Do shops still sabotage cars for profit?
I've been in the dealership business for over 30 yrs. with my time split between Porsche-Audi and Infiniti-Nissan. With the exception of one shithole I worked at (Not naming names, but they are the biggest Nissan dealer in Queens, N.Y.) we all played fair. Whenever I sell, I can walk the customer out to their car and show them or explain what/why they need the work. Unfortunately, one of our top techs was recently let go because he wasn't re-surfacing rotors on pad replacement. That's our shops policy because the brakes WILL squeal on our cars without cutting them. He got caught and was shown the door. He was with them for over 15 yrs. And although no one says anything, they do get disappointed when I don't push all those un-necessary fluid flushes. Yes, they can be needed at times, but not every 7K miles.
Usually when people get screwed, they go value shopping and end up at the rip & run shops: Goodyear, Pep Boys, ETC. When dealerships do it, they are the exception. My shop charges $120 per hour (yes....$120) and we stand behind our work. Bullshit is NOT tolerated. And yes.... I make a VERY nice living. 8)
As for shops sabotaging cars, look at the economy. People are looking to save money and look for a bargain. When they find that inexpensive shop, they roll the dice. Not saying it doesn't happen, just not as widespread as it used to be. As for the Hyundai story, you have to realize the dealership is not going to put one of their top diag guys on an engine swap. That's usually saved for a new tech or a trainee to see how they work. Sounds like there was a rookie on the job. And to further fan the flames, the only time we've had issues with hack mechanics, it's usually the guys whom came from a Ford or GM shop, where hacking seems to be normal. Don't get me started on guys we get from independent shops, such a Midas or Pep Boys....:angry7:
Granted, I'm fortunate that I work in a VERY affluent neighborhood on the North Shore of Long Island (Manhasset for those familiar with the area) and in this bad ecomony, our customers are not buying as many new cars, but boy-oh-boy are they throwing money at their old cars. That's where we shine..... we save them money (in the long run) and give them good service.
FWIW: I can't believe Buy American worked it's way into this topic. That's a whole `nuther issue. Ask me about the new Nissan's being screwed together (and up....) here in America. I've seen FIRST HAND what comes out of that factory, and it's not good. A/C lines not even CONNECTED, never mind being charged and tested! Loose trim, and local-sourced pieces manufactured from the crappiest materials imaginable because they gotta keep those profits up to pay for Joe-sixpacks new union raise. In the winter we couldn't do ANY interior work unless the car was thoroughly warmed up otherwise the interior panels would shatter like glass. This is a BIG reason why I went back to Infiniti, where the cars are assembled "Off Shore". I have way less headaches everyday I punch in....
