To you pros

[Fogie]

So it seems then that telling your customer that you broke a part and there will be no charge to repair. Is this a thing of a bygone era?

If you know what you are doing and things break in the course of service, those things weren’t serviceable.
Giving stuff and time away isn’t a good way to stay in business.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

Push the pins out of the broken housing one at a time with the proper tool, push them into the new 39 cent housing with the proper tool, and in 3 minutes it's done right.
If someone broke something I took to them for a professional repair, and then they jury rigged it, instead of doing it right, they wouldn't get my business ever again, and I'd tell everyone why.

 

[Harley]

If someone broke something I took to them for a professional repair, and then they jury rigged it, instead of doing it right, they wouldn't get my business ever again, and I'd tell everyone why.

Its crazy the number of times I’ve seen half-assed repairs. Sure some were done by Joe Blow Repairs & Fish N Chips but also have seen it come from ALL the big name places too.

Most people don’t even realize it happened til its too late.

 

[TAGS]

Do it right the first time because the second time it comes out of your paycheck

 

[Gullwing]

Its crazy the number of times I’ve seen half-assed repairs.

Especially when it is the instructed repair from the factory.

 

[xxiiiliv]

Its crazy the number of times I’ve seen half-assed repairs. Sure some were done by Joe Blow Repairs & Fish N Chips but also have seen it come from ALL the big name places too.

Most people don’t even realize it happened til its too late.

I agree on the “ too late” part. The work was done a year ago

 

[xxiiiliv]

If you know what you are doing and things break in the course of service, those things weren’t serviceable.
Giving stuff and time away isn’t a good way to stay in business.

I guess I’m of the “ I broke it, so I’ll fix it “ school of thought

 

[xxiiiliv]

A few of the mechanic guys I follow on YouTube seem to indicate that doing a quick fix is normal, so I guess my thinking is not up to date

 

[Harley]

 

[Fogie]

I guess I’m of the “ I broke it, so I’ll fix it “ school of thought

Sure, me too….but I have been doing what I do long enough to tell whether I broke something or if it was waiting to be touched and break. If it’s the former I run out to the truck cussing and get the piece gratis, if the latter it goes on the invoice and labor adjusted. Just about everything I tool on is sun baked plastic nowadays…
I agree that a mechanic who calls himself that should have done one or the other and fixed it properly.

 

[JTW_Jr]

What? Nobody has cya glue ?

 

[MAC702]

What? Nobody has cya glue ?

I even have the accelerant for it. Make sure it is exactly where it needs to be before spraying that (poop) on there.

Nowadays it's hard to find a good zip tie.

 

[xxiiiliv]

Sure, me too….but I have been doing what I do long enough to tell whether I broke something or if it was waiting to be touched and break. If it’s the former I run out to the truck cussing and get the piece gratis, if the latter it goes on the invoice and labor adjusted. Just about everything I tool on is sun baked plastic nowadays…
I agree that a mechanic who calls himself that should have done one or the other and fixed it properly.

I agree. I would have no problem paying a fair adjusted price especially for something that has lived under a hot hood for a decade

 

[MAC702]

I have been doing what I do long enough to tell whether I broke something or if it was waiting to be touched and break.

Agreed. There is a big difference between "I broke this" and "this broke when I touched it."

Plumbing is one big area for this. Modern production valves, especially gate valves and globe (stop) valves, are notorious for failing when they are finally used after years of inactivity. Valves should be regularly exercised, or they are guaranteed to fail when needed. These days, you should almost EXPECT to replace a shutoff valve when you replace your water heater or faucet. Feel lucky if you don't need to. If you want the most reliability, pay the little extra to get a ball valve.

 

[Harley]

Agreed. There is a big difference between "I broke this" and "this broke when I touched it."

The problem is "this broke when I touched it" is used as an excuse far too much. All too often people do not take responsibility for their own actions and try to blame it on something else.

 

[MAC702]

The problem is "this broke when I touched it" is used as an excuse far too much.

Agreed.

 

[Fogie]

Agreed. There is a big difference between "I broke this" and "this broke when I touched it."

Plumbing is one big area for this. Modern production valves, especially gate valves and globe (stop) valves, are notorious for failing when they are finally used after years of inactivity. Valves should be regularly exercised, or they are guaranteed to fail when needed. You should almost EXPECT to replace a shutoff valve when you replace your water heater or faucet. Feel lucky if you don't need to. If you want the most reliability, pay the little extra to get a ball valve.

Anymore, I’m partial to plastic valves. It used to be that if you wanted quality for a job I would get brass but the so-called brass constructed valves commonly available are in fact some kind of brass appearing pot metal prone to erosion.
Somebody still makes quality brass valves/bibs I’m sure but Depot doesn’t have any.

 

[Fogie]

The problem is "this broke when I touched it" is used as an excuse far too much. All too often people do not take responsibility for their own actions and try to blame it on something else.

I did rig that pump for Mac and the jury may still be out on that one but I didn’t break it…

 

[Harley]

I did rig that pump for Mac and the jury may still be out on that one but I didn’t break it…

There is no question, we already know it was that idiots fault! You're in the clear.

 

[MAC702]

I recall that the most recent broken pump was YOURS!