I HATE being a woman sometimes

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

*** WARNING RANT***


Why is it when a woman walks into a car repair shop then mechanics start seeing $$$$ signs... my word... OH yeah I forgot I am a girl and I am supposed to be naive about vehicles... Okay yes I am a girl and no I don't know all there is to know about a vehiclebut I AM PRETTY savvy about what is going on with my van.

I know that I have an exhaust leak or the catalytic converter is gone, but I know it is one of these two things, It needs some PM done but I know what I want done...Also the high pressure heater hose has a pin hole leak in it. temporary fix to get by but now it is time to get it repaired FULLY!

I went to 4 different places to get prices so I can budget in the repairs on my van, and ONLY one of them treated me with dignity! Mineke on Spencer near Center!

Went to another place (will keep names with held) I asked for a price list and he started rattling off what he thought I needed... I looked at him and said NO I just need to know what you charge for these services. the other two places I was trying to get a guestimate for the heater hose repair he looked at me like I was retarded high pressure hose, yes that is what I said, he said bring it back to morrow and I can put it up on the rack but it will cost you 56.00 for that... BS I walked out... went to another place... they were a little better and asked me to bring it back tomorrow as the bay was full today and no time..

I... yes I just changed the plugs and wires on my van, so I don't need a full tune up for 350.00 I just need the fuel filter, oil filter changed, an oil change and that is it... that is all I want you to do to it!!! but no they think I need to pay 350.00 to have that done... I DON'T THINK so... I can do all that by myself and I probably will end up doing that.. (yes I will have hubbs take photos...lol)

I know I know ... they are trying to UP sale... but when I say no.. don't push it... good grief... I am the gal that walks out of a show room while car shopping it I get hounded by salesmen



so those that live in the SE houston area... any recomendations... ???

[Ahh!]

Hey, it aint all that much better for us either. I've gotten the same routine when I can change the power steering pump and lost count of the alternators, plugs, wires, batteries, fuel and oil filters I've changed...I even used to be able to...and still they try and tell me stuff that don't add up.

[DeannaD]

Oh, much worse for women I think. You can see their eyes light up! Unfortunately I don't know any mechanics on the SE side.

One of my happiest days was finding some awesome Honda guys in SW Houston. Not only do they try to find you the best & cheapest solution, they keep tabs on all the recalls. Once the guy told me to write Honda a letter b/c my issue was SIMILAR to one that caused a recall on the previous model year. Sure enough.. Honda sent me a $450 check to reimburse me for the repair. If anyone is interested they are C&M Honda on Murphy Rd.

[epoh]

I know exactly how you feel. I once had a mechanic look me straight in the eye and tell me (after he had worked on my car) that my 94 Mazda Protegee did not have a THERMOSTAT. I was like are you frigging kidding me? I suppose the entire cooling system for the engine works by magic?! My dad went to a local dealership, paid $18 for the part and replaced it himself.

I've found a good local place does oil changes and such, they are always very honest, and don't try to make me buy an air filter every time I go (they actually recommended I order a K&M when my air filter got close to needing replace) but I don't know of any places in Houston. Good luck!

[merock]

You know.... I felt the same way when I was shopping at Bath and Body works when I was getting a present for my fiance!!!!

jk...

[iCe]

Originally Posted by DeannaD

You can see their eyes light up!

Yep...

[René]

Holly, once they give you the quote, if you feel it’s too high, tell them your husband/dad/brother is an attorney out of town on a case and will be back the following day (maybe even throw in they are an equal rights attorney, ya know, just for kicks). Explain how they had already taken a look at your car but didn’t have time to make the repairs before leaving town and you were trying to take care of things without them because you feel bad since you know they are so busy. Tell them you just don’t understand what the repair place is telling you since you were told it was something else more simple, you will return the following day with your husband/dad/brother and they can explain the repairs and cost to them since they know all about cars and you don’t. Oh, and tell them you will need the quote in writing too. If nothing else, maybe it’ll freak them out and they’ll be sleepless that night, or even seeing the dumbfounded look on their face will be a little rewarding to you (if they buy it that is). Might just be fun too.

Sorry girl, this sucks for you Im sure!

[Krossfire]

There used to be a very good mechanic on Pasadena Blvd between Georgia headed towards Center before Pasadena splits. Located on the Right side of the road there was also a very good cake shop there. Not sure if it is still open as I know the original owner has passed away.

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

Originally Posted by epoh

I know exactly how you feel. I once had a mechanic look me straight in the eye and tell me (after he had worked on my car) that my 94 Mazda Protegee did not have a THERMOSTAT. I was like are you frigging kidding me? I suppose the entire cooling system for the engine works by magic?! My dad went to a local dealership, paid $18 for the part and replaced it himself.

I've found a good local place does oil changes and such, they are always very honest, and don't try to make me buy an air filter every time I go (they actually recommended I order a K&M when my air filter got close to needing replace) but I don't know of any places in Houston. Good luck!

this has happened to me... I tried to get the an O2 for my old plymouth lazer... and they wanted 150.00 for it... (back in high school) so I went to the local pick and pull by myself with my trusty screwdriver and pliers... walked in the gate told them to direct me to the section I needed... I found the part I was looking for..I walked back up to the gate to pay and the guy behind the counter thing looked at me dumbfounded said do you need help I said nope se the part up there and said I just need to pay for this thank you... he looked at me and said you know what GO ahead... jut take it... if you can come in here and 5 mins later get what you need BY YOURSELF go ahead... I walked out with the part that would have cost me about 60.00 bucks there... MY DADDY was SO proud of me!!! lol

Dad always taugh me how to work on my cars! threatened to kick my butt if he caught me putting my car in the shop for something I can do on my own and getting raped by the mechanics... heck before I could learn to drive I had to change all 4 tires, the shocks, and brakes n my dad custom van!!!

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

Originally Posted by merock

You know.... I felt the same way when I was shopping at Bath and Body works when I was getting a present for my fiance!!!!

jk...

don't feel bad they do the same to me... lol...

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

Originally Posted by René

Oh, and tell them you will need the quote in writing too. If nothing else, maybe it’ll freak them out and they’ll be sleepless that night, or even seeing the dumbfounded look on their face will be a little rewarding to you (if they buy it that is). Might just be fun too.

Sorry girl, this sucks for you Im sure!

this is a a good thing too... I WILL be taking the van to mineke to do the leak/ cat repair there is no doubt on that one... I was comfortable there and the guy was super cool! said that he would check it out but if it is the convert it would run me about 200.0 or so... I looked at him and said that it is a dual convert he said no prob he just needs to get under there and check it out to be sure... and then we will go from there!

[HotHolly]

Yeah. I feel your pain. The 1st year I moved here, I took my car, which was under warranty, to the dealer. It was having breaking issues similar to brake fade, but it was getting pretty bad.

I was some what knowledgeable about cars at the time. Worked on them with my Dad. Short version - they couldnt find anything so they blew me off. I brought it back 3x. The last time I was there, I dragged my friend with me. The car's brakes failed at a stop sign and I went sailing through an intersection with this person in the car. We both freaked out on them yelling and screaming that they are gonna kills someone if they dont fix it now.

They pulled out the entire braking system and replaced it. Guess what - it was broken. After that I always dragged some guy with me - whether he knew about cars or not. Seemed like I got jerked around less. I may have been 18 but I was smart enough to tell if the brakes made the car stop - come on!

[dlanter]

Holly,

I'm not going to try to defend mechanics, I have been one for 28 years, because I know the type of treatment you are talking about does happen too often. But we are not all like that honestly. I can't recommend a reliable mechanic in your area, but I will say don't just go for the cheapest one you find. The chain type shops; Mineke, Econtune, Walmart, etc., don't hire mechanics, they hire parts changers working for a hourly wage that I wouldn't trust to change my oil. Stick with either the dealership or an independent shop that maybe your neighbor or co-worker could recommend.

BTW, before you get into an arguement with someone about it, there really is no such thing as a "high preasure heater hose". You have 2 heater hoses, or 4 if your van has rear AC, they are supply or return and carry the same preasure. The only difference in price would be the length & how hard it is to get to it.

For your exhaust problem, if it is a leak that should be relatively inexpensive. But if it is a catalytic converter then that means big bucks. Just remember, catalytic converters are covered under warranty by all manufactures for 8 years 80,000 miles and many models have been extended to 120,000 miles.

Good Luck

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by PhotosbyHollyWood

Dad always taugh me how to work on my cars! threatened to kick my butt if he caught me putting my car in the shop for something I can do on my own and getting raped by the mechanics... heck before I could learn to drive I had to change all 4 tires, the shocks, and brakes n my dad custom van!!!

Smart man, your dad. My 14 year-old daughter is going to be getting the same lessons here VERY soon.

BTW--A couple of excellent places up in NW Houston/Spring/Tomball are Cillis Automotive on Schroeder and the folks at the Quick Lane at Tomball Ford. They've both treated me well--and my wife's divorced friends whom I've sent to them as well.

[PhotosbyHollyWood]

Originally Posted by dlanter

Holly,

I'm not going to try to defend mechanics, I have been one for 28 years, because I know the type of treatment you are talking about does happen too often. But we are not all like that honestly.

I know... my dad's mechanic recently retired and he was a great guy Icould call him at any time... he would fix me right up!

Originally Posted by dlanter

BTW, before you get into an arguement with someone about it, there really is no such thing as a "high preasure heater hose".

Thank you for this clarificatino see I can be wrong and I accept that I am wrong...lol... just dont sit there and treat me like a TOTAL moron...lol

thanks again

Originally Posted by dlanter

For your exhaust problem, if it is a leak that should be relatively inexpensive. But if it is a catalytic converter then that means big bucks. Just remember, catalytic converters are covered under warranty by all manufactures for 8 years 80,000 miles and many models have been extended to 120,000 miles.

unforyunately the van is WAY past the warranty mark but thanks... I don't plan on using CHEAPEST, rather fair prices... the mineke that I am refering to looks as if it is franchised but an individual owns the shop.. it is small and not as fancy as Formans commercial...lol

thanks again for allowing em to rant! and the advise to deal with this...lol hubbs will get a kick out of this one... he tells people proudly that I know more about the van than he does.

Good Luck[/QUOTE]