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How should I react if my mechanic's work is slipping?

We have had the same mechanic for over 20 years, but his work seems to be slipping, perhaps due to recent family tragedy. For example, he replaced a muffler and installed the heat shield on the bottom of the muffler (between the muffler and the road) instead of on the top (between the muffler and the car). Now the heat is shielded from the road but not from the car. This man has saved us thousands of dollars, and has been a good and honest mechanic (hard to find). Should I start shopping around? What should I do?
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jenniferte...
jenniferte...
Marked as Best! October 06, 2009 02:55 PM
I would give the man some time to adjust. But you have to look out for you and your family. During his adjustment time be sure to check after him for little things like missing caps and such. If it continues, talk with him. If it does not improve consider moving to another mechanic for major issues and continue using him for oil change type stuff.

Jennifer
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http://www.examiner.com/x-21398-Birmingham-Autism--Parenting-Examiner~y2009...
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thebandit
thebandit
October 06, 2009 08:14 PM
You should pay attention to his work in the future. If it continues to slip, talk to him. You are his customer, after all, and you chose him because you expect him to do a good job. If he isn't cooperative, or if his work doesn't get better, find another mechanic. No matter how much money you've saved in the past, it doesn't matter if you end up paying more now to fix his sloppy work.

Also, if you urgently need something fixed, as in right now, no time to spare, go ahead and see someone different (and trustworthy).
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jodilovesj...
jodilovesj...
October 07, 2009 02:41 AM
I would confront him about the issue, things like that shouldn't be bypassed and done with carelessness. Just ask him about the problem, and if he can't give you a reasonable answer consider going to another mechanic.
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deborahd
deborahd
October 07, 2009 12:45 PM
Start by pulling him aside and having an open conversation with him. Don't be angry or judgmental. Explain to him that you understand how difficult things must be for him in light of his recent tragedies but it is important for him to stay focused and on-track at work. Explain that mechanic's mistakes can cost not only money but lives as well. Maybe he needs a temporarily reduced work schedule or a little bit of time off to adjust to whatever happened in his life.

If he's been with you for 20 years than you are going to have a very hard time finding a decent replacement. I wouldn't rush to replace someone who has been so loyal to you. Maybe there is something you can do to aid him in getting the help he needs.

Monitor his work after you talk to him and see how things change. Everyone makes mistakes, true - but a string of mistakes can be costly to your business. If things improve, you'll know he just needed some compassionate support. If they don't change, then you may need to consider looking for another mechanic - just don't jump to it from the start. You may be sorry when he's gone.
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psionandy
psionandy
October 07, 2009 07:56 PM
If he wasn't a friend then the solution would be easy. Get another mechanic. There are lots of them and they'd all like your business. But reading your question I don't think that that's going to be the answer to your problem.

I'd just have a friendly word about the muffler... and see how he reacts. It may well be that he knows that he hasn't been on top of things lately. If he takes it as constructive help then its a good thing and shows that he's starting to come up again.

If on the other hand he denies that theres anything wrong etc.. then he hasn't hit bottom yet. And you may want to look elsewhere. If you do, keep in touch from a friendship point of view (if thats possible) and if he does turn it around then you can go back
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