Dealer Stole Parts!!! (or misplaced some)

[billbillw]

People think/expect that dealerships have the best possible service for your new vehicle, but sadly, the 'mechanics' doing non-appointment oil changes are, for the most part, beginners with barely any training. They are barely a step up from the quick oil change places.

That is why I will keep doing my own oil and fluid changes. I know that ever bolt and torx screw on my FX4 skid plate was put back in correctly and not over torqued/stripped or lost.

If I find myself getting to old for that, I'll find a trustworthy independent mechanic. Dealership service garages are for warranty work only in my book.

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[grumpyunk]

I have bought 4 new cars since becoming a driver back when Mustangs were absolutely new. Of the 4, only the first went to the dealer for its 1st oil change, to keep the 12/12 warranty in effect. All other changes were done by me, or a local Ford-oriented shop. I did the Maverick 1st change, and was sure to put the shield back in place properly.
Forgetting a shield is understandable, but it should not be tossed in the trash, but kept for eventual return of the owner. The dealership should cover replacement costs if they have discarded the shield. No. Question.
Luckily I am still able to do some of my own work. As long as I can, I will continue to do my own maintenance.
Nephews and nieces have differing attitudes. One wanted to be a boat mechanic in Tampa, and I applaud that choice if it meets his true interest. One is a surgeon, one a lawyer, one adopted twins and a single, and a few are still looking for what they want to do when they grow up.
Many people of some age look down on auto technicians. That is sad, and leads to eventually lack of people who can do service work. I am not sure what happens after, but if you live in the same world I do, finding a plumber, HVAC tech, drywall installer, finish or rough carpenter, electrician, or roofer is somewhat of a task. The days of calling and getting service in a reasonable time frame seem to have passed.
It took over two months to get an appointment with the local Ford dealer to do the airbag recall. I do not know what people will do should their vehicle break down while traveling, or even locally, as getting service and repairs has become more difficult.
I think those who look down their nose at 'service' personnel should try walking a few miles in their shoes. If they get far enough away, they may want to keep them... j.o.k.e.
I do think finding good dependable people for some jobs is getting a lot harder, and those that can do the work will find their reward for getting dirty hands at the end of the week when they get their paycheck. I hope.
tom

 

[Zotman]

The problem with DIY is when the inevitable screwup occurs, who ya gonna blame?

 

[billbillw]

The problem with DIY is when the inevitable screwup occurs, who ya gonna blame?

Inevitable screw up? 35 years of changing my oil, and my worst screw up was putting an o-ring in the wrong slot for a VW cartridge filter housing. It had a leak, I took it out, moved to the correct slot, retightened, add a bit more oil and cleaned up the mess. Not a big deal.

 

[Dudley]

The problem with DIY is when the inevitable screwup occurs, who ya gonna blame?

Me is the blame. But if it is done by not me it is their fault and they are accountable.
I was gonna add ... except according to certain philosophies prevalent in some cities cuz we gotta understand ... but that might be construed as "political" instead of what it really is; "sociological", for it is an attitude problem that, yes, has infected even the political area, but is truly sociological, a human attitude problem.

 

[Steve Urquell]

Inevitable screw up? 35 years of changing my oil, and my worst screw up was putting an o-ring in the wrong slot for a VW cartridge filter housing. It had a leak, I took it out, moved to the correct slot, retightened, add a bit more oil and cleaned up the mess. Not a big deal.

40yrs here as well and I once started screwing an oil filter on in an unviewable spot and the old o-ring was stuck on there. I unscrewed it and removed the extra then screwed the filter back on. Whew! So glad it took my astute intelligence to narrowly avert a disaster.

Oil changes require a master's degree from what I hear.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

The problem with DIY is when the inevitable screwup occurs, who ya gonna blame?

Inevitable screw up? 35 years of changing my oil, and my worst screw up was putting an o-ring in the wrong slot for a VW cartridge filter housing. It had a leak, I took it out, moved to the correct slot, retightened, add a bit more oil and cleaned up the mess. Not a big deal.

Me is the blame. But if it is done by not me it is their fault and they are accountable.
I was gonna add ... except according to certain philosophies prevalent in some cities cuz we gotta understand ... but that might be construed as "political" instead of what it really is; "sociological", for it is an attitude problem that, yes, has infected even the political area, but is truly sociological, a human attitude problem.

40yrs here as well and I once started screwing an oil filter on in an unviewable spot and the old o-ring was stuck on there. I unscrewed it and removed the extra then screwed the filter back on. Whew! So glad it took my astute intelligence to narrowly avert a disaster.
Oil changes require a master's degree from what I hear.

I think you all missed Zotman's tongue in cheek humor! I thought it was the best response in this thread! Nice light hearted response to a dramatic thread.

 

[Steve Urquell]

I think you all missed Zotman's tongue in cheek humor! I thought it was the best response in this thread! Nice light hearted response to a dramatic thread.

It read more like "I've never done anything with my hands and anyone not "certified" will screw it up."

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

It read more like "I've never done anything with my hands and anyone not "certified" will screw it up."

hmmm, I read it as hilarious self-deprecating humor, satirical if you will, that I can relate to. meh, maybe I'm quick to find the humor in something, as opposed to the negative...

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