When getting car maintenance done, simply ask for a discount

[ShadyLady]

I got $100 taken off my bill today when I got maintenance done at a place I've never been to before. I asked if they had X discount (X discount = a discount I am eligible for) that most other places in town have & was told they did not. So, I asked if there was any other type of discount they could give me. I didn't expect them to take so much off.

At my usual place I 'work' them to get X discount twice. I ask the person who's putting all the shit in the computer the first time to make sure to put the discount in. Almost always a different person rings me up & I ask that person to make sure to put X discount in. Their computer system is set up so that the discount is taken off of each itemized price rather than the total so they can't see the discount was already put in, lol.

[Actor]

LOL, U Jewish?

[ShadyLady]

No, Catholic actually. Car maintenance really adds up & I like saving money.

[ShadyLady]

I also haggle down the price of each individual thing that needs maintenance. One way to do is say you have 2 things that need to be repaired. Say you'll only get one of them done b/c you know you can get the other thing done cheaper at a competing shop. They'll ask you how much that shop will do it for (you can BS the answer) & I've found they'll ALWAYS agree to do it for that price.

[The Duke]

Or you could learn to do the maintenance yourself and only pay for parts.

[The Pat-Man]

You probably have breasts. That's why they lowered the price, hoping that you would fellate them.

[Number13]

Originally Posted by The Pat-Man

You probably have breasts. That's why they lowered the price, hoping that you would fellate them.

Photographic evidence

[Ed Lister]

She does. I have a feeling she might be hot to boot.

[J-KO]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Or you could learn to do the maintenance yourself and only pay for parts.

Absolutely right. They rape you on the labor. If you can do it yourself it will always be cheaper and more rewarding. Plus, I agree it helps you're a woman. My ex would go in and they'd help her with small stuff for free, because she looked like an innocent little girl.

[Cloaked Dagger]

Originally Posted by J-KO

My ex would go in and they'd help her with small stuff for free, because she looked like an innocent little girl.

Depending on what qualifies as "small stuff" they could very well do that for everyone so they have a chance to get the car in the shop and look for anything more serious that might need to be repaired/maintained that they can make money off of. I work in a shop for a living and I can't tell you how many times a car comes in for a rotation, which the shop doesn't make any money off of since we rotate tires for free for the life of the tire if you buy them from us, and I notice that the car is in desperate need of brake pads. Sometimes they are even metal to metal.

[Jerk.]

Originally Posted by J-KO

Absolutely right. They rape you on the labor. If you can do it yourself it will always be cheaper and more rewarding. Plus, I agree it helps you're a woman. My ex would go in and they'd help her with small stuff for free, because she looked like an innocent little girl.

OTOH I had a friend's girlfriend get charged $400 for an oil change

[Cloaked Dagger]

Originally Posted by Jerk.

OTOH I had a friend's girlfriend get charged $400 for an oil change

The fuck!? How the fuck does anyone think that a maintenance job so basic and common as an oil change costs $400? Or did they find something that was "broken" when they did it?

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Or you could learn to do the maintenance yourself and only pay for parts.

I actually want to but I have no one to teach me. My father wasn't good with cars & my husband has decent knowledge but he works a lot & would rather pay someone to do maintenance so he can relax when he's home.

Originally Posted by The Pat-Man

You probably have breasts. That's why they lowered the price, hoping that you would fellate them.

I do.

Originally Posted by Ed Lister

She does. I have a feeling she might be hot to boot.

Yah, I'm sure no one will believe me but I'm actually not ugly or fat. I'm also incredibly nice & social engineer my way to discounts. Yesterday, I spent a bit of time talking with the service manager & he even brought me into the garage b/c I wanted proof of what was being done. I always make them show me the old parts & explain everything to me.

Originally Posted by J-KO

Absolutely right. They rape you on the labor. If you can do it yourself it will always be cheaper and more rewarding. Plus, I agree it helps you're a woman. My ex would go in and they'd help her with small stuff for free, because she looked like an innocent little girl.

I get little stuff done for free all the time. Like they'll replace lights for me, etc, no charge.

[The Pat-Man]

Being a chick is one of the best financial decisions you can make.

[yawanur]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Or you could learn to do the maintenance yourself and only pay for parts.

This.

OP, see if you can get the haines manual for your car/if there are forums dedicated to your make/model. I got a used haines manual for my jetta and went on vwvortex, learned a fuckton and fixed my broken car! That is if you have the time and will to do it... You definitely seem intellectually capable

[AngryOnion]

Anyone who owns a car and pays for routine maintenance is a fucking moron.
Same goes for the lazy fucks who cant mow there own lawn.

[Optionryder420]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Or you could learn to do the maintenance yourself and only pay for parts.

And, OP, are you sure they weren't already jacking the price up on you because you're a woman? Or they weren't adding extra unneeded services?

Been doing my maintenance myself, I'll probably never take a car to a mechanic again.

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by Optionryder420

And, OP, are you sure they weren't already jacking the price up on you because you're a woman? Or they weren't adding extra unneeded services?

Been doing my myself, I'll probably never take a car to a mechanic again.

My husband looks at my car to see what I need done. He doesn't do the maintenance b/c he works a lot & wants to relax when he's home.

For doing the maintenance at home, how do you do the complicated stuff that requires special machinery?

[Ed Lister]

Originally Posted by ShadyLady

My husband...

'And at that precise moment, a thousand little teenage forum boners withered and died.'

[Optionryder420]

Originally Posted by ShadyLady

My husband looks at my car to see what I need done. He doesn't do the maintenance b/c he works a lot & wants to relax when he's home.

For doing the maintenance at home, how do you do the complicated stuff that requires special machinery?

And what exactly requires special machinery?

Only thing I can think of is getting my tires changed and aligned.

It costs less to actually buy any other tools you'll need and do the work yourself than it will to go get it done. If there's something you just don't want to buy, go to Autozone and rent the tools.

[The Pat-Man]

I just changed my belts today, and had to buy one of those cool ass socket wrenches on a stick. Pain in the butt, but I saved at least 200 bucks.

[&Zenith]

Ask and you shall receive.

[Fractals]

If you want to learn to maintain & repair your car just teach yourself. Theres probably youtube videos for everything youd do, but you could figure most things out with a maintenance/repair manual. 90% of what you do will need a couple flathead screwdrivers, a philips screwdriver, a set of sockets, and a set of wrenches. Patience and perseverance are the most importaint, IMO, but good tools help.

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by Optionryder420

And what exactly requires special machinery?

Only thing I can think of is getting my tires changed and aligned.

It costs less to actually buy any other tools you'll need and do the work yourself than it will to go get it done. If there's something you just don't want to buy, go to Autozone and rent the tools.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Originally Posted by The Pat-Man

I just changed my belts today, and had to buy one of those cool ass socket wrenches on a stick. Pain in the butt, but I saved at least 200 bucks.

Aren't the belts supposed to be really hard to get at? How hard was it to change them?

Originally Posted by Fractals

If you want to learn to maintain & repair your car just teach yourself. Theres probably youtube videos for everything youd do, but you could figure most things out with a maintenance/repair manual. 90% of what you do will need a couple flathead screwdrivers, a philips screwdriver, a set of sockets, and a set of wrenches. Patience and perseverance are the most importaint, IMO, but good tools help.

I'm afraid I will fuck up my car. I'm kinda incompetent. For tools, I could get them for free (I have my ways ).

The maintenance that's on my 'caution' list is:

Replace automatic transmission right axle seal (Found automatic transmission fluid seep)

Replace right inner tie-rod end (Found worn out right inner tie-rod end)

Replace left inner tie-rod end (Found worn out left inner tie-rod end)

I kinda wish I had bought a new car after this one hit 60K b/c that's when I started needing to get a ton of maintenance done. There's nothing wrong with it, never had any problems with it it just needs routine maintenance which gets expensive.

Hmmm, maybe this conversation should be moved to Greasemonkeys.

[The Pat-Man]

Originally Posted by ShadyLady

Aren't the belts supposed to be really hard to get at? How hard was it to change them?

You gotta get what is basically a socket wrench on a flat metal stick, and a little bicep action. Also make sure to remember what pattern it went on, most cars have a diagram under the hood. It's really easy and saves shit tons.

[Lucifereus]

Originally Posted by ShadyLady

No, Catholic actually. Car maintenance really adds up & I like saving money.

How is christianity compatible with all the stuff youve done

[Fractals]

There have been some pretty bad stuff done in the name of the catholic god...

[ShadyLady]

Originally Posted by Lucifereus

How is christianity compatible with all the stuff youve done

Confession. Absolution is awesome.

[Optionryder420]

Originally Posted by The Pat-Man

I just changed my belts today, and had to buy one of those cool ass socket wrenches on a stick. Pain in the butt, but I saved at least 200 bucks.

You get it from harbor freight?

That's where I got mine

[Optionryder420]

You better do your own fucking Tie Rod ends.

One of the easiest things to change.

The only belt that is difficult in any way to change is a timing belt. Serpentine belt is easy as hell.

The transmission seal you could do yourself, but I knowyou can't do it... so don't try that one. It'd probably cost 1/2 the cost to do it yourself and I mean after buying all the tools (Transmission jack being the largest cost).

[ShadyLady]

My husband is afraid he we would fuck my car up if we did repairs ourselves. But, you guys should be proud of me, today I learned how to change the oil in the lawnmower & how to sharpen the blade! I already knew how to change the spark plugs & air filter. I think for now I'll stick with lawnmower maintenance, lol.

[Optionryder420]

It isn't like it's easy to fuck something up. Plus it's always obvious when something isn't right.

It's ridiculous to be scared to fix something that is broken.

[Rainycity]

Yeah dont do any work on your on your own care ever, unless you're a tech. You will probably fuck something up and end up paying more.

[Cloaked Dagger]

Originally Posted by Optionryder420

It isn't like it's easy to fuck something up. Plus it's always obvious when something isn't right.

It's ridiculous to be scared to fix something that is broken.

Cars these days can get somewhat complicated with all the electronic systems. That said they still aren't that complicated, you just need to make sure to have the service information and the right tools. I shouldn't be saying this because I work as a mechanic for a living and it might cut into my bottom line but if you are short on cash and have at least some basic tools you should buy a hayne's manual for your car(around 20 bucks) and/or download a factory service manual/buy one on CD from ebay(5-10 bucks). With either of those you should be able to do any job on your car that doesn't require specialized tools that you don't have as long as you read them carefully before you start and can follow directions.

[Rainycity]

Originally Posted by Cloaked Dagger

Cars these days can get somewhat complicated with all the electronic systems. That said they still aren't that complicated, you just need to make sure to have the service information and the right tools. I shouldn't be saying this because I work as a mechanic for a living and it might cut into my bottom line but if you are short on cash and have at least some basic tools you should buy a hayne's manual for your car(around 20 bucks) and/or download a factory service manual/buy one on CD from ebay(5-10 bucks). With either of those you should be able to do any job on your car that doesn't require specialized tools that you don't have as long as you read them carefully before you start and can follow directions.

how much money do you make, and are you ase certified.

[Psych]

You still got screwed.

But just to make sure you should tell us what you had done and how much it wound up costing after your discount. And what car.

[Cloaked Dagger]

Originally Posted by Rainycity

how much money do you make, and are you ase certified.

I've passed the electrical systems and electronics, engine repair, steering and suspension, and brakes ASE tests however I'm not certified yet as you also need to be able to document 2 years full time experience which I don't have. I'm currently going to school for this in a 2 year program that I'm half way through. My school will count for 1 year experience when I graduate, by then I also would have been working at my current job a year. At my job we make an hourly rate(which isn't much, 5.50 an hour) plus commission on the work we do. My first pay period(2 week pay periods) on commission I made 325 a week after taxes changing tires, doing oil changes, and testing and installing batteries with a bad week mixed in there working about 40 hour weeks). Now is the slow season so they are cutting everyone's hours and the shop isn't as busy so we've had more downtime. I've also been spending a lot of the slower parts of the day doing the online training my employer has for me to do as they are promoting me to Tech II(currently Tech I) where I will actually be doing mechanical work. There is potential to make at least 50k a year where I am now once I start doing mechanical work and get my work speed up. At a dealership I would be making much more. Dealerships are a bit more picky about their techs actually being ASE certified though, especially the higher end ones like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc. After I get my experience for my ASE certs I already basically have a job lined up at a local Lexus dealer. A friend of mine is the shop manager there, but at this particular dealership you need to be ASE certified to work as a tech or service writer, no exceptions.

Additionally you'd be surprised what goes on behind the scenes sometimes. Some of the "techs"(even the certified ones) might just screw your car up as bad or worse than you would. After seeing some of things that go on in the shop I no longer trust anyone else to work on my own personal vehicle doing anything. I'll do the job myself and do it right, thank you. That isn't an option for everyone though because they don't have the knowledge and a lot of the more intense jobs require specialized tools.

[Rainycity]

Thanks, that was very informative. But i am quite disappointed to hear you make so little, not to much since i live in canada and things are different. Even tho im not sure i want to continue my career in the automotive repair industry, im still very amazed at how underpayed techs are. Techs are so underrated.

Originally Posted by Cloaked Dagger

I've passed the electrical systems and electronics, engine repair, steering and suspension, and brakes ASE tests however I'm not certified yet as you also need to be able to document 2 years full time experience which I don't have. I'm currently going to school for this in a 2 year program that I'm half way through. My school will count for 1 year experience when I graduate, by then I also would have been working at my current job a year. At my job we make an hourly rate(which isn't much, 5.50 an hour) plus commission on the work we do. My first pay period(2 week pay periods) on commission I made 325 a week after taxes changing tires, doing oil changes, and testing and installing batteries with a bad week mixed in there working about 40 hour weeks). Now is the slow season so they are cutting everyone's hours and the shop isn't as busy so we've had more downtime. I've also been spending a lot of the slower parts of the day doing the online training my employer has for me to do as they are promoting me to Tech II(currently Tech I) where I will actually be doing mechanical work. There is potential to make at least 50k a year where I am now once I start doing mechanical work and get my work speed up. At a dealership I would be making much more. Dealerships are a bit more picky about their techs actually being ASE certified though, especially the higher end ones like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc. After I get my experience for my ASE certs I already basically have a job lined up at a local Lexus dealer. A friend of mine is the shop manager there, but at this particular dealership you need to be ASE certified to work as a tech or service writer, no exceptions.

Additionally you'd be surprised what goes on behind the scenes sometimes. Some of the "techs"(even the certified ones) might just screw your car up as bad or worse than you would. After seeing some of things that go on in the shop I no longer trust anyone else to work on my own personal vehicle doing anything. I'll do the job myself and do it right, thank you. That isn't an option for everyone though because they don't have the knowledge and a lot of the more intense jobs require specialized tools.

[Fractals]

Originally Posted by Rainycity

Yeah dont do any work on your on your own care ever, unless you're a tech. You will probably get half way done and give up after something pisses you off and end up paying more than you should because you told the mechanic you tried to DIY.

fixed