I had an issue come up recently and was wondering how others have handled something like this. Looking for advice or experiences.
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If it’s really that simple, why not just handle it yourself? People always expect the world for free but don’t want to lift a finger.
A lot of businesses try to be helpful, but it sounds like this person was expecting miracles. Sometimes it’s just not possible to make everyone happy no matter how hard you try.
It’s frustrating when people don’t value the service. If you can’t or won’t do it yourself, then there’s clearly a need for the work.
Sometimes I’ll do small, quick jobs for free, especially for good customers or if I have time. But if someone’s being rude or takes advantage, I’ll charge them or even tell them to come back later when we’re less busy. People forget that these ‘easy’ jobs can add up and eat into your schedule.
If this was about a motorcycle, adjusting a fender might not take long, but a lot of shops are on tight schedules. Also, if this person is known for only asking for freebies and never paying for anything, the shop might just decide it’s not worth the hassle anymore. Nobody likes feeling used.
There’s a big difference between asking politely if they can take a look when they have time and walking in expecting immediate service for free.
One way gets a ‘Sure, it’s quick, no charge.’ The other way gets a ‘We’re busy, come back later, and that’ll be $70.’
To the reviewer: I’m sorry this didn’t meet your expectations. We always try to provide great service, but our technicians have packed schedules. They’re skilled workers who deserve fair pay for their time, and that means we can’t always do things for free.
If you’re willing to support a local business that values honest work, we’d love to see you again. If not, we wish you the best in finding what you need elsewhere.
Thanks for the feedback,
-Owner
As a mechanic, I kind of agree with the reviewer. Some quick jobs really shouldn’t cost anything, especially if it takes less than a minute. But I also get that shops often think short term and focus on charging for every service. It’s a tough balance to find.
@Vern
Yeah, but then they’ll come back next time asking for a ‘quick free diagnostic.’
Addison said:
@Vern
Yeah, but then they’ll come back next time asking for a ‘quick free diagnostic.’
And that’s when you say no. Diagnostics cost money because the tools are expensive. Just because someone might ask for more later doesn’t mean every small thing has to be charged upfront.
@Ari
True, but then you’ll get the same arguments like, ‘It’s just a computer, can’t you plug it in?’ or, ‘Anyone can download the software.’ At the end of the day, it depends on the shop and how they handle things.
@Vern
Doing something for free should be a favor, not an expectation. If someone walks in and demands it, that’s a problem. But if it’s a slow day or a regular customer, sure, why not? It’s about mutual respect. Some people just don’t understand that.