The Autonerdz Community Forums - How do you deal with coincidences?

K-Mech

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How do you deal with coincidences?
Jul 23^rd, 2017 at 10:56pm

Hi guys-

I do diagnostics part time (about 3 times a week) and I have never had an incident that has been like this, need your input to find out how you all deal with it.

I had a 99 subaru legacy with a no start.. No spark, no coil control. Checked the wiring and saw that in this model there is an igniter that controls the coil. Checked the igniter and was getting the PCM square wave control on it but no output. Called a bad igniter, the car ran fine as soon as the part was replaced.

2 FREAKING DAYS LATER, customer calls me to his house with the SAME SYMPTOMS!! I check, no spark, no coil control, BUT, this time there was no square wave on the igniter. This thing had a crank sensor that failed after the igniter was replaced. Put a crank sensor in it, the car ran.

But customer now claims I made a bad call and does not want to pay for the second diag. He does not understand nerd, so trying to explain to him is futile. What do you guys do in situations like this? Do I just eat this and walk away?

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Logic

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #1 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 3:58am

K-Mech wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2017 at 10:56pm:

Hi guys-

I do diagnostics part time (about 3 times a week) and I have never had an incident that has been like this, need your input to find out how you all deal with it.

I had a 99 subaru legacy with a no start.. No spark, no coil control. Checked the wiring and saw that in this model there is an igniter that controls the coil. Checked the igniter and was getting the PCM square wave control on it but no output. Called a bad igniter, the car ran fine as soon as the part was replaced.

2 FREAKING DAYS LATER, customer calls me to his house with the SAME SYMPTOMS!! I check, no spark, no coil control, BUT, this time there was no square wave on the igniter. This thing had a crank sensor that failed after the igniter was replaced. Put a crank sensor in it, the car ran.

But customer now claims I made a bad call and does not want to pay for the second diag. He does not understand nerd, so trying to explain to him is futile. What do you guys do in situations like this? Do I just eat this and walk away?

Not at all, in fact no way.

A car can develop a fault at any time as you well know.

I would imagine that you have your captures and hopefully the old parts.

If he does not want to look at your evidence then it is only because he does nor want to lose the argument.

offer to put both parts back.

i finished a V10 M5 today that had a fault for the crankshaft sensor

in reality it had a faulty transmission input sensor and a clutch position sensor, both had gone faulty at the same time.

It happens

Fact is however you will never submit to working for him again and now you have what I call "power shift"

When the car did not work he needed you, now that it is fixed he is in a position of power.

No way would I let him get away with it

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Jose aka superskyliner Guru Member Picogroup Offline I'm an Autonerd Posts: 479 95653 California USA Gender:	Re: How do you deal with coincidences? Reply #2 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 7:00am you have captures and print outs? explain them to your customer if your customer wont take to reason, kick them to the curb, not worth it in the long run as a wise member on the forum once said, sometimes the customer has to go elsewhere to realize how good they had it with you
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K-Mech

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #3 - Jul 24^th, 2017 at 7:52pm

Yes, I have the captures, the customer is saying he cannot understand "those silly lines on the screen"!

@Logic, @Superskyliner34, you are right. Damn it, I am an Autonerd! I cannot take this crap. I will take your advice, I will go to him and put both parts on the table and ask which he wants to be reinstalled into the car, then I'll fire his ass. My work is too good for this.

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« Last Edit: Jul 25^th, 2017 at 5:22am by K-Mech »

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K-Mech

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #4 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 1:28am

Got to his house early this morning, told him I'm done debating with him. Asked him to bring the old parts (I usually leave them in the glove compartment in a zip lock bag). So, asked him which wrong call I made. He said since he saw me put a new crank sensor in the car, the ignition coil module was not bad as I earlier claimed.

No problem. Walked with him to the car, unplugged the new module, returned the old one and told him not to call me again, ever. Got in my car and drive off. Got a call 5 minutes later with him complaining the car would not start. I told him to get someone else to replace the module. I also told him that since he did not pay for the second diag, I will consider the payment for the module as the payment for the second diag.

That will reach him not to disrespect my work. I'm done with him for sure.

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Logic LSD Guide Picogroup Offline Posts: 4,147 Bentleigh Victoria Australia	Re: How do you deal with coincidences? Reply #5 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 2:32am In doing so you are my hero ! BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO You have taken the power back. Feels good doesn't it ?
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Spence

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #6 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 5:04am

K-Mech wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 1:28am:

Got to his house early this morning, told him I'm done debating with him. Asked him to bring the old parts (I usually leave them in the glove compartment in a zip lock bag). So, asked him which wrong call I made. He said since he saw me put a new crank sensor in the car, the ignition coil module was not bad as I earlier claimed.

No problem. Walked with him to the car, unplugged the new module, returned the old one and told him not to call me again, ever. Got in my car and drive off. Got a call 5 minutes later with him complaining the car would not start. I told him to get someone else to replace the module. I also told him that since he did not pay for the second diag, I will consider the payment for the module as the payment for the second diag.

That will reach him not to disrespect my work. I'm done with him for sure.

Way to go!!! Glad you stood up for yourself and taught the "consumer" a lesson!

Add my name under Logic's for being my hero too.

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N.B.S. Dilly Dilly! FJB

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Tom Roberts Autonerdz Administrator Picogroup Offline Autonerdz Founder Posts: 8,598 Olympia Washington USA Gender:	Re: How do you deal with coincidences? Reply #7 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 7:13am Good Job. The customer isn't always right. I have been known to fire customers as well.
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K-Mech

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #8 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 8:33pm

Logic wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 2:32am:

In doing so you are my hero !

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO

You have taken the power back.

Feels good doesn't it ?

Thanks Logic! Oh man, feels good like a drug! In these neck of the woods, I'm the best at what I do, and after having dealers call me for consultancy I won't allow disrespect. If I was bad at my job then I would deserve it.

Thanks for giving me the idea!

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K-Mech Senior Member Picogroup Offline I'm an Autonerd Posts: 216 Nairobi Kenya Gender:	Re: How do you deal with coincidences? Reply #9 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 8:36pm Spence wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 5:04am: Way to go!!! Glad you stood up for yourself and taught the "consumer" a lesson! Add my name under Logic's for being my hero too. Thanks, Spence! Coming from you that is an honor, sir!
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K-Mech

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Re: How do you deal with coincidences?
Reply #10 - Jul 25^th, 2017 at 8:46pm

Tom Roberts wrote on Jul 25^th, 2017 at 7:13am:

Good Job.

The customer isn't always right.

I have been known to fire customers as well. Smiley

Right you are Tom!

By the way, Tom, the Pico Autonerdz Experience was my first scope experience. Everyone in this forum should know just how good we have it. After the theft of all my equipment (including the pico) I went 6 months without a scope and could not take it. Bought a cheap hantek scope (a real joke of a unit especially after using the pico, but any scope is better than no scope) while I recover my losses. I have managed to repurchase all my test equipment and finally, I have saved 60% for my new 4ch Pico! You will be hearing from me by next year for a repurchase.

Just want to humbly tip my hat and honor you especially for all the work you do here. I hope to meet up with you someday.

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Jose aka superskyliner Guru Member Picogroup Offline I'm an Autonerd Posts: 479 95653 California USA Gender:	Re: How do you deal with coincidences? Reply #11 - Jul 26^th, 2017 at 9:10am Glad it worked out for you! Now don't get rigger happy and go on firing every customer. But every know and then it doesnt hurt to cut the chord with a very select few that will not reason.
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