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I've always been the kind of guy who doesn't believe in paying someone else to do something I can do for myself. However, as I've gotten older, I've come to realize some things just aren't worth the aggravation.
For example, I have completely rebuilt and installed engines and transmissions in many vehicles, but when the trans axle in the mini van crapped out, I had a local transmission shop install a rebuilt one...
Why? Because just looking at it and determining what is involved to pull it demonstrated to me it sucks too much to contemplate any further....
I suppose it's the same reason people hire me, a plumber, to come and perform simple repairs on their plumbing. Even though they may be very capable of doing it themselves, changing out a sewage ejector pump is just no fun at all......
Down here, mechanics don't even charge for things like that.
I had a headlight out in Weslaco TX, so I bought a bulb in an auto parts store, but first I had tried to get the old one out, and couldn't. I asked the desk man where I could have it installed, and he recommended a garage next door. The garage owner went out himself and tried to change it, but couldn't, so he got one of his mechanics with smaller hands to reach in there and turn it loose, and put in the new one. No charge.
Here in town, I took my car to an inspection station for the sticker, and I liked the way they handled it, so I went back a couple weeks later when I had a few more things I wanted checked out. They guy spent maybe a half hour, checking the codes, looking at a few other things, and he actually adjusted a couple of things, I can't remember what. When I said "How much", he said "I didn't do anything". No charge. Needless to say, I went back there when I had some work I needed to pay for. He charges $12 to change my oil, and I buy the oil and filter myself at whatever auto parts store has a good special that week.
It's a similar philosophy to a boss I used to work for, who said "The best way to make money is to give it away, It'll come back, and then some."
Down here, mechanics don't even charge for things like that.
I had a headlight out in Weslaco TX, so I bought a bulb in an auto parts store, but first I had tried to get the old one out, and couldn't. I asked the desk man where I could have it installed, and he recommended a garage next door. The garage owner went out himself and tried to change it, but couldn't, so he got one of his mechanics with smaller hands to reach in there and turn it loose, and put in the new one. No charge.
Here in town, I took my car to an inspection station for the sticker, and I liked the way they handled it, so I went back a couple weeks later when I had a few more things I wanted checked out. They guy spent maybe a half hour, checking the codes, looking at a few other things, and he actually adjusted a couple of things, I can't remember what. When I said "How much", he said "I didn't do anything". No charge. Needless to say, I went back there when I had some work I needed to pay for. He charges $12 to change my oil, and I buy the oil and filter myself at whatever auto parts store has a good special that week.
It's a similar philosophy to a boss I used to work for, who said "The best way to make money is to give it away, It'll come back, and then some."
I live in Fort Worth... where can I find these mechanics that don't charge me $40+ for an oil change?
The cheapest I've ever found around here was $30... should I go to smaller shops?
I live in Fort Worth... where can I find these mechanics that don't charge me $40+ for an oil change?
The cheapest I've ever found around here was $30... should I go to smaller shops?
You missed the point that he charges me $12 to change the oil, but I bring my own oil and filter. I bought 5 quarts of Castrol synthetic and a high-grade filter on sale at an auto parts store for $17, so that's $29 for a synthetic change. Would have been about $22 for dino oil and a Fram.
Go across the tracks and find a shop with a hand-painted sign that says "Taller Mecanico". They'll do it cheap.
When people like doctors and lawyers and high buck bankers get their cars worked on they should get done like they do everyone else. Let every little item be very very expensive............some people dont deserve a break on prices.never
You missed the point that he charges me $12 to change the oil, but I bring my own oil and filter. I bought 5 quarts of Castrol synthetic and a high-grade filter on sale at an auto parts store for $17, so that's $29 for a synthetic change. Would have been about $22 for dino oil and a Fram.
Go across the tracks and find a shop with a hand-painted sign that says "Taller Mecanico". They'll do it cheap.
I might just start changing my own oil. Where do you go to dispose of oil though?
But, did O'Reilly tell you why they failed prematurely?? Why are you replacing them each week?
Cherrios, please do not let me buy your used piece of crap.
Replacing what each week?
I'm replacing the air filter ever 15,000 miles
Changing the oil every 3,000 miles-- although sometimes 4 - 5,000 miles.
And no, I don't plan on selling my "used piece of crap"-- what do you mean by that anyway? Are you implying that people who replace their own brake lights and air filters can't do it correctly?
Also, the amount of rudeness on this forum is unbelievable.
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