What do you hate/love about mechanics?

As a fellow mechanic, one thing that grinds my gears so to speak are guys that can't figure out how to clean up after their jobs. I once took a new pickup of mine in to the dealer have a tow package installed. Got the truck back later that day with dielectric grease smeared all over the back bumper, melted solder and wire insulation all over the floor and my transmission was not topped off after they installed the aux trans cooler. Cost them a few small warranty jobs as well as future vehicle sales.

 

One thing I've learned, always treat your mechanic with dignity and respect. You don't want to be on their badside, especially when they are the one's fixing your livelihood.

 

Exactly. For the amount of services he'd do he's probably better off just picking up a couple pails of oil and the filters needed when the driver calls for a PM.

 

I worried that would make me look unprofessional however after getting schooled I didn't worry bout it at all. If they weren't willing to deposit then they had no intention of paying. Drilling companies, oil field service companies are the worst. Small pipeline companies etc. Also be careful with com checks and T checks if there little procedure isn't followed to the letter your screwed.

 

I had the same concern about looking unprofessional, that's why I asked. But at the end of the day, your livelyhood depends on getting paid for the work you perform just as much as doing a quality repair and standing behind your work. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising as far as I'm concerned.

 

The problem with that these days. Is manufactures are using proprietary plugs. To which no one sells the lights to fit those plugs for whatever reason. I really hate having to cut up the original stock wiring for a new plug and light.

 

That goes both ways. The mechanic needs to do the same thing.

 

As for what I absolutely hate.... The wasting of time. Playing with their phones, watching videos, texting friends etc. Get my truck fixed and you better not bill me for that time you were playing with your phone. In your case, I can understand answering a call from a customer. As a matter of fact, you should get 2 phones, one for personal calls and one for the business. The personal phone stays in the cab of the truck.

 

Work on the days that truckers could actually use you the most! The shops that are open Monday thru Friday are a killer. Lots of drivers have the weekends free, and being able to get the rig fixed without holding me up before I head out for the next week is HUGE. My mechanic I was lucky enough to find takes off Tuesdays and Wednesdays instead of the weekends, and that is really helpful.

 

I hate asking a mechanic a stupid question.
I don't like to inconvenience a mechanic when he has a row of trucks to work on and......I'm bringing another truck with an issue...he probably has 70 things on his mind....

If I could pump oil from the oil pump to my reusable gallon jug to reduce the mechanics 'things to do' I would gladly do it.
If I could help a mechanic I would gladly do it.
I always give a mechanic a tip even if its 2-3 bucks