Questioning my integrity

[tmleadr03]

I am a lot of things. I am an asshole, as much in real life as I am online. I am a bit lazy. I can be a bit forgetful. Somewhat egotistical. But I have spent a lot of effort making sure I am a man of integrity. I do what I say. I stand by my word. I still consider my word to be more binding then a paper contract. I have had people question my ability as a mechanic. Meh. Whatever. People question my intelligence on occasion (I am a Marine after all). Uh huh, if it makes you feel better go right ahead. Doesn't bother me at all.


Today I had to fight the urge to beat someone. This boot ass Army guy questioned my integrity as a Marine and a mechanic/business man because an estimate I gave OVER THE GOD DAMN PHONE WITH OUT SEEING THE FUCKING CAR was off. He needed more parts to do the job correctly. "I just figured as a Marine you would have more integrity then this." [Mad]

I think I shall go medicate myself with a shot of tequila and hit the rack. Maybe tomorrow I will desire to kill slightly less.

[TheBelly]

Ouch.

I've NEVER had an occasion to question the integrity of a Marine. If you ask a direct question, dang-it you'll get a direct answer.

my apologies, on his behalf.

[spqrzilla]

That's assholish.

[Irving]

Since we're all swearing already anyway... If he already knew the amount, what the fuck was he asking you for?

[ray1970]

Eh. Whatever. Push his vehicle out of the shop in pieces and tell him to call a wrecker and have it picked up.

[Great-Kazoo]

I am a lot of things. I am an asshole, as much in real life as I am online. I am a bit lazy. I can be a bit forgetful. Somewhat egotistical. But I have spent a lot of effort making sure I am a man of integrity. I do what I say. I stand by my word. I still consider my word to be more binding then a paper contract. I have had people question my ability as a mechanic. Meh. Whatever. People question my intelligence on occasion (I am a Marine after all). Uh huh, if it makes you feel better go right ahead. Doesn't bother me at all.


Today I had to fight the urge to beat someone. This boot ass Army guy questioned my integrity as a Marine and a mechanic/business man because an estimate I gave OVER THE GOD DAMN PHONE WITH OUT SEEING THE FUCKING CAR was off. He needed more parts to do the job correctly. "I just figured as a Marine you would have more integrity then this." [Mad]

I think I shall go medicate myself with a shot of tequila and hit the rack. Maybe tomorrow I will desire to kill slightly less.

Well sorry to disappoint you. However since they instituted the DADT policy, sometimes i forget who i am talking to.

[tmleadr03]

Well sorry to disappoint you. However since they instituted the DADT policy, sometimes i forget who i am talking to.

http://rlv.zcache.com/im_not_gay_but_20_is_20_tee_shirt-r1c612b0ea91348e486c670e037dba162_8naxo_512.jpg

[streetglideok]

Seen my share of idiots like that. Truth be told, he bought a BMW, or a Benz, with his combat pay. It's a bit of a pos and needs work. He just found out what it costs to own a german car. I may be wrong on those accounts with this nut but I've seen that. Had a few come in the last shop I worked at, throwing an attitude. Last manager knew some MPs on Carson, and called and got the name of their superiors. Next visit they almost were bringing roses and candy.

[tmleadr03]

Seen my share of idiots like that. Truth be told, he bought a BMW, or a Benz, with his combat pay. It's a bit of a pos and needs work. He just found out what it costs to own a german car. I may be wrong on those accounts with this nut but I've seen that. Had a few come in the last shop I worked at, throwing an attitude. Last manager knew some MPs on Carson, and called and got the name of their superiors. Next visit they almost were bringing roses and candy.

It is a flood car. He didn't know. He just bought it.


I will say I may have enjoyed breaking that news. But this was 25 min into this browbeating he was giving me.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I am a lot of things. I am an asshole, as much in real life as I am online. I am a bit lazy. I can be a bit forgetful. Somewhat egotistical. But I have spent a lot of effort making sure I am a man of integrity. I do what I say. I stand by my word. I still consider my word to be more binding then a paper contract.
Today I had to fight the urge to beat someone. This boot ass Army guy questioned my integrity as a Marine and a mechanic/business man because an estimate I gave OVER THE GOD DAMN PHONE WITH OUT SEEING THE FUCKING CAR was off. He needed more parts to do the job correctly. "I just figured as a Marine you would have more integrity then this." [Mad]

I think I shall go medicate myself with a shot of tequila and hit the rack. Maybe tomorrow I will desire to kill slightly less.
To HELL with this guy. I highlighted everything that I am, and I thought you were talking about me at 1st. [Coffee] But unfortunately I have not served, I passed all of the tests to go into the Marines except the physical. They said the Army or Navy would take me in a heart beat. But all of my friends were going Marine. I opted out. My loss!!

But one thing I have found in-common with Military folk. NOT all but most between branches is this branch couldn't fight to save anyone's life. If their not a Marine, or Army or Navy. Same branch they talk smack. So I'd just blow this guy off, have a nice weekend, and move on with life.

After all. You nice folks that have served in the Military to protect our country to bring us all the freedom we deserve. Ether Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. You ALL have my respect!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I solute you ALL equally!! [Beer]

[TheGrey]

What a dickweed. He likely was getting the sinking feeling that he made a poor decision with his vehicle purchase, but instead of accepting his error he chose to take it out on you.

I'm sorry he ruined your day.

[Irving]

What a dickweed. He likely was getting the sinking feeling that he made a poor decision with his vehicle purchase, but instead of accepting his error he chose to take it out on you.

I'm sorry he ruined your day.

This exactly. I can't tell you how many people have ripped me a new one, even while saying "I know it's not you," while being a total dick. Only to call a few hours later or the next day to apologize.

[streetglideok]

It is a flood car. He didn't know. He just bought it.


I will say I may have enjoyed breaking that news. But this was 25 min into this browbeating he was giving me.

Lack of thinking on his part. Pre-purchase inspections go a long ways. My heart bleeds peanut butter for him. I'll argue for only so long with someone like that before I let them take their junk elsewhere. Those kind, if they finally agree to the higher price, will be a thorn in your side for a long time. I had another smart one from Carson once. Had a CJ7 that he lifted at the hobby shop I guess. Had manual steering, and one of those cute, useless, tiny steering wheels. Brought it in for an alignment because it drove poorly. I drove it, it memory steered horribly and was difficult to control. Told the GI before I started that I won't be able to correct that angle, he would need to take it to a 4wd shop for custom work. I swear to god, he told me that he can strip M16's, so he knows things mechanically and he knew that all that jeep needed was a toe adjust. Ok, your money pal, whatever. It had -2* caster, yeah negative 2 degrees, lol. Tweaked the toe, drove the same, and he got pissy. Some guys just don't listen.

[10mm-man]

Come on Marine; a quote over the phone? Who does that!! lol.....

Right now, i am playing the worlds smallest violin for you! Did the poor lil Jar head get his lil itty feelings hurt!!! To bad PUSh!![Coffee]


SUCK IT UP! I am actually a little embarrassed for you; he is prob online with his lil buddies(right now) laughing about how he made a Marine cry today...[ROFL2]

[tmleadr03]

Come on Marine; a quote over the phone? Who does that!! lol.....

Right now, i am playing the worlds smallest violin for you! Did the poor lil Jar head get his lil itty feelings hurt!!! To bad PUSh!![Coffee]


SUCK IT UP!

At least the website link in my sig line works.

[streetglideok]

At least the website link in my sig line works.

Ouch, hit below the belt there

[10mm-man]

At least the website link in my sig line works.


OUCH!!! Yea, I have yet to correct it............ lol Got me!

[Rabid]

What a dickweed. He likely was getting the sinking feeling that he made a poor decision with his vehicle purchase, but instead of accepting his error he chose to take it out on you.

I'm sorry he ruined your day.
+2
After hearing what a dick he was i kinda want to know how big of a problem his car had.

[TFOGGER]

Ordinarily, a flood car is a total, even if it's cosmetically ok, due to the probability of pretty much everything electrical failing due to corrosion...

[kidicarus13]

Ordinarily, a flood car is a total, even if it's cosmetically ok, due to the probability of pretty much everything electrical failing due to corrosion...

Agreed. If he recently bought it and the title isn't marked SALVAGE he probably got hosed by someone for some decent coin. Most of those involved in the car business know Colorado is considered a title washing state.

[tmleadr03]

Ordinarily, a flood car is a total, even if it's cosmetically ok, due to the probability of pretty much everything electrical failing due to corrosion...


Water line that I could see from the mud on the under carriage by the drive shaft was that the water got to above the door seals. But it could easily have gotten higher. It could have easily had an air pocket there keeping the water lower under the car then outside the car.

I am sure an insurance guy will come by to correct this but the water I think has to go over the bottom of the windows to total the vehicle and earn it a salvage title.

[tmleadr03]

Agreed. If he recently bought it and the title isn't marked SALVAGE he probably got hosed by someone for some decent coin. Most of those involved in the car business know Colorado is considered a title washing state.


There were wood chunks the size of my palm on top of the heat shields between the exhaust and the driveshaft. It was probably flooded here during that rain.

[Teufelhund]

Fuck that guy, devil dog. He doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. He only tread on your integrity "as a Marine" because he thought he could hit a nerve and talk you into charging him less. A Marine knows what he is and doesn't need any Army pog telling him what's what.

[Irving]

I am sure an insurance guy will come by to correct this but the water I think has to go over the bottom of the windows to total the vehicle and earn it a salvage title.

I don't know anything about flooded vehicles. I can usually tell a total loss from fire though...

[Hound]

Ouch.

I've NEVER had an occasion to question the integrity of a Marine. If you ask a direct question, dang-it you'll get a direct answer.

my apologies, on his behalf.

Actually I find that most anybody who has done their service acts that way. Not sure what happened here. It sounds like tmleadr was doing the right thing.

[centrarchidae]

Question the integrity of a Marine? I've had the occasion. Not often but it's happened.

Question TMLeader03's integrity? No good reason for it. He ain't the only mechanic in Denver but I'll still drive all the way across the entire freaking metro area to have him work on my car, because I don't have worries about that.


Ouch.

I've NEVER had an occasion to question the integrity of a Marine. If you ask a direct question, dang-it you'll get a direct answer.

my apologies, on his behalf.

[osok-308]

I'm no marine, however I can say that integrity is everything to me. I understand you being pissed off at some guy who has no idea what kind of person you are. If he's going to try to challenge your integrity, he obviously doesn't know who he is talking to. Don't do business with him or even give him a second of your time if he ever calls you again.

[Squeeze]

You're a better man than I. I can tolerate a lot of BS verbal abuse, but you attack me personally with BS because you're butthurt - well, stupid games will win you stupid prizes.

[nynco]

Sounds like he is an A-hole. Which there are A-holes in all branches. The bright side is you figured out he was an irrational piece of garbage before you had to work on his car. Because you know if you did work on his car, he would have made your life stressful after with whiny irrational complaining. Now you have no work to tie you to this idiot.

[Guylee]

I'll take a marine over some of the idiots I've had to work with in the Army any day.

[KevDen2005]

Don't let him get to you man. This army guy still thought you had the best deal around and I would rather support a like-minded small business owner, especially when the price is right. Excellent work in my opinion.

[kawiracer14]

Hmmmm I'll have to find something extra mean to say to you when I pick up my car on Wednesday.

[tmleadr03]

Hmmmm I'll have to find something extra mean to say to you when I pick up my car on Wednesday.

You realize the four rings on the front of the car represent decimal places on the bill?

[TFOGGER]

I thought it was a descriptor of what you had to sell to afford one...

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/IMG00357-20090720-1806.jpg

[wctriumph]

I feel your pain. When you run a service business of any kind your reputation is on the line with every customer that walks in the door. I get it many times during the season and I am scrupulously honest with every one of our customers. They get mad when I don't sugar coat and I tell them straight up what will be needed and it could only go up from there, all because they made the decision to buy a used vehicle and did not know what they were looking at or trusted some person in another state that told them it was in perfect shape. All I have in this business is my integrity and reputation. I have been around long enough that if some jack off jerk starts telling lies, my reputation will stand up to it.

Don't let those shit birds get to you. However a little tequila never hurts if it helps.

[BPTactical]

Every customer brings happiness
Some when the walk in the door
Others when they walk out of it

[wctriumph]

^^^^^^^^ Too True, too true.

[EvilRhino]

I remember the first time I dealt with you that I had to DEMAND that you accept payment. It isn't you that's the problem.

On another note, I find myself in charge of 2 apprentices, 1 "former" Marine and an Army Reservist. Neither follow orders/directions for shit, but at least they don't have the usual beef between the services.

ETA: I never lost a dime on the jobs I didn't get.

[tmleadr03]

I remember the first time I dealt with you that I had to DEMAND that you accept payment. It isn't you that's the problem.

On another note, I find myself in charge of 2 apprentices, 1 "former" Marine and an Army Reservist. Neither follow orders/directions for shit, but at least they don't have the usual beef between the services.

ETA: I never lost a dime on the jobs I didn't get.

This is sad.

[EvilRhino]

This is sad.

I think the Army guy just doesn't think I have rank. He was pulling a ladder out and I told him to leave it so another guy could go in and work. "Why" Because we're still working down there. "Well what is he going to do?". About that time the guy walks up and says "I'm still working down there". Army guy "Oh, ok." and resets the ladder. His dad is co-owner of the company.

The Marine who is about twice Army guy's age is always keeping busy, planning ahead, adapting. But he always tries to get ahead of me, which is usually his checkers to my chess, and we end up doing things twice. If I remember, I'll post a pic of the scissor lift that he adapted to hold our hammer drills, hangers, bands, etc. I wish I could give him a welder and an AAMTRAC and see what he comes up with.

[tmleadr03]

I think the Army guy just doesn't think I have rank. He was pulling a ladder out and I told him to leave it so another guy could go in and work. "Why" Because we're still working down there. "Well what is he going to do?". About that time the guy walks up and says "I'm still working down there". Army guy "Oh, ok." and resets the ladder. His dad is co-owner of the company.

The Marine who is about twice Army guy's age is always keeping busy, planning ahead, adapting. But he always tries to get ahead of me, which is usually his checkers to my chess, and we end up doing things twice. If I remember, I'll post a pic of the scissor lift that he adapted to hold our hammer drills, hangers, bands, etc. I wish I could give him a welder and an AAMTRAC and see what he comes up with.

Me Master, you Apprentice. Or like I tell my oldest daughter. "Because I told you. You don't need any other reason."

The Marine... just grab a 2x4 and hit him in the head. He may not notice but it will slow him down and let you get what you need done.

[buckshotbarlow]

I can bring my truck in, that should cheer you up...

[tmleadr03]

I can bring my truck in, that should cheer you up...

Feel free. You kept saying you were going to bring it by but you never do. If you actually need work done, call first since I am booked into next week.