One Employee's Sloppy Repairs Could Destroy My Reputation

[@JoeyB7615]

Its a fine line between running a business and helping people..but good hard working people tend to get taken advantage of

[@Kevo_OTM]

amen brother

[@reeseduty1316]

she right about the business decision…. Tell folks no.

[@Portuguese-linguica]

Alex is a caring guy . i truly hope no takes advantage of that. Love you guys. Keep alex going momma.

[@bluesky2145]

Charge an emergency interruption rate. Fuel pump replacement is $200 for example or $400 if you need it now. Surge pricing !!

[@cliveleslie7004]

Wife keep him straight these people will kill your business keep stretching man this business is tough on your body your 40s and 50s will be hard on your body.

[@QuantumShow2022]

19:27 Alex, brother, trust your manager! She knows your good heart and how you want to help, I understand too! She's being logical in this. Joey just said it in another comment, "Its a fine line between running a business and helping people..but good hard working people tend to get taken advantage of." I wish I had a manager when I had my electronics shop back in the day, I'd still be in business. Great work and great videos, keep it up, love watching!

[@bernardd.partridge3152]

Mrs. Car Doctor is right. Your business comes first. That's your livelihood, and sometimes you have to remind people of that. Now, for the spark plug wires, I have an 07 Avalanche with the 5.3 LS1 engine, and yes, you have to be careful when removing the spark plug wires. They are often difficult to remove and break very easily.

[@LazyB-s8p]

I agree with ur wife on this issue 💯%. Business over pleasure. Helping people, family, neighbors, strangers is PLEASURE and as the wise man said, DON'T MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

"Pleasure"?? It's called charity.

[@DJEFlizZ215]

Facts my fiance says the exact same thing about my mobile mechanic business Family or not charge them and finish the 1st task at hand b4 taking on other tasks

[@cali2468]

Helping people is not “pleasure”. Who tf told you that mess? lol You people are hilarious.

[@will201070]

finish the assigned job first before helping others

[@daviddubeck2436]

As a retired self-employed business owner, there is a fine and sometimes becomes invisible line between a hand up and a hand out. Helping people is good for the soul and business, but you have to balance that with resources and worker burnout.

[@otisshelley4498]

She’s right. Give the guy a reprimand so that he understands and make paying customers the priority and non-customers secondary.

[@wickedbeto2732]

Those “customers” will ask for help with one thing and then ask to check something else after.. basically it’s a never ending asking of favors. Limit favors and let your techs focus. Blessings👍

[@andrebunting7603]

One thing I don't miss about the business was the tool trucks lol. We had Snapon on Mondays, Matco on Wednesdays and Cornwell on Thursdays. If you not careful they'll eat your whole check lol. They would definitely come in handy at times but man those outrageous prices are so unnecessary.

[@KeithWheeler-ey1pw]

definitely!

[@charlesvanhorn53]

Alex, you're a great dude. I can tell you're kind, caring, and understanding. But your wife is correct. Business is business. The employee should be written up, and people needing outside help should come after hours. Start charging for your time and intelligence, and that foolishness will stop.

[@cruzinsweetsntreats]

Agreed 👍💯

[@NH_Motorworks]

Hey Alex next time once you get the stud to rock back and forth, take a drill and lock the claws on the stud and run it out. I do this with my Milwaukee drill works every time

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Wow thanks for the advice. That sounds like it would work great never thought of that.

[@CarlConrad-n1x]

Great tip!

[@Cool_kid_jones]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor Honorable man!!! instead of being a know it all, you gave credit where it’s due🙇🏽‍♂️

[@jjones1287]

Fellow mechanic by the way and I love your videos and the way you go about things… I wish more shop owners were like you

[@Hamdogg35]

You have a fantastic soulmate my man. And she has an awesome, hardworking leader in you my brotha. Ya'll keep being great.

[@Alanthe918mobilemechanic]

Wife’s right Alex I love u Man U gotta put the shop and paying customers first.

[@1div2agent74]

Back in the day I rebuilt fork lifts and pallet jacks and I used to love when the snap on truck would pull up. I never spent money but it was still fun. Almost like a kid and a ice cream truck

[@JimSix-jo6hf]

Alex and Shon, that deal with the plug wire would be a deal killer at my shop, I break wires like that all the time I usually try to re crimp them but if the boot is stuck or it does not look good time to make the call and get new wires, but to just stick it back in backwards and not let anyone know is not something you can just let go, complete and total honesty is very important in this field

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

They make tools to pull those wires off. They make a special wire grabbing/pulling tool. I learned the hard way on a 2006 Buick Lucerne 3800 😅😅😅. I went and got the tool off of Amazon for like $12 the next day.

[@AJExoticaAtl]

Yeah, I have had to tell quite a few people to call the shop and not my cell phone and they pitch a fit bc I won’t answer anyone ANYMORE! At 8pm at night. No ma’am Pamela Anne.

[@dassme1]

that mini ¼ flex head ratchet it the truth 💯💯 I thought it was a gimmick but I used that thing a crap load of times . 😁

[@stephengalvan7722]

The best thing to do is be honest with your employer and with the customer keep up the amazing videos

[@Mike__P]

She's right. Nobody has common sense anymore these days.

[@taipan8021]

She got you on this one, even though priorities are first, some people can't say no to your friends.

[@skyweezynU]

Good team here ..great family value.. I'm definitely coming down the highway if any repairs needed for mine..

[@iang7523]

You got a square business wife she's right I'm working on that myself and I wish I had someone to set me straight when I'm being too nice or off track but I love your videos thanks for all the info everything will work on keep it up doc!!!!

[@theniceneighbor]

When I worked at a shop, the Snap-on truck was out of my league. I got on and off real quick when I saw those prices. Guys used to go on the truck and I didn't know until later that they were making payments. My tools were used. I remember their stuff was so much nicer than mine.

[@antoineavans7482]

I agree with both of you. However, Business wise, she is more correct. There's no car doctor without productivity and structure.. Your wife is right man....100 percent.

[@theooddone7943]

Im not gonna say I agree but that’s a good relationship , you guys both can speak your mind and come up with a solution, love how she said when im passionate I raise my voice , that’s how u know ur lady loves you and what you do

[@codyhernandez1738]

Hope the rain isn’t bothering y’all too much and stay safe with that hurricane coming

[@nizzypablo]

honesty is paramount.. period point blank

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

It sounds like the employee got stuck helping someone else, and good for him not leaving the guy stranded. We don't know the reason the employee had to get home, maybe his mind is on some problem, and forgot to knock out the rest of the manifold by the time it was done. My mediation is, tell the employee to finish the task I told you to do, and help one or two people within reason, but if it gets to be too time consuming and deep, then it becomes a job, not just neighborly help. Besides, the more people you help, the more they make customer referrals for you, so there is Blessing on the other side of that. That's not the _reason_ we help, but it is a byproduct more often than not.

[@DJ-tn7vj]

My wife says the same thing to me. Not everyone thinks like us, Alex. I'm definitely hearing my wife when she speaks. Running a shop can be stressful within it self then you have to deal with guys that don't want to grow. I think that why alot of shops rather run lean and manage the risk

[@jonquezsaucedo4337]

19:00 I love guys so much but my boy Alex he had that look like dang you video tape everything baby? 😂😂😂

[@drivingreview1578]

I never heard the acronym SUV until the 90s. The 1st SUVs before they were called SUVs, K Blazer, Jimmy, and Bronco were considered trucks .

[@brianmirras8590]

That talk that you have with your teammates with each other making fun of each other shows you real people and real people is what makes the world go round none of these fake oh you hurt my feelings type persons we are a diverse group in our shop and I hear my guys give it to each other no matter their black white hispanic Asian does it matter they give it all to each other every day but I guarantee if anybody if anybody were to mess with them where they needed each other to help them they leave the first one kicking down the door to help each other

[@monterreymxisfun3627]

The car repair market is overwhelmed. You have to come up with a way to ration service. You could charge an emergency service fee.

[@Kai-zz8ns]

I watched every minute of this episode. Alex, you’re so wholesome and authentically you. I liked and subscribed and look forward to your next video. Oh and I’m with you, on the debate. Imho you expected him to help buddy out but finish what the home team needed but that’s just me.

[@infinity3jif]

I agree with her 100%

[@Peace-7-7-7]

Great show! I believe that your employees should be directed. Once you place options before them, how can you rightfully have an issue with their decision? If you wanted the manifold removed, you should have specified that exactly and not pull your employees away to a new assignment especially a non revenue assignment. Employees are the valuable asset to your success. Give your employees the benefit of the doubt. Keep making your money.

[@THEPAPASMURFTHEOG]

mr and mrs car dr are a great team.. alex has a good heart like me, we have a problem saying no, to things we should be saying no too. i understand him. but, your wife is right alex, . time is money!! you guys have an amazing business!

[@austin3538]

Honesty is key I wish more was like you all

[@TylerG2224]

As an individual with high functioning autism it's super hard to tell someone no for me. unless I'm mad and it takes a lot to get to that point. If I was told by my superior to help someone do something and that turned into more but my superior wasn't there for me to ask if it was okay I would continue helping. Because I wouldn't have direction or a stern person to set the customer straight. And I also wouldn't want to make my superior mad by not helping them.

[@stansbruv3169]

Maverick is definitely NOT a truck! 😅

[@mds2465]

OMG those exhaust studs break off all the time on GMs! In fact, most shop owners that I've talked to will typically charge anywhere from 0.5-1 hour labor for each stud they have to drill out and/or extract. It's that bad.

[@TheMessiah91]

Once my older brother who had years of expirience on cars told me "dont over torque the bolts" make sure you are distingushing from ft/lbs, ft/inc ect.... yep broke a valve cover bot clean off thankfully he had shown me how to extract the bolt but boy was i nervous and panicked hahah.

[@marlinyoung1606]

Damn never knew those came with a 6.2. That would be a pretty good ride for sure.

[@juggie396]

Mr Dr Alex Mrs Dr is correct about that if anything he should have finished the job you told him to do then he could have help the other person.

[@mds2465]

Curtis seems like he would also be a very good stand up comedian. He's awesome!

[@gregoryrobinson1004]

The maverick and the Santa cruze I think are crossover trucks and good ideas as people want trucks but good mpg ones and don't really do truck things like pull a boat or load with plywood.

[@blackericdenice]

29:50 Home Depot sell kneeling cushion. This will protect your knee when you are on top of engines.

[@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw]

My family knows it's a business not a not for profit or a charity, and they always get a family discount but they have to wait in line like everyone else, there is only so much time in a day.

[@BoostJunkieBrian]

Mr Alex....sry but momma is right..time is money and money is time...if they're not on the schedule and especially if they're not paying.. and if you feel obligated to help them it must be after hours or you stop by their house..on off time...but most definitely your employees that y'all are paying should never be working on anything except paying customers vehicles period... love y'all keep up the great work...

[@tophermedias]

I go to Atlanta about once a year and would love to visit you and give you tips on the vw’s/audi’s or Porsche 🤓

[@jerrymoore7669]

Would it be easier to work on the manifold by removing the fender liner? I did that when did the plugs the second time on my truck. Made all the difference.

[@yaonebenni4747]

Me thinks you be both right....... He should have done the JOB before he knocked off or came in early to do the job. Having said that, the customer should not be coming to the back of the shop and asking for favours/help if it reduces productivity.

[@tpformybunghole1974]

My brother brings his suburban to a shop he trusts. My nephew My brother's son decided to bring his old dually pickup to the same shop. Couple weeks later it was misfiring so he brought it back to the shop and my brother and I met him there to give him a ride home. While in the parking lot he popped the hood and I took a look at the engine. Whichever mechanic at that shop that did his tuneup the last visit literally had multiple sparkplug wires laying directly on his exhaust manifold. This melted the wires and caused the misfire. There was zero effort to so much as to ziptie the wires to keep them neat and away from hot or moving parts. I say moving parts because in addition to the wires laying on the manifold they were also in contact with his steering shaft. Alex is correct that it makes the shop owner look bad because I immediately questioned what kind of shop has people working on cars that can't even do plugs, cap, and rotor on a 454 big block without screwing the job up. I was considering bringing my own cars there for any repairs beyond my skill level, but once I saw that "tuneup" they did that looked like spaghetti under the hood I would NEVER let them touch my cars.

[@owe6260]

Ls spark plug wires break so easy I would be surprised if he didn’t break them. 😅 sounds like his first time

[@CWood91]

Just so you know, on dodge cars that fuse is known to burn and melt. I’ve had it happen on my charger scat pack. I knew it was the HID fuse before you even said it. Idk how dodge wires these cars but something it’s right. Just replace the fuse and you’re good to go.

[@Littles13579]

Communication is key. I would ask the employee in a nice way why they didn't pull it off so they can explain what happened.

[@tonycotta6602]

Alex when we tear into chevies we replace them their wires no if;s no and's on buts just because costs more for the repair than a set wire,.Don't forget Firing Friday's.

[@brianmirras8590]

Your wife be right Alex she be on on point I run my own shop man and if my friends came or that those customers that need a hand that aren't paying they aren't customers the owner used to run the shop I was in before he expanded the four shops and we got those people that come in all the time that want to talk to Steve or Steve used to give this to me for free or they used to give this to me for free and I had to cut that off our shop went from being a 800,000 a year to a 2 million a year shop

[@sonyaforeman7844]

She is absolutely right.

[@BasilNaaar]

In this case, your wife is 100% right. So many times at my job, the boss’s family and close friends would show up and try to flex their relationship with the boss to get free work. It happens all the time! And it’s not just small favors they’re asking for-they’ll come in wanting the whole kitchen sink! As an employee, it’s super awkward to go to your boss and say, "Hey, is it okay if I take work time to do this favor for your friend or family member?" because we feel like the boss is going to say, "Of course! Why would you even ask? It’s my cousin/brother/etc." While it might seem like common sense to set boundaries, as employees, we don’t want to offend the boss’s friends or family, so we’re basically stuck saying yes to whatever they want. That’s just how it is. For me, it was like that for the first few years. Only after about seven years did my boss finally start telling her family, "He’s too busy" or "He’s got a lot on his plate," as a standard response. If you don’t set those boundaries, I’m telling you, every third cousin, family friend, or even friend-of-a-friend will start showing up to get free work.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

I appreciate this comment! And now I make sure that family and friends respect the business and my employees! I wanna make sure my team is straight!

[@thabanga510]

She is right Alex. He was helping a friend you told him to help. It more than likely took longer than expected and by the time he finished it was time to clock out.

[@bonishabrown5260]

I think only consequences if time was being stole. If the employee was truly working/helping the person you said help and that carried over for what ever reason then as a manager you should look at both sides yours and the employee.

[@blackericdenice]

No wonder stuff on a Snap On truck is so high. $85 for a E12 swivel socket.

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

Found one on Amazon for $12.

[@blackericdenice]

@@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic I need to fine one because I'm going to buy another Mercedes soon.

[@vannlocz90]

At 38:53. Common sense is part of it but what U were going for is something along the lines of due diligence, and being accountable. Or not to half ass it. The way he carries himself.

[@imfloridano5448]

As a retired military mechanic getting everyone on the the same sheet of music is critical. Soldiers lives were in our hand's like your shop needs all employees to understand that customers can be endangered by their callous attitudes. You may have to prepare to let him go to keep from further damage to customer cars

[@cliveleslie7004]

Wife keep him straight these people will kill your business.

[@tedwilliams8766]

before obummer, most people i know used peoples nationalities as a "term of endearment"...so to speak. im native and people called me chief, polish was polock, and so on. EVERYONE knew there wasnt any malice or anger when certain adjectives were used in conversation. it was never a thing. obummer came in screaming racism and now everyone feelers are hurt. as far as the employee thing, set down a list of rules and have them to adhere to them with no exceptions. all your family customers/friends are going to have to learn that the new way of doing things is going to benefit everyone in the long run and would appreciate to come to the shop after hours of saterdays. jmho. thanks doctor and mrs. doctor. :)

[@TheCapitalB]

Wife is right. Sorry Alex… got to admit it bro. Regards to the debate topic.

[@meech074]

I agree with the wife on this as a worker in the same field and having an owner of the same standard as alex I understand what he is saying but like my boss /owner of the shop he has friends that come threw with the same request and there have been times when I've become conflicted on the fact of spending time on a known friend of the family vs getting paid work done but watching and listening to your small debate my difference is yours sounds as there was communication between the 3 parties to where sometimes mine was a since of entitlement , miscommunication , or none at all. My confliction resolved by talking and setting the boundary on the time and work request of the family friend upon work hours same for the employee to understand hey let me finish up on this and then I can help if you still need

[@M-DayProductions]

Good morning my man!!

[@littlebill1987]

My man had me dying the wooos and woahs 😂

[@brutusb8004]

Everything cant be 'business'. I can feel old girl about the business hours thing, but I feel alex for wanting to look out for people he's on another level with.

[@fredbennett3549]

Your wife keeps you calm and focus when you upset which is a good thing 👍

[@jjones1287]

I guess it’s called a “truck” because it can carry cargo in it someway… be it trailer,bed, or box… I call them all trucks because like you said if it’s on a truck chassis… it’s a truck to me

[@stephengalvan7722]

It could also be he did it to know witch one needs to be fixed upon reinstallation

[@359erock]

39:20 There is no excuse for that. imagine what else he doing??? im sorry bruh, you need to kick rocks... you bout to get me fired! and, its my shop??..lol

[@cliveleslie7004]

Wife you are correct.

[@marlinyoung1606]

I agree with the wife tell those people come back another day. Him breaking down does not constitute an emergency on your part. Friend or not, you have a business to run.

[@Brooklynraised68]

I hate when people hide work it happens in construction / remodeling fields also shoty works always comes back to haunt you if someone is costing you gotta go !

[@derrickbrown4161]

Great conversation she's right, but Gene had a responsibility with removing the manifold. If he didn't finish that evening, he should've come in early to remove it so his boss can finish the job. It's all about being a man

[@Picturesforbloxfruits]

Anything that sits on a truck chassis in the truck no matter to make model interior if it sits higher than 6 feet is a truck

[@JimSix-jo6hf]

I like that test light, I am going to have to stop watching the car doctor because now I have to buy one LOL

[@faithecom]

Snap on truck is the Diddy van

[@Lb562-e9h]

You can’t make everyone’s problem your problem , in terms of a business aspect you have to stay proactive no matter what in order to push cars out

[@joshuadavis6221]

She right

[@gloriab.2191]

My 2012 Acadia sits on a truck chassis

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

It’s a conveyance 😉 covers everything

[@amaristorres3373]

Sorry bro but ur wife is 💯 right if he was the only one there he shouldn't of been pull off his job u could of said soon as he's done with the H2 he can help u but I respect all of ya ya good people..

[@cruzinsweetsntreats]

20:55 in this angle, he looks like Snoop Dog 🎉🎉

[@gmo4719]

Some people can’t multitask

[@shanoonbrian75]

love the wife ,she not playing get in line .No freebies.

[@elmayimbe_the_amateur_mechanic]

This the same tech with the oil pan drain bolt that was loose from last month 😂😂😂 Edited:2 minutes later into the video, I was right. Gotta fire that dude. He done got more chances than Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden.

[@CWood91]

Can we as customers walk into the shop area of a dealership and tell the tech, “come look at my car real quick”? No! Tell them to make an appointment! I understand you guys aren’t a large shop like that but once you allow people to walk right in then they will think it’s the norm. Overall slowing down productivity.

[@imfloridano5448]

The least those people who are asking for help can do is offer to pay for the assistance. Folks are quick to call you their mechanic if you repair their vehicle one tyme. Yep I learned my lesson the hard way about being kind to folks. I didn't charge to help people for low level repair like plugs coil packs and troubleshooting and other minor items. Having to remove broken exhaust bolts when I didn't have a welder is a pain in the arse aarrrgghhh

[@ozzmann3217]

Not gonna lie I’m in a heavy equipment tech usually we go with our Manager rules but not always easy to say no because in my industry the operators always have more to look at that what initially say… Give the kid some leeway and clarify I typically agree with you Alex but give it some thought my brother you the leader maybe he wanted to do extra knowing it hurt more than helped