Is anyone else afraid? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barry12345 · #1 12-24-2018, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

There was that recent study that said that electric cars would cause a greater demand for mechanics.

The reason given, was that many buyers will put off buying a new car because they realize that their next car will have to be an electric car. In th emeantime, they will continue to dive their ICE cars and they will need more repairs as they age.

In a way, even now, we have a problem. Technicians are trained to repair the current overly electronic cars. They plug them into a computer that tells them what it thinks is wrong. Those technicians are not much like the old school mechanics.

Where we live, I am afraid to take my 123 or 107 in for a repair so end up doing most jobs myself. Regular indies here know domestic cars, but not old Benzes. And at a dealer, besides cost, they don't know what to do because there is nowhere on my old cars to plug their computer into

Yes I was around when the truly old time mechanics phased out. The mechanics that replaced them would not be cognizant of many tricks of the trade they used. For example the good ones had developed amazing intuition on what the problem probably was. There was never a charge for diagnostics.

I personally feel the expectation of being overbilled for a shop repair is semi justified. I do realize that everyone has to make a living at the same time. Yet many of the bills are way past what they should be in reality. The only satisfaction I see if it is even that. Some service facilities have basically no customers anymore. Down from eight bays and eight mechanics in one case locally I am aware of. To just two mechanics working there now. .In just the last three years.

Mark123 · #2 12-24-2018, 06:23 PM

With all due respect, I just have to point out to vwnate1, plumbers seldom deal with human waste. Maybe a few repair guys once in awhile or the unlicensed drain cleaner dudes. The decent wages come from the ability to install the piping systems that make buildings livable. I speak from 40 years experience. A good plumber has the same skillset as a good mechanic. Just applied to something else. So why are not auto mechanics compensated at the same rate? Because they haven't demanded it? As I think about that used motor oil from my 300D, which brown stuff is actually more toxic.?

vstech · #3 12-24-2018, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark123

With all due respect, I just have to point out to vwnate1, plumbers seldom deal with human waste. Maybe a few repair guys once in awhile or the unlicensed drain cleaner dudes. The decent wages come from the ability to install the piping systems that make buildings livable. I speak from 40 years experience. A good plumber has the same skillset as a good mechanic. Just applied to something else. So why are not auto mechanics compensated at the same rate? Because they haven't demanded it? As I think about that used motor oil from my 300D, which brown stuff is actually more toxic.?

A major difference is where the work is performed...

House calls always cost more.

Graham · #4 12-24-2018, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark123

With all due respect, I just have to point out to vwnate1, plumbers seldom deal with human waste.

Well, I don't know who it is then that deals with the numerous sewer back ups that occur or even just overflowing toilets. At least in the North where most houses have basements this is a common occurrence.

2 years ago, at Christmas, we had a lot of house guests and one toilet stopped working. The cast iron sewer pipes in very low crawl space had cracked open. A fully licensed plumbing company who normally did commercial work bailed us out starting on Boxing day. We had to cut out our flooring to access the pipes. New ABS pipes installed. Heck of a messy job, but they got it done.

This month, my daughter in law had a sewer back up in her basement. Caused damage to entire basement washroom. Now stripped out waiting for rebuild. New shower, walls etc. Plumber has already repaired the piping problem.

Can't imagine who else might have done these jobs. In fact they required a licensed plumber.

By the way, our MB dealer charges $140/hr. Plumbers nowhere near that much. I can fix my car, but can't deal with what plumbers have to deal with.

vwnate1 · #5 12-25-2018, 09:43 PM

I guess it matters where you ply the trade, I've plumbed a _lot_ of toilets and unstuck many more, no one ever calls until the situation is grim .

Yes, quite similar works but different tools and parts .