I really wonder how some of these folks stay in business:

Took my Jeep in for an oil change recently (yeah, I know... but the oil filter is a pain in the ass to get at), and shortly thereafter, while wondering why my 30,000-mile Jeep was now smelling funny and leaking oil all over the garage, discovered the oil filter was loose, oil dumping over the side of it, and the oil filler cap missing, and the oil level was low low low Spent two days playing phone tag with those jokers to get them to agree to redo the oil change, replace the missing cap, and put everything back together), and not only did they not call me when it was done, but it never occurred to them once to apologize for the inconvenience. (And it is an inconvenience, I still haven't figured out how I'm going to go get the damned thing )

Ordered a new key tumbler from the dealership for the 300D early this week, which was supposed to come in Thursday, at which time they were supposed to call me. Well, they didn't, so I called them this morning to see if it was in. After sitting on hold for twenty minutes, I gave up and decided to just drive over. After being asked to produce a receipt, then waiting for 30 minutes, it turned out they probably never ordered the part. They can't find a record that it was ordered, and certainly can't find the actual part, so it will be reordered Monday And when I tried to leave, they had my car blocked in by all their various loaner vehicles!

And of course there was my torn boots episode as well

I'm going to be so happy to meet a good, honest, competent mechanic (hopefully this week, mikemover gave me a good recommendation last week) that I'll probably drop down and kiss his feet on the spot.

So, I know it's not just me. How do the rest of these guys stay in business? I'd get fired if my job performance was comparable.

Chris Fett in roswell
or
Jozef's in avondale estates.

both are tops in my book!
k

__________________
Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

Chris Fett was mikemover's recommendation He'll be the first MB mechanic I've tried since the boot-rippers... I'm optimistic, especially given your and Mike's references.

perfect example for DYI advocacy.

__________________
72 W114/M130

RedMeat cartoon

was this at classic? they eventually did my trap-ox recall work in my sdl, but only after I hounded them for a couple of weeks. Eventually I found a service manager who did a good job for me... but it was clear they were not excited to be working on a car from the 80s, and probably would not have minded if I got crabby and went elsewhere.
The parts desk at RBM is decent, and you can get new/used parts at the benz store on buford highway if you need them today. www.benzstore.com
they stock filters/belts/fluids/etc, and have some parts cars. Chris is also a good source for parts.

__________________
Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

A couple years ago, I bring my Stealth TT in for an oil change. Resident genius drains the gear oil from the manual trans rather than the oil. I suppose I should be thankful he realized this before he "replaced" the engine oil. They had no idea what gear oil a Gertrag 6-speed trans took, and when I provided them with the manufacturer's recommendation, they quickly discovered they had no such product on the premises. The manager made several calls, and was still unable to produce said gear oil. He then disappears in his car for nearly 2 hours, then returns with the product in hand. It was another 40 minutes before the job was completed. They apologized and didn't charge me for the oil change, but nearly 4 hours down the drain for a 15-minute oil change. Gads! This place did go out of business a few months later.

One thing I have found is that general competence level seems to rise markedly when dealing with shops that specialize, specifically in Mercedes from my experience.

The tumbler thing was at Atlanta Classic Cars over here in Duluth. I've been ordering everything I need online (except the fuel and oil filters and such I picked up at the Benz Store), but the tumbler has to be ordered through a dealership apparently; you have to show title or registration on the car, and picture ID, etc. Otherwise I don't believe I'd set foot in a dealership like that

Only true if you want it coded it your car.

Oh really? You mean this wasn't necessary?

Well... heck.

And I'm down here in Warner Robins but I only work weekends.

__________________
Jim

I go to school with a couple thousand future mechanics/service writers, it's only getting worse I'm afraid.

Its not just Mercedes dealerships.
My wife has a Hyuandai. Its never been in the dealership except for one oil change to get in their computer system. She did take it in for replacement of the black trim around the front door windows. They told her they had to order the parts, but wouldn't do that until she scheduled an appointment. 1 hr, they said. The appointed day came and she took the car--4 hrs they say. She got a ride home and then they called and said they couldn't fix it, because they didn't have the part--come and get the car. I saw her bring it home--with some kind of solvent running all down the door. She went ballistic! Demanded they come and get it and fix it because the solvent had taken off the paint. A manager picked up the car and they returned about 5 hours later, with the paint repaired and the trim replaced--they had it all along.
But thats not the end of it. They have called twice since then to set up an appointment for the trim to be installed--she explained it had been done. Now they called and were quite pissed because she failed to show up for the appointment to have it fixed!
I ask, along with jen, How do these people stay in business??

Its not just car people. I have some Wal-Mart stories...


Like being carded for Fuel Injector Cleaner (gas additive) and a small thing of Sta-Bil. WTF? Do 13yr olds sit around drinking shots of Sta-Bil and chase it with injector cleaner?

__________________
http://comp.uark.edu/~dmgill/signature.jpg

Heh heh, that's awesome. Kid must have thought Sta-Bil was either drinkable or for huffing.

I got all excited a few weeks ago because I got carded at Applebees. But it turns out they card everyone Sucks to get old.

yeah, those formerly annoying exchanges are now joyous. Sadly, now it's usually the case that my wife will get carded, my sister- her boyfriend (who is older than me)- and most others with me... and they take my word for it.

Only in georgia would they card you with your walking, talking child sitting beside you. ha ha..

__________________
Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com