ETCG's Top 5 Pet Peeves About Auto Repair Customers

[@mobrien7211]

watching like a hawk while I'm working and telling me I'm doing it wrong because you used to change tires in the 70s

[@bblando65]

Maybe the customer doesn't want his new wheels he spent 1K on scratched to schit by the burned out chimp on the tire changer machine? I've had tire techs get pissed when I told them not to use hammer on wheel weights(which shouldn't be used-EVER as they corrode/damage the wheels....so yeah, customers who bitch have their reasons to bitch as well as you mechanics...

[@rogerpatrick3642]

M O'Brien say fffffffyouuuuuuuu that what I want say 😝

[@Scrubworks]

@@bblando65 You're an idiot. Most wheels out there, especially steelies, are designed to use hammer on weights. You went to a place that didn't give you proper service? Bad luck, go somewhere else. If you're not happy to have some "burned out chimp" change your tyres, then buy your own tyre machine and balancer and do it yourself.

[@supersabrosinho]

Yeah people telling you you are doing it wrong is pretty rude. However you better believe I watch techs like a hawk when they have my baby. 4th gen Acura TL with a manual transmission. That car is a unicorn that I take care of and maintain very well. The only time it goes to a shop is for an alignment and I have a talk with the tech before they take the keys. I don't threaten them, I don't belittle them, but I do tell them what that car means to me

[@i.jackanov7382]

@@bblando65 isn't it kind of your fault if you see a "burned out chimp" and still have them work on your car. oh boy when i see a customer like you coming i all of a sudden get really busy with other work in the shop.

[@briansmobile1]

Here's my 25+ years of working on cars list of customer behavior peeve's. 1. Customers who ask for expensive repairs and THEN tell you they have no possible way to pay for it upon pick it up. 2. People who have a metric TON of garbage in every square inch of the vehicle and come in for jobs that require I get intimate with the interior of the car--or don't have a clue where the wheel lock is, but it's in there somewhere- just keep looking for it. 3. People who want to fix a radio rather than a tie rod or tire that's about to put others on the road at risk. 4. People who wait till right before their Thanksgiving trip (like Wednesday morning) to drop off a car for a whole list of repairs that make their car a danger to themselves everyone else on the road like brakes, steering linkage, tires, no defrost etc. that have accumulated for more than a year. 5. People who want perfection and want it RIGHT NOW, but don't want to pay for it or else I'm the one who's a jerk. 6. Late or no-show appointments with no heads up. 7. Owners who won't pay for or remove their car for a month after it's ready. (especially in the winter making snow removal difficult.) 8. People who neglect to inform me of dangers they know about like a colony of poisonous spiders, wasps, etc. in the car.

[@MrRemyScott]

My pet peeve is when a mechanic tries to sell a transmission job when I bring my vehicle in for AC service. Please understand you're in an industry rife with scam artists selling people new Johnson rods and specialized Kanuter valve services, so I've been conditioned to not trust any service techs. If I ask you to fix my radio and you start talking about tie rods, I'm going to tell you to kick rocks as well. I'd rather be stranded on the side of the road then think I got taken on a quart of headlight fluid ...again.

[@kbrx4310]

Number 1,5 and 7 Brian...every time...this is a constant in our world , I dont get the logic that we as mechanics and business owners should have to eat repair costs AFTER we do them for a customer because their spark plug job turned into tracing a misfire that turned into a bent valve after they say "just get it done Idc I need it" Im literally dealing with this right now on a customer estimate ..

[@greasyhandsauto-shaunbutte9726]

Remy Scott, You really should change your attitude. Get a second opinion but don't ignore safety issues. That's how people end up in hospitals and morgues! It could be innocent people!

[@MrRemyScott]

which attitude, not being a trusting rube? All I'm suggesting in not ascribing malice to people's motives. Not everyone who rejects a mechanic's advice is an uncaring jerk who wants to risk their life and the lives of their loved ones or those of strangers on the road, perhaps we're just jaded. There exists a trust deficit between customers and mechanics, though I'm not assigning blame in this case, simply stating there is two sides to every story. And I'm playing the side of the customer ETCG1 is complaining about. Fear is a powerful selling tool that gets overused, it's why we tune in to tonight's special news report on "the one thing in everyone's household that is KILLING OUR CHILDREN!". "Why won't you pay me hundreds of dollars to fix a part you didn't even ask me to look at? Don't you care about the children?" My attitude is that of a skeptic, and I will get a second opinion.

[@greasyhandsauto-shaunbutte9726]

The attitude that you would get ripped off so, you would kick the guy to the rocks. I sold cars for 21 years and have been fixing them for 10. I have been lied to by customers my whole career. I have found some of the public to be very dishonest, both selling and repairing. I don't assume you are. So, find somebody trustworthy and you won't need to kick anybody to the rocks. Most of us just want our customers to be safe and not end up stranded.

[@TheGideonp1]

I hate when people ask to have their check engine light turned off like it's going to magically fix all their problems

[@Thermool]

Gideon Penick Not a tech, but I run and manage a fleet of pest control trucks, and years ago I had a garage actually pull the check engine light bulb out because he puzzled on how to remedy the code.

[@danr5105]

Can't think of pulling the bulb without pulling the cluster. In my state when an OBDII car goes in for inspection it must have an operational check engine light. I think the bulb removal is an old yarn from the OBDI cars.

[@bigjoe980sgamecorner]

To be fair.. I've had a few that do literally turn on for no reason.

[@thaneonyou]

the only time i have seen that it is a different computer having a problem. in some cars if the abs/ trac computer is down the check engine light will come on and if you dont have a scan tool that can only read the ecu then no codes will show up.

[@danr5105]

Who's fault is it that the most everything about the "check engine" light and the diagnostics capability that is present in newer cars is so misunderstood by the general public, perhaps the media? I do not have enough fingers and toes to count the times I have been told that "the computer in that car tells you what is wrong and how to fix it,why do I need to pay for a diagnosis"

[@HumbleMechanic]

The title of this video made me nervous. This could be a deep topic. Also funny because I had a slight rant on wheel locks today. The issue with no clear definition is really an issue with advisors not getting the proper information. And I think that techs need to put themselves in the customers shoes more often. We forget that not everyone thinks with the type of brain we do. The A/C thing is a running source of comedy at my shop. That and radios. LOL (but in the south, I totally get it) Being late... A simple phone call would be nice. I don't mind waiters. This for me becomes more of an advisor issue than customer. But lot of techs don;t care for it. I did a quick video on "Why mechanics hate waiters". Great video as always brother.

[@noahsdoublewide133]

Some little demon stole the wheel lock out of the trunk on that VW. Oh and that tool to remove the bolts caps is gone too. Big firgging suprise!

[@ETCG1]

Thanks for the input Charles. I like you.

[@smms1276]

Yes very well written, I agree 100%

[@worldhello1234]

Not being vague has actually little to do with technology.

[@waynefoutz]

my woman could be sitting behind the wheel of a car with a rod knocking, no muffler, and transmission fluid spraying all over the ground. If the AC works, she's perfectly happy. Even though I'm running behind it pushing it.

[@VladTheImpalerTepesIII]

MGTOW

[@jakleo337]

If it were not for technically illiterate ladies we would not be in business.

[@Aashishkebab]

So this is sexist and also objectifying whomever "your woman" is.

[@Aashishkebab]

@@jakleo337 there aren't technically illiterate guys?

[@jakleo337]

@@Aashishkebab Oh, Yes, many of them. But men are more likely to spend money on repairs than women, Women think mechanics are ripping them off, and resent spending money on things they can't wear.

[@mattroy3154]

#1 pet peeve: Ask a probing question and get the answer "I don't know, you're supposed to be the technician, aren't you?"

[@ScottHenion]

My peeve is the other side of being late. People say I need you to do this today. I do the work, then the car sits here for a week.

[@amcgee-dl3cj]

this should be looked at as an income opportunity. you have to have your storage policy clearly in place so when this happens your getting paid for it.

[@bmf572]

Amen!!!

[@Tool0GT92]

Talk about being vague, I fix computers, a customer will say "It doesn't get on the internet" when in reality the computer will not turn on at all.

[@drink15]

Or they forgot the password to log into AOL desktop

[@JoshSfaks]

lmfao

[@alejandrovette]

I fix computers too. i wish i could get even something out of a customer. They'll say "can you check it out". That's it. When i ask what''s it doing. They say idk it's not working right. I just don't get people....

[@thephantom1492]

Seen worse: "The computer do not work at all, nothing come up on the screen!" Trouble? homepage got resetted back from google to msn. Also: "the screen is black, nothing come on the screen"... bios show up, loading windows, mouse pointer, welcome and finally black screen but with a movable mouse pointer...

[@herculesrockefeller2984]

My internet's Broken

[@alanmaier]

Speaking from the customer side, as for waiting sometimes it is the only option if the repair is not major surgery. But when I bring my car in for a wait repair, I don't expect it to be in at X time and out at Y time. I appreciate that delays can happen, and plan my day accordingly expecting to be at the shop for hours. That is what a waiting room with television and often popcorn is there for. Now if someone brings in a car and has a definite obligation later that day, that is foolish on their part.

[@NJVacoustic]

Alan Maier Most shops and dealerships offer "Loaner" or "Rental" Vehicles for those people.

[@alanmaier]

Good point, but I lean toward the smaller independent shops where at best they may have a shuttle van. My preferred shop is a 1 owner small owner / tech shop... rather pay the small independent for a brake job or the like.

[@aussiebloke609]

Absolutely. I tend to be a "waiter", as it's about 90 mins to get home from the dealer, so I'm not likely to be doing that trip twice a day if I don't have to. I just make sure I'm stocked up on cigarettes and bring a good book - a good, _thick_ book - and I'm all set for however long it takes. I've worked on my own car back in the day enough to know that repairs rarely work out in the time you think.

[@dementedweasel1]

What burns me up is the waiters only wait 3 and a half minutes before they start saying "Why isn't my car done?"

[@MrBilld75]

Is this a subtle hint that Eric or the rest of shops should have Popcorn? Lol. jk.

[@johnh8439]

I had a lady come back after an oil change because her air conditioning wasn't working and she blamed us. She started throwing stuff around the store blaming my technician that he purposely broke her Hyundai and she was going to sue us so we would be forced to buy her a new car. I went out to the car and the fan speed was set to zero. I guess it was our fault. She sped off flipping the bird at us as I waved.

[@MrBilld75]

LMAO! That's epic.

[@georgedoughly6344]

MCN some customers are Very Stupid 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

scary and her comprehension operates a vehicle

[@amcgee-dl3cj]

oh my god i can only think of the missed entertainment value of not getting that on video. how epic would that have been. better than watching monkeys throw poop at the zoo.

[@georgedoughly8682]

That stupid bitch 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dementedweasel1]

I got one for you; Customer- "My front tires keep wearing out" Mechanic (After inspection) "Your lower ball joints and tie rod ends are wore out" Customer- "You're just trying to rip me off. Don't try to put one over on me! I saw a 20/20 program that exposed you guys! It just needs an alignment!" Mechanic- I can't align it if it has wore out parts" Customer-"Then I want to talk to a REAL mechanic!"

[@sparkyobrian1383]

nailed it

[@Big_Ben1988]

Get customers like that at my shop all the time. Totally clueless but think they know it all.

[@Anoalekontrieger]

It's true that customers can be like that. But there are alot of repair shops in the Netherlands that completely fuck you over and try to fix stuff that's not broken. Works both ways I guess.

[@amcgee-dl3cj]

@@Anoalekontrieger then don't enable assholes. don't go to the bad shops. stupid customers allow them to exist. find a good shop and don't act like a victim.

[@SpencerLemay]

@@amcgee-dl3cj How are you going to know if it is a bad shop unless you do what they tell you and find out you wasted your money?!?

[@mikeschaner5853]

here's my biggest pet peeve... "Ever since you worked on my car....." had 1 lady tell me 3 months after i did the work, "ever since you did the brakes my heater doesn't work"

[@i.jackanov7382]

did you "fire" that customer?

[@NJVacoustic]

It bugs me when people lock their glove box and leave us with a vallet key. Not a huge deal but it's an annoyance when we need to access components behind the glove box. Also, leaving a car trashed that I have to do interior work in. Not only is it gross but it tends to make things more difficult as well.

[@toohoodrichg]

NJVacoustic I can agree and attest to both of these haha

[@yourhandlehere1]

Ma'am, if you want me to fix the seat belt it's going to cost $XX.XX plus $100 for an interior detailing. Or you could clean it yourself and bring it back, it's up to you. My guys don't work in sewers.

[@step2191]

I am not a mechanic, but have friends who are. Their general pet peeves or problems are as followed: 1) the cheap customer who wants a discount on parts after seeing the labor rate...also complains about said labor rate. 2) the woman who's axle is about to completely fall apart because they neglected to replace a wheel bearing... 3) Mr race car driver who blew their engine under warranty but claims "the car was built cheaply" and has bald tires from burnouts. 4) the hypochondriac. "well it made a noise yesterday but it was different from the last time i came in here so there's something you didn't do" - previous noises that do not appear present or in past inspections. 5) the neglectful SOB who shouldnt even own a razor scooter. the person who never changes oil. never changes brakes, puts crappy gas in their tank and never cleans anything inside or out. Theres a small saying that goes "if you take good care of your car, itll take good care of you" and its never let me down. 6) the know it all. the person who self diagnosed their problem by reading about it on the internet, then dictates to the mechanic on how and what parts are needed for a repair.

[@fahmidhassan7845]

NOVA Dash Cam that number 6th type of person bothers me the most.And I always wanted to say why??why don't you get it done by yourself ?

[@WestsidePatriot]

I don't have the tools to do it myself but I know a decent amount about cars, especially MY car (2014 Chevy Impala). Newer cars are too specialized. You ever heard of an active grille shutter? Is it possible for me to re-program something that is out of spec? Do I have service manual of repair requirements according manufacturer ? If you get in an accident, you "apparently" have replace the seatbelt tensioner. Even if the thing didn't break. Hell, I can't even fix a tire pressure sensor at home. Independent mechanics are useless in this regard as well. You spend more in diagnostics and labor then anything at an independent place unless they "specialize" in your brand.

[@zx8401ztv]

I have repaired a lot of general electronic items for people. The most annoying thing is fighting to get the Real Truth from a person. People also lie or omit what they actually did to the item before or after it died. After telling them what you had to repair, they often say "They knew that was faulty", so why didnt they say that earlier?. Sounds familiar, thats people LOL.

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

Oh mate I know exactly what you mean... You ask people troubleshooting questions on the phone and flat out lie to you, then when you have to make a site visit and you see what stupid shit they've done they act like that's exactly what they told you ...

[@zx8401ztv]

The thing is i dont care what they did, i wont wag a finger at them and tell them off, just tell me the truth. Makes the job simpler and quicker, they get there item back faster :-)

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

Ha! I'm sure you can see them coming a mile off now with your experience. You should get one of those giant foam hands to wag a finger with...

[@aserta]

Probably my biggest pet peeve along with that ever so common line "it broke", no it didn't you broke it. I guess the fear of social stigma is far grander than expedient solutions, they'd rather spend a ton of money more, than tell you exactly what happened.

[@zx8401ztv]

I dont do many repairs now, so im not too bothered. Still get the old "It just stopped working" or the sob storys. My frends are the people i help now, if i can, and for nothing as im not one of those frends that takes money off my mates. There are odd people like that, not what i call mates.

[@HammerHeadGarage]

i had a guy ask me "Do you mind if i watch you work on my bike"? i said yes i mind, im one of those guys that likes to be alone with the task at hand. He got all huffy and then walked out, but i did fix his bike alone :)

[@Jack-qn4vt]

I'm the same

[@calebniederhofer678]

Shawn Bradley I can understand that , and it’s honestly a liability . The customer starts questioning why you are doing this , or that’s the wrong way. Next thing you know it’s a distraction , and they get upset. Don’t ever allow it.

[@meabob]

When an owner comes back I stop working on the car. Usually talk for a few minutes. Eventually they ask how long it'll take and I say "Depends on how long we keep talking. The insurance folks frown on working with customers in the shop. They may not pay out if you get hurt." I'm not sure if that's true or not but it gets them out of my work space. Some laugh and some get irritated.

[@anotheran]

I'm surprised you're concerned about waiters having to stay longer. Thanks! Never knew mechanics cared enough. I'm a waiter and totally understand a service can take longer or shorter for things unknown

[@toohoodrichg]

It really bugs me when when customers park in front of bay doors and then enter through the shop as if it is there own, I get that not everybody understands, but the liability of the whole thing really stresses me out

[@Wtrxprs007able]

Garret Brown yes this!! Then they lock their cars. It blocks all other traffic that needs to go through as well. It's possible they may be thinking "yeah I'll park here. I'll get mine in first since its already there". NOPE! I'll just take your keys, move your car outside, then bring in the cars that were here before you.

[@SgtPnkks]

this more than anything... especially if it happens to be an automotive shop attached to a retail store and customers park in front of the bay and go in the store example... customer just wants us to check air pressure (another minor pet peeve since there is a gas station a short distance away with free air and we're busy with other things) she backs out after and leaves the vehicle in front of the bay door while she shops in the store when we have cars to bring in even worse is the customer with something on a trailer who parks their truck and trailer sideways blocking multiple bays then when you tell them to move they block parked vehicles

[@chris010281]

Garret Brown I get that the bosses son is worst for doing that sometime parks behind my ramp so I can't move

[@toohoodrichg]

Glad I'm not the only one haha

[@MrSpeed427]

Where I work at, we let those types of customers wait as long as we like until they leave. But, we do have to help them with air pressures and wiper blades, which requires them to park in front of the garage.

[@patricksimmons395]

Nuttiest thing I saw was a young lady bringing her Hyundai Tucson in for oil change. The car had 35,000 miles on it and this was her FIRST oil change. Service Manager got on phone with Hyundai brass and they immediately cancelled the engine portion of her warranty...

[@matthewscott6615]

It's ok she just mixed up "every 3 months" with "every 3 years" lol no big deal right?!

[@97I30T]

Patrick Simmons Yeah, if you miss just one service or oil change with a Hyundai or Kia they will permanently void your warranty, or at least part of it.

[@patricksimmons395]

***** Because she admitted it plus the oil came out like jello...Plus no service record of it...

[@outerlimitsurvey]

Patrick, are you on Hyundai's payroll? The young lady paid you to service her car and you take it on yourself rat her out to her carmaker? How would you feel if you went to the doctor and he called your insurance company saying that you hadn't been taking your blood pressure medicine so they shouldn't cover future strokes or heart attacks? There are situations where doctors are required to report things like gunshot wounds, child or spousal abuse, etc. but other than that I expect my doctor to be discrete with my health information. I'm not saying that the young lady was justified in abusing her car but who put you in charge of reporting service compliance?

[@outerlimitsurvey]

Peace, I see now in your post it was your Service Manager who called Hyundai. In any case, it was a dick move whoever did it. Sorry I accused you.

[@RectifiedMetals]

#1 blaming the technician for everything that breaks after a service. Touch a car, you just married it. Been on both sides of the bay, servicing and writing.

[@mobrien7211]

80miles_A_day had a woman call screaming "you were the last ones to work on my car and now the check engine light is on", I apologize and ask for her name to look up service history, and asked her "you're sure we're the last one to touch it' followed by an annoyed yes, I told her "the last time you were in was two years ago and we did an oil change, if we're the last ones to touch it you haven't had your oil changed in two years, I think I know why you SES light is on" she hung up

[@RectifiedMetals]

Yup changed the oil and now the cigarette lighter doesn't work. oops showed my age... Do they even make cigarette lighters anymore?

[@mobrien7211]

You pay extra for that.

[@edjackson4389]

I own a body shop. People who get into a minor collision, and then swear the wreck caused all kinds of ridiculous things get on my nerves

[@insideoutsideupsidedown2218]

On this note, if its minor stuff, i don't worry about it. If i bring my car in and the belts need changed, and you do a mult point inspection, because you offer it and i pay for it, and i get my car back with results of the inspection, and i now know that my ball joints are bad, noticeable coolant lines are leaking, oil is covering the bottom of the car, you are then covered and i as the customer know what things may need attention and failures after that are on me.

[@Brett235]

One of my pet peeves Is the customer comes in and has me diagnose the problem and then tells me that they have a friend that will do it cheeper, and then get pissed off when I want a fee for diagnosis.

[@joecoolioness6399]

Haha, where the worlds of computer and car repair intersect. I don't charge for diagnoses if they have me do the repair, but hit em up if they then want to fix it themselves. Anyone can replace a part once you know which part needs replacing right?

[@oldsrktracer]

Working in a body shop both doing body work and mechanical. My list of pet peeves is a mile long. between , customers , insurance companies, parts companies .

[@DriveBetter]

Eric, while I worked as an entry-level tech I too saw those same issues. The master level techs didn't get those headaches. Seems to me if I could have stuck it out for 5-7 years then my service writers would be trained to my work style and the headache work would be pushed to the b/c techs. I couldn't handle the c tech life and I quit but those that could better handle these pet peeves were ultimately rewarded. Work 9-4, book 15 hours, no waiters, parts pulled. The system isn't designed for techs like us, though and we're better for it.

[@SE45CX]

And being judged for your minor work inefficiencies. While you can't even touch on the major and obvious personality defects in these pricks who cause trouble for all of you in the entry level positions. I cannot bear this either.

[@davidb.fishburn9338]

Chrysler dealer tech here. Wheel locks are my biggest pet peeve. Car full of trash is right next to that on the list. I had a customer come in that wanted a battery put in his Chrysler 300. The 300's battery is in the trunk, below a floor panel. This guy's trunk was packed full of trash. I told the service writer that i'm not digging thru all that. He called the customer, and had him clean out the trunk. Obviously, some people don't think about when techs need to access certain parts of the car to do the service. Someone else mentioned that some people lock the glovebox. That is something that really makes life difficult when techs have to access the cabin air filter, which are behind the glovebox in many cars, or the hvac motors and linkages, which, again are behind the glovebox. Then there's wiring harnesses that are run above/behind the glovebox. Radio antenna cables are a good example. There's more, but i think that many will understand.

[@mikesykes7861]

customers that come in with a drivability issue and 0 gas in the tank for a road test

[@charlesb4308]

Going to send this to my mechanic. My second major job I enlisted him for had the wheel lock issue! All of my tires had every lug nut a "secure" one on it. Of course he did not have the bit on hand, and it was a day the place that installed them was closed. He managed as always to get it done. Thank you as I quite enjoy your videos. Take care!

[@Richard-xc3cw]

I hate when I do a state inspection and emissions test and cant find the insurance and registration card. or, they have them, but theyre expired, and now I cant write stickers until we call the insurance company to fax over then new cards.

[@jjloneman]

Hey, it is my birthday, so thank you! I forgot that you start all your ETCG1 videos with that, so it was a pleasant surprise. I love your videos, and yesterday I was watching one of your "day in the life" clips. My girlfriend asked, "Are you just watching somebody fix cars?" So I said "yeah." She was so confused and asked "why?" I asked her a counter-question as to why she watches make-up or cat videos, but also said that what you do is an art, and it's something you're really good at. It's so fascinating that, in a world full of problems, there is such a high need of skilled people to fix them, be it computer repair, car repair, house repair, you name it. To see your thought process and watch you diagnose problems is truly fascinating to me. You're a fantastic mechanic, and I do a lot of DIY work as well, so your videos have helped me so much. Thank you for being awesome, Eric the Car Guy!

[@KiaSorento-tu5op]

For some reason I'm addicted to your videos, along with Chris fix, Engineering explained, and your 2nd channel. I watch every single one when they come out. I haven't watched tv for months. Just KZbin. I'm no mechanic, I'm an environmental science associate, but have a huge interest in how cars work. I try to do most maintenance on my car that involves wrenching, initially to save money but it has gained my interest in cars, and learned quite a bit from you guys. Just want to say thanks and keep it up

[@ETCG1]

I'm happy to be included in that group. Both good friends of mine. Thanks for your comment, and your viewership.

[@nittanyburg20]

Waiters and wheel locks are really annoying. It also bothers me when I give a customer a whole list of things that need replaced/repaired and they only want the least important repair. My biggest pet peeve of all is when they want me to diagnose something without even pulling the vehicle inside. Like I'll be on my way out to pull one in and someone drives up and asks me why their check engine light is on.

[@Brian-wy4hg]

#1: Service advisors who know nothing about cars, suck at upselling and wanting you to do free work #2: Waiters/customers who stare at you in the window the entire time you are working on their car

[@Mavis308]

VQPower35 you got that right, I work in a commercial chain, where that happens everyday

[@pakman422]

VQPower35 Im not a mechanic. But when I was younger and worked with my father who is a carpenter #2 happened every day. Very annoying. Especially when you have to take a moment to think about something and the customer looks at you like "this guy must not know what he's doing" and then starts telling you how to do your job. VERY VERY frustrating. - Jacob S.

[@justinlovescodmw3]

Yes! Very true. Service writers and stare downs can be the worst.

[@reallyaznokidding]

We musicians get stared at while working all the time.

[@Nobody7720]

reallyAZ nokidding This made me laugh..

[@nathanrspain]

I'm so glad I watched way too much of your channels through the years and now just work on my own car lol. I can't remember the last time I had to take my car to a shop.

[@brakedd]

Wheel locks are the absolute worst. Customer supplied parts are never right or complete (missing hardware etc). Dog cars. You know the smell I'm talking about. I hate when people had diag done somewhere else and brought it to us for repair (dealership) or when they just don't want us to diagnose something, just perform a repair that's supposed to fix a problem. When you just get the car up in the air and the service writer comes and asks how much longer. Dude, I just gave you the fucking keys and RO from the last job. I don't care if this new RO was on the board for 15 minutes, I just picked it up.

[@greasyhandsauto-shaunbutte9726]

My pet peeve is when I diagnose a problem and the customer then argues with me, about what I've found. They either googled it or "have a friend who knows". I could go on for days!

[@Boats29]

The you changed my engine oil and now my rearend is making a funny noise and its your fault guy lol.

[@Zalagar619]

Man you hit the nail right on the head! I hate when the customers have wheel locks and they dont have it in an accessible place or even know where it is! So many times I will plug the drain plug, lower the vehicle down a little to rotate, notice the vehicle has wheel locks, then i now have to take extra time to let the oil finish draining and then lower the vehicle on the ground and go through all the compartments looking for a stupid wheel lock key. Especially fun when you are already dirty with oil and grease. Also you point on waiters and upsells. Totally agree. Our service writers are incompetent and like to pack as many oil changes as possible and sometimes double booking, and everything is okay until, a tire has a nail in it, a car needs brakes or additional services, or anything of the matter. Its super annoying for us techs and the customers. Not only are they waiting for us to finish the current vehicles, but now they have to wait that plus the time it takes for their vehicle.

[@thewholls7176]

You’re a true gentleman Eric you’ve managed to explain the top five annoying things without using a single swearword....!

[@razputin34]

I know I am very late to this party, but what a great video. The comments posted are just fabulous. I have been doing IT work for 22 years and so many of the comments are on point even for the industry that I work in. The guy or gal that brings in their computer and they will help you fix it. They will reveal all of the troubleshooting you do not have to do because they saw it online and have already done everything to fix the problem. Many of the folks want to stand there and watch what you do or have you tell them what you use in your secret sauce to get the issue resolved. I have no problem with educating the user a bit, but many times they will argue with me about what actually fixed it.

[@CopCat34]

As a former automotive technician who worked flat rate I have to agree with you. I have four customer pet peeves and one automotive technician pet peeve. My top five are similar. The first one is the same as yours. No lug nut key. Enough said. The second one is similar, the sloppy technician who damaged the lug nuts before it arrived at our shop. The customer now has two choices. No tire removal (and no brake safety inspection) or buy new lug nuts. The customers are generally fuming over this since they themselves never removed the lug nuts. The third are customers who want techs to work for free. The fourth is the customer who makes an appointment and shows up one to two hours late and wants to know why we can't take their car / truck in immediately. The fifth is the customer who vanishes at the dealership when we have a question(s) for them regarding their vehicle. Thank you for letting me spout off.

[@euandykes]

It's funny how you mention the waiters, my GF is a dentist and she gets people coming with tooth pain, she has to by law has to treat them. I worked at a bicycle mechanic and having listened to your video that industry is quite different. A bicycle is a recreational thing where as a car is for a lot of people a life necessity. The most annoying thing was when people brought in K-Mart bicycles and expected them to perform after a tune up, sometimes they ended up paying more for the tuneup than what they paid for the bike. I'm not sure how the auto industry is but the bicycle industry is seeing a lot of designed obsolesce creep into the quality of the bikes. I enjoyed the video. Would love to hear your views on how newer cars are compared to older cars to repair.

[@TheNameOfMyTribe]

Number 1 pet peeve as a customer: Mythical unicorns poking holes in my exhaust and shitting in my filters.

[@GEARMOAUTO]

Or when old guys stand with there arms crossed and glare at me the whole time im working on the car.

[@MrBilld75]

I never liked that. People who ride shotgun on me, piss me off. If I end up doing a wait for the Mechanic thing, I try to not to make out like I am watching them. Walk around the parking lot, go grab a coffee, talk to someone else there, whatever. I would never want to make someone feel like I am "shoulder watching" them, cause of how much I hate it done to me.

[@i.jackanov7382]

i tell people who do that that they can do that but i bill for it. t&m. if they still stay and stare it makes me feel better knowing i'm getting paid for it but that's only happened once in more than 20 years.

[@erikengstrom2900]

I am a DIYer, as much as I possibly can be, which is a lot more than most. I split my money between parts and labor at my support shop. I am there often enough to know what amazing guys they are and what good service they provide to their customers. I don't mean fully in the mechanical areas, but in the support, pleasantries and patience they provide in the customer service and service intake side of the business. Granted this is a father-and-sons type scenario so the investment level is deep, but the kind of oddball Muggles things I hear in there time after time used to drive me crazy. Then a couple of years ago I started to work on friends and family cars in serious ways. I would get the same knob-level intake information and have to decipher that into technical quadrants to check on the car. With family and friends it is easy, I simply repair whatever I see that needs it - Merry Christmas, Mom! But as a business, I see these guys patiently supporting their customers day-in, day-out. I would have said it was ignorant, lazy customer intakes. But... My biggest pet peeve is everyone else in the automotive world who can't be bothered to meet the Muggles half-way.

[@tcr03]

parking in front of the bay, or in the middle of the parking lot. pulling up to the garage door and honking their horn

[@jerrycain6404]

My most interesting noise searches #1 small coke bottle inside door # 2 lady complains about bumping noise when going around corner, found softball in otherwise empty trunk, #3, wine bottles in trunk, #4, and hardest to find. Click when stopping Miata, electric fan, to much clearance on motor shaft.shifting forward when braking.

[@hanskinslo326]

8:00 - "Waiters" - I've had to wait SOOO many times when I was getting work done on my car, in the past, since I had no one to come pick me up. Those were sad, lonely days! Luckily it's not like that anymore!

[@seeya205]

I find it so funny when you see someone want a $3000 sound system in a $1000 car.

[@patw52pb1]

Or have $6000 wheels and tires, but refuse to repair the metal on metal brakes before purchasing/installing a $3000 entertainment system on a $1000 car leaking a quart of oil every 100 miles they also are not interested in repairing. Fortunately, I can now refuse this type of customer.

[@ajs622]

+patw52pb1 that to me sounds like dumb kids who care more about "looking cool" than having a sound running car. I too find that very strange.

[@seeya205]

That's exactly what it is! All you can do is advise them but in the end, it's their money and as long as they pay, I will do the job. Just make sure you note the problems on the receipt so when the car craps out, they can't say you never told them or it's something you did.

[@ajs622]

***** I've seen that same wing before mounted on the roof of a mini van.

[@Candisa]

I've had cars with sound systems in it worth at least double the car's value... A great car can be worthless due to its age and being an unwanted model, but why would that keep me from putting a good stereo in it? It's literally one of the most universal upgrades that can be taken from car to car to car.

[@geoffdearth8575]

It is sometimes like this when I am called to fix things in people's apartments. The lack of specificity.

[@mayhanamin3538]

I feel you eric. sometimes we all have those days where we get frustrated and get annoyed, but the more we deal with it the better

[@deathchicken4782]

as a technician I have to say awesome video. Spot on between the video and comments from my fellow techs. Definitely gained a fan.

[@justsumguy2u]

I'm always the waiter----I only have one car and no way to get around if it's down, so it has to get fixed while I wait. I don't like it either (it's an inconvenience for me too) but I have no other option.

[@Michael_Obando]

justsomeguytoyou most dealers have free loaner car programs. I know mine does. We had one customer wreck our loaner after having it for 1.5 months.

[@justsumguy2u]

Yeah, but I would never take my car to a dealer, it's just way too expensive

[@IsadoreWoW]

I'm much the same, I live in the middle of nowhere so going home isn't really an option, being a "car guy" I actually kinda like watching as I feel I could learn something along the way. Heck that's what erics video's are about

[@biker932012]

Im in the same boat as well as Ive only got one truck, luckily, my mechanic is in a well populated area so I can just walk across the street get something to eat or look at things in the store until he calls.

[@madfiat8932]

I've seen this on several other mechanic youtubes as well - the dislike for people waiting. Well they need to get over it.

[@carhead9397]

I have worked as a mechanic,a plumber,electrician,carpenter, etc..….. all trades put up with human nature. that's why I watch boilers now on the third shift.

[@pkuudsk9927]

My #1 is cars full of garbage and dirty ,I have handed people a full bag of garbage and told them if there was something valuable in the car it's in there now..

[@user-neo71665]

Just as bad is the 4x4s that have have 300lbs of dirt caked under the bottom in for a oil change.

[@pkuudsk9927]

Yes or farm trucks that smell like sh1t and you know thats not mud. I won't work on them until they wash them

[@la-ia1404]

You would need a dump truck to clean out all the garbage in my aunt's car.

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

When I was younger driving my old ford F-150 truck, I just used a boombox on my seat for a stereo using a cheap 12v to 110v inverter, and a clip on fan on the dashboard. It was in southern Alabama so it was most certainly hot and I survived.

[@Darksyne]

Customers calling for free repair advice or diagrams, i usually transfer their calls to parts at that point...

[@shakenbake330]

my pet peeve which is similar to the wheel lock is customers coming (especially waiters) for a battery or a service with a cabin air filter and being that I work for Volvo alot of Volvo's models have their batteries in the trunk you open it up and it is just packed to the brim with junk, dirty cloths and stuff, or the floor board in the passenger seat where I have to lay to get to the cabin filter is covered in garbage and food wrappers and stuff, that really burns my biscuits.

[@blakeschluchter]

The snowball effect. I had a 71 mustang come in for an engine vibration. What started out as a simple engine job turned into a building a crazy overkill 351 cleavland, adding fuel injection, rebuilding the transmission, rebuilding and adding a detroit locker to the rear end, willwood front and rear disc brake conversion, getting the heater going again, custom fuel system... it was supose to be there for a month and ended up being almost 2 years. (It was a back burner project)

[@justinhildebrand1515]

Im glad to know im considered a good customer 😂. Im not a mechanic but im mechanically inclined and normally when i take my car in i can pretty much pin point exactly what needs replaced and ive been right almost every time

[@deltafour1212]

Same

[@IhsanPreludeSH]

I think it's funny that Eric mentioned the 'IT Field', because my list as a Desktop Support Tech is very similar. Even the problem description: 'I have a noise.' is something that I regularly hear. Not a lot of wheel locks on computers, though -- instead, my customers leave and take their passwords with them.

[@LittleMikeStarCraft]

If you bring your car in for a repair-- plan on doing something else with your time. Waiting for a repair job is such a waste of time-- I used to work in a shop where the foreman would allow certain customers into the shop to watch. Which is infuriating as a technician.

[@evanmerworth7830]

I get where you are coming from about waiters. Me myself, I usually am a waiter wether it is a vehicle inspection or what have you. I usually wait with my laptop and my study books (im a student) and use the time. I dont usually put pressure on them but I use the time to my advantage. One time where I used my being a waiter to hurry them up was when I had my car under warranty and a trim piece broke. It was a very obscure part and I knew the dealer was going to have to order it. I made an appointment and all the tech had to do was look at at it to see what needed to be replaced, yet they made me wait for 2 hours just to tell me we need to order it. I needed my car while the part was on order, all the tech had to do was say, yes we need that part and we can pop it on, but instead he made me wait all that time just for that. I was not a happy camper. I tried to tell the service writer what the car needed but he insisted on putting me in the que until a tech could "diagnose" it. If you ask me a waste of both our times.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Pet peeve customers that watch to the point that they ask questions every five seconds that detract you while working in the bays the customers that have to see everything you are doing makes you fell like you cant ever fix what they want right because they nit pick everything you do

[@__tim]

I used to be a waiter for oil changes, but I have had so many bad experiences (from not all the skid plate bolts being put back to waiting for four hours before the oil change was done) that I went back to doing them myself.

[@danr5105]

We have not touched on the customer that complains you caused them to lose money or suffer some negative consequence due to a repair that failed (a check engine light that came back on the day the customer took off to have the car tested or someone that got a ticket because a turn signal light did not blink and this was after you inspected the car and said all was OK). How far does my liability go as a mechanic? If the car fails to start just when it is needed for emergency transportation am I liable? Some customers say,"YES".

[@headcas620]

That truck idling next door for the whole video was great. Unless it was your heater or something.

[@pssst3]

I agree with not understanding fixing the highest automotive value problems first, but all your other peeves have corresponding customer peeves. For wheel lock keys, substitute lug nuts installed with an impact wrench by the mechanic, a wonderful thing to encounter while making a roadside tire change. For waiters and poor problem descriptions, substitute dealers' bad time management and utilization of information provided by the manufacturer and the customer prior to an appointment. My experience - after having to reschedule an airbag recall replacement due to the dealership not ordering the part, and then not calling me to let me know when the part was in. I rescheduled the appointment via Hondas online appointment system for a month later, midweek and midmorning, waiting as this was my only vehicle. In the meantime my 68 year old spouse had to ride in the rear seat of the Element. I arrived early and none of the information on my vehicle was available for the writer to pull up by my name (vehicle was purchased at that dealership and serviced there, including a previous recall repair). I had the car interior clean and empty with the radio code attached to the radio and told them to skip the courtesy inspection as it had been done recently. As I waited, the waiting room emptied filled with 8 more customers, and reemptied. It took two and a half hours to do the scheduled 30 minute replacement, which was completed by wiping down the beige dashboard with a soiled rag and leaving a screw out of the glovebox hinge. I understand that walk-ins are editable and winter creates a lot of unscheduled service work. I won't accept that scheduled recall safety work is lower priority than unscheduled tire replacements and battery changes.

[@TheBatman602]

I agree with all of these as my pet peeves as well lol. My least favorite thing is a combination of waiters and being late. Then the customer expects the service to be done at the original promised plan.

[@jarrusjenkins]

At work, its been found out that Im a car guy and fix my own cars and the like so when my collegues have car problems they come to me and the "I have a noise" problem is a common one and same as Eric is a pain in the ass because its far too vague to diagnose. So last time someone said that to me I reached in my pocket and pulled out some ear plugs and placed them in their hand and said "that ought to do it"..... needless to say they didnt find it amusing but everyone else did.... lol

[@bneyens]

Eric, have you ever smoked a marijuana cigarette?

[@user-ks5ff]

He did, but didn't inhale.

[@melaniexoxo]

I found a Honda dealership and service advisor that I LOVED... its just when he was on vacation I got a horrible service advisor that was sensationalizing a repair on something that should have been caught 4 or 5 service appointments ago. MY advisor said whatever it was was fine... the other dude was trying to pick up a few bucks in commission. Honda also has a ton of resources online and if you just read your manual you can basically go into the dealership and tell them whats wrong. I knew my alternator went out because of HOW it went out. My manual and some research online really helped.

[@noahwolfe1304]

The waiters are the worst. Especially when they want to hang out because they think your buddies now but you're just being nice to them because they're the customer. At some point you have to find that nice way say OK I need to go do something else now. You can leave now

[@dalesworld1308]

Re: Peeve number 4 - I used to go to a multibay chain that starts with Monro because the mechanic there was fantastic. He left but I kept going for oil changes and inspections. I would make an appointment for first thing in the morning and I'd always arrive early. Manager comes in and opens up and ten minutes later a mechanic straggles in. My 7:30 appointment gets my car in around 8 and my car goes on a lift and now it's hostage. Other folks start showing up wanting oil changes or whatever and now their cars come in and start being serviced. Long story short, I made an appointment, showed up early and the folks who were walk ins get out before me. My oil change and inspection takes 2-3 hours even though I'm job 1, or at least think I am. Recently I call a tire shop for an appointment for new tires. Guy tells me to come in at noon. I show up at noon and he says "I just let the guys go for lunch." WTF?

[@stinkycheese804]

Seems like if that is true, all you have to do is be those other guys that do the walk-in at 8AM, except that you are asking for more services than only the oil change, so no wonder it takes longer. Any grunt can do an oil change but you don't want that guy doing the rest of it. As far as the tires go, yeah you shouldn't have been told that, but you should have known that people eat lunch around noon. Ultimately, having more staff to do things like stagger lunch break, costs them more money so the cost is passed on to the consumer. A lot of people shop based on price then complain when the level of service is lower, yet that's exactly one of the ways they can manage to lower the price. Granted there is no excuse for that if it's a premium priced business, in which case you should have just walked out. There's no stronger message that they're doing it wrong than to lose your business. Lastly I would avoid those chain oil change places. They tend to have minimally experienced staff, a high emphasis on preemptive services that aren't necessary yet, and generally fiddling around with things trying to find some way to make more money. Even if you resist their ploys, it could be one of the reasons they don't treat you like a high priority, because they're busy on customers that are paying for high profit service instead of something like an oil change where they barely break even. Inspection though? UGH! It's like asking them to take money from your wallet.

[@dalesworld1308]

Necessary evil in NY state. I go to mom and pop shop where my mechanic is now but they don't have the nice fancy computer NY requires for inspections so they can't do them so the chain is sometimes a necessary evil, plus they're open 7 days a week. I do alternators and water pumps and brakes and belts/hoses and shocks etc when I can. Sometimes you need experience to diagnose things.

[@chaleorta]

1Makes me angry when the client leaves with the dam keys!!! 2 when an air filter is filthy dirty and want to be cheap and not change it.3 when people bring in newer cars in for an oil change and they want the cheapest oil. If you are going to buy a car at least take care of it!!!

[@Tool0GT92]

just like when people buy a new car that takes premium fuel but refuse to shell out and instead buy 87.

[@rasvial]

hey man.. for the most part oil is oil. If you don't run it >5k miles, the extended break-down characteristics of really expensive synthetics aren't really going to make a difference. And as a mechanic- I wouldn't really care- how much they spend on oil doesn't relate to how much money the give the shop- and if they're looking to keep margins down, why not? an oil change is an oil change- even if they asked for vegetable oil. Well- maybe not then lol

[@Tool0GT92]

rasvial I agree, unless it specifically calls for synthetic, as long as you change the oil often it doesn't matter. My Ford take motorcraft synthetic blend every 10K, I use the motorcraft but change it around 5K since it's cheap enough.

[@chaleorta]

rasvial i agree with you but tool hit my point. Some new vehicles require synthetic and when ppl hear well your vehicle takes this and its going to be around this much. They throw a fit and get mad bcs of how high the price is and they want to talk to the manager lol

[@armelind]

Imagine if they are first time diesel truck owners.

[@ViperJay5]

I know exactly what you mean on number 2! I'm a computer technician and I get people who call me up and give me some very vague description of what is happening with their machine. And the *best* part of that is they think for some reason that you can tell them how to fix it over the phone when you can't see anything. You just suppose to know what that message or in your case, that sound, is. Because hey, we're professionals!

[@cmarshall1555]

I had a guy prioritize his cabin filter over his 1 1/2 mm brake pads

[@999thenewman]

That's called an armchair warrior. Can't be arsed to use a screwdriver and install a filter himself. So, you get to do it. :D

[@dougshiner9180]

In Australia, I have had a certain ethnic group prioritise a/c and stereo over everything. As one of them told me, "As long as we is cool and loud, brother"

[@JackGiralico]

I am an equipment mechanic. Work on large equipment associated with industrial machinery, locks and dams, bridge structures, construction.....well; you get the idea. It irritates me that people cannot understand that I am not an automotive technician. I like to remind them that auto techs actually go to school to learn their trade and then spend more time and money in training to stay current. I have moved around a lot in my life and a priority for me is to find an good, honest, auto repair shop. When my thing-a-ma-bob in my whatcha-ma-callit starts acting up, I want it fixed. Right. The first time.

[@stinkycheese804]

One of the reasons you might get a customer who wants the A/C or stereo fixed is that there are a lot of people who know shadetree mechanics that can fix their other vehicle woes, but aren't good at (stereo et al) wiring nor have the equipment to do A/C. In those cases they want to figure out if the things that can't get done cheaply by someone else, would make it cost prohibitive to fix the rest. For example if they "must" have A/C, and the car is worth only $1500, while it needs a new compressor (once you tell them), there was no point in them having their son or whoever do the brakes, replace the radiator, put new tires on it, etc. Instead it was time to junk the car.

[@andykidwell6187]

For routine maintenance that I don't want to do myself, I wait. But I always make it a point to my mechanic i'm not in a hurry. I have my tablet/laptop, I can entertain myself for however long it takes you to complete the service. Cheaper than cab fare back and forth.

[@Serps-ii9zc]

I can agree with pretty much all of these. If I had a dollar for every customer I've had that was oblivious to the fact that they had wheel locks I could buy a new truck, drives me mad. One I would have to add are those select customers that think you owe them something, or think they're more important than your other customers. We had a guy once that was legitimately angry that we wouldn't get him in for a flat before like 3 other waiters that were already there because "I have a Mercedes". Then the customers that say how good of a customer they are and they only come to you so you should give them a deal and when you in the computer looking at history they've been to the shop 4 times in the last 7 years. I don't work retail automotive anymore and that was the best career move I've ever made.

[@BigHappysPlace]

I have a noise! to which I say. before your morning coffee? Or just all day long?

[@vintagebikewurx3730]

Bighappy And it's always the other noise they wanted looked at

[@quakelegion]

Working as a technician, we always re-book upsold work if there is another customer waiting. Not sure if that's what you do, it's just a good strategy all around, otherwise you're waiting for parts to arrive and the other customer's patience declines.

[@jayyoutube8790]

I've worked for/with the public during a young age, and to be honest, omg they are the most ignorant hard to please people on the face of the earth... Because I've done that line of work, I've always go out of my way not to be that group of people when I am in the public myself.. It was a lesson well learned, that everyone should partake at one time or another to experience it themselves...

[@zososldier]

I feel you on the superficial fix over the mandatory fix. I don't know how many people i know that know nothing about cars that will drive 10s of thousands of miles with grinding brakes, bad hub bearings, floppy drive shafts/cv joints, and completely bald tires to where they look like drag slicks with the wheel jerking like crazy on the high way. But for some reason those are the same people that have the money to get new phones or shoes or hit the bar every night of the week. I was actually just in a car yesterday that had completely blown rear struts. Them - "meh, never though about it before", Me - "o you don't notice the loud thud from the rear when you go over a bump?"

[@dashcamandy2242]

LOL at the strut noises... Of course they can't hear that clunk over the $1000 aftermarket stereo system! :-D

[@NebukedNezzer]

I remember my mother telling me her car had a "crink" in it. 1967 impala. When the steering was run up on the left or right limit. Sure enough going over a small bump like that the stop blocks on the suspension that came in contact with the spindle would let out with a "crink". A gob of grease on both side stop blocks and it stopped making the sound.

[@dirtsailoroff-road5580]

mine is Customers that come in the shop to stare at me while I'm working on it.

[@Noah_E]

At my dad's shop he had a sign on the wall that stated you could watch the mechanic work on your car for an extra $50/hr and help work on it for an extra $100. He actually got a few retirees over the years to take him up on it.

[@Browningate]

@Noah That's brilliant.

[@pbfloyd13]

Zak Dwyer Its awkward and distracting to be watched while working. If you have questions or concerns that's one thing but silently staring at me while I'm changing your oil isn't ok.

[@michaelwilkening8542]

Watchers that stand outside the bay doors are a pain but OK. Those that are literally breathing down your neck are a real pain and a danger to both of us. There was one guy that after several "please wait outside" I had a wrench "slip" and my elbow connected his nose. He waited in the office from then on. Also those that want to watch you remove their old exhaust find out that metal slag spray from the cutting torch is VERY hot.

[@YUDumpsterBaby]

Hey Eric, the tread on my tires gets a bit shallower every time I use my car. Can you help me out with that? Also the there's this gauge on my dash that has an arrow getting closer to the letter E when I use it. Do you know why?

[@nicholasbowser6646]

I'm a small engine technician. My biggest pet peeve is when a customer brings in something for a warranty job, and they call every day wanting to know why it wasn't fixed yet. No matter how many times I tell them that it'll take up to a week to get the warranty approved.

[@oz7245]

Had an alignment guy that would tell you up front that if you are late for your appointment you would have to set another appointment & he meant it. But he was that good & busy as hell.

[@SgtPnkks]

pet peeve of mine... when customers bring in old, worn out, dry rotted, damaged tires they want mounted then argue when we tell them we can't because the tire is junk all the other tire shops (excluding used tire shops) in the area have adopted a "no sticker, no mount" policy... i wish we would too

[@disgruntledegghead6923]

Leaving your rusty 3 ball receiver locked in the hitch with no key in the vehicle.

[@amcgee-dl3cj]

electric grinder time! and the charge for the new replacement hitch lock. get paid guys!

[@ХорошаяМашина]

I'm kind of a waiter myself. However I service my car exclusively at a huge Acura dealership with lots of lifts and mechanics, I always make an appointment, and I am prepared to wait the whole working day in case of a problem. There is never a push from me. In case it might go over to another day, Acura always sets me up with a loaner to take home.

[@sit-n-spin825]

How about people that stand over your shoulder or do their own (mis) diagnostic work.

[@quasiczarcasm]

My pet peeves based on my experience getting work done at shops. 1- Actually do the work you asked to be done. If I'm in for an inspection and you tell me my tie rod-ends need replaced, I pay for it, DO IT. 2- When you take fasteners off to do something like a brake job, put them all back in. I had both front calipers missing both slide bolts and they fell off while I was driving. I also had a radiator hose come off because it didn't get clamped down. Same shop for both. 3- If you spill chemicals on my paint OWN UP TO IT. Don't blame me for something that happened at your shop. 4- Don't say I need work done when I know for a fact it doesn't. I do a basic check for stuff like oil levels and brake pad thickness before it goes in. Don't try to sell me a brake job or a coolant flush when it's been 10k miles since my last one. 5- Don't fail an inspection for stupid shit like a fog light being haizy and then not say anything about brake lights being out or a nail in my tire. Best part is the fog light plastic didn't even look touched.

[@theyodaman82]

In my case I set an appointment up at Toyota for let's say 1pm. I get there 15 minutes early but my car doesn't even get brought into the shop until 3pm. What the hell was the point of setting a 1pm appointment if you're just going to make me wait anyway? To top it all off I have to make an appointment because they don't take walk ins.

[@masonmcnutt7639]

Im a mechanic as well and when things get frustrating or just not going the way I'd like them to, I like to use the Navy seals motto of "Embrace the suck!". I've found it a useful way to regain my focus and remind myself that its not all cupcakes and rainbows, no matter what line of work you're in.

[@Stantonv]

Had a customer get angry because I couldn't find the key for their wheel locks. "It's in my golf bag like always!" He shouted...

[@joecoolioness6399]

< takes his golf bag out of the trunk, unzips every pocket, turns it upside down and shakes. Oh, yes I see it now!

[@randyrolandjr.8116]

I agree with most of what you listed. As a transmission tech, wheel locks are a major peeve of mine. I would like to add to that list, LOW FUEL. For the love of Odin, I have to drive your vehicle to verify the complaint, and if it does not move, I will have to drive it once repairs are done. Stop leaving me cars with no fuel in them!

[@CarManiac125]

my person issue when I was in the garage was the neck breather with the hundred questions while your tryin to get the job done

[@ifixem9585]

*The Lunchtime Special* Every scheduled service is on their lunch break, which is your lunchbreak.

[@ELEDUCADITO1]

Thank you for letting know what should I be thinking about to make the tech's life easier