greg928GTS

since I brought my GTS to the mechanic to have the transmission fixed and the new wheels installed! He had the rebuilt valve body 3 weeks ago and it's still not installed. He's had the new studs and wheel bearings to install the rear wheels since 7/20 and he hasn't done a thing with those.

I got home from work today and just decided enough was enough. I pretty much came unglued and grabbed some cash for bail money, a few tools for breaking into his shop to get my car, and a pillow for sleeping there overnight and took off to get my car back.

It's a good thing he's over an hour and a half away so I could cool down a little before getting there. I ended up waiting at his place for over an hour until he showed up. Told him I wanted the car right now and I would call AAA to flatbed it to my house, fixed or not. No wheels on it so I couldn't get it out of the garage. He talked me into letting him have one more day.

I can see why so many of you do your own work. I wish I had more time to do my own. Another mechanic down, searching for another. This guy was pretty good too, and he has a great shop, but he's way too relaxed about getting the work done, and he's not good at calling me to keep me updated.

All I could think about for weeks is how many times his cats were jumping up on my car, how many people were pulling up next to my car and opening their doors into it, how many times the mechanics went out for a smoke break and leaned against my car shooting the ****, grubby hands pushing and pulling on whatever parts necessary to move it in and out of the garage, etc... It's enough to make any red-blooded 928 **** retentive person insane.

Overall, another bad mechanic experience.

Art_Z

i have to say that my local wrench, Kresge, in Bethlehem PA, is great to deal with and really knows his stuff.

AO

That sucks! Sorry to hear, but hopefully he'll make it good. Crossing my fingers for you.

Alan

Keep looking - there are great mechanics out there with knowledge & respect for these cars...

When you find one - treat them well!

Alan

pmotts

This from the keeper of the Shrine??

Bill Ball

It's sad how many shops are run like this. Basically bring your car, drop it off and we'll call you. No scheduled appointments. Cars literally all over the place sitting for months. They work on one for a few hours, stop go work on the next a little bit. It's a bizarre approach based on the notion that they don't know what parts they need and when they will come in, so they just load the place up with cars so they will have SOMETHING to work on. Terribly inefficient, wasteful and lazy way to run things. Sort of the artisan mentality.

AO

The shrine is on temporary leave, especially after causing me to shred a belt and get a leak in the radiator on the day of our event in Hell, MI. As the keeper of the shrine, I'm supposed to get extra protection from this kind of stuff. So until the shrine shows its worthiness, I'm reverting to crossing things for good luck.

On further reflection... maybe it's time for the shrine to change hands?

greg928GTS

He called me at 7:00 tonight to tell me the car is ready to be picked up. Going to get it tomorrow.

Abby Normal

Try waiting for 3 years on a motor and having 20k tied up in some ****-fu*$'s shop accross the country! It's probably a good thing he was so far away. In the end I got my motor but not at all worth the time and aggravation I went through.

You were smart in drawing the line and getting your car back.

Ketchmi

We had a customer complaining that it took us 8 months to do his job. It was only an engine rebuild/transmission rebuild/torque tube rebuild, suspension upgrade, brake upgrade, complete interior, half the wiring harness, corrective bodywork and paint half the car, convert late model memory heated seats to an early non-heated system, convert a late model dash to an early car using all the late model switches, custom stereo/radar detector/alarm/door-hatch unlocking, IPOD, XM satellite system, and a few dozen more things. I was pretty proud that we got it done in 8 months! He jokingly said that Monster Garage could have done it in a week...

He now drives the wheels off the car and enjoys every minute of it.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, hope it was all worth it when you take her out for a drive. There are still some of us out here that actually care about the customer.

greg928GTS

Yes, I know there are mechanics out there who care about their customers, I just wish I had a few more choices here in Maine. 8 months for all that work is no problem at all, it's the communication that is important when doing work like that. That's the work that I wish I could have had done to my 89 a couple of years ago. I didn't think I could get that done here locally, which is why I bought my 93.

The mechanic and I are on good terms, he acknowledges that he should have communicated better and apologized a couple of times. He does seem to care. It's been my experience though, that people like this always have a multitude of excuses for why they can't do what they are supposed to do; whether it's a mechanic fixing a car within a reasonable amount of time, or and employee showing up for work on time consistently, or a family member who borrows stuff and promises to return it, etc... Why would I not expect the same kind of treatment the next time around with this mechanic? Do I sound cynical?

Ketchmi

Hey Greg, had I wasted two months of your time doing the little bit you had done to your car I'd expect my bells to be rung! I wasn't standing up for him because that does sound a "bit" excessive (by about 6 weeks!).

How much are you asking for your 89'?

Gary Knox

Greg,
I don't know about Maine, but if you're willing to get/take your car to CT, check with David Lloyd, long time 928 owner/racer. He's at Musante Motorsports, and is the chief 928 wrench there (one of the founders of the 928 Owners Club). His e-mail is: David@MusanteMotorsports.com

Cheers,

Gary Knox
West Chester, PA

greg928GTS

Well I guess my confronting him worked. I picked up the car today and he had it all cleaned and ready to go. What a difference! Transmission shifts great and the handling with the new wheels/tires is outstanding.

Price of the 89 depends on whether or not the stereo goes with the car. $7,500 without.


Thanks for the info Gary. CT is a long way away for me to bring the car though.

Ketchmi

Glad to hear that it was resolved. I will think about the 89' and give you a PM. I always need another toy...89's like supercharging! The white 89' auto I built is back in the shop for more boost...10.5 psi is not enough, the new number is 14ish.