Marks of a professional... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 06-28-2011, 12:19 AM

Just wondering what some of you consider marks of a professional that you've noticed after say getting your car serviced, having a professional install your carpet, tile, etc. It seems the focus seems to be shifting to getting things done quickly and that doesn't always mean doing it the right way the first time. Let's hear some of those times when you've noticed that the job was done by someone with above average abilities who did the job well and in doing so had left their professional mark on it that only a good pro can do.

I have to say that for me - it was always the way my dad sharpened the blades. Whether it was a chisel, or a knife, that edge was unmistakably sharp and even. I could not ever do that to that degree of precision - he has always been so precise. I've always appreciated that.

Another thing was watching my brother-in-law sweat the copper fittings... no matter how hard I've tried, there was just so much finesse and precise timing in the way he heated up those fittings from the right angle and to the right temp - I cannot duplicate these results... not yet.

R Leo · #2 06-28-2011, 08:01 AM

Absolutely.

Quote:

When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.

Kuan · #3 06-28-2011, 08:33 AM

I can tell a whole lot when it comes to cooking but there's so much.

With bicycle wheels, a professionally built wheel will have all the spokes tensioned withing 10%. The valve hole will be facing the markings on the hub and it will be true within 0.5mm.

Guitarmaking: There are so many things http://imgur.com/a/UNEeU#FiXDN

barry123400 · #4 06-28-2011, 12:19 PM

Generaly competance is displayed in many ways. By the same token incompetance has it's signs as well. Without a lot of experience it is probably hard to judge. Simple example.

A good neighbours car at the cottage would not start and run. I happened to have a code reader in the dash. I got his car running and told him to get the oxygen sensor changed as my hitting it was only a temporary cure at best in nature.

Of course he has not changed it yet. The next time it drops out may cost him a tow bill and he still has to replace it. Plus all the time lost as the time of the next failure of the sensor may be less than convienient.

Gambling is part of life but his gamble has no upside that occurs to me. He has low competance in evaluating things and wil possibly pay for it over the years in many ways.

Chris W. · #5 06-28-2011, 12:46 PM

After a very thorough alignment job at a local indy shop, when I was doing an oil change a few weeks later I noticed that the eccentric bolts were all marked with paint lines, such that if any bolt shifted it would be immediately obvious.

I have seen this on aircraft engine housing fasteners when looking out the window from my seat. Not really structural bolts, but bolts or fasteners to hold the cover/housing in place around a turbine. This was on a commuter turboprop, not a big jet.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 343K

Hatterasguy · #6 06-28-2011, 01:16 PM

When the guys build my houses if they do it the right way first, without calling me every 5 minutes, and if they run into a minor problem sort it out themselves.

This way I don't have to babysit and don't get call backs. If the job is running right I don't need to be their I'm just in the way.

My last tile guy for example I got rid of because he whined like crazy, and wanted me to run to Lowes every 5 minutes to get something. Nah not happening I have better things to do than run to Lowes for something he should have bought already. I'm paying him to do a job, I'm not paying myself to help him.

G-Benz · #7 06-28-2011, 01:49 PM

I remember a quote from a craftsman friend of mine:

"There is nothing more permanent than a temporary fix."

I believe that alludes to doing a job right the first time.

Personally, I consider a "professional" job as one that doesn't require a revisit to get the original issue done properly.

As far as how fast the job is perfomed has more to do with experience...I've seen an experienced person perform a task quickly and flawlessly, while another spent an ungodly amount of time and the end result was shoddy.

Kpmurphy · #8 06-28-2011, 02:02 PM

I installed voice and data cable a while back my brother would always say you cannot rush perfection. He is correct.
He did some dam good work after an install we would take pictures. Now he builds log furniture for a living.
His web site is not updated he builds to order.
http://murphyslogfurniture.com/

benhogan · #9 06-28-2011, 02:09 PM

Not to brag too much but check out the reviews on this fine fellow....

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&biw=1003&bih=615&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=lawn+mower+repair+chapel+hill&fb=1&gl=us&hq=lawn+mower+repair&hnear=0x89acc31c216e7ea7:0x7f03bae00443e4cb,Chapel+Hill,+NC&cid=15210911497939907283

raymr · #10 06-28-2011, 03:51 PM

I appreciate cleanliness. If a mechanic has clean tools it means: he is entrusted to work on newer, more expensive cars; and/or realizes how detrimental even the smallest speck of dirt can be if it ends up in the wrong place.