Matthew:
I guess I can see both sides of it, but I do agree with much of what you
say. I would have to agree that many of the jobs I do on my vehicles are
probably not worth what they cost me and your letter will probably make
me reconsider some jobs. However there are a few things I must take
exception with:
1. I already do a lot of service work for others-many of whom don't
appreciate the good job that I did. On the other hand, when I fix my
vehicles, the customer always appreciates it. Just this week I rebuilt
the carb on a Chevy truck that I've had for 4 or 5 years. Sweet! Runs
like new! I wish I'd done it 4 years ago!
2. I regard fixing things as immensely, immediately rewarding. This can
be pretty cheap therapy even if the shop down the street can do it for
less dollars.
3. I do not judge people by the color of their hands or the shabbiness
of their clothes.(Re: Ken's byline) One of the neatest people I know is
a bodyman who has removed many dents from old Triumph motorcycle gas
tanks prior to rechroming. A true metal finisher, metal bumper. I want
to be like him when I grow up- except for the hearing aids- (I use ear
plugs)
4. On the subject of dollars, when one makes $50 an hour he keeps maybe
$30 after taxes, so that much might change your equation.
5. If you start with kids early enough, helping fix cars or ____ (fill
in the blank) is a joy for them and also very confidence building. Some
people call this quality time. We don't have children of our own but
many neighbors kids and nieces/ nephews have learned about wrench sizes
and which way to unscrew a nut in my shop. My 18 year old nephew even
did nearly all the bodywork/ paint prep on a repaint of his Porsche
(which I gave him). I did the spraying, but next time maybe we'll have
enough time that he can try it. His sister is now helping with a resto
of a sunroof 67 bug I bought for her. There are real safety issues
involved with kids in a shop, but they are the same ones as for adults,
you just think about them more when youngsters are present.
6.There are jobs that I've learned not to do anymore: the effort/ result
ratio just isn't there for me especially on exhaust work.
7. I heartily agree with you about giving a tip as a reward for good
work. Generosity doesn't cost, it pays. It's especially apreciated by
mechanics, I doubt 5% of customers give tips. That goes for a lot of
other services as well, I'm sure.
8. I think you worry too much about doing perfect work. Don't take it so
seriously- professionals don't. They'll never lose sleep worrying about
whether a seal was in straight. (It probably was, though)
9. Still though, your points are well taken, I think I'll just buy a new
engine for my diesel vanagon that's worn out in 50k miles after the
village expert rebuilt it with BRAZILLIAN pistons. I guess trusting your
mechanic is of vital importance!
Thanks for taking us to a higher level of awareness on this subject.
Al Brase
69 double cab

 G. Matthew Bulley wrote:
>
> Folks-Still lurking on T-2, off of Vanagon.com. I had a few hours this
> morning, and need to offer a contrasting opinion on something. Forgive the
> length...it's a soapbox issue for me.
<snip>
> * I suffered the scorn of my family and friends as they endured my
> caustic-smelling, car-less, collapsed, corpus at the dinner table, and on
> related errands.
> * I permitted smelly car parts, tools, and clothing inside the sanctity of
> my home
> * I suffered elevated blood pressure and restless sleep as I pondered "Am I
> doing this exactly right?  -- Did I remember to torque the blah-blah to 80
> ft/lbs.??  -
<snip>
. <: "Do what you do BEST,
> and OUTSOURCE the rest". I don't care what type of work you do. If you
> enjoy what you do, eliminate the cluttering obligations in your life (like
> working on your car) and concentrate on your work at least 40 hours each
> week. You will get ahead faster than all the other "distracted" Joe's and
> Jane's in the company. The money will follow. If you don't like what you
> are doing, change jobs. Find what you love and do that. You'll never make
> anything doing work you don't like. There has never been a time in our
> economy when it was easier to find meaningful work; go get some.

<snip>
. He will be sure to take fastidious care of your VW when
> he recalls the crisp pair of Jackson's you gave him last time around. Base
> the amount on the quality of service, and don't be miserly.
>
> G. Matthew Bulley
> Minister of Innovation and Efficiency
> Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
> www.bulley-hewlett.com
> (888) 468-4880 toll free
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: type2-unsubscribe@type2.com
> For additional commands, e-mail: type2-help@type2.com