One point to remember is the 5 manufacturers are actually assemblers.They dont make tie rod ends,they install them from maybe TRW or Moog.When I was at a Ford training center the instructor informed us that in order to supply Ford with product the supplier had to (Im not sure of his exact term but)be certified or responsible for the return of defective parts under warranty.Fact or fiction?I dont know for sure.If it is, the suppliers would have to survive the initial storm and once the vehicles went retail they could cash in on selling their sub quality parts for profit.
Many parts under the 3or4 year period of warranty seem priced reasonable only to jump in price for the next couple years until the aftermarket suppliers drive the prices back down.Once again fact or fiction?Just some things that caught my attention over the years.Even if the car companies dont carry the full finacial brunt, its still a slap in the face for the company and its reputation in the consumers market.It doesnt matter if the car is 3years old or 13 poor quality will cost repeat buyers.How many times have we heard "I will never buy another.......... again" from the other side of the counter?
Thanks for the link. A few things came to my mind. For instance, what is a warranty item? In my experience Toyota is very amiable about solving problems under warranty. They often warranty things that could right be called abuse. I have found the domestic manufacturers much "tighter" with their warranty. Sometimes denying legitimate claims.
Second is the badged vehicles sold by and not produced by the domestics. I would like to see a breakdown of actual domestic production defects with the Mazda, Toyota, etc. vehicles counted separately.
Third is the intakes, window motors, etc. that fail at 45K. Not counted as warranty, but a client looser none the less.
Finally would be the number of people who don't return for warranty, due to the huge hassle involved. I know we perform several jobs a month that should have been warranty. The people would rather pay than endure the process.
Perhaps the figures may be worse than they appear?
One point to remember is the 5 manufacturers are actually assemblers.They dont make tie rod ends,they install them from maybe TRW or Moog.When I was at a Ford training center the instructor informed us that in order to supply Ford with product the supplier had to (Im not sure of his exact term but)be certified or responsible for the return of defective parts under warranty.Fact or fiction?I dont know for sure.
It does seem true, or reasonable to believe. Isn't that why the former Delco company filed for bankruptcy awhile back? They were disputing with GM over warranty claim costs large enough to make them insolvent.
.How many times have we heard "I will never buy another.......... again" from the other side of the counter?
Many times, but since you mentioned it, I can't remember it ever being said to me about Japanese vehicles newer than about 1985; mostly about domestics and some European.
Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Garden City, KS
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:
It speaks volumes to me. Quality, quality, quality. Do it right the first time, keep trying to get better at it. There's a "home improvement" show that is quite popular. Perhaps you've heard of it. If not, I highly suggest watching a couple of episodes. It's called: "Holmes on Homes." In this show, a Canadian gentleman by the name of Mike Holmes has a reputation as the contractor who goes in and fixes the mistakes ,and finishes the jobs, left by other contractors. You should see some of this stuff. His mantra: "I'm no hero, but I do it right." His top to reasons why these mistakes and catastrophes happen?
1.) Lack of caring/NO caring. The people on the job do not enjoy what they are doing and don't care (enough?) about the people for whom they are doing the work for. Atleast not enough to do it right.
2.) Lack of knowledge and/or talent. Both of these can be learned and even, to and extent, over come by actually #1 being a 180. If someone cares about and enjoys what they are doing, chances are, they'll do it right. Anyway, #2 can be learned and aquired through education, practice, and experience.
Notice how scamming isn't listed? He truly believes that the intent is not to rip-off the client. It is simply they don't know what they are doing, but don't know it. I feel this is also true in our industry. Many shops/techs do not enjoy what they are doing, or where they work. Do not care about the client, and I mean REALLY care. And they do not have the knowledge. They may never have had it, they may have had it and lost it, but all the same they don't have it. There are many talented people in this industry, many right on this site, but I feel (like Mike) that lack of talent can easily be overcome by constantly improving on knowledge and caring (enjoyment?).
Notice how I said work on enjoyment? As a tech, you don't have to work somewhere you do not enjoy being. Discuss it with your employer or find that place where you will have joy. This may, ultimately, be you opening your own shop. Also, if you are not happy...spend sometime finding out why. Is it really the place of business or is it you? Employers/owners can help by seeking ways to free their employees to take enjoyement in their work. That is a constantly discussed subject on this sight and doesn't require me to go into it any further.
Where this is all going, why I posted this to begin with, is that as with "Holmes on Homes" it is ALWAYS less expensive to do it the right way rather than the wrong way. Expense is NOT strictly related to $$$$. Many of those people on his show have been without a house for months! Doing it the right way would have prevented having to lie and cover up mistakes and ineptitudes.
I will also add, when you watch the show...pay particular attention to the people who work for Mike. They absolutely enjoy what they are doing. They take great, great pride in doing it the right way...even if it involves more "work". (Understand too that many of the people working for Mike technically are their own businesses contracted by Mike)
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
