Question for auto shop owners………..
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209274
Printed Date: 01 Apr 2026 at 6:25pm
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Topic: Question for auto shop owners………..
Posted By: Lars(wi)
Subject: Question for auto shop owners………..
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 2:37pm
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How do you handle ‘walk in the door’ work vs ‘appointment work’? Background; we live in a small town with very limited auto repair facilities, of the couple that are here, they are backed up all the time. They will stop work on vehicles in the bay, to handle someone that walks in the door with something ‘urgent’. For us that scheduled a time, we not given a committed(nor a rough estimate) time for completion. What would be a 12 hour ‘book-time’ job stretches to over a week or more. Is this a common practice nowadays? ------------- I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science. |
Replies:
Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 3:14pm
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Two fold - if someone has a breakdown that can be easily fixed - a way to have a new satisfied or prospective customer . If a major or long repair or diagnostic then a appointment is the answer . While traveling I had a drivers side window on my truck lower but refuse to go back up , no problem EXCEPT is was below ZERO out . Stopped at a auto dealership to see if they could help - said they were booked up but if i could wait they would see if someone would be free . 14 minutes late service writer contacted me - 3 mechanics had got window back up - said regulator was bad - just don't lower window until I got to somewhere who could fix it fully . Asked about their shop cost - said next time they would charge - this time on them . ------------- Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 4:20pm
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A shop should NOT be taking that much "urgent" work... Most jobs dont fall in that catagoy.. They should wait just like everyone else.. Now if you SCHEDULE and leave you car so they can work on at their LEISURE as they have SPARE TIME.. and give you a discount, thats different. No 12 hour job should take a week to complete. Your going to loose business if you work like that.
------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 5:25pm
| Working in a shop along a Interstate we saw our share of Urgent and Needed back on the road work. Weed thru some diagnostics where if is Easy fix, work them thru, otherwise offer number to tow companies or point to a Pay Phone(Back then). Most with real problems were looking more for a Rental Car company in most cases and would get back to the car at a later date. |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 5:57pm
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A friend of mine (from out of town) had a tire blowout on his fifth wheel RV quite close to me, only to find that his spare was flat. He called me looking for help. When we went to a "mom and pop" local tire shop, where I have done business (and they know me), they told him he would have to make an appointment. I told them he was broke down on the side of the road. That didn't matter - make an appointment. We went to a local "wholesale club". They mounted a new tire and fixed the spare. I try to do business locally, but guess which one I will do business with, in the future.
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Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 8:53pm
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Most repairs should be done on a first in, first out basis but there are other considerations that come into play. Sometimes the shop may be waiting on parts for what is in the bay and can take on a quick repair instead of starting another major job. Sometimes it may mean interrupting your normal work flow to get someone out of a bind and back on the road. Think of how you would want a family member treated if they had a problem out of town that could be quickly resolved to get them back on the road. There are no hard and fast rules, a workable balance that keeps almost everyone happy is best. JMHO. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 8:59pm
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If the "urgent" is one out of 10 customers, thats one thing.. IF it is 50% of the business, your screwing your SCHEDULED customers. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 6:06am
| Not necessarily screwing regulars, possibly attempting to earn faster money, or too short handed and still attempting to maintain service levels. Some shops intentionally cater to transient business as reaps higher referrals in the long run but destroys local credibility as noted. |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 7:08am
Go to a shop to get a vehicle fixed??? I've never contemplated such a concept Even 99% of my on highway breakdowns I've been able to at least fix enough to limp home. If a vehicle has computer controls or other things requiring fancy diagnostics, it's not for me.------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 11:26am
| Paul, some of us have progressed beyond the '80's. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 1:11pm
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Lars... i dont know what maintenance you needed.. But if this was the TRUCK you just bought with the 5.4 motor and VCT that was worn out... the mechanic probably disassembled the timing cover / chains / idlers / tensioners and examined the cams , etc... Probably made a list and had to order the parts... That might take a few days.. So the 12 hour job was 5 hours to disassemble and inspect... and will be 7 hours to reassemble a week later , after all the parts arrive. ?? ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 1:16pm
| On the phone this morning trying to make an appointment to get hearing checked. Lady put me on hold to deal with a customer checking out. So, who's time was more important the customer checking out or me becoming a new customer? Eventually a different lady came on and made an appointment, the other lady calls me back 2 hours later to get the rest of my info. I hate these callbacks from the dr. office, like I'm sitting here with nothing to do when I'm working on the farm. As far as repair shops like tire guys and tow trucks and even mechanics if you want to take the emergency jobs because you like the challenge, the people, or the money you need to schedule your work to cover it all. The guys who are good at it seem to get it all done. Some of the guys that enjoy it will work on the big projects after hours when they don't get disturbed by customers. If you don't want to be a slave to your shop then work accordingly. |
Posted By: Lars(wi)
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 2:40pm
Yes, Steve this is the vehicle, but the kicker is, he ordered all the parts ahead of time, when the parts arrived we scheduled the service. Dropped the truck off a week ago yesterday, it should have been done before Friday nite. Texted him Friday morning for status update, said should be all buttoned up later Saturday, but wanted to ‘use the truck for a couple days, make it runs right before letting back to me’. Texted Monday am, to see if ready, reply; “he didn’t feel good Saturday, and was too tired Sunday but, it won’t be long my friend”. So this where I’m at, wife is pissed at me, beyond belief(this is gonna be her sled). However this turns out, this is the last project this mechanic will do for me, which is unfortunate as he is very knowledgeable and through, but his timelines, I can’t work with any longer. ------------- I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science. |
steve(ill) wrote:Posted By: Coke-in-MN
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 4:44pm
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Brother was a line mechanic for a dealership but did work at home in his spare time like tune ups and brake jobs and a clutch or such repair at his OWN timing . One neighbor he did work for sent his brother in law over to have some work done . Guy comes into garage and tells my brother he is dropping his car off and wants it back the following day in early afternoon. So they start off a little far apart on side work - Brother says he can schedule it in later some time next week - the guy gets all upset and says he needs it now and wants a actual time and day he wants it done by - So brother grabs the wall calendar - looks at it and say - have a opening 4 months from now at 8 AM Saturday - car will be done by midnight and expect you to pick it up at 12:30 AM that night . Last he heard from the guy ------------- Life lesson: If you’re being chased by a lion, you’re on a horse, to the left of you is a giraffe and on the right is a unicorn, what do you do? You stop drinking and get off the carousel. |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 6:34pm
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Questions / considerations for the vehicle customer(s); 1. how should an auto mechanic charge for a heated/lighted occupied work bay along with its lift during delayed new parts order(s) wait time?? 2. How should an auto mechanic charge for installing a new “bad” part(s) only to test them & realize they’re bad. So then need to remove them again, order another hopefully “good new part. Then get to install 2nd or 3rd same new part(s)?? That’s the sad truth/reality todays mechanics face day after day. Customers with Vehicle being repaired/serviced probably don’t realize that or may not believe it even if mechanic tried to communicate about it. Crazy times!! |
Posted By: jvin248
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 6:58pm
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. It's triage like a hospital emergency center. Assess the sick car and if it's having a heart attack it gets pulled ahead of the hangnail patient. Buy a beater backup vehicle, like an old pickup because you can use it to haul sod, and you can get by a week of your regular car at the shop. I'm a little too impatient and I just go buy parts and do the repair myself instead of sitting in the waiting room at the shop. The backup vehicle is the parts chaser if I run into unexpected issues and need more parts. . |
Posted By: Kenny L.
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2025 at 7:17pm
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Where I take my to get repaired they'll give you a loaner to use and all you have to do is have the same amount of gas in it when you bring it back or they'll bill for the gas, I'm sure I'm paying for that loaner one way or other but it's nice to have that loaner and I don't care about I time line for getting it back. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2025 at 7:32am
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Posted By: Ray54
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2025 at 12:05pm
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Mechanics are becoming like doctors there is more demand than people to do the work. Those that are honest and do good work , they get a fallowing. Then it is make an appointment for a week or 2 down the road. I have been lucky to find a number of honest mechanics. One I spend all day just trying to get through on the phone to make an appointment to get an oil change.
 Yes it sucks to be gimped up and not be able to do the simple things. I have used the quick oil change places.  But hopefully never again. |
Posted By: Lars(wi)
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2025 at 1:39pm
 ------------- I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science. |
Posted By: Lars(wi)
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2025 at 8:36pm
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Well, we got the vehicle back this afternoon, repair was $2,000.00. Two weeks at the shop. Recommend to have oil change intervals at 3,000mi. 5w-20, get in it, and drive it. Drive like you need to get somewhere. Not a good engine for putt-putt around town. ------------- I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2025 at 9:27pm
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I had a 2001 F150 with the 5.4 motor -- got 250K miles and a tree jumped out in front of me on an icy road... Bought a 2002 F150 and go 250 K miles on that one.. sold to a buddy who needed a good deal... 5.4 is a good motor , just not a high HP performer....... Then in 2005 the put the Variable Cam timing in the engine.. First ones had a few problems with timeing chains and tensioners .. You might get 150K, you might get 300K... a lot depended on the OIL QUALITY and VISCOSITY as that controlled the timing with oil solenoids and orifices.... With the UPDATED PARTS and keep the oil clean and it will be a GOOD ENGINE for many years.. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 6:22am
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query. What's with the 'variable cam timing' tech in engines ? Do you actually get better performance and MPG ? It seems like a LOT of 'high tech' has gone into them , complicated, expensive so wondering IF it's 'better' ? My gut's telling me a NORMAL engine is better in the long run....? AKA 'KISS ' principle ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 6:36am
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Over complicating to accommodate EPA nonsense. The attempts at lower emissions at better economy that in actuality comes from decreasing vehicle weight. |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 7:14am
I think that is a huge part of the problem with a lot of engine problems. The owners think they know more about the oil they are going to use than the engineers that designed and oversaw the recommendations for the engine. Even on this forum I often see comments like "I use 15W-40 in everything I own". Many engines call for a low viscosity oil due to low tolerances. They recommend a certain viscosity oil for a reason and it's not just to make it inconvenient for owners to have to buy different oil for different vehicles.
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Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 7:30am
| Was no reasoning for the Intolerant Tolerances to begin with or the temperamental engines that were produced. |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 8:29am
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We can (and do) complain about the EPA mandated rules for mileage, but I am old enough to remember when you bragged about getting 20 miles per gallon or owning a vehicle that made it to 100,000 miles. My daughter just rented a vehicle and complained that it only averaged 24 mpg. I see many on here that put 250,000 + miles on vehicles. Maybe all those EPA standards aren't really that bad...
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 9:49am
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I had a 1969 C20 pickup with a 250 straight 6 and a wide ratio 4 speed trans.. top speed about 70 mph.. Maybe got 16 MPG ? I have a 2013 F150 that has a V6 dual turbo engine with variable cam timing, and its a 4 wheel drive, with a 6 speed automatic.. about 400 HP... and will pull a 10K trailer... and it gets 20 MPG if you keep it at 60 MPH.. VERY COMPLICATED ? YES... but has been very reliable also... times have changed.. AND .. being fuel injected, it will start on 2 revolutions of the engine when it is ZERO outside..
------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 11:00am
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Started as Mechanic as Gas engines went from Points to Electronics, then the EPA crap expanded. Electronics were initially intended ONLY to Compensate for those that would not keep autos tuned up HOWEVER does not compensate for bad cams, bad valves or poor maintenance otherwise. Diesels and as are all electronic these days, compensating for wear and tear, compensating as much for Emissions controls crap. I was still in the garages as Silver 92 Detroits arose with fully electronic Injection racks, then those replaced by the Penske design Four Stroke 60 Series. Had four Clients with 60s that AVERAGED 8.5mpg hauling Interstate Refrigerated Loads. Two others with new 60s in Dump Trucks getting unheard of 6.5mpg local runners. Cat 3406E cam out bumped HP to 500 and were receiving 6-7mpg as Heavy haul Trucks with Three Axle Lowboys and Drop axles on Tractors. NOT seeing these numbers today with DEF DOC, DPF systems. Gas, my 2010 Impala V6 gets 24-26mpg still at 176,000, but when its done they are DONE. Is no rebuilding or head work on these, same was true for the newer Caddies in late 90s early 2000s, where if needed a Head removed and reworked received a COMPLETE exchange, required a Alignment Jig to install a Head, had to be Out Of CAR. Truth is I have 345,000 on my '99 7.3 Powerstroke. Will it last? Maybe. Most get to 400-450k before grenade or need so many components are not worth rebuilds. Just as with the gas engines are better off Crate Motors if can afford or even find one. Soon as Oil Consumption crosses a Fine Line to where carbons the Heads, the Valves and violates EGR/PCV and Catalyst systems there is no rebuilding. Planned Obsolescence. Built to run Longer miles, and just Die.
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Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 1:03pm
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At 250,000 miles or above, most people don't care if an engine is rebuildable. The cost would be way more than the vehicle is worth. We all know what it costs to rebuild a very basic four-cylinder tractor engine. My point is that the electronics have vastly increased fuel mileage and have increased engine longevity. There is no more choke sticking and washing down the cylinder walls, no more timing issues that resulted in piston damage and other out of adjustment things that destroyed engines. I don't think there are very many that want to go back to the days when engines were completely manually tuned. In some ways, the EPA standards that we all complained about, have resulted in positive things. When we speak of diesels, my first diesel truck was a 1999 Ford (International) Powerstroke 7.3 that I bought new in 1998 (they were introduced early). IIRC, it was 444 cubic inches, horsepower was around 225 and somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 ft. lbs. of torque. Driving solo, I got about 13 mpg. We towed a 9800 lb. fifth wheel and got about 10 mpg. towing. I now have a 2021 6.7 Powerstroke. It is 450 horsepower and 1050 ft. lbs. of torque. We now have a 16,800 lbs. fifth wheel and we get 11 mpg towing and easily 18 - 20 mpg solo. The difference in power from the 1999 to the 2021 one is amazing! I had four new Powerstroke diesels after the 1999 before the 2021 and each one was a step up in power and fuel mileage.
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 2:48pm
This thread has gotten WAAAY off topic. But if you want to brag on your power jokes, let's compare it to my 1989 Dodge/Cummins. NO COMPUTER or electronic controlled ANYTHING except alternator. It will get 30MPG hyway as an empty pickup with two people riding along and 20+ city. Then when you start towing, I can gross at close to 21,000 hauling tractors and if driven the way it wants to run it rarely goes lass than 17 MPG and has done this for over 350,000 miles. Are you still going to be bragging about your newest electronic joke when your sitting on the side of a New York washboard road in the middle of winter when it's dead because a bad sensor. Last summer while returning from a pull, interstate 81 was backed up for nearly 6 miles because a TT just stopped in the road because of something electronic in something fouled up. Rarely can I not get my KISS vehicles to limp home somehow. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 13 Dec 2025 at 3:59pm
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I have never seen ANY full size truck get 30 mpg and you can't tow 21,000 lbs. on any 2500 or 3500 1989 truck without being WAY over the vehicle's GVWR. Paul. I've said it before. Most of us don't want to go back to the 1980's. If you want to drive a 1989 truck that's fine. Most of us want to be able to get home without having to work on our truck.
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Posted By: bobkyllo
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2025 at 10:57pm
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I give very few people a solid time that their vehicle will be done. I work alone most of the day. So besides fixing the cars, i chase parts, I make bills and take payments, I give quotes, I look at customers concerns, and more. I can't hardly give anyone a positive time. Besides what I posted above i find that many jobs that should take an hour always take longer due to rust and corrosion |