Garage Etiquette?

[supton]

Is it considered good form to expect to hang around the shop while the vehicle is being worked on? Until I got my Jetta I gave no thought to hanging around a garage/dealership; once I got the Jetta I basically only went to specialist shops and would hang around. A couple of times I got to work on my vehicle too.

Truck inspection is coming up, and I'm wondering if it'd be alright to ask if I can hang around, and get some extra work done while it's on the lift. Namely, lube the brakes, maybe change the brake fluid, and transmission fluid exchange. I could care less about saving money, I just want the work done right. Some of it I can do, some of it is easier with two hands, and some of it's beyond my anxiety level. [Plus I don't have a jack yet that will lift this beast.]

The place I'm thinking of going to is more of a corner shop, they have been good to me in the past and I'd like to give them a bit more business.

 

[eljefino]

They would be pleased to do more stuff at once when it's on the lift. The best customer, IMO, would be out of sight, but reachable.

Go in there, talk it over. I'd start with the inspection in case they find something and have to order parts. Then they could do your tranny drain etc in the interim.

I used to work at a tire shop and there was a big plate glass window between the bays and customer area. I felt like a fish in a pet store sometimes. Felt self-conscious hammering stuff that needed it. I'd find a loose tie rod end and had another tech come over, wave his arms, yank the tire, shine his flashlight, then saw the customer turn white as a sheet in that window as I was walking over to break the news.

 

[nitehawk55]

Liability is an issue with shops , if you get injured it's an issue .

Being a former mechanic and having dealt with customers in the shop I never minded talking to them about their vehicle and the repairs needed but if they got in my way I didn't appreciate it .

I think doing what you are wanting to do would not be appreciated or likely allowed if they are strict on liability issues with customers in the shop area . You'll have to ask and make sure it's OK .

 

[Propflux01]

Add to the fact that no one likes someone looking over their shoulder. Human nature.

 

[Eddie]

Liability + Shadowing mechanic=NO

 

[chainblu]

Many, many years ago I saw a sign at a repair shop. It was all in good humor and still funny today

Labor rate: $20/hour
If you wait: $25/hour
If you watch: $30/hour
If you help: $50/hour

 

[Donald]

I cannot any shop letting you do that. There is liability and getting in their way, and how much experience do you have if you do not have a jack that can lift a Toyota Tundra? You commented that you want the job done right, inferring the shop might not do it right.

I do not think shops really make any money on inspections, its a service they provide since you are their customer and they do other work on your vehicle.

So what would you do if you snapped a rusted bleeder screw while to a brake fluid flush? Have them fix it, keep it on the lift while you get a caliper?

 

[silverrat]

What I always hated was a customer watching over my shoulder doing things like picking their underhood leaves and dropping them on the clean shop floor, opening their brake fluid reservoir and dip a finger in to "check" it and my personal favorite opening a hot rad with their bare hands.

 

[supton]

Technically, snapping a bleeder would be no different--they'd have to wait the 30-45 min for the part to show up, which would be faster than if I drove to go get it. Quite frankly, that'd be the point of taking it to a shop: they can fix unforseen problems far better than I can.

I just don't want corners cut. When my VW manual says to replace this or that bolt: I want this or that bolt replaced.

I'm not sure how much of it I'd want to do, anyhow. But I'd be curious how the transmission filter looked, and how stuck the rear brake pads are, etc. I guess I just have to do the work myself, if I'm really concerned.

 

[nitehawk55]

Well most shops are booked solid so snapping a bleeder and then them having to fix it would likely be a problem for them .

You can ask for the old parts and the mechanic will likely have no problem showing you something and discussing with you while it is on the hoist so you can see it but beyond that they likely won't want you in their way .

 

[supton]

Good points all, thanks.

 

[KB2008X]

For many small shops, 3 bays/lifts or less, it can be a benefit to them to have you wait because you're there to answer any questions they may need to ask you, and give you're approval for something that requires it, versus playing phone tag for hours and having a bay tied up. So waiting can work for you and them, depending upon the situation.

Standing outside the shop and watching isn't generally appreciated, as others have pointed out. Trying to ask questions or carry on a conversation while your car is being worked on will be frowned upon by the shop owner or manager, because you'll be a distraction and could cause an employee to make a mistake or get hurt. There are plenty of ways to get hurt in a repair shop and you'll just be adding another source of trouble trying to interact with them.

You actually being in the shop will ramp up the pain-in-the-butt quotient even more and will not be tolerated for long, if at all, not to mention the likelihood of you getting hurt. Now, asking to see a problem so that you can understand it better may be permitted, but only for that brief moment.

Asking to work in their shop, that's a ridiculous proposition for so many reasons. Do yourself a huge favor and don't even ask.

If you think that shop is one that you can trust and want to give them more of your business, then count your self lucky and don't do anything that will screw that up. A good shop is hard to find and they get to pick and choose their customers. The best thing you can do is to be a customer that they want and one that they are glad to see.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: chainblu
Many, many years ago I saw a sign at a repair shop. It was all in good humor and still funny today

Labor rate: $20/hour
If you wait: $25/hour
If you watch: $30/hour
If you help: $50/hour


I one I've seen added another line that said: "If you work on it and now I have to fix your screwup, $100/hour"

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: chainblu
Many, many years ago I saw a sign at a repair shop. It was all in good humor and still funny today

Labor rate: $20/hour
If you wait: $25/hour
If you watch: $30/hour
If you help: $50/hour


I one I've seen added another line that said: "If you work on it and now I have to fix your screwup, $100/hour"


I've seen that and it is related to why I usually don't try to fix my own cars. It'll cost more if it goes bad.

I'll just drop it off with a laundry list then. Unfortunately I bought most of the stuff I wanted to use, that was stupid of me. Was hoping to save a buck and do it myself.

 

[cjcride]

Take a mechanics course get some good tools and ref. books and dig in. You are already primed.

 

[supton]

I just hate to brick it in my driveway. I used to do this sort of work when I was younger and not afraid of consequences. Today every what-if petrifies me.

 

[nitehawk55]

I't doesn't get easier crawling on the ground as you get older.....I know .

 

[javacontour]

I take brownies or doughnuts to my local garage. I get great service

 

[cjcride]

Originally Posted By: javacontour
I take brownies or doughnuts to my local garage. I get great service

I took some cold cans of Ginger Ale and Coke one hot humid day, they liked it.