Dilemma - Parts Mixup

[Traditional_Ale]

Dilemma

A dilemma (Greek δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two solutions or possibilities, of which none are practically acceptable.

So I've been fixing up my new-used truck, and I was able to save a lot of money using some connections through work to get a great deal on parts. Everything went smoothly for a great price on great parts. Then later in the day I get a call from my mechanic saying that I had given him the wrong shocks.

Now my truck is up on the lift at this point and it would cost more in labour to stop, get the right parts and finish later than it would be to purchase the shocks through the mechanic. Not to mention I needed the vehicle back the same day.

By the time I return the wrong shocks to the store and get a refund, run my numbers, the mechanic took $80 in profit on the parts. I do not consider this unfair for the quality of work and the labour price.

However, because of the part shops mess-up I am out $80 that I went to measures to specifically avoid. Given the nature of the business (the truck being on the lift when the discovery of wrong parts is made) I feel this is very tough to just take the hit on.

I don't want to be a dweeb, because, well, s*** happens and everyone is allowed make mistakes, but in this case its cost me $80 I really could have used, considering I just dropped $500 in repairs into the truck. I want to just let it go, but it pisses me off to no end.

Should I bring this up with the parts store? My store and theirs are good clients of each other and as such was able to get a great deal on my personal vehicle. I don't want to sour that, but damn that $80 stings...

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Dilemma

A dilemma (Greek δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two solutions or possibilities, of which none are practically acceptable.

So I've been fixing up my new-used truck, and I was able to save a lot of money using some connections through work to get a great deal on parts. Everything went smoothly for a great price on great parts. Then later in the day I get a call from my mechanic saying that I had given him the wrong shocks.

Now my truck is up on the lift at this point and it would cost more in labour to stop, get the right parts and finish later than it would be to purchase the shocks through the mechanic. Not to mention I needed the vehicle back the same day.

By the time I return the wrong shocks to the store and get a refund, run my numbers, the mechanic took $80 in profit on the parts. I do not consider this unfair for the quality of work and the labour price.

However, because of the part shops mess-up I am out $80 that I went to measures to specifically avoid. Given the nature of the business (the truck being on the lift when the discovery of wrong parts is made) I feel this is very tough to just take the hit on.

I don't want to be a dweeb, because, well, s*** happens and everyone is allowed make mistakes, but in this case its cost me $80 I really could have used, considering I just dropped $500 in repairs into the truck. I want to just let it go, but it pisses me off to no end.

Should I bring this up with the parts store? My store and theirs are good clients of each other and as such was able to get a great deal on my personal vehicle. I don't want to sour that, but damn that $80 stings...

Sh1t happens.. Thats happens occasionally when supplying your own parts to save money. Normally the mechanic would eat the loss, instead you are.

[Prototype]

What would you expect from a shop? They're not in the business to give you a deal, they're in the business to gouge you, and make you think they did you a service.

I took my car in cause my break lights weren't working. I tested all the lights myself, and the lights themselves were fine. They said it was an easy fix, that one of the lights needed to be replaced, and it cost me like $75 (more labour than anything else).

Get back onto Deerfoot, and what's this? Break lights still not working, what a surprise...

I told them the first time that I thought it was some switch at the break itself that was faulty, but they wanted to fix the light. I wanted them to refund the labour, as they refunded the part, but their logic was they still did the work, they should be paid for it. Plus, they charged me for the labour to fix the actual problem.

I'm sure they sit there and wonder why they have the reputation they have.

Long story short... I think you're SOL, unless the parts store you deal with are amazingly nice people.

[Gozer]

Where's the dilemma?

[ken0042]

I'd mention it to the parts store, but not expect anything back.

You are lucky the mechanic didn't charge you more- there's nothing worse than having your work slowed because of some failure of a customer supplied part; which is outside of your control.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Where's the dilemma?

Don't want to be a dweeb about the mix up because I know how I'd feel if it was reversed. But I hate how someone else's mistake has cost me.

[Nancy]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

So I've been fixing up my new-used truck, and I was able to save a lot of money using some connections through work to get a great deal on parts. Everything went smoothly for a great price on great parts. Then later in the day I get a call from my mechanic saying that I had given him the wrong shocks.

Gratitude is a lost art.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Don't want to be a dweeb about the mix up because I know how I'd feel if it was reversed. But I hate how someone else's mistake has cost me.

A dilemma (Greek δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two solutions or possibilities, of which none are practically acceptable.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Garages don't like when you bring your own stuff for replacement, its like going to a restaurant with your own food and get them to cook it for you for 10 bucks. Sometimes they tell the customer they brought the wrong part, eventhough the part is the right one, to force them to purchase parts from them.

If you post both the "correct" shock number and "wrong" shock number I can run them through our catalogue to see if they match or not.

[Traditional_Ale]

^= At Gozer:

Exactly. Damned if I do something (look like a cheap-ass), damned if I don't (feel like someone else wasted my money).

Gratitude is a lost art.

If I wasn't grateful I would have already made a deal over it. I've already returned the wrong shocks and didn't say anything.

Garages don't like when you bring your own stuff for replacement, its like going to a restaurant with your own food and get them to cook it for you for 10 bucks. Sometimes they tell the customer they brought the wrong part, eventhough the part is the right one, to force them to purchase parts from them.

He's been the long-term mechanic for my company and is very fair. My boss has been bringing his own parts to him for vehicles for a long time I guess.

I guess this situation is what I would call the fiscal equivalent of a nasty hornet sting.