I think I may choose a mechanic today based on their waiting room

SBmini · January 2015

DH does all of the work on my car. But he's leaving today to visit his sister 5 hours away. He was supposed to take my car, but when he turned it on this morning it was misfiring and the check engine light was on. I think it's something fairly simple to fix, like a coil pack, that a shop can take care of in an hour or so. So I'm planning on waiting for it.

I found two potential shops. One is an import shop with 40 good yelp reviews- but it doesn't have a legitimate waiting room. It has one couch at the place where customers check in. The other is a BMW-specific place with a full waiting room with beverages and leather couches but only 6 reviews. Am I crazy to take it to the place with better waiting room?

SBmini · January 2015

But look at it!!!

vs

cupcait927 · January 2015

When it comes to a car, I would pick the place with 40 good reviews even though it doesn't have an awesome waiting room.

flyingfoxes · January 2015

I'd go with the better reviewed place too - if it's only an hour it's easily doable.

SBmini · January 2015

I don't know for sure if it will be an hour- I need to call both when they open. I do feel that the BMW specific place will be able to do the work faster, and more likely have the parts on hand. I have to ask about wifi too when I call, because that may influence the decision.

ShesSoCold · January 2015

SBmini said:

I don't know for sure if it will be an hour- I need to call both when they open. I do feel that the BMW specific place will be able to do the work faster, and more likely have the parts on hand. I have to ask about wifi too when I call, because that may influence the decision.

Wifi and nice waiting rooms have no impact on the service they do on a car.

I would definitely pick the place with more reviews and better reviews. But honestly, if they had equal reviews, I might pick the shittier looking place because I'd assume the other was charging me too much money so they can afford a pretty waiting room and wifi.

SBmini · January 2015

ShesSoCold said:

SBmini said:

I don't know for sure if it will be an hour- I need to call both when they open. I do feel that the BMW specific place will be able to do the work faster, and more likely have the parts on hand. I have to ask about wifi too when I call, because that may influence the decision.

Wifi and nice waiting rooms have no impact on the service they do on a car.

I would definitely pick the place with more reviews and better reviews. But honestly, if they had equal reviews, I might pick the shittier looking place because I'd assume the other was charging me too much money so they can afford a pretty waiting room and wifi.

Of course it doesn't. I'm very aware of what things cost and what this problem may be. So I'm not afraid of being taken advantage of or ripped off regardless of which shop I choose.

mrsk616 · January 2015

SBmini said:

I don't know for sure if it will be an hour- I need to call both when they open. I do feel that the BMW specific place will be able to do the work faster, and more likely have the parts on hand. I have to ask about wifi too when I call, because that may influence the decision.

go to the bmw specific place because what is wrong could be under warranty and could be fixed for free. if the bmw place a legit dealership they will have wifi.

blabla89 · January 2015

ShesSoCold said:

SBmini said:

I don't know for sure if it will be an hour- I need to call both when they open. I do feel that the BMW specific place will be able to do the work faster, and more likely have the parts on hand. I have to ask about wifi too when I call, because that may influence the decision.

Wifi and nice waiting rooms have no impact on the service they do on a car.

I would definitely pick the place with more reviews and better reviews. But honestly, if they had equal reviews, I might pick the shittier looking place because I'd assume the other was charging me too much money so they can afford a pretty waiting room and wifi.

Agree. My dad always told me to take my car to a "good old boy" shop that doesn't have any frills, and that advice has always served me well, but I don't know if that applies to BMWs.

Definitely go for the one with more reviews.

jenna8984 · January 2015

My brother went to UTI (mechanic school) and he decided he didn't enjoy it, so now he's a car salesman. But he knows tons of friends in the industry, so he told me to go see his master mechanic friend last weekend to get my tensioner & belts replaced. It's a decent job that takes about 3 hours. So since, he's friends with my bro, he told me to come in Saturday after they closed and he'd do it off the books just for side money for himself (fine with me!). Funny thing is, the waiting room was just like the crappier one you posted.......and I was like wow, this is NICE!! So many places around here have plastic cafeteria chairs and no tv, so I was impressed with the couch, tv, and drinks that looked just like your second picture hahaha.

Good luck, hope it's quick and relatively inexpensive.

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

Yeah... the second picture is MUCH fancier than what I'm used to at mechanics. I would go with them, simply because their waiting room is plenty fine enough for me. Bring a book, it's only an hour.

Unless there is a major difference between the general import shop's knowledge and the BMW-specific knowledge. My dad says that often, brand-specific shops get to where they do their work from memory and not by the book, which can lead to mistakes, where a more general shop will be doing things closer to "by the book" since they work on lots of different engines.

Of course, my dad often just makes shit up as he sees it, so there's that.

maeday2 · January 2015

jenna8984 said:

My brother went to UTI (mechanic school) and he decided he didn't enjoy it, so now he's a car salesman. But he knows tons of friends in the industry, so he told me to go see his master mechanic friend last weekend to get my tensioner & belts replaced. It's a decent job that takes about 3 hours. So since, he's friends with my bro, he told me to come in Saturday after they closed and he'd do it off the books just for side money for himself (fine with me!). Funny thing is, the waiting room was just like the crappier one you posted.......and I was like wow, this is NICE!! So many places around here have plastic cafeteria chairs and no tv, so I was impressed with the couch, tv, and drinks that looked just like your second picture hahaha.
Good luck, hope it's quick and relatively inexpensive.

Yeah, I was thinking both looked nice too.

The guy who does my car maintenance is also a family friend. His garage is next door to his house and has no waiting room. He never tries to cheat me and tells me straight up what the issues are. No frills, but my car has no problems either.

rockin30ish · January 2015

The shop we go to (when it's stuff FI can't do himself) has a few chairs and a TV. That's it. I don't care. They do an amazing job and don't charge an arm and a leg. They even gave us a break and didn't charge full price when the engine went in my old car (it wasn't worth it to fix it). They also didn't charge us for labor once when all they had to do was a small adjustment on the door of my new (to us) car.

Waiting room condition should not be a deciding factor when choosing a mechanic. I've found that the best mechanics, in both service and price, have the crappiest waiting rooms.

southernbelle0915 · January 2015

I'd go to the place that has better reviews. Both of those waiting rooms are nicer than places I've taken my car, so....

Maybe just bring your own beverages and it won't really be that different.

sarawifenow · January 2015

I would definitely go to the shop that has the 40 good reviews. A fancy waiting room will do nothing for your car at the end of the day.

VulgarGirl · January 2015

...I never bother to wait there for the car. I'll usually find some nearby place to go do anything else.

SBmini · January 2015

My mechanic back in CA- who was seriously the best mechanic I ever had- had the worst waiting room ever. Waiting wasn't even an option there. Thankfully, he also had a vehicle pick up service and was right down the street from where I worked. So it was never an issue. My parents still use him.

I went with the BMW shop. I called them up and felt comfortable talking to the guy. And he gets that I know the car, so I don't feel like I'm being jerked around. They are now trouble shooting the misfire by swapping the coil packs around- which is exactly what my husband would have done.

Really, beyond the waiting area, the other shop didn't have a single photo with a German car there. Granted- engines work the same way regardless of make, but since I'm looking for a quick fix, I really felt like the German shop would be more likely to have parts on hand and the experience for a quick fix.

I have to report that the couches are comfy and the coffee is good.

sarawifenow · January 2015

So you had basically made your decision right from the get go?

I'm glad you feel comfortable with these people and that the couches are comfortable...

SBmini · January 2015

sarawifenow said:

So you had basically made your decision right from the get go?

I'm glad you feel comfortable with these people and that the couches are comfortable...

I made my decision after I spoke to the shop.

SBmini · January 2015

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

jenna8984 · January 2015

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

SBmini · January 2015

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

He wants me to drive the car home in limp mode. Then, he wants to take a half day off of work, pick up the parts, and do it himself. To save $300. It's not like $300 is nothing, but his time is worth something too.

jenna8984 · January 2015

SBmini said:

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

He wants me to drive the car home in limp mode. Then, he wants to take a half day off of work, pick up the parts, and do it himself. To save $300. It's not like $300 is nothing, but his time is worth something too.

Yea. No offense but he/ you should know by now that owning a Beemer or Mercedes means more expensive maintenance. I can get the same part and work on my Toyota for probably 1/3 the cost, so he needs to just accept that those costs come with owning that car.

SBmini · January 2015

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

He wants me to drive the car home in limp mode. Then, he wants to take a half day off of work, pick up the parts, and do it himself. To save $300. It's not like $300 is nothing, but his time is worth something too.

Yea. No offense but he/ you should know by now that owning a Beemer or Mercedes means more expensive maintenance. I can get the same part and work on my Toyota for probably 1/3 the cost, so he needs to just accept that those costs come with owning that car.

This is the first time I've had to take a car in six years. He does the work himself- so if it is more than it costs him to do then it is too much money in his mind.

mrsk616 · January 2015

SBmini said:

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

He wants me to drive the car home in limp mode. Then, he wants to take a half day off of work, pick up the parts, and do it himself. To save $300. It's not like $300 is nothing, but his time is worth something too.

actually i can see where he is coming from. 300 is a lot for something that he can do himself and save money. i stopped getting my oil changed at work because they were over charging me. $42 for an oil change. no thank you. my FI started doing it again and i have been saving over 30 dollars on doing it. his car needs a power steering revamp 1200 for it to get done at employee cost money we dont have. part is cheaper for us to order and him to do it. remember dealers are always over charging and will find other things wrong with the cars to bring more money in. the advisor you talked with is just a salesmen who didnt want to late hours of a salemen, the will tell the tech to find something else wrong with the car to get more out of you the customer. they tried to do this with me. My FI checked the part and it is bad but they wanted 300 for the job, FI was going to do it for 100 (cost of parts)

southernbelle0915 · January 2015

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea no. Not his call. I'd get it fixed.

emmaaa · January 2015

mrsk616 said:

SBmini said:

jenna8984 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea that's crazy talk. Just get it done. My husband is a mechanic and even he was like "dude, I aint got time for that shit- just call your brother's friend".

He wants me to drive the car home in limp mode. Then, he wants to take a half day off of work, pick up the parts, and do it himself. To save $300. It's not like $300 is nothing, but his time is worth something too.

actually i can see where he is coming from. 300 is a lot for something that he can do himself and save money. i stopped getting my oil changed at work because they were over charging me. $42 for an oil change. no thank you. my FI started doing it again and i have been saving over 30 dollars on doing it. his car needs a power steering revamp 1200 for it to get done at employee cost money we dont have. part is cheaper for us to order and him to do it. remember dealers are always over charging and will find other things wrong with the cars to bring more money in. the advisor you talked with is just a salesmen who didnt want to late hours of a salemen, the will tell the tech to find something else wrong with the car to get more out of you the customer. they tried to do this with me. My FI checked the part and it is bad but they wanted 300 for the job, FI was going to do it for 100 (cost of parts)

H does all the work on our cars and trucks as well, for the most part.

His truck was messed up a few weeks ago. He took it to the shop, they charged $35 for a diagnostic, and said it would be $400 to fix the rear differential. H fixed it himself for $50.

flyingfoxes · January 2015

I'm happy to pay the dealership to change my oil. The car computer tells me when to do it, and I did it today. The last time was in June. Only twice a year, I'm happy to pay them to take care of it. Luckily they haven't been bad about trying to sell me service, although I took it to a different Honda dealer today and they want to change the transmission fluid. Fair enough, it's got 90,000 miles on it, so I'm happy to do that. they wanted to change the filters today, but we just did that ourselves 2 weeks ago.

hellosweetie1015 · January 2015

southernbelle0915 said:

SBmini said:

Ugh, my husband is ridiculous. He expects me to pay $100 for the diagnosis then just limp my car home and be without a drivable car for a minimum of 4 days because he doesn't want to pay the shop to do something he can do. This is routine maintenance that should have been done 15,000 miles ago, mind you. But because he didn't do it- the car broke. He's away all weekend, we're away next weekend. I don't exactly know what he expects me to do without a drivable car.

Yea no. Not his call. I'd get it fixed.

Yeah. I say that since it needed to be done 15K ago, I'd bite the bullet and do it.

I mean, I do see where he's coming from. I would have him do it under normal circumstances, since it saves $300, but he's away all weekend, so you'll be carless for the weekend at the bare minimum, and he's also talking about taking a half-day off work to do it which, if he's an hourly employee, isn't negligible. (I know he's probably not an hourly employee, but you know.)

luckya23 · January 2015

Well, the waiting room issue is a first world problem if I've ever heard one!

I'd tell DH that it must be fixed by Monday, or else you will need a rental car to go about your business until it is fixed. I *hate* being car-less!

(My shop doesn't have a waiting room, but it's like 4 blocks from my house, so I walk home.)

SBmini · January 2015

He's using personal time, so thankfully- we aren't paying for him to take time off. If that was the case, I absolutely would not allow it because it would just cut into the savings. He's already ordered the parts, I paid the diagnostic fee and am waiting for them to put the car back together so I can limp it back home.

All stupid.

If it weren't for the fact that he was out of town this weekend, I would have just driven his car and he would have fixed it Saturday. Even with his time out of town, he still was hesitant about my decision to take it in. He's ridiculous. Sometimes convenience comes before cost.

Car's ready now, gunna drive it home.

I think I may choose a mechanic today based on their waiting room

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