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Location:
Sydney, northshore
Registered:
June 2004
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National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 07:20
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After just getting boned again by another "professional" mechanic who is trying to overcharge me I reckon there needs to be a national register of mechanics online where average joe's can go to find out who is shifty or give a ratings system to them (rate good ones highly so that they get the business and shit ones pick up their act).
This is one of the only industries which can get away with charging extreme prices for shit service which is hard to prove whether they even did the work they say. Kind of like pimpin'.
Im new round here but maybe we could set up a thread dedicated to nominating shitty mechanics to avoid and good ones to go to?
Anyone got advice about what I can do in response to being charged $700+ for the following 'work': New battery, new spark plugs, replace distibutor points, and the rest of the cost being labour to clean the throttle body, remove the timing belt cover to set the timing (!!), change the plugs and a few other little checks of possible bits and pieces.
What are my rights to make him prove he has done 6+ hours of work to justify this cost?
Cheers.
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 07:31
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you got rorted big time
did you agree to a price?
new battery $150 at the most
new spark plugs $25
points $5
clean throttle body $50
$225
so where he got the other $500
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Location:
sunny coast, qld
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 07:46
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you couldn't set up a thread here because if the business's found out that were getting bad reviews, they can sue for defamation.
I don't know how you would set it up though, something like www.carreview.com.
would certainly be a good idea though if it could through all the legal mumbo jumbo.
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Location:
Sydney, northshore
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 08:10
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Yeah corona Im glad someone else agrees with me that Im getting screwed.
He claims Battery = $140, plugs = $36, oil change = $40? and he ordered a new distributor cap which is $53 retail from toyota spares (and is holding up his work a full day extra). So total parts is like 270-ish.
He claims he is "a professional" repeatedly and is charging me $70/hour. This is a small workshop adjoined to a service station, what a joker. At that rate he woulda had to work on it non stop all day today and some of yesterday - I asked if that was true and he says "yes..no,..umm, i did bits and pieces most of today and some yesterday".
I told him my budget was 500-600 MAX and he didnt call to tell me when it was gonna amount to more than that.
It's gonna be interesting when i go to pick it up tomorrow - i wont get my pants pulled down like this without making my presence felt. Especially when SSS are selling 1G-GTE engines for $750!
Re: starting a register of bad experiences - surely they cant sue for defamation if allegations are true?! I suppose its not worth getting lawyers to prove whther the claims are true or not though.
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Location:
Potts Point, Sydney
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 09:00
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Man i feel sorry for you...he can't possible charge $70/hour thats a fukin rort and and a half  .
Get him to take off like $100 or you'll get a solicitor involved or somthing like that just to freak him out 
Did you tell him your budget? Did he agree to it?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
February 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 14:50
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| damz wrote on Wed, 16 June 2004 18:10 |
Re: starting a register of bad experiences - surely they cant sue for defamation if allegations are true?! I suppose its not worth getting lawyers to prove whther the claims are true or not though.
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actually - the truth is not usually a defence in slander, libel or defamation actions. Public interest might be - certainly so if you were a media organisation, but what you propose would probably land you in hot water.
We've got no constitutional ammendment (like in the US) to enshrines free speech.
Dont forget that every state has (mostly toothless) consumer protection agencies - and you should ask for an itemised bill that indicates the labour time for each thing that he/she did.
Maybe ask Choice magazine or your local auto club (racq in Qld) to provide list of reputable mechanics.
Also, see v8_ma61's thread about dodgy freight companies and naming of these dodgy suppliers on forums like toymods.
and next time .. remember that you are probably the best machanic your car will see while you own it.
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Registered:
June 2004
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 23:04
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$70 an hour is normal, but yeah, its basically 1hrs work but he could probably get away with 2hrs labour.
Still $300 TOPS. $700 is just fucken ridiculous. If a service is gonna cost over $400 they should really call you and say "ah hell, yes im just calling to tell you im about to fuck you, so would you mind bending over please?"
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Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Wed, 16 June 2004 23:39
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the truth is not usually a defence in slander, libel or defamation actions.
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this is right I think. If you merely report facts with evidence. I had this done, cost me this.. took this long withough performing a big subjective lecture, you would be VERY hard to be busted for libel.
Not that I necessarily think that a public forum like this would be the best place. I would recommend another public forum that isn't affiliated witha "club" that couldb sued for this.
OR
Just host your own web page and get peeps to submit their contributions
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 00:31
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do it on a site based overseas problem solved
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Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 00:37
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plenty of places you could go too..
free sites abound! 
Tripod is one that immediately comes to my mind
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Location:
Gawler, SA
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 00:39
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Perhaps people just put ones they recommend others go to, that means you can still put them up on this site.
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Toymods Vice President
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 07:06
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| Callifo wrote on Thu, 17 June 2004 10:39 |
Perhaps people just put ones they recommend others go to, that means you can still put them up on this site.
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This is exactly what people should be doing, however the fact is that most people aren't interested in saying anything when they get good service the just want to complain when they get bad service.
I'm not saying this as an insult or anything simply an observation, people are a lot quicker to complain than they are to complement.
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 08:03
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ill quote the most used statement in business:
"If you make a customer happy, he will go home and tell one person about his good experience.
But if you piss a customer off, he will go home and tell 10 of his friends, who will then tell 10 of their freinds and so on."
Its just human nature to whinge.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 09:58
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I always get a quote up front, then I tack on about 10% and ask them to call me if it's going to come out at more than that.
Not that I've ever atually had a bad experience with a mechanic, but pays to be safe.
Interestingly, my local mechanic (who for me only does rego) has got 4-5 customers from being nice to one of my friends. He went there, good story, I went there, good story - now I recommend him to everyone in the area.
It does pay 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 10:09
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There is a simply way to avoid any legallities that may occur if u were you publish information. Instead of setting up a website for all the doggy ppl, simply setup a website that compares the costs of different mechanics, that way people can figure out whos fucking who wihtout breaking any law
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Location:
cambo
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 10:31
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yeah i think it would be better to nominate the better places rather than the poor ones. you have to understand that its some times hard to quote people on what a job will cost, sometimes parts are EXPENSIVE and some times theres more needed then orignally thought. having you definately got the dick from that place. 
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 12:01
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Reminds me of a few dealings with various dealerships...
Dealer: Your power steering rack needs replacing ($2500+)
Fault: My rack boot needs replacing ($20 + labour)
Dealer: Your CV joint needs replacing ($350+)
Fault: My CV boot needs replacing ($15 + labour)
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Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
April 2003
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Location:
Adelaide, drift capital
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 17 June 2004 14:08
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| damz wrote on Wed, 16 June 2004 17:40 |
I told him my budget was 500-600 MAX and he didnt call to tell me when it was gonna amount to more than that.
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I would always recommend against telling the person doing work for you how much your budget is. This can cause many problems such as if the mechanic finds it difficult to remain under your budget, he/she may choose some cheaper repair options. I once needed a new master and slave cylinder for my clutch, and the prick fitted a new master and a 'recond.' slave to keep the job under my budget. The slave cylinder went in like 5 months!. Also if the job is easier than you think, they may take their time to clock up some more money, closer to your budget. Therefore you think they may have done ok, but they really ripped you.
Instead ask him/her for a quote, if your not happy, shop around!
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Location:
cambo
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Sun, 20 June 2004 09:13
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what car is this?;that has still got points with efi.
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Sun, 20 June 2004 12:40
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| damz wrote on Wed, 16 June 2004 17:20 |
After just getting boned again by another "professional" mechanic who is trying to overcharge me I reckon there needs to be a national register of mechanics online where average joe's can go to find out who is shifty or give a ratings system to them (rate good ones highly so that they get the business and shit ones pick up their act).
This is one of the only industries which can get away with charging extreme prices for shit service which is hard to prove whether they even did the work they say. Kind of like pimpin'.
Im new round here but maybe we could set up a thread dedicated to nominating shitty mechanics to avoid and good ones to go to?
Anyone got advice about what I can do in response to being charged $700+ for the following 'work': New battery, new spark plugs, replace distibutor points, and the rest of the cost being labour to clean the throttle body, remove the timing belt cover to set the timing (!!), change the plugs and a few other little checks of possible bits and pieces.
What are my rights to make him prove he has done 6+ hours of work to justify this cost?
Cheers.
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Shit man, time to learn mechanics so you can do it yourself is my advice on what to do. That's really basic stuff. Not even any fluid changes there either, so you'd knock it all over in an hour.
But as everything in life, if you can't do it, expect to pay for it.
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Location:
Sydney, northshore
Registered:
June 2004
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The end result
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Mon, 21 June 2004 13:25
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OK in case anyone cares here is what eventuated.
I went to pick up the car with my mate, mechanic starts trying to rattle off as many things he did as possible, I ask for an itemised invoice which he has done half-arsed. He shows me his own personal list of parts costs which amount to about $250. Its clear he's done work that wasn't necesary (just tooling around becuase he cant figure out whats wrong with it).
But bottom line is, his reaction to my issue with his pricing and work made it clear he couldnt justify it, so I tore him off many pieces of my mind and my mate who was with me just ended up goin "look mechanic, you either argue all day or take 600 bucks which is what the budget for the job was". And he took the 600. Still a rip off.
Note to people getting stiffed: It is ILLEGAL for any person to remove/tow/tamper with a car left on private property. Threatening to leave the car parked in their driveway for months on end is a good persuasive tool if they believe you;'re stubborn enough to follow through with it.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: The end result
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Mon, 21 June 2004 16:39
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Next time some dodgy mechanic tells you he is a professional ask him which university he got his Mechanics Degree at.
When he can't answer, ask him why he charges the same as a doctor with 6 yrs tertiary training!
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Mon, 21 June 2004 17:08
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$70 an hour is a bit much. He should be clearing over $2000 a week at $70 an hour (thats on a casual 5 day week, 9-5). At $2000 a week, he is earning $96,000 a year with 4 weeks holiday. Less $16,000 a year for general buisness expenses such as rent ($150 a week), electricity ($10 a week), phone bill ($11 a week) and tools ($137 a week!!!), he is making $80,000 a year before tax. For someone who gets payed that much, I would hope he is a fucking genius mechanic that has spent many hours dyno tuning your car for you. Then I would be happy to pay that much actually.
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Mon, 21 June 2004 23:05
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hey shraka
some of u dont understand how a workshop runs
70 bucks an hr covers everything
150 a week for elect u must be kidding
more like 400 to 500
i know some workshops that i have worked in need to make over 1000 bucks a day just to open the door once u have paid everything
do u ever see mechanics driving porsches or ferraris
after that 70 bucks an hr and u have paid all the bills
u will end up with about 30 to 35 bucks an hr
i pay over 5000 a yr in insurances dont forget that
u also said he checked yr timing belt/cam timing
well that alone could be 200 dollars
i tell people if there is a problem to come back to me and we will sort it out
if u ran yr business u would understand
best thing to do is go back get him to explain exactly what he did
if u still are not happy just say to him
i am not happy and i will not recomend u anymore
everyone abuses workshops on here most of the time there is 2 sides of the story
there is dodgey mechanics out there
but i would rather pay extra for a good job rather than pay little for a shit job
im starting to get shits with people abusing people on here instead of goin back and talking to the workshop
i bet most of the places u guys work at have had bad probs with customers sometimes and when they go and abuse u so the whole world could read it
it is not nice
go start a business for yrself and see how it feels
im not sticking up for the workshop
i just recond it is easier sovled by talking to owner
and if he wont help u out then say ok i wont come back here or recommend u to anyone
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Location:
Tassie
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Tue, 22 June 2004 04:02
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Sideshow i understand what ur saying but get this
MY friend got her distributer replaced and they charged her for : Removal and refitting of the radiator
Removal and replacing of the air con (it doesn't even have air con
and they serviced her car without asking her
and 2 top it all off when i went in there 2 look how they were going the mechanic could have had his dick in the radiator it was still there full attached .
I admit i've never seen a mechanic in a porshe or what ever altho the guy that did her work just brought a brand new ford pursuit ute
if any1 here lives in tassie and wants 2 no who this guy is i will tell them but i'm not posting it here
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Tue, 22 June 2004 04:41
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So you think rent is $500 a week? How much do tools cost a year? How much for electricity? I know his business phone bill wont be over $15 a week. And insurance of $5000 a year? I still think he could clear over $75,000 before tax on these figures. This is why I think he was ripping Damz off. He obviously doesn't charge everyone that much 'cuz otherwise he would be very rich.
And "checking timing and timing belt" costs you over $200?!?! My mechanic charged me like, $50 for doing that.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, WA
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Tue, 22 June 2004 04:50
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make a good site like that pedders one. that was a laugh and a half 
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Location:
cambo
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Tue, 22 June 2004 10:51
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our previous workshop was over $600 per week rent, and that was 5 years ago. our current workshop is cheaper tho its really small and in a less ideal area but closer to home. you gotta pay rent, bills, buy tools, insurance and sometimes you employ other mechanics. it all adds up. some people have NO idea as to whats involved in running a mechanical workshop.
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
March 2003
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 24 June 2004 14:35
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Im putting in a bad word for toyota service center in Brookvale.
We took the sw20 in, and they had to replace a gearbox, they had the car on jackstands and it fell off, a locator rod was bent and the firewall damadged, and who knows what damadge to the hub/suspension could have resulted.
Not only did they fail to notify me of this, they failed to report and repair the damadge they had done to the car.
The only reason I found out is because I was mates with a mechanic working there.
When we went back they denied it and refused that they had done any damadge.
I find this dishonest and refuse to ever take any of my toyotas there in the future, Im sure they have a good insurance plan so no one would have been directly loosing money.
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Club Member
Location:
sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Thu, 24 June 2004 21:45
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Sideshow
you have some very valid points, and having run my own bussines in the past i can confer that the expenses are a fair bit more than what has been suggested here. however theres one thing i dont agree with.
| Quote: |
still think its bad to abuse someone on the net
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well ok i dont agree with abuse but i see no reason as to why people cant put there personal experiences up WITHOUT PREJUDICE or stretching the TRUTH. As long as the company dealt with has the opportunity to respond. I think those people in bussines that are afraid of this sort of communication have two issues...
firstly they know that some of there work is either borderline or way out there in terms of the what they are doing and charging
secondly they have failed to see just how valuable a resource the net can be to a legitimate bussines
the fact is the majority of bussines people vastly underestimate the marketing power of the web and thats why they really hate it when they are caught out doing the dodgy.
sideshow
even you have seen how easy it is to be caught out like this, the difference is the ability of the bussines to be able to go into damage control and resolve the problem even if in some cases this means making a loss on the effort.
to reiterate .. as long as both sides have the opportunity to present there case i have no issue with disclosure.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Fri, 25 June 2004 01:33
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phone bill $15 a week?? bullshit! my phone bills are more like $190 = connection ect - not much change out of $250 a month ffs month mobile and work combined
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Fri, 25 June 2004 01:55
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| truenosedan wrote on Fri, 25 June 2004 11:33 |
phone bill $15 a week?? bullshit! my phone bills are more like $190 = connection ect - not much change out of $250 a month ffs month mobile and work combined
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Ha ha. Perhaps you should spend less time on the phone and more time working. LOL
$190 is about 900 local calls a month. In an 8 hour day thats 5.6 calls an hour!!!?!!!!?? Like I said, either get back to work, stop using your mobile so much, or get a new phone carrier, 'cuz the one you have is ripping you off.
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Banned by his request
Location:
moved to tamworth
Registered:
July 2002
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Location:
sydney,nsw.oz.
Registered:
July 2002
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Sun, 27 June 2004 05:48
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| kingmick wrote on Sun, 27 June 2004 10:17 |
we charge $66-77 an hour depending on the job! we have close to 1.5 million dollars invested in the workshop. now tell me a buisness that will charge $77 an hour and have a $1.5 million invested in it!the answer will be none.
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Fair enough. Thanks for putting a price on it. Makes sense now.
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Location:
Sunshine Coast
Registered:
February 2004
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Mon, 28 June 2004 15:50
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| FWDCelica wrote on Sun, 27 June 2004 11:59 |
I have had good service from David Vodic Toyota at Maroochydore QLD.
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arent they in nambour?
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Location:
sydney,nsw.oz.
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: National register of Dodgey Mechanics
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Tue, 29 June 2004 08:27
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| Zhyr wrote on Tue, 29 June 2004 01:50 |
| FWDCelica wrote on Sun, 27 June 2004 11:59 |
I have had good service from David Vodic Toyota at Maroochydore QLD.
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arent they in nambour?
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Yeah, Aerodrome Rd. Maroochydore.
I had my 1st Service there in the V6 Camry back in 2000.
It's now called Ken Mills Toyota.
Cheers
T.
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