Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Rusty Cullens
You are screwed. You will have to pay the $2100.00 to get your car. Then you 
can sue him in small claims court for poor workmanship.


Rusty Cullens
BuyMBparts, Inc.
Tel 1-800-741-5252
Fax   770-454-9745

- Original Message - 
From: "Hans Neureiter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 6:47 PM
Subject: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise


> This is a long story (and ugly):
> Last Thursday my tranny crapped out. No shifts out of first.
> Checked and it was the shift-down cable. It came disconnected at the rear 
> of
> the tranny.
> I called the local tranny shop and was told trop the car off. "It will 
> take
> a couple of hours for me to get to it, I'll let you know."
> Well, I ropped the car of at 10 AM and got a call 3 hrs later, telling me
> that the labor will be $384  + whatever parts are needed.
> Steep, but I agreed.
> At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> rebuild for $ 2100.
> After arguing the cost (comparing to JAGGY: R&R $400 + $1500 rebuilt + $ 
> 250
> Converter + $ 200 for the cable).
> I agreed.
> Car to be ready next day (Friday) PM.
> Got a call @ noon on Friday "We are fine tuning the car, It be ready in
> about 45 minutes. Do you need a lift?". No thanks, I come to get it.
> @ 3:00PM the phone rings and "They sent us the wrong cable. Sorry, will 
> not
> get it right till Monday."
> (Why call me when you don't even have the parts?)
> On Monday @ 11:00AM I called and was told the part is on the way. At 
> 5:00pm
> I called and the part was just was delivered. The car will be ready by
> 10:00am on Tuesday.
> Tuesday I called at 1:00PM and was told the tranny does not shift in 3rd 
> and
> the "Valve Body needs adjustments" (Ever heard of that?).
> At 3:00 PM I called back, inquiring of the progress of the "Valve body
> adjustment" and after hearing "It is going good" I popped the lid and told
> the rep what I was thinking: "Do you know A/T's?"- "Yes we do" -"You think 
> I
> am stupid. You been telling me lies and it is obvious to me that the only
> way I get my car back is to invoke police action". I hung up.
> Within 2 minutes I was called back by the rep: "Meet me exactly at 5:31, 
> 1
> minute after I close the shop,  across the street,  and I will tell you 
> what
> police action is, you drunk".
>
> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the 
> charges.
> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
>
> Questions to the people:
>
> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts costs
> are payd (in Texas)?
>
> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to 
> produce
> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
>
> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
>
> 4) How do I get my car back?
>
> TIA
> -- 
> Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
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> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> 




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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Allan Streib
"LarryT" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> [...] went to a dealership. They have a bit more need to maintain
> higher standards due to higher visibility.  I know - you have all
> been screwed by the dealer.

Interestingly I've never been scamemd by a dealer, but I generally
only go there if its a warranty repair.  They've certainly tried to
sell me services I don't want, but that's about it.  They are
expensive, though -- maybe they don't need to scam.

Allan
-- 
1983 300D
1966 230

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Allan Streib
Timothy Robinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> OY! SEARS!  "Slowly I turn"

Yep, the ones who were exposed by one of the news investigation shows
back in the '80s.  They took a car with verified good brakes and took
it into Sears for some alleged complaint, and were told they needed
new brake pads, rotors, drums, calipers, master cylinder etc.

References - only wqy to go when selecting a shop.  Also like a doctor
get a second opinion on any major work.

Allan
-- 
1983 300D
1966 230

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Kaleb C. Striplin, work
Im sorry to have to say this, but people that stupid should just be put out 
of their missery.

---
Kaleb C. Striplin
Cox Auto Trader
730-Tulsa FSBO Supervisor

- Original Message - 
From: "Timothy Robinson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:18 AM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise


> Gee...
>
> For some reason this reminded me of a story.. as an electrical contractor.
>
> Couple bought a house. After moving in the wife discovered the freezer in
> the basement had quit working and the contents had spoiled. (Not a large
> loss.) She tells the husband who discovers that none of the electrical
> receptacles in that area of the basement were working. The rather 
> "dominant"
> wife (SWMBO) incites the husband. Rather than simply look into the
> homeowner's warranty, they go straight for the "big guns" and have their
> attorney send registered letters to the real estate agents. Communication 
> is
> pretty much broken down with no attempt to simply solve the problem first.
>
> The previous owners have moved out of town but the new homeowners try to
> engage the original builder with accusations of "faulty wiring" etc. Never
> mind that the house now two years old passed all inspections. As a favor 
> to
> the general contractor I agreed to make a polite service call just to see 
> if
> there was a simple solution. The homeowners wouldn't allow me to enter on
> the first trip but insisted that both real estate agents had to be 
> present.
> The new homeowners are satisfied with nothing less than "we'll sue!!!"
>
> What did I discover? It was obvious that code would require a GFIC device 
> on
> the receptacles with the unfinished concrete floor. I located it hidden
> behind stacks of moving boxes. The husband had plugged an extension cord
> into an outdoor receptacle which was protected by the same device. When he
> had plugged his block heater in on his diesel the frayed cord on the car 
> had
> caused the device to trip.
>
> I was amused! All that was necessary was to press the reset button on the
> device. Imagine everyone's response, the appetite for "crow" ..his 
> pennance
> of having to live with that "barracuda."
>
> What added to the amusement was that the husband didn't realise that the
> hard cold morning starts were related to his block heater not getting
> electricity and was blaming the mechanic, trying to hold him liable for 
> the
> problem with the car.
>
>> From: "Gary Hurst" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List 
>> Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:49:32 -0500
>> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
>> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise
>>
>> the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged 
>> off
>> to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever 
>> meeting
>> come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would snap 
>> long
>> ago.  the shop still keeps your car.
>>
>> due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of the
>> sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional business.
>> as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to 
>> them.
>> or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy cheaper
>> from us than from the wholesaler.
>>
>> i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.
>>
>> "yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
>> "why do you think that?"
>> "well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be the
>> fuel distributor"
>> "no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"
>>
>> ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but he
>> has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually does 
>> the
>> work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to fix.  car 
>> runs
>> great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2 
>> hours
>> of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.
>>
>> i cant tell you a one of stories like this.
>>
>> auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing 
>> with
>> and pay attention.
>>
>> On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>> Gary; you are right.
>>> This kind of thing happened to me som

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread LarryT
Perhaps all tranny shops are like this --  who knows  -- my sons Tahoe 
started shifting poorly - had a national chain shop change the fluid and 
check it over - which is what I authorized.  When I picked it up they said 
it was fine with the fluid change.

Drove it - not any different.  This time went to another tranny shop I have 
used  -- said it was low on fluid - said they fixed it and we paid and left. 
Still not right - this time we went to a dealership. They have a bit more 
need to maintain higher standards due to higher visibility.  I know - you 
have all been screwed by the dealer.  Anyway, left it with them - they said 
the ATF did not look fresh - had it changed again.\

I should have done my own work but my health was bad at the time - was 
having 4 or 5 "Bad" days/week.  Bad means I scream in pain every 30-40 
seconds.

So, the lesson here is find a ship that *needs* to treat the commmunity 
fairly.

Also - check with your local TV news  - often they will have a "Community 
Affairs" department that wil investigate problems and put them on the air. 
No matter what shop we are talking about, none want a TV crew pushing a 
camera in their face with a reporter calling them a crook. (or inferring 
it).

Recoding the phone call may put you at risk legally - don;t do anything that 
will hurt you -

Take care -

Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
.

- Original Message - 
From: "Gary Hurst" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:31 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise


> this is not the story i've heard like this.  i know someone whose car was
> similarly kidnapped by a transmission shop.  i wonder if they have some 
> sort
> of professional journal or something similar that is advocating this con.
>
> she has a modern xj8 that was not shifting to her satisfaction so she
> brought it in to a local big transmission place for their "free"
> evaluation.  the explaned how they see this all the time and it can be 
> fixed
> for a few hundred dollars.
>
> then it turns out that upon further study that the transmission is totally
> hosed beyond any repair and $4k would be required for a new tranny. she
> figured that at this figure she really needed to get a second opinion and
> explained that she was coming to pick up the car.
>
> then the fun started.  the shop explained that the car that she had driven
> in could not be driven out as the transmission had been disassembled as 
> part
> of the diagnostics and labor for this disassembly and reassembly would be
> $1700.  should she not pay that amount, not only would she not be given 
> back
> the car, but a mechanic's lien would be filed.
>
> she then hired an attorney and now is trying to recover her car via this
> attorney.
>
> we live in a world of thieves.  know who you are dealing with in any
> transaction.
>
> On Jan 22, 2008 9:23 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> > *All verbal*
>>
>> > *No
>> *
>> > *It's locked up in their shop.
>> *
>> > to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
>> the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
>> them that the tranny was toast.
>> *Not that simple. It was a Junk Yard tranny, so I trusted them to say 
>> it's
>> toast and agreed for a rebuild. Price is not an argument. Getting them to
>> deliver is the problem.*
>> *First I was confident but than encountered Lies, Excuses and Smoke
>> Screens
>> (reason for delay: Fine tuning the valve body because it will not shift 
>> in
>> 3rd?). That got me to question their integrity. Now I am the bad guy and
>> can't get my car back.*
>>
>> On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Hans Neureiter wrote:
>> > > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a 
>> > > total
>> > > rebuild for $ 2100.
>> >
>> > Time to run, run, run.  If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
>> > you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
>> >
>> > Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
>> > tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
>> > out of date anyway.
>> >
>> > ___
>> > http://www.okiebenz.com
>

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread LarryT
The front few pages of the phone book usually have details about recording a 
conversation - here, it requires the knowledge of both parties.

Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D)
www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
.

- Original Message - 
From: "Craig McCluskey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise


> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:25:23 -0600 "Hans Neureiter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
>
>> Good Idea, Luther.
>>
>> On 1/22/08, Luther - laptop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> >
>> > I'd call the guy back, get him fired up and threatening you again, and
>> > record the conversation.  Take that to the police and press charges.
>
> You might find out what the restrictions on recording a telephone
> conversation are. I don't recall what they are in Texas.
>
>
> Craig
>
> ___
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>
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> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com 


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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Hendrik & Fay
Yes and they are smart enough not to get involved. Why chance your 
career over a car transmission?
Get real and calm down Hans.

Hendrik

Hans Neureiter wrote:
> .
> Remember, I have bunches of burly biker, cop and USMC friends.
>
>
>   
>> 
>
>
>
>   

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Hendrik & Fay
Of course why didn't I think of this, start killing. After all it is an 
American tradition.
You're better off to get a video camera and start filming a reality 
series, you'll make more money than dragging a gun down there.

Hendrik
who lives in a semi civilized place

Hans Neureiter wrote:
> I think it's time to load the M16
>
>
>   
>>
>> 
>
>
>
>   

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Hendrik & Fay
So why did you say yes at this point?
Did you ask for recommendations in regards to a place that knows MB 
boxes and won't suck you dry?
This may seem harsh but you made a mess and now you fix it.

Hendrik

Hans Neureiter wrote:
> This is a long story (and ugly):
> Last Thursday my tranny crapped out. No shifts out of first.
> Checked and it was the shift-down cable. It came disconnected at the rear of
> the tranny.
> I called the local tranny shop and was told trop the car off. "It will take
> a couple of hours for me to get to it, I'll let you know."
> Well, I ropped the car of at 10 AM and got a call 3 hrs later, telling me
> that the labor will be $384  + whatever parts are needed.
> Steep, but I agreed.
> At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> rebuild for $ 2100.
>
>   

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Hendrik & Fay
 From memory every MB box has a number on it, this number is not the 
same as the number on another box.
This number should be in the data card and if a replacement box is 
fitted this number will not be the same.

Hendrik

Loren Faeth wrote:
> Find a good lawyer first.  You might ask about "what -if" you paid 
> the bill, got the car and then filed a claim in small claims court to 
> recover your losses.  I think you should demand the old trans so it 
> can be diagnosed.  Hope you put some identifying center punch marks 
> on it before it went to the shop.  That way if the "new" transmission 
> has the same marks, you've got em!
>
>   
>
>   

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-23 Thread Kevin Kraly
code would require a GFIC device on
the receptacles with the unfinished concrete floor. I located it hidden
behind stacks of moving boxes.

Exactly my guess as I was reading through it!  One time, it happened to my 
sister.  I was in her upstairs bathroom and found that the outlet above the 
sink didn't work.  I found the GFI button on it and pushed it.  I then heard 
the sound of a shop vac down in the garage followed by,  "What did you do up 
there because it's fixed now!!"  Apparently, something had tripped the GFI, 
and the shop vac didn't work.

Kevin in Hillsboro, OR
1983 300SD 266Kmi, Ursula 


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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
Remember, this is a cow town in Texas.
Legal action is for my revorery. Personal impact and scaring the shit out of
the crook is for the safety of the community.


On 1/23/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> burly bikers, cops and marines might make an impact.  legal action might
> make an impact.
>
> different things intimidate different people.
>
> 2008/1/23 Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
>
> > I have to make a salute to the hereo mechanics.
> > When I wrecked my engine (Yes I did)  my good buddy, mechanick par
> > exelanće,
> > got kicked out of his shop, moved 50 miles and, lowen behold, got that
> old
> > diesel running, smoking and klackering again.
> > The recent aquaintance is full of shit, took a too big bite of his piza
> > and
> > is now in defense mode.
> > I bet my bottom $ there is no tranny in the car when my snoop goes by
> > there
> > tomorrow.
> > The M16 was just a noble thought.
> > Would you not shoot the lame horse that caried you so far, just to put
> him
> > out of his missery.
> > Right, the bastard does not deserve this noble sction.
> > Boy, I will be bussy to get him out of bussiness after I drive again.
> > Remember, I have bunches of burly biker, cop and USMC friends.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged
> > off
> > > to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever
> > > meeting
> > > come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would
> snap
> > > long
> > > ago.  the shop still keeps your car.
> > >
> > > due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of
> the
> > > sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional
> > business.
> > > as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to
> > > them.
> > > or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy
> cheaper
> > > from us than from the wholesaler.
> > >
> > > i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.
> > >
> > > "yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
> > > "why do you think that?"
> > > "well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be
> the
> > > fuel distributor"
> > > "no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"
> > >
> > > ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but
> > he
> > > has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually
> does
> > > the
> > > work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to
> fix.  car
> > > runs
> > > great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2
> > > hours
> > > of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.
> > >
> > > i cant tell you a one of stories like this.
> > >
> > > auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing
> > with
> > > and pay attention.
> > >
> > > On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Gary; you are right.
> > > > This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
> > > > Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
> > > > Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run
> right.
> > > Took
> > > > it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
> > > > They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their
> > > labor
> > > > and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow
> > truck
> > > > to
> > > > get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the
> alternator.
> > > > After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
> > > > adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
> > > > I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the
> > > > papers.
> > > > "No body here with this name".
> > > > I think it's time to load the M16
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the
> > > victim
> > > > of
> > > > > a
> > > > > con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
> > > > > successfully extort from you.
> > > > >
> > > > > On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > One of the items that alarmed me.
> > > > > > I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no
> longer
> > > > > > accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> > > > > > Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on
> demand.
> > > > > > Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Allan Streib wrote:
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for
> the
> > > > parts
> > > > > > > > they actually installed.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total r

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Gary Hurst
burly bikers, cops and marines might make an impact.  legal action might
make an impact.

different things intimidate different people.

2008/1/23 Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:

> I have to make a salute to the hereo mechanics.
> When I wrecked my engine (Yes I did)  my good buddy, mechanick par
> exelanće,
> got kicked out of his shop, moved 50 miles and, lowen behold, got that old
> diesel running, smoking and klackering again.
> The recent aquaintance is full of shit, took a too big bite of his piza
> and
> is now in defense mode.
> I bet my bottom $ there is no tranny in the car when my snoop goes by
> there
> tomorrow.
> The M16 was just a noble thought.
> Would you not shoot the lame horse that caried you so far, just to put him
> out of his missery.
> Right, the bastard does not deserve this noble sction.
> Boy, I will be bussy to get him out of bussiness after I drive again.
> Remember, I have bunches of burly biker, cop and USMC friends.
>
>
>
>
> On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged
> off
> > to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever
> > meeting
> > come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would snap
> > long
> > ago.  the shop still keeps your car.
> >
> > due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of the
> > sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional
> business.
> > as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to
> > them.
> > or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy cheaper
> > from us than from the wholesaler.
> >
> > i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.
> >
> > "yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
> > "why do you think that?"
> > "well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be the
> > fuel distributor"
> > "no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"
> >
> > ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but
> he
> > has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually does
> > the
> > work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to fix.  car
> > runs
> > great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2
> > hours
> > of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.
> >
> > i cant tell you a one of stories like this.
> >
> > auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing
> with
> > and pay attention.
> >
> > On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > > Gary; you are right.
> > > This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
> > > Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
> > > Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run right.
> > Took
> > > it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
> > > They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their
> > labor
> > > and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow
> truck
> > > to
> > > get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the alternator.
> > > After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
> > > adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
> > > I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the
> > > papers.
> > > "No body here with this name".
> > > I think it's time to load the M16
> > >
> > >
> > > On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the
> > victim
> > > of
> > > > a
> > > > con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
> > > > successfully extort from you.
> > > >
> > > > On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > One of the items that alarmed me.
> > > > > I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
> > > > > accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> > > > > Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
> > > > > Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Allan Streib wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the
> > > parts
> > > > > > > they actually installed.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was
> > > > > delivered
> > > > > > to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the
> totally
> > > > > toasted
> > > > > > bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be
> > his
> > > > > right
> > > > > > in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd
> > opinion
> > > > any
> > > > > > time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to th

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
I have to make a salute to the hereo mechanics.
When I wrecked my engine (Yes I did)  my good buddy, mechanick par exelanće,
got kicked out of his shop, moved 50 miles and, lowen behold, got that old
diesel running, smoking and klackering again.
The recent aquaintance is full of shit, took a too big bite of his piza and
is now in defense mode.
I bet my bottom $ there is no tranny in the car when my snoop goes by there
tomorrow.
The M16 was just a noble thought.
Would you not shoot the lame horse that caried you so far, just to put him
out of his missery.
Right, the bastard does not deserve this noble sction.
Boy, I will be bussy to get him out of bussiness after I drive again.
Remember, I have bunches of burly biker, cop and USMC friends.




On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged off
> to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever
> meeting
> come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would snap
> long
> ago.  the shop still keeps your car.
>
> due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of the
> sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional business.
> as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to
> them.
> or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy cheaper
> from us than from the wholesaler.
>
> i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.
>
> "yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
> "why do you think that?"
> "well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be the
> fuel distributor"
> "no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"
>
> ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but he
> has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually does
> the
> work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to fix.  car
> runs
> great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2
> hours
> of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.
>
> i cant tell you a one of stories like this.
>
> auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing with
> and pay attention.
>
> On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > Gary; you are right.
> > This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
> > Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
> > Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run right.
> Took
> > it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
> > They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their
> labor
> > and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow truck
> > to
> > get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the alternator.
> > After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
> > adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
> > I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the
> > papers.
> > "No body here with this name".
> > I think it's time to load the M16
> >
> >
> > On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the
> victim
> > of
> > > a
> > > con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
> > > successfully extort from you.
> > >
> > > On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > > One of the items that alarmed me.
> > > > I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
> > > > accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> > > > Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
> > > > Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Allan Streib wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the
> > parts
> > > > > > they actually installed.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was
> > > > delivered
> > > > > to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally
> > > > toasted
> > > > > bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be
> his
> > > > right
> > > > > in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
> > > > >
> > > > > The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd
> opinion
> > > any
> > > > > time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that
> > theorem
> > > is
> > > > > that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz
> engine
> > or
> > > > > tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems
> > like
> > > > > if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
> > > > > valve body after they put it in the car.
> > > > >
> > > > > In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable
> > fell
> > > > off.
>

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Timothy Robinson
Gee...

For some reason this reminded me of a story.. as an electrical contractor.

Couple bought a house. After moving in the wife discovered the freezer in
the basement had quit working and the contents had spoiled. (Not a large
loss.) She tells the husband who discovers that none of the electrical
receptacles in that area of the basement were working. The rather "dominant"
wife (SWMBO) incites the husband. Rather than simply look into the
homeowner's warranty, they go straight for the "big guns" and have their
attorney send registered letters to the real estate agents. Communication is
pretty much broken down with no attempt to simply solve the problem first.

The previous owners have moved out of town but the new homeowners try to
engage the original builder with accusations of "faulty wiring" etc. Never
mind that the house now two years old passed all inspections. As a favor to
the general contractor I agreed to make a polite service call just to see if
there was a simple solution. The homeowners wouldn't allow me to enter on
the first trip but insisted that both real estate agents had to be present.
The new homeowners are satisfied with nothing less than "we'll sue!!!"

What did I discover? It was obvious that code would require a GFIC device on
the receptacles with the unfinished concrete floor. I located it hidden
behind stacks of moving boxes. The husband had plugged an extension cord
into an outdoor receptacle which was protected by the same device. When he
had plugged his block heater in on his diesel the frayed cord on the car had
caused the device to trip.

I was amused! All that was necessary was to press the reset button on the
device. Imagine everyone's response, the appetite for "crow" ..his pennance
of having to live with that "barracuda."

What added to the amusement was that the husband didn't realise that the
hard cold morning starts were related to his block heater not getting
electricity and was blaming the mechanic, trying to hold him liable for the
problem with the car.

> From: "Gary Hurst" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List 
> Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:49:32 -0500
> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise
> 
> the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged off
> to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever meeting
> come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would snap long
> ago.  the shop still keeps your car.
> 
> due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of the
> sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional business.
> as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to them.
> or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy cheaper
> from us than from the wholesaler.
> 
> i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.
> 
> "yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
> "why do you think that?"
> "well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be the
> fuel distributor"
> "no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"
> 
> ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but he
> has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually does the
> work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to fix.  car runs
> great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2 hours
> of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.
> 
> i cant tell you a one of stories like this.
> 
> auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing with
> and pay attention.
> 
> On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>> Gary; you are right.
>> This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
>> Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
>> Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run right. Took
>> it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
>> They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their labor
>> and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow truck
>> to
>> get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the alternator.
>> After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
>> adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
>> I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the
>> papers.
>> "No body here with this name".
>> I think it's time to load the M16
>> 
>> 
>> On 1/22/

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Gary Hurst
the M16 just never works out in this modern age.  you just get dragged off
to jail and/or the looney bin.  people you don't even remember ever meeting
come of of the woodwork and tell the news how they knew hans would snap long
ago.  the shop still keeps your car.

due to the bimby business, i have had some contact with mechanics of the
sort who do not actually practice their trade as a professional business.
as they have no tax id number, most wholesale houses will not sell to them.
or perhaps they buy in such small volume that they can still buy cheaper
from us than from the wholesaler.

i've had the following conversation on more than one occassion.

"yeah, i need a fuel distributor for that car i've been working on"
"why do you think that?"
"well, i replaced a, b and c and that didn't fix it, so it has to be the
fuel distributor"
"no it doesn't, but i'll send you one anyway"

ok, so then he installs the fuel distributor and it doesn't help.  but he
has 500 in that part and his customer has 800 in it. so he actually does the
work and really figures out what the problem is.  costs $3 to fix.  car runs
great.  customer has spend $1500 for a part requiring a $3 part and 2 hours
of real diagnostics and thinks his mechanic is a genius.

i cant tell you a one of stories like this.

auto repair is a pretty crooked enterprise.  know who you are dealing with
and pay attention.

On Jan 23, 2008 12:31 AM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Gary; you are right.
> This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
> Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
> Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run right. Took
> it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
> They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their labor
> and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow truck
> to
> get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the alternator.
> After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
> adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
> I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the
> papers.
> "No body here with this name".
> I think it's time to load the M16
>
>
> On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the victim
> of
> > a
> > con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
> > successfully extort from you.
> >
> > On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > > One of the items that alarmed me.
> > > I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
> > > accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> > > Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
> > > Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
> > >
> > >
> > > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Allan Streib wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the
> parts
> > > > > they actually installed.
> > > >
> > > > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was
> > > delivered
> > > > to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally
> > > toasted
> > > > bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be his
> > > right
> > > > in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
> > > >
> > > > The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd opinion
> > any
> > > > time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that
> theorem
> > is
> > > > that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz engine
> or
> > > > tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems
> like
> > > > if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
> > > > valve body after they put it in the car.
> > > >
> > > > In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable
> fell
> > > off.
> > > > 99% chance it would have worked as well as before once the cable was
> > > > fixed.
> > > >
> > > > Mitch.
> > > >
> > > > ___
> > > > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > >
> > > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> > > '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> > > ___
> > > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >
> > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> > >
> > ___
> > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbpart

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
Gary; you are right.
This kind of thing happened to me some 20 years ago.
Alfa Romeo Giulia sprint GT Veloce (what a machine).
Rebuilt the motor, but I could not get the damned thing to run right. Took
it to Forristalls. Drove it there.
They insisted it need s a rebuild. 2 weeks later I had to pay their labor
and expenses, some $ 2500 (in 1986, mind you) and had to get a tow truck to
get it home. They broke the front cover by standing on the alternator.
After I replaced the front engine cover a buddy of mine made a small
adyustmet to the IP rack and the thing took off like a rocket.
I sued. The Court notified me that the Constable could not serve the papers.
"No body here with this name".
I think it's time to load the M16


On 1/22/08, Gary Hurst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the victim of
> a
> con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
> successfully extort from you.
>
> On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > One of the items that alarmed me.
> > I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
> > accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> > Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
> > Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
> >
> >
> > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > > Allan Streib wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts
> > > > they actually installed.
> > >
> > > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was
> > delivered
> > > to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally
> > toasted
> > > bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be his
> > right
> > > in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
> > >
> > > The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd opinion
> any
> > > time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that theorem
> is
> > > that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz engine or
> > > tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems like
> > > if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
> > > valve body after they put it in the car.
> > >
> > > In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable fell
> > off.
> > > 99% chance it would have worked as well as before once the cable was
> > > fixed.
> > >
> > > Mitch.
> > >
> > > ___
> > > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >
> > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> > '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> > ___
> > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com


Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Timothy Robinson
OY! SEARS!  "Slowly I turn"

One of my first "young" experiences was with the local Sears. It seemed a
reasonable place to get a new "DieHard" battery or radial tires. I'd heard
stories, however. Just out of curiousity I put a piece of scotch tape on the
hood so I could tell if it had been opened. I never could figure why they
would need in the engine compartment just to rotate tires.

When I was young there were times I couldn't have afforded a repair except
to charge it on the Sears card. Sometimes there wasn't a choice. I'm sure I
witnessed a lot of alternators and water pumps sold to a lot of unsuspecting
customers.



> From: Loren Faeth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List 
> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:49:32 -0600
> To: Mercedes Discussion List 
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise
> 
> I stopped last summer in to a local trans shop to ask what the charge
> would be to replace a seal.  This is a national chain, owned by part
> of the local JF cult church that has no accounting of the finances to
> its members, but all the "elders" are nouveau riche, popping up
> apartment buildings and commercial buildings like mushrooms in a hot
> wet spring.
> 
> Anyhow, they started this song about they could not replace just one
> seal and how if I left the car they could do an estimate etc  So
> I caught the drift and walked out while I still owned my car.
> 
> I like how Hans said the jerk started talking as if talking to a
> blonde.  This guy was starting the same kind of bluff.
> 
> It is not just local fly by night operators you need to be aware
> of.  Beware the national franchise too.  In fact a family owned local
> shop that has been there for years is more likely (IMHO) to be
> straight than a franchise.
> 
> Any good trans shop should be able to tell you to the penny the cost
> of any job.
> 
> When we lived in Hawaii, I took the escort (Diesel) into Snears to
> get the oil changed because I could not figger out how to get rid of
> the used oil at the time.  This one guy comes out of the shop looking
> like he was going to have to pay for destroying an aircraft carrier..
> all serious... and says he has bad news, and I need to come with him
> into the shop...  (that was my first clue.  Snears was always real
> snitty about not setting foot in the shop)  He shows me the rear
> shocks where he had obviously just squirted oil from a can on them
> and said my shocks were leaking and if I didn't let him replace them
> I was surely going to die.. etc.  I said today is a good day to die,
> and I am NOT paying for new shocks, and please put my car down so I can leave.
> 
> PS:  the same shocks were still on the car and working just fine
> years later when I sold the car.  They still did have oil running
> down the outside, caked in dirt. (still from the squirtcan)
> 
> At 10:31 PM 1/22/2008, you wrote:
>> this is not the story i've heard like this.  i know someone whose car was
>> similarly kidnapped by a transmission shop.  i wonder if they have some sort
>> of professional journal or something similar that is advocating this con.
>> 
>> she has a modern xj8 that was not shifting to her satisfaction so she
>> brought it in to a local big transmission place for their "free"
>> evaluation.  the explaned how they see this all the time and it can be fixed
>> for a few hundred dollars.
>> 
>> then it turns out that upon further study that the transmission is totally
>> hosed beyond any repair and $4k would be required for a new tranny. she
>> figured that at this figure she really needed to get a second opinion and
>> explained that she was coming to pick up the car.
>> 
>> then the fun started.  the shop explained that the car that she had driven
>> in could not be driven out as the transmission had been disassembled as part
>> of the diagnostics and labor for this disassembly and reassembly would be
>> $1700.  should she not pay that amount, not only would she not be given back
>> the car, but a mechanic's lien would be filed.
>> 
>> she then hired an attorney and now is trying to recover her car via this
>> attorney.
>> 
>> we live in a world of thieves.  know who you are dealing with in any
>> transaction.
>> 
>> On Jan 22, 2008 9:23 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> 
>>> >> *All verbal*
>>> 
>>> >> *No
>>> *
>>> >> *It's locked up in their shop.
>>> *
>>> >> to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
>>> the car to verify the

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Timothy Robinson
Many years ago a roomate had a similar predicament.

The outcome? He became angry. Communication broke down. He began making
nuisance telephone calls to interrupt their business. The transmission shop
had the calls traced to the office where David worked and sent the police...
it was a nasty (childish) mess, both parties to blame.

I wound up stepping in and simply agreeing to pay the bill for David (he
actually couldn't afford to pay for the additional expense the transmission
shop "ran into") and overseeing the shop to get the car back on the road.
They put the car back together and the roomate traded it a week later.

The only person who was "unhappy" was me for I was out the money. Roomate
never paid me back. (Was not too much longer a roomate. The trade also put
him further upside-down into debt.)

I can appreciate the inconvenience and expense involved with a repair. I can
also appreciate a mechanic's position for he doesn't know what he'll run
into. The shop shouldn't have to "eat" the additional costs involved. They
wouldn't be in business for long, would they? Who's responsible for the time
and labor involved with dissembling and reassembling just to discover what
is wrong and if you intend to have it fixed?

My experience has been to carefully check out the "reputations" and Better
Business Bureau reports before I trust to have work done. Once I find (I
have a good trusted indy) a good mechanic I make sure that we maintain that
trusting relationship. I also know that he has to make a profit to stay in
business. AND, I want a trusted professional to STAY in business!

On another note, I saw a 300SD for sale last year that seemed interesting.
I discovered that the owner had put the car in the shop for repairs which
either were never done or he couldn't afford. The owner was trying to sell
the car but the mechanic was wanting to collect monies for the work he had
completed and for the months of "storage" that the car had sat in his
garage. Rather than get involved I walked away.
 

> From: "Gary Hurst" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Reply-To: Mercedes Discussion List 
> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:31:01 -0500
> To: "Mercedes Discussion List" 
> Subject: Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise
> 
> this is not the story i've heard like this.  i know someone whose car was
> similarly kidnapped by a transmission shop.  i wonder if they have some sort
> of professional journal or something similar that is advocating this con.
> 
> she has a modern xj8 that was not shifting to her satisfaction so she
> brought it in to a local big transmission place for their "free"
> evaluation.  the explaned how they see this all the time and it can be fixed
> for a few hundred dollars.
> 
> then it turns out that upon further study that the transmission is totally
> hosed beyond any repair and $4k would be required for a new tranny. she
> figured that at this figure she really needed to get a second opinion and
> explained that she was coming to pick up the car.
> 
> then the fun started.  the shop explained that the car that she had driven
> in could not be driven out as the transmission had been disassembled as part
> of the diagnostics and labor for this disassembly and reassembly would be
> $1700.  should she not pay that amount, not only would she not be given back
> the car, but a mechanic's lien would be filed.
> 
> she then hired an attorney and now is trying to recover her car via this
> attorney.
> 
> we live in a world of thieves.  know who you are dealing with in any
> transaction.
> 
> On Jan 22, 2008 9:23 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>> > *All verbal*
>> 
>> > *No
>> *
>> > *It's locked up in their shop.
>> *
>> > to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
>> the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
>> them that the tranny was toast.
>> *Not that simple. It was a Junk Yard tranny, so I trusted them to say it's
>> toast and agreed for a rebuild. Price is not an argument. Getting them to
>> deliver is the problem.*
>> *First I was confident but than encountered Lies, Excuses and Smoke
>> Screens
>> (reason for delay: Fine tuning the valve body because it will not shift in
>> 3rd?). That got me to question their integrity. Now I am the bad guy and
>> can't get my car back.*
>> 
>> On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Hans Neureiter wrote:
>>>> At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
>>>> rebuild for $ 2100.
>>> 

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Loren Faeth
I stopped last summer in to a local trans shop to ask what the charge 
would be to replace a seal.  This is a national chain, owned by part 
of the local JF cult church that has no accounting of the finances to 
its members, but all the "elders" are nouveau riche, popping up 
apartment buildings and commercial buildings like mushrooms in a hot 
wet spring.

Anyhow, they started this song about they could not replace just one 
seal and how if I left the car they could do an estimate etc  So 
I caught the drift and walked out while I still owned my car.

I like how Hans said the jerk started talking as if talking to a 
blonde.  This guy was starting the same kind of bluff.

It is not just local fly by night operators you need to be aware 
of.  Beware the national franchise too.  In fact a family owned local 
shop that has been there for years is more likely (IMHO) to be 
straight than a franchise.

Any good trans shop should be able to tell you to the penny the cost 
of any job.

When we lived in Hawaii, I took the escort (Diesel) into Snears to 
get the oil changed because I could not figger out how to get rid of 
the used oil at the time.  This one guy comes out of the shop looking 
like he was going to have to pay for destroying an aircraft carrier.. 
all serious... and says he has bad news, and I need to come with him 
into the shop...  (that was my first clue.  Snears was always real 
snitty about not setting foot in the shop)  He shows me the rear 
shocks where he had obviously just squirted oil from a can on them 
and said my shocks were leaking and if I didn't let him replace them 
I was surely going to die.. etc.  I said today is a good day to die, 
and I am NOT paying for new shocks, and please put my car down so I can leave.

PS:  the same shocks were still on the car and working just fine 
years later when I sold the car.  They still did have oil running 
down the outside, caked in dirt. (still from the squirtcan)

At 10:31 PM 1/22/2008, you wrote:
>this is not the story i've heard like this.  i know someone whose car was
>similarly kidnapped by a transmission shop.  i wonder if they have some sort
>of professional journal or something similar that is advocating this con.
>
>she has a modern xj8 that was not shifting to her satisfaction so she
>brought it in to a local big transmission place for their "free"
>evaluation.  the explaned how they see this all the time and it can be fixed
>for a few hundred dollars.
>
>then it turns out that upon further study that the transmission is totally
>hosed beyond any repair and $4k would be required for a new tranny. she
>figured that at this figure she really needed to get a second opinion and
>explained that she was coming to pick up the car.
>
>then the fun started.  the shop explained that the car that she had driven
>in could not be driven out as the transmission had been disassembled as part
>of the diagnostics and labor for this disassembly and reassembly would be
>$1700.  should she not pay that amount, not only would she not be given back
>the car, but a mechanic's lien would be filed.
>
>she then hired an attorney and now is trying to recover her car via this
>attorney.
>
>we live in a world of thieves.  know who you are dealing with in any
>transaction.
>
>On Jan 22, 2008 9:23 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> >  > *All verbal*
> >
> >  > *No
> > *
> >  > *It's locked up in their shop.
> > *
> >  > to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
> > the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
> > them that the tranny was toast.
> > *Not that simple. It was a Junk Yard tranny, so I trusted them to say it's
> > toast and agreed for a rebuild. Price is not an argument. Getting them to
> > deliver is the problem.*
> > *First I was confident but than encountered Lies, Excuses and Smoke
> > Screens
> > (reason for delay: Fine tuning the valve body because it will not shift in
> > 3rd?). That got me to question their integrity. Now I am the bad guy and
> > can't get my car back.*
> >
> > On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > > > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> > > > rebuild for $ 2100.
> > >
> > > Time to run, run, run.  If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
> > > you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
> > >
> > > Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
> > > tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
> > > out of date anyway.
> > >
> > > ___
> > > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >
> > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Hans Neureiter, Housto

Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Mitch Haley

> You might find out what the restrictions on recording a telephone
> conversation are. I don't recall what they are in Texas.

I believe that Texas is one of the reasonable states where if one
party to the conversation is aware of the recording it's OK.
In most of the 'all party' notification states, you are still
allowed to record in order to preserve proof of an illegal act. 
Mitch.

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Gary Hurst
we all know, hans, that you are being robbed.  you have been the victim of a
con and will probably need legal help to thwart their attempts to
successfully extort from you.

On Jan 22, 2008 9:47 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> One of the items that alarmed me.
> I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
> accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
> Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
> Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
>
>
> On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > Allan Streib wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts
> > > they actually installed.
> >
> > I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was
> delivered
> > to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally
> toasted
> > bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be his
> right
> > in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
> >
> > The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd opinion any
> > time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that theorem is
> > that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz engine or
> > tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems like
> > if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
> > valve body after they put it in the car.
> >
> > In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable fell
> off.
> > 99% chance it would have worked as well as before once the cable was
> > fixed.
> >
> > Mitch.
> >
> > ___
> > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Gary Hurst
this is not the story i've heard like this.  i know someone whose car was
similarly kidnapped by a transmission shop.  i wonder if they have some sort
of professional journal or something similar that is advocating this con.

she has a modern xj8 that was not shifting to her satisfaction so she
brought it in to a local big transmission place for their "free"
evaluation.  the explaned how they see this all the time and it can be fixed
for a few hundred dollars.

then it turns out that upon further study that the transmission is totally
hosed beyond any repair and $4k would be required for a new tranny. she
figured that at this figure she really needed to get a second opinion and
explained that she was coming to pick up the car.

then the fun started.  the shop explained that the car that she had driven
in could not be driven out as the transmission had been disassembled as part
of the diagnostics and labor for this disassembly and reassembly would be
$1700.  should she not pay that amount, not only would she not be given back
the car, but a mechanic's lien would be filed.

she then hired an attorney and now is trying to recover her car via this
attorney.

we live in a world of thieves.  know who you are dealing with in any
transaction.

On Jan 22, 2008 9:23 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  *All verbal*
>
>  *No
> *
>  *It's locked up in their shop.
> *
>  to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
> the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
> them that the tranny was toast.
> *Not that simple. It was a Junk Yard tranny, so I trusted them to say it's
> toast and agreed for a rebuild. Price is not an argument. Getting them to
> deliver is the problem.*
> *First I was confident but than encountered Lies, Excuses and Smoke
> Screens
> (reason for delay: Fine tuning the valve body because it will not shift in
> 3rd?). That got me to question their integrity. Now I am the bad guy and
> can't get my car back.*
>
> On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> > > rebuild for $ 2100.
> >
> > Time to run, run, run.  If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
> > you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
> >
> > Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
> > tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
> > out of date anyway.
> >
> > ___
> > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Craig McCluskey
On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:25:23 -0600 "Hans Neureiter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:

> Good Idea, Luther.
> 
> On 1/22/08, Luther - laptop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > I'd call the guy back, get him fired up and threatening you again, and
> > record the conversation.  Take that to the police and press charges.

You might find out what the restrictions on recording a telephone
conversation are. I don't recall what they are in Texas.


Craig

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
So far I am only out of transportation. I have not gotten anything, nor have
I payd.
My propblem is, I have nothing to drive because some asshole ripp-off.
And I may not for a long time.
The shop promised a 2 year unlimited warranty if I ever get what I ordered.
"We do the job right and stay behind it".
They stay behind it so far... behind..and behind...
My suspision is they don't have a transmission yet. Shithead tried to sweet
talk me like I'm a blonde (no offense anyone) and found out he got a tough
one. Now he is a jerk.
Hope that's all it is.


On 1/22/08, Loren Faeth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Find a good lawyer first.  You might ask about "what -if" you paid
> the bill, got the car and then filed a claim in small claims court to
> recover your losses.  I think you should demand the old trans so it
> can be diagnosed.  Hope you put some identifying center punch marks
> on it before it went to the shop.  That way if the "new" transmission
> has the same marks, you've got em!
>
> You'd have to pay a core charge for the old trans, but any reputable
> rebuilder gives 30 days to return the core and get your money back.
>
> At 06:44 PM 1/22/2008, you wrote:
>
>
> >Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> > > rebuild for $ 2100.
> >
> >Time to run, run, run. They haven't hooked up the cable like you agreed
> >to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
> >the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
> >them that the tranny was toast. If you were going to pay $2k for a
> tranny,
> >you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
> >
> >How much did you agree to pay in writing?
> >Is your car where you can get to it?
> >Did you give those morons your only key?
> >Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
> >tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
> >out of date anyway.
> >
> >___
> >http://www.okiebenz.com
> >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>
> Loren Faeth
>
>
> ___
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>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
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>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Loren Faeth
Find a good lawyer first.  You might ask about "what -if" you paid 
the bill, got the car and then filed a claim in small claims court to 
recover your losses.  I think you should demand the old trans so it 
can be diagnosed.  Hope you put some identifying center punch marks 
on it before it went to the shop.  That way if the "new" transmission 
has the same marks, you've got em!

You'd have to pay a core charge for the old trans, but any reputable 
rebuilder gives 30 days to return the core and get your money back.

At 06:44 PM 1/22/2008, you wrote:


>Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> > rebuild for $ 2100.
>
>Time to run, run, run. They haven't hooked up the cable like you agreed
>to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
>the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
>them that the tranny was toast. If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
>you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
>
>How much did you agree to pay in writing?
>Is your car where you can get to it?
>Did you give those morons your only key?
>Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
>tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
>out of date anyway.
>
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Loren Faeth 


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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread OK Don
Sounds like that's where you're at now -

> Time for a lawyer and a rental car.
>

-- 
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics."
-Benjamin Disraeli and/or Mark Twain
'90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
Most of Katy is in Harris, as all of Houston is.

On 1/22/08, OK Don <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Just looked up Katy on the map - you sure are right at the
> intersection of three counties! Is Houston in Harris County as well?
>
> On Jan 22, 2008 8:40 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > People ask me why I do my own car repairs.
> > Allan, that's what I did as long as I was able. Everytime I entrustes
> > someone else to do it for me I got screwed. Royally (and again).
> > I have a "Spy" check out the situation tomorow. See what, if anything
> they
> > did to my baby (chalopy).
> > Katy is a small town, spreading in to 3 counties (makes it difficult to
> find
> > the proper authorities).
> > As a newcomber I now find out from locals that the shop has a
> "reputation".
> > I have a bunch of biker friends, some of which are cops. I get help
> sooner
> > or later.
>
>
> --
> OK Don, KD5NRO
> Norman, OK
> "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics."
> -Benjamin Disraeli and/or Mark Twain
> '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager
>
> ___
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> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
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'82 300SD, '95 E300D
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
One of the items that alarmed me.
I asked for the used parts last Thursday: "but they are no longer
accessible. Discarded. Should have asked me earlier".
Texas law requires the shop to have the parts available on demand.
Time for a lawyer and a rental car.


On 1/22/08, Mitch Haley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Allan Streib wrote:
> >
> >
> > Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts
> > they actually installed.
>
> I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was delivered
> to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally toasted
> bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be his right
> in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict.
>
> The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd opinion any
> time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that theorem is
> that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz engine or
> tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems like
> if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
> valve body after they put it in the car.
>
> In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable fell off.
> 99% chance it would have worked as well as before once the cable was
> fixed.
>
> Mitch.
>
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread OK Don
Just looked up Katy on the map - you sure are right at the
intersection of three counties! Is Houston in Harris County as well?

On Jan 22, 2008 8:40 PM, Hans Neureiter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> People ask me why I do my own car repairs.
> Allan, that's what I did as long as I was able. Everytime I entrustes
> someone else to do it for me I got screwed. Royally (and again).
> I have a "Spy" check out the situation tomorow. See what, if anything they
> did to my baby (chalopy).
> Katy is a small town, spreading in to 3 counties (makes it difficult to find
> the proper authorities).
> As a newcomber I now find out from locals that the shop has a "reputation".
> I have a bunch of biker friends, some of which are cops. I get help sooner
> or later.


-- 
OK Don, KD5NRO
Norman, OK
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics."
-Benjamin Disraeli and/or Mark Twain
'90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC, '97 Ply Grand Voyager

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
People ask me why I do my own car repairs.
Allan, that's what I did as long as I was able. Everytime I entrustes
someone else to do it for me I got screwed. Royally (and again).
I have a "Spy" check out the situation tomorow. See what, if anything they
did to my baby (chalopy).
Katy is a small town, spreading in to 3 counties (makes it difficult to find
the proper authorities).
As a newcomber I now find out from locals that the shop has a "reputation".
I have a bunch of biker friends, some of which are cops. I get help sooner
or later.

On 1/22/08, Allan Streib <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> Tough situation, if you can get the car get it.  push it out, have it
> towed.
>
> Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts
> they actually installed.
>
> Allan
>
> On Jan 22, 2008, at 7:31 PM, Hans Neureiter wrote:
>
> > You missed the point.
> > I have not payed a penny, yet.
> > But it also obvious that I don't have a car.
> > And it is uncerten if I will in the near future.
> >
> >
> > On 1/22/08, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >>
> >> If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault
> >> charges.
> >> If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want
> >> that price,
> >> there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's
> >> bureau of automotive repair.
> >>
> >> As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording
> >> it, so
> >> unless
> >> you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.
> >>
> >> On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
> >>> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the
> >> charges.
> >>> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
> >>>
> >>> Questions to the people:
> >>>
> >>> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts
> >> costs
> >>> are payd (in Texas)?
> >>>
> >>> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to
> >> produce
> >>> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
> >>>
> >>> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
> >>>
> >>> 4) How do I get my car back?
> >>
> >> ___
> >> http://www.okiebenz.com
> >> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> >> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>
> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> >> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> > '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> > ___
> > http://www.okiebenz.com
> > For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> > For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> > http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Mitch Haley
Allan Streib wrote:
> 
> 
> Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts
> they actually installed.

I'd sure want to see proof of the MBZ total rebuild kit that was delivered
to them while they had Han's car. I'd also like to see the totally toasted
bands/clutch disks that came out of the car. The latter would be his right
in Michigan, but I think TX is a bit less strict. 

The moral of the story is take it to another shop for a 2nd opinion any
time somebody wants to rebuild your tranny. Corrolary to that theorem is
that there a lot more people who think they can build a Benz engine or
tranny than there are people who can actually get it right. Seems like
if they did the bench work right they wouldn't be messing with the
valve body after they put it in the car. 

In this case, the tranny apparently worked until a control cable fell off.
99% chance it would have worked as well as before once the cable was fixed. 

Mitch.

___
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
Good Idea, Luther.

On 1/22/08, Luther - laptop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I'd call the guy back, get him fired up and threatening you again, and
> record the conversation.  Take that to the police and press charges.
>
> Luther
>
> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:54:36 -0600, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault
> > charges.
> > If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want that
> > price,
> > there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's
> > bureau of automotive repair.
> >
> > As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording it, so
> > unless
> > you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
> >> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the
> >> charges.
> >> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
> >>
> >> Questions to the people:
> >>
> >> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts
> >> costs
> >> are payd (in Texas)?
> >>
> >> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to
> >> produce
> >> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
> >>
> >> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
> >>
> >> 4) How do I get my car back?
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Luther   KB5QHUAlma, Ark
> '87 300SDL (272,xxx mi) head case
> '85 Ford F250 6.9 diesel (x58,xxx mi)
> '82 300CD (170 kmi)
> '82 300D  (74 kmi) getting donor engine-sold
> '85 300D (280,176) parts car sans engine
>
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Allan Streib
People ask me why I do my own car repairs.

Tough situation, if you can get the car get it.  push it out, have it  
towed.

Possession is 9/10 of the law.  Then negotiate payment for the parts  
they actually installed.

Allan

On Jan 22, 2008, at 7:31 PM, Hans Neureiter wrote:

> You missed the point.
> I have not payed a penny, yet.
> But it also obvious that I don't have a car.
> And it is uncerten if I will in the near future.
>
>
> On 1/22/08, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>> If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault
>> charges.
>> If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want  
>> that price,
>> there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's
>> bureau of automotive repair.
>>
>> As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording  
>> it, so
>> unless
>> you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
>>> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the
>> charges.
>>> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
>>>
>>> Questions to the people:
>>>
>>> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts
>> costs
>>> are payd (in Texas)?
>>>
>>> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to
>> produce
>>> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
>>>
>>> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
>>>
>>> 4) How do I get my car back?
>>
>> ___
>> http://www.okiebenz.com
>> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
>> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
>> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
> '82 300SD, '95 E300D
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com

___
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
 wrote:
>
>
>
> Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> > rebuild for $ 2100.
>
> Time to run, run, run.  If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
> you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.
>
> Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
> tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
> out of date anyway.
>
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Luther - laptop
I'd call the guy back, get him fired up and threatening you again, and  
record the conversation.  Take that to the police and press charges.

Luther

On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:54:36 -0600, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault  
> charges.
> If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want that  
> price,
> there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's
> bureau of automotive repair.
>
> As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording it, so  
> unless
> you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.
>
> On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
>> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the  
>> charges.
>> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
>>
>> Questions to the people:
>>
>> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts  
>> costs
>> are payd (in Texas)?
>>
>> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to  
>> produce
>> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
>>
>> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
>>
>> 4) How do I get my car back?
>



-- 
Luther   KB5QHUAlma, Ark
'87 300SDL (272,xxx mi) head case
'85 Ford F250 6.9 diesel (x58,xxx mi)
'82 300CD (170 kmi)
'82 300D  (74 kmi) getting donor engine-sold
'85 300D (280,176) parts car sans engine

___
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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Mitch Haley


Hans Neureiter wrote:
> At 5:00 PM I got a call saying the tranny is trashed and needs a total
> rebuild for $ 2100.

Time to run, run, run. They haven't hooked up the cable like you agreed
to pay them for, they don't even have the cable, and you didn't look at
the car to verify the cable was linked up right before you agreed with
them that the tranny was toast. If you were going to pay $2k for a tranny,
you'd buy it from Rusty and have somebody reputable install it for you.

How much did you agree to pay in writing?
Is your car where you can get to it?
Did you give those morons your only key?
Time to do some searching on the state gov't web page, anything I
tell you about Michigan law wouldn't be applicable and might be
out of date anyway.

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Hans Neureiter
You missed the point.
I have not payed a penny, yet.
But it also obvious that I don't have a car.
And it is uncerten if I will in the near future.


On 1/22/08, Kevin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault
> charges.
> If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want that price,
> there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's
> bureau of automotive repair.
>
> As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording it, so
> unless
> you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.
>
> On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
> > After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the
> charges.
> > I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
> >
> > Questions to the people:
> >
> > 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts
> costs
> > are payd (in Texas)?
> >
> > 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to
> produce
> > a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
> >
> > 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
> >
> > 4) How do I get my car back?
>
> ___
> http://www.okiebenz.com
> For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
> For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
> http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
>



-- 
Hans Neureiter, Houston, TX
'82 300SD, '95 E300D
___
http://www.okiebenz.com
For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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Re: [MBZ] Mechanics lean - need advise

2008-01-22 Thread Kevin
If this was california, about all you'd be able to do is file assault charges.
If you agreed to a price, and they performed the work and want that price,
there isn't much the law can do to help you. Might call your state's 
bureau of automotive repair.

As far as your cell conversation, nobody will admit to recording it, so unless
you recorded it yourself, it didn't happen.

On Tue, Jan 22, 2008 at 05:47:48PM -0600, Hans Neureiter wrote:
> After I put my car in a shop, in good faith and willing to pay the charges.
> I wind up being acused of being intolerant, drunk and poligerant.
> 
> Questions to the people:
> 
> 1) Mechanics Lean says they own the title until all labor and parts costs
> are payd (in Texas)?
> 
> 2) Customers rights ? What is a reasonable time for a repair shop to produce
> a service? (Lemon Law / Deceptive Trade Practices)?
> 
> 3) Where can I get a transcript of my Cell conversations?
> 
> 4) How do I get my car back?

___
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For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/
For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
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