| Author | Message | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 277 Registered: 6-2002 |
A couple of factors at work here: There seem to be more hacks in the industry of automobile repair here (I had to take my car to 3 seperate dealers just to get the alignment done correctly! <not> So, when you really find good help, you latch onto it and don't want to let it out of your sight! Americans also have hugely strong brand-loyalty tendencies, and a desire to 'seek out' and 'find' these places (cafes, mechanics, grocery stores, hotels, etc.) that we think are 'our little secret' (when infact they advertise heavily and indiscriminantly.) Not that there's anything wrong with this rather romantic take on it all, infact, I love it! Eric put it best though, that we often develop friendships with those 'special' people we choose to deal with for life's needs, and in the process, really make each other's lives that much more rich and full. Best! Ben. | ||
| rich (Dino2400)
Junior Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 176 Registered: 10-2001 |
James, your desire to work on your future Ferraris is great. I too only utilize shops for things I don't have the tools for (machine shop for example). But on Ferraris you have to consider the effect on the resale value of your car if you do your own work. Most buyers want to see receipts from the dealer or specialist and not just the owner saying "yeah, I changed the timing belt myself". When you go to sell the car, not having these receipts will lower its value to most potential buyers. Of course it's totally possible that the money you lose when selling is more than made up by the money you saved by not paying a mechanic. Or you can just keep the car forever and then not have to worry about resale value! | ||
| Eric Vartanian (Evartanian)
Junior Member Username: Evartanian Post Number: 178 Registered: 3-2002 |
"Do you know what a good mechanic is worth? You can't compare that to sex!" | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1679 Registered: 7-2001 |
Bob, I own a 328 and have a 'My Mechanic'! :-( | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1327 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>when you see your mechanic as often as some of the guys on this site, it's inevitable... << the wrong mechanic can cost one thousands, while the right one can save one thousands...;-). pick carefully and wisely! ;-) | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1149 Registered: 3-2001 |
Dave, when you see your mechanic as often as some of the guys on this site, it's inevitable... they just become part of the family. My wife. My daughter. My mother. My mechanic. Just glad I own a 328!  | ||
| JRV (Jrvall)
Intermediate Member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 1326 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>It just amazes me how many guys on this line refer to 'my mechanic'. << HaHaHa...goes back to the early days of racing, (like INDY)b where the mechanic was an integral part of the equation like the steering wheel and actually rode along as passenger during the race. The tradition of my mechanic continued until the 80's at which time OPM, Bling Bling, Let's Do Lunch, and I'll have My Man Call Your Man came along. Now days knowing the actual mechaincs name that works on your baby has been replaced with Ultra Snobbery and Nievity about how the real game of machines plays out. Pretty humerous when one on the inside gets a moment to stand back and look at it from a distance... | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 755 Registered: 11-2001 |
Hi Dave! Good to hear from you again. Yes, my wife and I did get to pay John & Co. a visit back in Feb. -- it's always refreshing to talk with them isn't it? Saw your post over in the "Mug Shot" thread, and posted a response there too. Indeed, I'm very proud to claim European Sport Car Service as "my mechanic" also!! | ||
| Dave L (Davel)
Junior Member Username: Davel Post Number: 250 Registered: 7-2001 |
Eric!! Have you been down to Carlo and John lately? I talked to them not long ago just to say Hi. They are a great bunch at European. I like having them as "My Mechanic" as well... | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2002 |
I am "my" mechanic Working on a vehicle is not rocket science, however it does take patience, skill and an analytical mind. I will only take a vehicle to a shop if it is for something I do not have the tools for...but everything else is done by me. When I get into the ferrari world (and I will..) I'll be working on those cars as well. James | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 753 Registered: 11-2001 |
It's the same as saying "the particular mechanic, lawyer, etc. that I patronize on a regular basis for his / her professional services" -- in a nutshell. Makes it much more simpler to communicate than saying over and over again "so and so at such and such"...and less redundant as well. Perhaps it is a U.S. thing, never really gave it much thought. Many Americans have a particular loyalty to brands, companies, institutions, etc. For example, I use a particular F-car mechanic / "garage" exclusively for servicing my car. He has all records on file there, and knows what has been done previously. It makes things much more efficient for everyone. He has proven his competence and I trust him -- and his fees are in line with services provided. I tip him as well just to say "thank you" for such a fine professional job. Same goes for "my detailer", "my barber", etc. Not only that, but these people have become dear friends over the years, and will remain so for a long time -- which is really what life is all about IMHO. | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 571 Registered: 1-2001 |
I think that after you find out your a major contributor to their salary and lifestyle, you get to feel that you own them in some sort of way.... | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1070 Registered: 7-2002 |
I think it is that way in all aspects. I have a favorite convienience store I go to, a fav dry cleaners etc. based on customer service, quality of product and simple familiararity. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 629 Registered: 4-2002 |
Is it just a US cultural thing that you guys have personal services in most services - physicians, lawyers, mechanics. It just amazes me how many guys on this line refer to 'my mechanic'. In the UK I don't hear that phrase much, we just take a vehicle to wherever for whatever, depending usually on what specifically needs doing but often a specialist in the particular system that needs attention. I wish we did have such culture in some ways, at least I would be taking my car to someone who knows the vehicle a little more intimately rather than whatever Jack Harry happened to be at the dealer/specialist at the time. |