I hope all indies aren't like this - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

justinperkins · #16 02-07-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Why? The toe is adjusted just like a Ford. What is it about the MB suspension that is different?

Isn't everything on these cars different? I don't know about the W123, but I know for sure that the W124 suspension is more unique than it is similar to other suspension designs. MB has what many would call a superior design, which requires special tools and trained technicians.

R Leo · #17 02-07-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

I am totally unconvinced of that notion. What is it about a MB front suspension that makes it so special?

The ability to drastically alter the steering caster for one thing.

riethoven · #18 02-07-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf-n-Turf

I have been in this shop before just to BS. You could eat off the floor in that place. They solely work on MBs and all years. I 'm sure it was just as dmorrison said. He got upset because he wasn't going to make a shop lease payment off me. I always do all my own work, but I have no way to do a real alignment. Maybe time to build a bigger barn to fit a rack in.

You got to stop bragging about your barn. I am envious.

I come down to Central Florida every once in a while and usually go by you on I-4 on my way to Palm Harbor. I'll have to invite myself in for a tour next time I am in the neighborhood. But for now I am in the subfreezing world of New York.

GTStinger · #19 02-07-2007, 05:10 PM

I know the alignment won't be perfect without the spreader bar, but I'm curious how significantly it affects the results. If it's "close enough" than the lifetime alignment at Firestone,etc might be a good deal. Sure you might have to have it redone twice as often, but free is free.

My last alignment experience was ugly. Mercedes dealer told me I needed $1800 of repairs for the alignment to "hold". Knowing the problems weren't as bad as they described, I told them to do the best they could without the repairs. When I came in to pick it up they gave me a story about how they spent two hours trying to align it and couldn't get any improvement. Charged me full price. Driving away the car pulled 'exactly' like it did before. The steering wheel was in the same not-quite-centered position while driving straight.

I drove to Merchant's Tire. They promised me no charge if they couldn't get it aligined. The next day she was driving straight and true.

aklim · #20 02-07-2007, 06:27 PM

Why the surprise? Indie or not, he has to eat. You thought that as an indie he is getting money from some source other than the parts and labor he gets to install in your car? In a dealership, the tech only gets paid for working on your car. In an indie shop, part of the profit is from the parts. No parts installed, no profit. Plain and simple. They are a business too. What makes you think that he is interested in doing a job for $50 only? Now if he has nothing else better, sure. Otherwise, money is money. All he will have is labor. Of he fits another job in that hour he spends on your car, he can have parts and possibly even more labor.

justinperkins · #21 02-07-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Why the surprise? Indie or not, he has to eat. You thought that as an indie he is getting money from some source other than the parts and labor he gets to install in your car? In a dealership, the tech only gets paid for working on your car. In an indie shop, part of the profit is from the parts. No parts installed, no profit. Plain and simple. They are a business too. What makes you think that he is interested in doing a job for $50 only? Now if he has nothing else better, sure. Otherwise, money is money. All he will have is labor. Of he fits another job in that hour he spends on your car, he can have parts and possibly even more labor.

Eh, if he's going to offer alignments and just alignments, then they should freakin' do just an alignment. Upselling is good and all, but shouldn't be required (for every customer) the indie business model.

Surf-n-Turf · #22 02-07-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riethoven

You got to stop bragging about your barn. I am envious.

I come down to Central Florida every once in a while and usually go by you on I-4 on my way to Palm Harbor. I'll have to invite myself in for a tour next time I am in the neighborhood. But for now I am in the subfreezing world of New York.

PM me before you come through. BTW, sucks to be you, it was 72 today.

Surf-n-Turf · #23 02-07-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Why the surprise? Indie or not, he has to eat. You thought that as an indie he is getting money from some source other than the parts and labor he gets to install in your car? In a dealership, the tech only gets paid for working on your car. In an indie shop, part of the profit is from the parts. No parts installed, no profit. Plain and simple. They are a business too. What makes you think that he is interested in doing a job for $50 only? Now if he has nothing else better, sure. Otherwise, money is money. All he will have is labor. Of he fits another job in that hour he spends on your car, he can have parts and possibly even more labor.

Or he could be sitting on his a**. Why pass up the $150 for easy labor. Bad business sense. I wouldn't have mine for long with that attitude. How long does an alignment take? 30-45 minutes max. Why not treat a customer right and get his business in the future as well as everybody else he knows. Again, bad business.

TheDon · #24 02-07-2007, 08:41 PM

I brought my car to the local alignment place to get a wheel flipped.. and paid 10$ for them to inspect the front end.. They found out what needed replacing..( tie rods, LBJ,UCA's.etc...) Surf and I installed it all and I got it aligned at the dealer for 125$.. Took the tech 30 minutes to get it all in line... He guranteed his work and I trusted him since he just finished with a W126 560SEL...

aklim · #25 02-07-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf-n-Turf

Or he could be sitting on his a**. Why pass up the $150 for easy labor. Bad business sense. I wouldn't have mine for long with that attitude. How long does an alignment take? 30-45 minutes max.

Why not treat a customer right and get his business in the future as well as everybody else he knows. Again, bad business.

That much for an alignment? I thought it was about $50-60. I paid an indie less about $70 and he was really good. He also does it all by hand so it does take longer. No electronics. Not the way I'd do it but other mechanics I know swear by him.

Well, way I think he figures it is that he doesn't make that much money and you are the type of customer that will only see him for alignments and not labor. So, he is not interested. Yes, you can talk of customer loyalty all you want. I probably will agree with you. Dad would. He went to the same Ford shop for over 30 years and the same salesman. Something they did along these lines pissed him off and he made a switch to another dealership. People like you and him are few and far between. Today, I buy from Joe. Tomorrow, who knows. People are more mobile these days and quite often go to the place they get the best deal at. Now, years ago, you patronized the same shop day in and day out because you support the local business. Seems like that is all long gone. If I am correct, all you are is a $50-60 customer. So, to answer your question, maybe he thought that you were going to be a "small potatoes" customer and hence not worth his time. As to advertisement, well, Only one time out of all the times I told people where good work is at in the last 15 years has anyone actually gone to check out a shop. Most times, they also go for the best deal they can get. So I am not really sure it has as much effect as it is cracked up to have.

Seems like behavior like that is almost becoming the norm. As such, I expect it and I do shop around before a purchase. My simple understanding is that I have no loyalty to them and they have none to me. I care about the here and now and so do they, it seems.

Surf-n-Turf · #26 02-07-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

That much for an alignment? I thought it was about $50-60. I paid an indie less about $70 and he was really good. He also does it all by hand so it does take longer. No electronics. Not the way I'd do it but other mechanics I know swear by him.

Well, way I think he figures it is that he doesn't make that much money and you are the type of customer that will only see him for alignments and not labor. So, he is not interested. Yes, you can talk of customer loyalty all you want. I probably will agree with you. Dad would. He went to the same Ford shop for over 30 years and the same salesman. Something they did along these lines pissed him off and he made a switch to another dealership. People like you and him are few and far between. Today, I buy from Joe. Tomorrow, who knows. People are more mobile these days and quite often go to the place they get the best deal at. Now, years ago, you patronized the same shop day in and day out because you support the local business. Seems like that is all long gone. If I am correct, all you are is a $50-60 customer. So, to answer your question, maybe he thought that you were going to be a "small potatoes" customer and hence not worth his time. As to advertisement, well, Only one time out of all the times I told people where good work is at in the last 15 years has anyone actually gone to check out a shop. Most times, they also go for the best deal they can get. So I am not really sure it has as much effect as it is cracked up to have.

Seems like behavior like that is almost becoming the norm. As such, I expect it and I do shop around before a purchase. My simple understanding is that I have no loyalty to them and they have none to me. I care about the here and now and so do they, it seems.

And herego is the downfall of trust and loyalty. What have you done for me lately. Huh? $.50 cheaper next door. See ya. I must be a dying breed of people that deal with good people rather than good prices. The un-caring, un-connected internet age is killing the feel of being a part of something. The new "Cheers" generation would rather find the draft beer .25 cheaper at Maximo's 2 doors down than have a relationship with the crowd in the bar as well as the bartender.

tangofox007 · #27 02-07-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Only one time out of all the times I told people where good work is at in the last 15 years has anyone actually gone to check out a shop.

With a track record like that, I think I would have given up 14 years ago!!!

dmorrison · #28 02-08-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

There is a "spreader bar" that is to be used during the alignment.

Not sure about this. Not saying your wrong but the dealer here who did my car for a while never used a bar. The unit was a 4 wheel laser alignment lift. I put 70,000 miles on those tires.
The Firestone shop here in Grapevine, Texas has a 4 wheel laser alignment lift. And all 3 cars they have done ride fine. Tire wear seems normal.
I watch all work done to my cars. The aligment at the dealer, I was right there as well as at Firestone.
Next time I go to the dealer and Firestone I will ask what machine they have. It could be that certain machines can do Mercedes and certain ones cannot.

Is it covered in the Service Manual about the spreader bar?

Dave

JimmyL · #29 02-08-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Here in the DFW area we have a few indies.

My indy is right there in Colleyville. Are you familiar with Don? I couldn't be more pleased with an indy than I am with him. It is just difficult to get my cars way over there and then get back home. Then go back and do the pickup. I've told him he needs a cheap loner....

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Firestone here in Grapevine does my alignment. Life time for $139.99. They have one mechanic who is very good. He is the only one who will do Mercedes and the 65 Mustang.
Dave

Where is that Firestone located? I may need to use them.
Does anybody in the DFW area use any of the dealerships for an alignment?

Isn't it also important to center the steering gear box with some sort of pin?

justinperkins · #30 02-08-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

That much for an alignment? I thought it was about $50-60. I paid an indie less about $70 and he was really good. He also does it all by hand so it does take longer. No electronics. Not the way I'd do it but other mechanics I know swear by him.

Well, way I think he figures it is that he doesn't make that much money and you are the type of customer that will only see him for alignments and not labor. So, he is not interested. Yes, you can talk of customer loyalty all you want. I probably will agree with you. Dad would. He went to the same Ford shop for over 30 years and the same salesman. Something they did along these lines pissed him off and he made a switch to another dealership. People like you and him are few and far between. Today, I buy from Joe. Tomorrow, who knows. People are more mobile these days and quite often go to the place they get the best deal at. Now, years ago, you patronized the same shop day in and day out because you support the local business. Seems like that is all long gone. If I am correct, all you are is a $50-60 customer. So, to answer your question, maybe he thought that you were going to be a "small potatoes" customer and hence not worth his time. As to advertisement, well, Only one time out of all the times I told people where good work is at in the last 15 years has anyone actually gone to check out a shop. Most times, they also go for the best deal they can get. So I am not really sure it has as much effect as it is cracked up to have.

Seems like behavior like that is almost becoming the norm. As such, I expect it and I do shop around before a purchase. My simple understanding is that I have no loyalty to them and they have none to me. I care about the here and now and so do they, it seems.

People that are loyal to a business are not few and far between, you just aren't one of them. I love supporting local businesses and usually stick with a good place when I find one, regardless of what price Joe next store is offering.

There's the people who shop at Wal-Mart, and the people who don't. There's a lot of people in each group. Whichever one you are is your own prerogative.