Confessions of Service Tech
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
From: Manassas, VA
As another technician, I would like to state that he does not speak for the vast majority of us...
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
I'm sensing a conspiracy between 1-post jokester and 1-post StaceyB, both having joined this month. Is my spidey-sense way off or is anyone else thinking this too? Seems like something a jerk from one dealer would do as a false flag. I apologize to StaceyB if this isn't true.
(I realize the irony in that I also joined this month and have a low post count, but let's look past that for now)
(I realize the irony in that I also joined this month and have a low post count, but let's look past that for now)
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
good man
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
I read his post yesterday, he stated that he works at a MINI dealership in Colorado and that he plays dirty tricks on his customers...in particular, on those who complain, etc.
If true, it was a disgusting post.
If true, it was a disgusting post.
Last edited by Mini3333; Nov 30, 2014 at 01:50 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 2
Good idea! If this is true, Schomp MINI should be aware of this. However, he could also work for MINI of Loveland...
Last edited by Mini3333; Nov 30, 2014 at 05:09 PM. Reason: fix spelling of Schomp MINI.... it was spelled: Shomp
Wish somebody had QUOTED the OP...
Very useful when interesting info is said...
It prevents it from getting nuked by the op as said here....
Remember, anything said on the internet LAST FOREVER!!
Very useful when interesting info is said...
It prevents it from getting nuked by the op as said here....
Remember, anything said on the internet LAST FOREVER!!
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 229
From: York, Pennsylvania
Yahoo still has a cache search - so be careful what you put on the internet - even if you edit or delete it it still may remain somewhere
from http://98.139.21.31/search/srpcache?...6VKMqxuSpBbA--
from http://98.139.21.31/search/srpcache?...6VKMqxuSpBbA--
JokesterJust thought I would share this with the world. I work at a Mini dealer in Colorado. If you **** us off, complain, or anything else that we feel is annoying, you are open game. There are levels of our retribution.
Level 1 - Minor - We will do dumb stuff like move your tow hook to the glove box, modify radio stations, etc.
Level 2 - Leave items in the car out of sight (under seat, under back section, in glove box, etc). This will include pop cans, used paper towels, etc.
Level 3 - Leave items in the engine compartment. I like going to garage sales and getting crap tools and leaving them (hammer, sockets, screw drivers). Erik would fill the air box with cigarette butts from an ashtray, dog food. Big F would leave stuff under the airbox (sardines, etc). Jeff likes to leave pop cans. We undo the oil cap and leave it sitting in place not screwed on.
Level 4 - We unplug something and someone else runs diagnostics. Of course the part fails, we replace it. Or better yet, say can't find anything wrong.
Level 5 - A combo of the above
It is fun seeing the service managers treat the customers like they are making this stuff up. If you want to get on our good side, tip us or bring us donuts!
If you don't find this stuff, we get more points. When the car comes back for the scheduled maintenance and the stuff is still there, we get to make fun of you.
Level 1 - Minor - We will do dumb stuff like move your tow hook to the glove box, modify radio stations, etc.
Level 2 - Leave items in the car out of sight (under seat, under back section, in glove box, etc). This will include pop cans, used paper towels, etc.
Level 3 - Leave items in the engine compartment. I like going to garage sales and getting crap tools and leaving them (hammer, sockets, screw drivers). Erik would fill the air box with cigarette butts from an ashtray, dog food. Big F would leave stuff under the airbox (sardines, etc). Jeff likes to leave pop cans. We undo the oil cap and leave it sitting in place not screwed on.
Level 4 - We unplug something and someone else runs diagnostics. Of course the part fails, we replace it. Or better yet, say can't find anything wrong.
Level 5 - A combo of the above
It is fun seeing the service managers treat the customers like they are making this stuff up. If you want to get on our good side, tip us or bring us donuts!
If you don't find this stuff, we get more points. When the car comes back for the scheduled maintenance and the stuff is still there, we get to make fun of you.
Last edited by cristo; Nov 30, 2014 at 04:19 PM. Reason: inserted the yahoo cache link
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 7
From: California
The professed actions are crimes. My dealer allows the detail people to keep anything they find in a trade-in as a "bonus". Seriously, this was explained to me by the MA as the reason I was unlikely to ever see my belongings again as though it was perfectly natural.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 14
From: Near Buffalo NY
Not likely since they pulled the original post.
I've had better luck leaving 6-packs of beer with a note to "techs - cheers!", which have yielded ROI of orders of magnitude over the years.
Just make sure the goodies get past the SA and make it to the guys who will be wrenching on your car.
YMMV,
a
^^^ I agree. I always tip the techs, nothing outrageous, usually just $20, hopefully they then will be a little bit more careful, a little be more attentive. I know I was when I worked at various jobs that could get tips.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 56
From: Western PA
I don't know how you guys would tip the tech considering I never get near the tech in the first place...?
I've eared of the 6 pack before but again it's hard to make it directed to the tech without the awkwardness of the service advisor who's all over the car.
I'm all for rewarding sensitively a good relationship with the shop. These guys needs a little cheer sometime. But it's not always easy in a very standardized dealership/customer system.
It seems some benefit from a more direct contact with the tech crew.
And truce fully that stuff about the OP is really damaging not only the company but their jobs. I've been on car forum for a long while and I've noticed increase in customers dissatisfaction of dealerships in the last 5 years. This stuff makes me cringe. Not all customers who aren't fully satisfy are difficult customers. Many of them are tight on money and need reassurance their car is well serviced so they won't run into increased problems. I know I care for my cars a whole lot and I hate when I can't get the proper message across. That kind of stuff is what makes people run away to another brand and makes MINI employee finances tighter and tighter. If anything MINI employees should be extra nice right now to help in their own ability the chances for MINI to make a few more sales as it has been in declined this year. It doesn't require more time to be nice than to give all this trouble to their customers. I guess they don't fully realize where their salary is coming from...
And it's okay to have a good laugh about certain customers in some cases. We're all the same. Sometime you need a bit of relief. But messing with their car and hard earned money is just disgusting.
I've eared of the 6 pack before but again it's hard to make it directed to the tech without the awkwardness of the service advisor who's all over the car.
I'm all for rewarding sensitively a good relationship with the shop. These guys needs a little cheer sometime. But it's not always easy in a very standardized dealership/customer system.
It seems some benefit from a more direct contact with the tech crew.
And truce fully that stuff about the OP is really damaging not only the company but their jobs. I've been on car forum for a long while and I've noticed increase in customers dissatisfaction of dealerships in the last 5 years. This stuff makes me cringe. Not all customers who aren't fully satisfy are difficult customers. Many of them are tight on money and need reassurance their car is well serviced so they won't run into increased problems. I know I care for my cars a whole lot and I hate when I can't get the proper message across. That kind of stuff is what makes people run away to another brand and makes MINI employee finances tighter and tighter. If anything MINI employees should be extra nice right now to help in their own ability the chances for MINI to make a few more sales as it has been in declined this year. It doesn't require more time to be nice than to give all this trouble to their customers. I guess they don't fully realize where their salary is coming from...
And it's okay to have a good laugh about certain customers in some cases. We're all the same. Sometime you need a bit of relief. But messing with their car and hard earned money is just disgusting.