Last 3/28/06 I had a shop near my home that I go to for things I can't (like tires) or don't feel like doing myself (like a Nissan Alternator), his prices are a little high I think, but sometimes worth paying to avoid the aggravation.

Yesterday the battery and brake light came on while traveling home from work. I knew right away what this meant and immediately cursed myself for letting the mechanic talk me into a rebuilt. I went to the shop yesterday and after the usual trying to pass the problem off as minor, he claimed it was a loose connector. I went to pickup the car knowing it wasn't, and preparing for a debate. I knew eventually the lights would return, I was planning to drive around until they did. Much to my surprise while I was waiting I could see the tech and the manager pushing down on the connector and trying to tape it in place this was hilarious. There was no way it was going to last. Anyway after around 10 minutes he came back in and finally admitting he had to replace the alternator, He was cursing to himself when I left to go home and wait.

Of course when I got the car back I checked to see if it was a new (of course crappy rebuilt) alternator, and nothing else was tampered with. I know that scam, I used to work in a place like this years ago. Whenever the owner thought he wasn't making enough money off a customer he had his pet tech, do things to the car, his favorite was to loosen the neg connector on the battery, so the customer would eventually come back and he could charge them for a new battery and starter. Depending on how swift the cust. looked he may not even have done any work except tighten the cable back. He was a real *****, I heard he died a few years ago after a painful illness, maybe there is karma!

Sorry for the digression, I'm happy today even though I didn't win the 340 million dollar lottery yesterday, at least I got 2 alternators for the price of 1. I almost feel as if I got my money's worth. Hopefully this one will last until at least next spring and If it blows I can replace it myself.

 

hahah thats horrible but hillarious. congrats on the new alt! anything free is cool in my book! haha

 

its sad that shops will intentionally mess with an individuals car in order for them to return with a "new" problem in order to get money.

And its the Mom and Pops shops that will do it, a long with the big chains, there is no where safe. Unless you do it yourself.

Any free is always good, and good eye catching the shabby work.