[Cherokeegrrl]

Let me get some opinions on this guys. Bear with me on the length of this post.

I went to a shop last week & spoke to a guy whom I was told does work on lifted vehicles. Told him I was hearing an odd rumble from under the XJ, someone said it might be the pinion yoke etc. He asked me what year the Jeep was. When I told him '92, he refused to work on it, saying that it's too old, he'd be opening a can of worms, breaking one thing would lead to something else breaking and so on.

Here's the kicker ... this guy has never, ever, seen my Jeep (I was driving the Durango that day). Could be a Mall crawler for all he knew. He didn't ask any other questions, doesn't know what new components I might have, doesn't know how it's maintained, doesn't know if I have any rust or the condition of the vehicle. He simply heard the year and said no. For all he knows I could have a completely new suspension, new drive shafts, new axles, hey just about anything! In one sense I can see his point, but I still think such a decision should be based on each individual vehicle, not on a blanket assumption based on the year! I'm so anal taking care of my XJ, this guy really pissed me off.


Does this sound kosher to you guys? How would you have reacted?

Some random pics I have laying around from other posts, just to give you an indication: Rust only where it's unwise to paint (muffler, drums etc.) Everything lubed, reasonably clean ... heck the mud is barely dry from wheeling before I'm at it with the hose!






Many of you have already seen full pics of my Jeep.

[tntempest]

I agree that does not sound normal, most people wont spend tons of money modifying brand new trucks until the warranty runs out. So at least the majority of someones business would be on the last generation vehicles, over 5 years old.
He must not be a true mechanic and is not good at diagnosing problems. More than likely since he did not do your modifications you are not a customer and what does he owe you. He may make $75 profit off your visit and tie up his equipment and personel, or he could be installing an overpriced lift and overpriced labor and making $1000 profit on the same mechanics time.
I would have reacted the same way, or said something like "Oh I didn't realize you were a new to this stuff, do you know another company with more experience in the area"

Obviously your truck is in great shape and you take care of it and have good parts, so that is my take on the situation. Beautiful underhood shot.

[alwaysready]

there could be a bunch of reasons.
too much work already.
could spend alot of time on it that he thinks he might not want to spend.
he might not be good at chasing down noises
maybe he just had oe of his guys quit and hes swamped.
maybe hes getting too old to do it.. etc...

im lucky to have a shop that i know the owner and just tell him when you get time i need you to do this...
hes like ok... doesnt matter what it is.

[Cherokeegrrl]

The reason he gave was simply that the Jeep is too old ... none of the reasons you have suggested. He's not "getting too old" like you suggested. I doubt the guy's 35. Any of those other reasons I could have understood; but to tell me that stuff is going to break even before you look at the Jeep is total crap.

[mortalenema]

I would NOT invite him to my birthday party!

[xjokee]

You have a real clean '92. Don't let it upset you, its not worth it. That guy is right about stuff breaking when working on older vehicles. If you put that lift on, you know first hand. He should have offered to take a peek, on his schedule. Even spending 15 mins at the end of the day as a 'goodwill' gesture. But that's me, not him. I suggest you hunt around for another mechanic that comes with referrals. Good luck.
Mike

[Crystalship1]

Originally Posted by xjokee

You have a real clean '92.

A real, REAL clean '92!!!

[tjwalker]

Cross that shop off your Christmas card list and don't go back. There are plenty of shops around that will appreciate your business!

[Muddeprived]

What a moron. I would say "fine, i'll give my $$ to a more respectable shop and i'll be sure my friends don't come here!". Wait..i did that before....

Honestly, he sucks. A good mechanic is one that WANTS your business and WANTS to help you. take your business elsewhere.

[severous01]

i pick and choose what i work on. but i have no complaints coming back either. one guy with a rust bucket wanted me to work on his truck. had a chipped ring gear. i told him no for the same reason. i'm not going to pay out of pocket for bearings and hubs when he knows well enough that when taken apart it's going to be broken in there. and i also know the guy isnt willing to pay for it himself...hey's a penny pincher....or tight wad.

i wouldnt deal with that and that's what i told him. but, in your case....it seems clean enough and i'd be willing to work with you on prices and stuff. also, you'd be paying for the parts and if you screwed me on the money i'd just put a mechanic's lien on the truck...done that before too. that's how i got my honda.

[Offroadss350]

This is somewhat common I worked at shop once that would refuse service to vehicles over about 12 years old you will find this with nicer larger shops that have a steady stream of gravy work without diagnosing older vehicles which usually turn into a headache, usually because people expect there vehicle to be new again once they give you there money. Now granted your XJ is not the same cond. as a '92 ford escort but he's probaly not a XJ guy and doesn't understand that XJ's rule the world! On the other hand if you went back and told him you wanted all kinds of gravy service work you would be in like w/o a dought. your best bet is to make some friends that know how to work on cars!

[Muddeprived]

Originally Posted by severous01

i pick and choose what i work on. but i have no complaints coming back either. one guy with a rust bucket wanted me to work on his truck. had a chipped ring gear. i told him no for the same reason. i'm not going to pay out of pocket for bearings and hubs when he knows well enough that when taken apart it's going to be broken in there. and i also know the guy isnt willing to pay for it himself...hey's a penny pincher....or tight wad.

i wouldnt deal with that and that's what i told him. but, in your case....it seems clean enough and i'd be willing to work with you on prices and stuff. also, you'd be paying for the parts and if you screwed me on the money i'd just put a mechanic's lien on the truck...done that before too. that's how i got my honda.

What if it was an old lady with a rust bucket and she looked poor but had thousands in her bank? Imagine how she would feel if she was neglected.

[mall_crawler]

nothing againest you but this made me laugh pretty good.

A good example of how they will hire anyone.

[Burdizzo]

I am a believer in the saying, "We reserve the right ro refuse service."

He has the right to refuse service. You have to right to never darken his doorway again, which is what I suggest.

[1996xj]

If you where able to chose what you work on and have newer vehicles lined up, then why would you want to work on an older one. More likely to have siezed up bolts, rust and crap falling on you, parts breaking off during R&R and so on.