Madeline wrote:
> Lesson learned:  No matter how much you trust your shop... double check
> their work.
When recently faced with a major repair for my daily driver (@38K) I thought
to 'insure' the many jobs listed in the $300+ list were done.
Since you just drop the car at the dealership and come back later to pick it
up, anything can -or cannot- happen in the interim.

I took clear nail polish and marked key nuts and bolts that would have to be
removed prior to certain listed tasks being accomplished.
I marked just about everything on the list in some fashion- as every liquid
was to be flushed and changed, wheels rotated and timing belt & valves
adjusted.
I dropped the car and rode my bicycle back home.

They called, I rode back. They rolled my freshly cleaned car to the service
area and handed me a bill.
I went out to inspect. [do any of you feel this coming??]
The little stuff was done alright, but the big stuff couldn't have been done
(because the nail polish wasn't even cracked in places). I got the Service
Manager and brought him out to the car- showing him what I discovered.
At first he disagreed with me; but reluctantly had to admit the work I was
being asked to pay for probably was never even attempted.

Rather than get into a big stink over this I handed him the bill back and
told him to get it done, done right, then call me back when it was ready.
The next day I come in and the car is out front of the dealership all
spiffed up and ready to go.
I go into the Service Department and ask for my key. The Service Manager
himself hands it to me and says 'thank you'.
Notice here that the thing gone missing is the bill.
They never said a word about it.

That little bottle of clear nail polish went a long way!