014 at 12:42

Yeah those services are a set price mostly from the manufacture to cover the time in shop, parts, loaner, and carwash. I had my uncles 2012 Jetta that the maintenance plan when out. I check to see what was needed for the 40K on VW website. A huge list but all in all, change oil and check filters. $450 is too much for that. But it keeps a record at a dealer of the services and that alone brings the resale value up.

EL_ULY > TurnDownForWatt
08/04/2014 at 13:01

a buuunch have social anxiety. Just like my customer today. There are meds for that though. Side effects include (list of a million side effects)

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 13:03

My dad got started fixing cars because back in the 70's he raced them, so as a result went through a clutch a good 1 or 2 times a year.

Me on the other hand, I didn't get into fixing cars until a couple of years ago (early 20's), trusted mechanic shops for the most part, then I had the dreaded pink thingy happen to my wife's 300, and I wasn't about to pay 300 bucks for it to happen again later down the road. So I pulled off a somewhat intricate repair, and the rest is history.

That history is, I vastly overestimated my own mechanic abilities and bought a 944. It'll make for a good story some day, I don't take my cars to shops anymore though, do it all myself.

DipodomysDeserti > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 13:06

What services? The Forester didn't need any service other than a free oil change. It only had 20k miles on it. The guy was making shit up thinking a young mom with two kids would fall for it.

EL_ULY > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
08/04/2014 at 13:08

awwww :]

desertdog5051 > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 13:13

All this discussion about dealerships and how they try to screw people makes me wonder why they are called technicians and not mechanics. I think because mechanics know how to find the problem and fix it. Technicians change parts till something works.

I took a Ford PU into my close by dealer because it had a bad coil. It uses 8 coils. I was busy with work and needed the truck for a 2 day out of town job related trip later that week. I asked the SM to figure out which coil it was (even Autozone can tell you that) and put on a new one. Picked it up and it was still mis-firing. Turned out they changed all 8 plugs and never replaced the bad coil. I believe they thought they would make more money for a second trip through the service dept. all along.

EL_ULY > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
08/04/2014 at 13:51

that is the case with most people here. Especially when trying to save money

EL_ULY > desertdog5051
08/04/2014 at 13:55

true but not entirely. Tech have the manufacturer resources and special tools to make repairs pretty much dummy proof. Though, i've worked as both for many year and prefer the dealers approach to repairs. We get old cars also, especially form shops that started to work on something and just couldn't finish. Not to mention independent shops that call in having no clue what the parts are for a proper repair.

EL_ULY > DipodomysDeserti
08/04/2014 at 13:57

Well no not really. Manufactures have a set list of item that need to be checked at their interval. This is important information and records come resale time. Even if after the huge list the only actual job is the oil change, these are set by the make not the dealer.

EL_ULY > Viggen
08/04/2014 at 13:58

yes sir. Those important dealer services make a huge difference come resale time for sure.

EL_ULY > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/04/2014 at 14:01

lol nope nope. It needs to be recorded through the dealer on the VIN that it has be completed, even if it's a simple repair. Some recalls are small things like new clips or ties

Bird > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 14:40

As far as doing your own work, I completely agree about the internet bringing all the information you could ever need to the table nowadays. I was actually joking with my grandfather about it the other day...I was heading out to the garage to tear down an engine and transmission, and he asked "You got the book for that car?" He has a shelf full of old Chilton manuals...the big 3 inch thick green ones that cover 'Full Size trucks 55-65' and such. I held up my laptop and said 'Yep I've got the book for this car, and all the books I could ever need right here.'

I will take a couple issues with what you said though...Grandpa did not have all the right tools. He's a little light on the metric side of things. Might be a fairly common problem...luckily almost all the needed tools to remove and disassemble the engine and trans of a Toyota Soarer can fit into a small duffel sized tool bag.

The other thing is not everyone has that access. I'm thirty-one and had never actually worked in my grandfathers garage until a few weeks ago. I've always lived too far away. I just got lucky this time and broke down 2000 miles from my place, but only a few hundred from his. I think this is the bigger problem with younger gearheads. Finding a place to do the work isn't as easy as it used to be. Landlords in rental apartments and even rental houses near cities tend to not allow it. Many homeowners associations have rules against doing work in your driveway or with your garage door open. They're worried it might lower the property value...

I live in an apartment in LA. I have a shop now, but I've chanced working on the street a few times, and worked in my shared garage which is technically against my lease. I've had better luck than most, but it can still be an issue. Most people don't have the place to try doing the work yourself.

DipodomysDeserti > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 14:59

There's not a huge list for Subaru's. Under the maintenance schedule at 20k is oil/filter and inspect the drive belts except cam (timing) belts. The belts were cherry, as you would expect from a car with only 20k on the clock. Even so, $750 to change out accessory belts would be absurd. This is a Subaru, and they are very low maintenance vehicles.

EL_ULY > Bird
08/04/2014 at 15:05

true true. We are talking about the general public in any case. It sucked living in an apartment needing to do work. Especially easy stuff. That's what I meant as far as getting your hands dirty. The easy things. I understand the fear but t's not that bad. I really liked the generation gap between you two. Always awesome comparing notes with granda and with giant books.

EL_ULY > DipodomysDeserti
08/04/2014 at 15:11

dang dude that's rad! I couldn't find the exact page from VW but I found the list for the 4oK. Oil change, air filter, and a million other things to check

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 15:19

They did it as a joke.

Captain of the Enterprise > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 15:20

I have a problem with posts like these. They have been popping up a lot lately on oppo and jalopnik and even smaller lesser known sites like yahoo and cnn, but my biggest problem is seeing it on here. I am 19 and therefore am assumed to be helpless, lazy, self absorbed, an idiot, will ruin the economy and screw older people over and I apparently hate cars because I would rather be on my phone. I am none of these things. This past Friday I diagnosed and replaced tie rods on my crown vic while also replacing the shocks (I went with cop shocks by the way because after doing research I found that they would fit just as well as civilian shocks but would help the ride and handling), I'm an engineering student and I also am on a FSAE racing team at my university. However, I go on the internet and find another article trashing me and my fellow younger gear heads. Your are insulting your own audience. This is the equivalent of that teacher you had in college or high school going on a 45 minute rant about showing up to class TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY THERE. If you are trying to make people my age be better with cars then post it somewhere they might actually see it. Someone who is not interested in cars is not going to stumble onto a car blog and then start reading articles your just aggravating the actual car people that are reading your articles. I understand your issues with younger people and they aggravate me as well but ENOUGH. Also as for having a hard time getting jobs and the economy, I will have to work longer than you and pay more than you to try to pay for what your generations caused with national debt and taking out bad loans and mortgages and as for blaming the banks for all of that, no one forced your to take out a mortgage on a house that you could never afford in the first place.

Captain of the Enterprise > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 15:21

I agree plus they do the recall for free so I don't see why it would be an issue.

DipodomysDeserti > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 15:25

I have a BMW so I know how that goes. I just changed the original timing belts out on a '91 Subaru Loyale with 215k miles. Looking at that VW list, it would take about fifteen minutes to check all those things. Shit, just looking under the car would knock off half that list.

Captain of the Enterprise > TurnDownForWatt
08/04/2014 at 15:28

Ah the older generation constantly ripping the younger generation for the stereotypical ones and therefore writing the rest of them off as idiots.

Bandit > TurnDownForWatt
08/04/2014 at 15:29

And this millennial says fuck you for over generalizing this generation.

EL_ULY > DipodomysDeserti
08/04/2014 at 16:06

lol right?

I've owned 7 german cars in my day so far. Lots of work and sometimes pricy, but not dificult when you break it all down.

EL_ULY > Captain of the Enterprise
08/04/2014 at 16:24

yup yup, and we need more awesome dudes like you. I'm never assuming anything but "most" other people in my position do unfortunately. I say most based on what i have seen in the last 13 years in the feild both hole in the wall places and high end dealers. What separates me is that i adapt to the customer. I don't assume its some kids and treat them in the same "its that it? Ok bye" attitude. I kniw to pace myself and help them out. Again, it applies to most, not all like most other article here on and the FP target

Jedidiah > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 17:01

I go back to shops that treat me right; plain and simple. I do maintenance by myself like people should.

I have little fear regarding shops, I will not hesitate to get lawyers involved and make them do it right.

I know enough to know what quality work is and when people are feeding me shit.

I don't care about dealers because new cars are a waste of money.

EL_ULY > Jedidiah
08/04/2014 at 17:18

very true buddy :]

GhostZ > EL_ULY
08/04/2014 at 20:21

assumption that people are smart which most are not.

This is the best way to summarize about 50% of the issues with modern economic theory (which should be able to explain/improve this situation).

EL_ULY > GhostZ
08/04/2014 at 22:39

lol :]