Maybe it is just me but I have never heard of paying
a deposit for a repair up front. Maybe this is between
you and your mechanic. Ever heard of a term called
Mechanic's Lien? If you are willing to pay up front
you may want to learn what Mechanic's Lien is.

David

--- Dave Vickery <davevickery@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> That's not the description of an honest mechanic in my mind, it is one that
> is living hand to mouth.  Sorry, I don't mean to be insulting, but if a
> mechanic asked me to pay up front, I would know it was not a well funded
> (and I would assume) not a well run business, unless it had just started.
> I've heard of contractor's that do the same thing, and there it is probably
> more common, but I wouldn't not do it.
>
> I had Just Brakes ask for payment before they finished the job that was
> taking longer because they wanted to count the sales in that week's figures.
>   That sets off questions in my mind that they have that much pressure to
> make numbers.
>
> Dave in Denver
>
>
> >From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
> >Reply-To: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Labor, 28 hours, customer say, i have no money....
> >Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2007 08:03:17 -0400
> >
> >Ben,
> >
> >You have to cover yourself on these jobs.  I always get at least a 50%
> >deposit on jobs larger than just a couple of hours.  I make up an
> >estimate and try to estimate high because there is usually always
> >something that you didn't notice or can't see until you get it all
> >ripped apart.  If you estimate high and come in under it the customer
> >thinks you are awesome (like Scotty on Star Trek), if it goes up a
> >little at least they are more prepared for the price.  Once I get the
> >estimate typed up I can either email or just give it to the customer.
> >The customer approves it, I get the 50% deposit via cash, credit card,
> >even a check since you can wait for it to clear before you start the
> >job.  If it is an extremely large job, I get 50% then at another point
> >that the customer and I agree to, I get another 25%, then the final 25%
> >on completion.
> >
> >Parts cost money.  I don't have extra cash sitting around to buy all of
> >the parts that a customer might need for a large job.  But if you get
> >the 50% deposit you should have at least enough to cover your parts and
> >keep things rolling until the job is done.
> >
> >A real customer that wants the work done will have no problem giving you
> >a deposit.  Any changes that I have to make to the estimate that are
> >larger than $100 I call the customer and clear it with them first.  When
> >it is all done we go for a ride together in the van and any questions he
> >(or she) has are addressed and then when they are happy, I get the rest
> >of the money and they get their invoice with "Paid in Full" on it.  Now
> >everyone is happy.  I am happy because I have done a great job and have
> >gotten my reward for doing so.  The customer is happy because their baby
> >is back on the road and they can have more confidence in it.
> >
> >I have learned these painful lessons after doing this for almost 10
> >years now.  But if you learn something from the lesson, then at least it
> >is not in vain.
> >
> >I am posting this to the list so that list members know how an honest
> >mechanic does business.  Checks and balances on both parties.  I even
> >keep the old parts until the customer comes and checks out the van.  If
> >they request them, I can show the old parts that were removed and
> >replaced so that there are no questions.  Again you have to cover
> >yourself.  I recommend all female customers who are dealing with a shop
> >for the first time, request that they show you the old parts after
> >completing the job.  Do this when you approve the estimate that way they
> >know to keep the old parts.  Even if you have no clue what the parts are
> >that you are looking at, it lets folks know that you are going to check
> >on them and keep them accountable.
> >
> >Hope this helps,
> >Ken Wilford
> >John 3:16
> >www.vanagain.com
> >
> >
> >Benny boy wrote:
> >
> >>Me:
> >>Sir, you Air-Cool van is ready and working fine (new heads, pistons + a
> >>lot
> >>of small stuff), 130psi all around, temp is fine, tested. Ready to drive,
> >>don't forget, drive smooth, oil change between 700-1000km.
> >>
> >>Customer: Ok, thank so much. I can go camping now, how much?
> >>
> >>Me: 3399$
> >>
> >>Customer: ho, ok, can i make a check?
> >>
> >>Me: NO check, i had to many problems with those, sorry, cash, credit.
> >>Debit
> >>as a max of 1000$ per day just so you know.
> >>
> >>Customer: ho, i don't have enough on my credit card, what shoud i do?
> >>Maybe
> >>i have enough in my bank account???
> >>
> >>Me: Sir, i have spent 3.5 days in a row in your van, i have grease up to
> >>my
> >>a**... find a solution... CREDIT, CASH or NO van, sorry but i'm sure you
> >>understand my point of view.
> >>
> >>Customer: Well, i'm no sure how to find the money!
> >>
> >>Me: Sir, i told you before an approx of the total bill, you didn't say
> >>nothing, you said go ahead!
> >>
> >>Customer: well, i will find a way, how can i pay again?
> >>
> >>Me: Cash or credit (me sound VERY COLD)
> >>---------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >>The conclusion...
> >>This is not the first time this happen to me, far from it, what the hell
> >>is
> >>the problem with people like that??????? i work my ass off... and this is
> >>the answer i get.
> >>
> >>Frustration! yes, it is.
> >>
> >>We always blame the business men, the customers is always right... yea..
> >>sure.
> >>
> >>I tell you all because if this happen to me.. i'm sure some of you did so
> >>one day!!! think twice before doing it again!
> >>
> >>Ben
> >>http://www.benplace.com/bjp3.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
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