Question for the mechanics/auto shop people on here...

[Uberjager]

So I'm sitting here at a shop, bored to tears, getting my tires changed, and I see an old coffin-dodger standing in the bay door watching the work being done on his car, and it's evident he's annoying them. And now to the question, does it drive you crazy when someone does that? Have any stories you care to share?

[TFOGGER]

I have the Amber Force Field across the bay door of my shop(aka yellow plastic chain). Mostly for safety reasons, as a motorcycle shop is not a particularly safe environment. Customers seem to know that they are not to pass unless invited. Except for the ones that "just want to look at something, while you've got it apart", that proceed to wander into the shop, kick tools and hardware across the floor, start shaking and pulling on their bike while it's off the ground, and come into my personal space and stick their head under the bike while I'm trying to stick the wheel back in...

[redneck122]

I hated that when i worked for Ford. Especially when a customer would try to tell me how to do the job. Really? If you know how do do it so damn well you wouldn't be payin $125 an hour to have me do it. Idiots.

At the same shop, I've also seen a customer slip on an oil spot while snoopin around in another tech's bay. Sued the hell out of the dealership. If i remember correctly, he ended up gettin somewhere around 3.5 million bucks.

[tmleadr03]

I work in peoples driveways... I have no recourse...

[Tinelement]

Posted this in another thread, but it is totally exceptable here

I swear I have had this conversation 100 times!! People want hand fabed sh!t but don't ever wanna pay for it!

qZORp7c2IJk&feature

[TFOGGER]

Posted this in another thread, but it is totally exceptable here

I swear I have had this conversation 100 times!! People want hand fabed sh!t but don't ever wanna pay for it!

qZORp7c2IJk&feature



Ever have a customer run their finger through one of your English Wheels?

[Ridge]

Ever have a customer run their finger through one of your English Wheels?

Heyheyhey, let's keep it PG13 in here...

[zteknik]

Yup,their annoying most of the times.
Due to insurance reasons we keep customers out of the shop.

On the event one does wander into my bay I just smile and speak broken english.
Da me no speek ;)

[Uberjager]

Heyheyhey, let's keep it PG13 in here...

Wait, is that a code word for "plumber's crack"? Or was that a reference to the metal fab tool?

I guess either way would be above pg-13.

[birddog]

I hated when people watched in the shop. We always did good work but you knew that they thought you were crooked as sson as they walk in.

[Badger]

While working for another shop it happened on occasions. Wasn't my place, so usually I didn't really say much. Unless they were right in my way, then they got a quick witted response to get back, or take it elsewhere. Owners didn't favor this attitude, but I just don't like strangers in my personal space, period. In my own shop anyone what hovers over me is subject to severe attitude.... and that, IS the only warning they get. From then on things could get rapidly and overwhelmingly ugly for them.

No big secret really, I just have zero tolerance for B.S. People tend to spot that right away, if they can't handle it, they can find their way back out. Leave me to do my job, you'll be more than thrilled with the results, otherwise be gone.


Badger

[Slapps74]

It didnt bother me unless they got in the way or started asking alot of questions.

[Tweety Bird]

Yes, I do just that when I'm getting tires. I'm guessing I know more about my car than some 20-something "Professional" who's been doing tires for all of 3 weeks or so.

Yes, I do know how to do it and would do just that if I had the equipment.

I understand the insurance rules but when I'm dropping $600 on a set of tires, I EXPECT them to put up with me watching from the outside. Last time I had tires put on my wife's car, I caught the kid just BEFORE he tried to rip the old valve stem out of the rim. It was actually part of the TPMS and my actions might have saved his job.

Don't like it? Too bad. I don't give a damn. It's my car, even when it's in their shop.

[spleify]

I always encouraged my customers to come and see what we did. I never had anything to hide.

I think the ones that get annoyed are the ones you need to watch out for and the ones that are doing something wrong

JM2C

[Tinelement]

Ever have a customer run their finger through one of your English Wheels?

Hahaha.! No.

But I'd like to run some of um through the power hammer!

[Irving]

I hear strippers complaining about people watching them work all the time.

[Tinelement]

I hear strippers complaining about people watching them work all the time.

Right!

And then you complain back to them for not doing their job, usually a few choice words involved, and then you find yourself being thumped out the door!!

It's a viscous cycle.

[cohunter39]

only bothers me if I am working on my own stuff and people look over my shoulder

[DFBrews]

fing hate it... have creative ways of removing people from my AO though... air hammers are extremely loud if used properly

[Tweety Bird]

I do all my own mechanical work. Spark plugs to auto transmission overhaul and everything in between, so I don't watch over many shoulders. Tires are different because I don't have the machines. But if a tire shop doesn't want me watching, I'll take my $$ somewhere else next time.

And I have 4 vehicles that need tires now and again.

I'd have the SAME attitude for mechanical repairs.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I'M not a mechanic but I do go in people's houses to work on their hvac equipment. I figure it's their house they can watch whomever they wish. I have asked a customer or two to please be quiet so I cam focus. But all in all I understand them watching over my shoulder and following me everywhere I go. Usually the safes are close to the mechanical equipment.

[TFOGGER]

I have zero problem with people watching from the door, or even coming into the shop with permission. My issue is with the guys that disrupt workflow, attempt to work on their stuff in my shop with my tools without permission, or endanger themselves by entering into a work area (like when I'm running a grinder, or seating tire beads).

[BPTactical]

I will not work on an item while somebody is watching me typically. It is distracting and I need 100% focus.
The product I deal with has zero tolerance for error.