Beware Of Second Opinions

[Joe Marconi]

We got a call the other day from someone who asked us if we would give her a second opinion. The car was at another shop and she wanted to know if the diagnosis on the steering rack was correct. She actually wanted us the give a price and make the diagnosis on the phone based on the notes from the shops work order. We have been down this road before and we are VERY cautious on how we handle this.

 

I dont know how you feel, but when someone doesnt trust another shops diagnosis, it makes it very awkward for us. We want to get all the facts and try to drill down to find exactly why the customer does not trust the shop.

 

In this case, after a series of questions from my service advisor, we found that the callers brother-in-law checked the car before bringing it to this shop and he said the pump had failed, not the steering rack. The brother-in-law works in construction.

 

Seeing where this was going, the service advisor insisted on having us look at the car before any second opinion is given. He also said that he was inclined to believe the other shop, not the brother-in-law. She said she would call us back to make an appointment.

 

My guess? Shes probalbly calling other shops right now.

[phynny]

We absolutely will not do it over the phone. I can't stand trying to diag something over the phone let alone comparing prices etc.

 

The only thing that's different with us is that almost all of the local shops, especially chains, are robbing people and not fixing the issues. So we see things daily that just boggle the mind.

[Jeff]

Recently had a person call for a second opinion. Was at the local Dodge dealer and they were trying to sell him a rack for a metallic rubbing noise on tight right turns. Convinced him to bring it in for inspection. Turns out the backing plate was rubbing the rotor on the left side. Tweaked the plate just a bit and the noise was gone. No charged it as it only took a few minutes to determine and repair. Now have a loyal customer. Just to say I will not give a second opinion over the phone.

[Gonzo]

always second guess the first opinion of the problem if you're the second opinion. In other words... I don't give out my opinion of a problem...EVER. I've had people come directly into the shop and ask about a certian repair (and they're not regular customers) I won't tell them a thing. All I'll say is bring it in and I'll check it out. The usual responce is, "But, you're Gonzo, everybody knows you already know what is wrong with. That's how I got here... I was sent by another shop." My answer is, well let me do my job. I'm not here to take a test on whether or not my guess is right and furthermore... I don't make a dime at guessing. You'll have to pay for my time.

That usually ends it... and I never see them again.

 

I'd rather do (or say) nothing than I would do (or say) something and get nothing. Sorry folks... the almighty dollar RULES!

[Jeff]

I once told a fellow at my church, in the most basic terms, how to change a timing belt. The following week he approached me and asked what I was going to do to help him with his engine. I looked at him and asked why I had anything to do with the engine as I had never seen the vehicle. Well I guess he and another friend decided it was that simple and they could do it themselves. Got it outta time and bent the valves. Since I am the one that told him how to replace the belt it was my fault. I just laughed and walked off. Oddly the fella never spoke to me again.

[ATSAutomotive]

We will not give estimates or second opinions over the phone. You need to see the vehicle before you can accurately tell them what's wrong. We are currently on the other end of this today. Great customer brought in his Oldsmobile Intrigue for a hard miss. He pays for a Level 1 Diagnostic and we perform it to the letter. We discuss with him that we need to do a Level 2 Diagnostic and what it entails. He doesn't want to do anymore diagnostics and just wants an idea of what is wrong. With somewhat loose lips my SA said he thought their may be a head gasket issue as the customer is adding coolant and oil and not leaking any. Now he is calling other shops asking for a quote on head gaskets when we haven't even verified the problem. Feel bad for those he may be wasting their time. For some reason he just isn't listening to what we are trying to tell him.

[nmikmik]

Would you ATS, offer him to throw in the level2 or half of it or??? if he did repairs with you?

[ATSAutomotive]

No I don't discount in order to get work. It's not fair to my technicians and it's not fair to me. Long story short, my customer came in and we discussed his vehicle. Turns out even after all the talks we had. He still didn't understand what we were telling him. I brought him out to his vehicle, explained everything in the simplest terms I could and he agreed to further diagnostics. He thought a blown head gasket was his issue. Service Advisor has gone through some more training and also learned a valuable lesson as to why we don't tell a customer what we "think" is the issue.

 

Sometimes you just need to talk face to face with someone.