varsorama

Hey guys,
Just wanted to get your opinion regarding a few things on a local shop I have been using. Don't want to bad mouth so will not say the name. Have been getting kind of annoyed and I think rightfully so. Every time I have brought the car there, some sort of issue presented itself.

1) Turn signal switch replaced- Picked up the car and steering wheel was rubbing on a the switch assembly.......they adjusted it and then afterwards the steering wheel was not centered when driving straight! 3rd time the charm. 3 trips to the shop!

2) Simple brake flush......brake fluid reservoir was WAY overfilled

3)Brought my SUV in as I live one mile away.....they left a vaccuum hose unplugged causing a check engine light.

Obviously we all make mistakes and are not perfect, but I am just starting to get a bad vibe. Nice people but just seem kind of sloppy. This shop works on mostly German cars and always see Porsche's and Bimmers there when I pass by. Just not sure what to do. They did a tuneup and window regulator without issue and price very fairly.

Any opinions?

Paul Waterloo

In repair, you are only as good as your last mistake.

1. Easy to do, the cause was the replacement turn signal stalk was put too far forward on the steering wheel. I did it when I put my four switch unit on. You don't even have to take the steering wheel off to adjust it, you can get to the 8mm nut from the bottom of the cover, however, I did not figure that out until after I took the steering wheel off!

Steering wheel alignment is just stupid, have to drive the car after taking the wheel off/putting it back on to ensure it is straight.

2. Lack of attention to detail. Easy to fix by pressurizing system and bleeding one corner to correct level.

3. Could happen to anybody, but don't know what repairs they were doing.

Next time you need the 996 fixed, maybe I do it for you!

alpine003

There are plenty of other shops. Don't waste your time or effort in establishing a relationship if their work isn't up to your standards or you're not comfortable with them. You have no obligation to them.

These kinds of things are my pet peeve but luckily I've been doing all my own work for over 20 years now so I'm not really affected by it but do hear horror stories from others.

One guess might be that they assign the simpler tasks to a junior tech while the senior techs only handle the hard items. This is pretty common in repair shops or dealerships. It's still no excuse.

Did you by chance mention it to them each time so that they can have a chance to correct it and be more alert the next time around? If you haven't mentioned it, that's on issue right there as they will never know they did anything wrong.

varsorama

Yes, I have mentioned it and they do take responsibility but also seem like they do not care to double check everything. I do my own own and stuff like air/cabin filters, basic interior items since I live in an apartment.
But I have a low tolerance for stupidity and common sense mistakes. If I was a tech, I would be OCD on making sure everything is correct. But that's how I am with maintenance

alpine003

If that's the case, I think you should find another shop.

thin_concrete

Trust your gut. If you think you should walk away, then do so.

spruden

Automotive repair is like most services businesses...it's not a huge margin business. It's also highly competitive. Reward the shops that really stress the details - and ignore the ones that don't. Everyone makes mistakes, but this seems like someone's eye isn't on the ball.

Time to steer your demand to the shop providing the highest value service - not the one missing details. Reward the good guys.

varsorama

Yea I agree. As much as I don't care for the dealer, I have had a great relationship with Loeber Porsche. My dad used to go there for years. Great ppl. Thankfully the car is pretty much sorted now.
However, time to move on to a different woman so to speak lol. The trust is gone Finding a good mechanic is almost harder than finding a woman!

silotwo

Speaking as the older fart that I am - unfortunately your experience is far too common in the current day. It extends beyond the automotive repair industry and in my opinion is the result of success being measured by how much coin can be gotten in the shortest amount of time.

I just had a similar and very poor experience with an Indy who had a good reputation with 38 years in the business of repairing Porsche's and other high end German makes. I am still fuming because on top of the poor service he charged me a ridiculous amount on inflated hours and had me make multiple trips to his shop. I had to return yesterday because he over filled the oil. I kick myself because I usually do my own oil changes but thought that since he'd have the car in the air and I had the oil and filter it would just be more convenient. My mistake.

I could go on but bottom line is that your experience with this particular shop most likely will not get better.

Shop around and as spruden said - reward the good guys - if and when you find them.

dporto

I wouldn't give them as many chances as you have. The best thing that you've done that I can see is giving them a series of small jobs before giving them anything critical. This is a great way of gauging their attention to detail...Now save the stress and go find another shop!

varsorama

Yea, I understand some jobs like window regulators and ignition switches are "bs" jobs.....but I think ppl these days care too much about $$ and rushing to get another car in. As I left, a BMW that was just there before me had pulled back in. Not a good sign.
If I screw something up, I take responsibility. But I just don't understand how these shops survive. Unless many car owners are totally unaware of what happens.

porschemikeandnancy

If you get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach whenever you drop the car off, it's the wrong shop.

Trust is a funny thing. It can take a lifetime to develop, and can be gone in a flash.

I'd judge the shop by their reaction to a "uh oh, here comes a customer back". If they apologize and appear to go out of their way to solve their mistake, I'd give them another chance. If they are at all defensive - questioning your complaint - or giving you the impression they think it's you and not them, I'd be gone in an instant.

Here's a recent example: I purchased a well used Mercedes 2 seater. My "normal" independent benz mechanic is an hour away. Normally I drop the car there and take the bus home. In this case, I simply wanted to have a shop check to see if the muffler and/or cat. converter needed replacement. So there is a local shop that advertises "Mercedes specialist". So I brought the car over and asked if they could check to see if the muffler and/or cat. converter needed replacement. I left the car and was picked up and taken home. When I returned, I was handed an invoice for $150 with a long list of items checked off. I never asked for a full inspection. Before purchase I had an pre-purchase inspection done (for pay) near the sellers location (out of state). This "new" list was close (but not exactly the same).

I did pay the bill but left and crossed that shop off my list permanently. Later on, when I had brought the Benz to my normal "indie", I asked if they had heard of this shop. Their reply was: "you have to watch them carefully". In other words, not honest nor trustworthy.

varsorama

Yea....I mean they did do my muffler bypass pipes, spark plugs and fuel filter.
Don't know if they just rush sometimes or don't care about detail. But the past 3 visits have all been strikeouts.
Probably better if I find a Porsche only specialist.

ejdoherty911

You have already given them too many chances. I allow one strike, maybe two if the offenses are minor.

gnat

If you have a relationship with them, talk to the owner and let them know what is going on. If not, move on and find another.

We had a long term Indy that we loved, but they grew and turned into a local chain and were ultimately bought by a regional chain. All the while their prices went up and quality went way down. I finally settled on a new Indy who has so far done all of 2 oil changes (996 and 958), a 15 year check up on the 996, and a charging system check on the 996. Yet when I messed up the 958's airbag this weekend and swung by to see if they could help they didn't even want to charge me for the 30 minutes they spent trying to figure it out (they hadn't pulled a "new" Porsche airbag yet so they looked at it as a learning experience). It probably helps that I let the owner take the 958 home one night (he hadn't gotten to really drive a diesel yet). I'm still hoping to take his 996 GT3 out for a spin before he sells it...

The point is that there are good shops out there that will take care of you and your car well. Don't waste time on mediocre ones. Find a good one and get to know the owner and the techs.

Same for body shops.