How to handle a "small town" problem

[WillyBWright]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Pay the $80 and take a dozen donuts with you. You're already on their sh-t list.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

The "guys" are right....make them remember you for positive reasons. My wife and I also plan on retirering at our cottage someday, another 30 years or so. We've been at the lake now for 5 years and have been trying our best to get to know the locals. There are some on the lake that have taken a very negitive attitude towards the local businesses and trades people. These people have been there longer than my wife and I and their names are still mud in the community.

I got to know the owner of the local gas station. He knows that I have a two hour drive home and he is the only station for an hour in any direction. He tells me "if your ever stuck for gas and the station is closed, knock on his door and he will come out and turn the pumps on, anytime" He lives next door to the station. I thought his standing offer to help was very cool...

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

My small town has less than 900 people. Here's my advice:

It's much more important to be fair than to save money. If they can't tell you why they replaced it, don't pay for it. If they make a good argument, pay for it. Tell them how you expect them to handle this issue the next time and don't go back if they do it again. The small town thing goes both ways - bad business can ruin someone real quick.

Get involved in the town if you stay there. I was on the volunteer fire dept within a few months and on the city council about two years after moving there. People know who I am and know that I care about our town, even if they don't always agree with me. My wife is starting to do the same thing. She's involved with some mothers group and getting to know people there too.

If people know who you are they make their own opinions of you. That way, they can at least like you or not like you for their own reasons.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

You will probably find in a small town once you move there you will have 10 guys that will just do it for you becouse you live there.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Bottom line: This is only $80.00 folks. The cautious diplomatic approach of JB is the best, (as is the case most times with JB's advice). The scenario Skinny points out is very plausable as well. You said this was a sucessfull local business, and takin' care of people is how ya get there in ANY business. I like WbW's idea too, as it does not take much more $ to show a lil' apreciation with some donuts.

You can indignantly make a moral stand over a mere $80.00 if ya want, but I think that would be a huge mistake, and earn ya a reputation that could really cost ya if ya ever really need some help from the locals. RR island is far enough North of Seattle that the locals really don't like the Liberal sneering Seattle types either. I've been there long enough to be somewhat established, and I follow JB's tactics when possible. My $.02 JR

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Here's the advice I feel like giving every time I hear of another Service department ripping off a customer:

You go to Walmart and buy an offshore weedwhacker for $100 brand new that is every bit as good as the Stihl, you throw the Stihl in the lake and then sit around and whine about how the Asians are taking over our economy.

In 2010, you throw the Walmart whacker in the lake and buy another for $79 (Price Rollback)

You give no Canadian any opportunity to get ANY of your money because in this country it's a 50/50 chance they are going to have you grab your ankles....

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

I'm with OMR and the dozen other folks who say just pay it. If this is a real gossipy town you are talking about, you don't want your name dragged through the mud over a dad blam weedwhacker.

We currently have our boat under repair of a never-used-before mechanic for that long standing idle problem I'd asked about on here several years ago. My father called the mechanic and he said they are having a hell of a time pinpointing what's making it idle so fast. My dad is cringing at the thought of how many digits will be in the bill.

I told him our camp is 50 miles from nowhere and we took it 2 miles down the road to a very clean, well educated mechanic who had some bright guys working for him. Give him a chance. Trust him. And be prepared to pay, as you are getting to know the local mechanic, and if you keep asking about money, he might be hesitant to do whats necessary to fix it.

Just a thought.

Oh, and KJD, I wish I knew what the hell you were talking about. I read your post 3 times and I'm still

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Oh, and KJD, I wish I knew what the hell you were talking about. I read your post 3 times and I'm still

Just sayin' how the "screw 'em once" attitude of the service department has made us an Importing society. It's easier and cheaper to import a new Korean car than it is to TRY to get the American one fixed.

The wreckers are full of low mileage cars with one or 2 simple problems.

$80 to fix a weedwhacker?

I just bought a nice 2 stroke gas one at Walmart for $100- Will I ever pay someone on this continent to fix it?
nope.

 

[muskyone]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

dont most mec shops charge 60 to 100 bucks a hour for labor 80 sounds right 2 me. thats why alot of us fix stuff ourselfs

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Pay the money wether you have been ripped off or not. I have sometimes authorised a "not to exceed" price when dealing with an unknown so that you do not end up with a huge bill you were not expecting. If you are in any doubt that the work was done then ask for the old parts that were removed as "emergency spares" should it ever need them and last but not least. Monitor how well and for how long it runs without further problems and what needs replacing next.
Good luck and dont pi** off the natives.

 

[tfbrown1270]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Lots of great suggestions and I took some sage advice....
Of course it had to bite me on the a-- one more time before it was over but it turned out reasonably well....the end of the story follows..
I went to the shop last Saturday at 8:00 am (they are open 8 -noon on Saturdays) with a big smile and asked for my weed wacker (its a Stihl FS-86). After some searching the service guy goes to the back and gets it...when he is printing out the invoice I see him stop, and read some comments I couldn't see on the computer screen.......long unpleasant silence ensued so I broke the silence and said that there had been a misunderstanding about what work was authorized but that...
I had thought about it and APPRECIATED THE CONSIDERATION BY THE SERVICE GUY WHO IDENTIFIED SOME PROBLEMS I WAS UNAWARE OF AND FIXED IT FOR ME,
but I added I would have appreciated a phone call.
The guy I was speaking to said little...instead he put my machine on the counter and told me the bill was $74.06. I paid, took the machine and left.
When I got back to the cottage (5 minutes away) I tried to start it but NO WAY would it start so I checked it over..
OLD SPARK PLUG WAS STILL IN IT!
OLD FUEL LINE AND FILTER WERE STILL IN IT!
I had no idea about the needle and seat or "lever" they said they replaced but it was clear that after my conversation on the phone the previous week the tech had removed the new spark plug, filter and line and replaced them with the originals.
I WAS PI--ED OFF big time now since the tech that returned it to me had acted dumb and let me pay and walk out with a farked up machine. I drove back considering my options and decided to try diplomacy one last time.
I found the owner (cranky woman I spoke to on the phone) at the counter, when I said there was a problem she WOULD NOT TALK ABOUT IT, instead I just got a cranky 'SEE THE TECH!".
I found the tech and in a firm but non-confrontational tone told him what I had paid for and what I got.
He apologized profusely and said the tech that worked on it (who wasn't at the shop on Saturday) got sh-t from the boss over the unauthorized work and took the parts off the machine that he could even when told to leave it.
I asked/told him that I NEEDED IT BACK FIXED PROPERLY AND WITHOUT A HANDFUL OF SAND IN THE CASE BY NOON.
I got lots of "sorrys" and "you bets" and left the machine. I returned at 11:30 am and picked it up. It ran like a top and I saw the new parts on it.
I was able to walk away without being victimized but will NEVER take any equipment to these folks again. As far as they know I am happy, consequently I think long term my position in the community isn't in jeopardy as I remained civil.
However I will NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. If any of you folks are from the area and want to know which business it is send me a pm.

 

[KBADC]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

I also come from "small town Manitoba" .. and it's not like the good people here at iboats say it is. Sure, you do get some of the local gossip thing, but not like you do in the southern USA. I would have delt with the ol bag at the counter first, then with all the parts removed, left without patronizing the establishment. Comming from the rural setting myself, if you come across as a creampuff .. you'll be treated as a creampuff. Thats about as bad as it gets in the rural community setting, so walk with your head held high!

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

I think you handled it perfectly. JR

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Is this the fat old bag that ripped you off?

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

RUBBER!!!!! Ya made me spit coffee all over me board!!! NOW I'm a VICTIM TOO! N' I can't spell so I can't get a job from people like you ta pay fer me black anchors or the 'spensive fuel they gobble up. Can ya lobby fer a monthly benifit fer an old Left coast fart with one brain cell that can't spell, since yer closer to the real center o' power, (in DC), then I am? (Fib to 'em n' tell 'em I'm a Democrat) JR ps Sorry Plainsman fer the hyjack! Me: bad!!

 

[uscboy]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Best suggestion: Learn to fix your own weedwhacker.

 

[Baston]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

I live in a small town in southern Ontario. I am all for buying in town, but at the same time I refuse to be small town screwed.

In our town we have a Seadoo/Skidoo/small engine shop. It would be a frosty day in h*ll before I took anything there for repair. The shop feeling that because they are the only shop in 50km that they can charge 2X the going rate for any service. Example: Oil change on a 4tec Seadoo $300.00. Most other dealer in the area charge $140.00 for the oil change.
Some small town shops feel that they are entitled to charge whatever they feel like. And there will be some fools who will pay the price.

Be honest with the repair shop, tell them why you are upset, Work toward an exceptable resolution. If the shop will not work with you then contact consumers and corprate affairs and talk to them.

Just remember small town bigots live to be heard. But as our towns grow, the bigots voices and ideas get weaker.

When you move to Kenora, join a community group and help out, that is the fastest way to become an excepted member of the community.

Baston

 

[roscoe]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

I also come from "small town Manitoba" .. and it's not like the good people here at iboats say it is. Sure, you do get some of the local gossip thing, but not like you do in the southern USA. I would have delt with the ol bag at the counter first, then with all the parts removed, left without patronizing the establishment. Comming from the rural setting myself, if you come across as a creampuff .. you'll be treated as a creampuff. Thats about as bad as it gets in the rural community setting, so walk with your head held high!

I have to agree. This isn't suburban Chicago we are talking about.

My experience, and that of several relatives that have been doing business with wilderness Canadian establishments, is shared by many I have talked to.

1- a population of 900, is a large city in most of that part of Canada.
2- I am amazed that they even started working on it before September.
3- If it needs parts, they will likely be used parts from the junk pile out back.
4- They will sit around and talk about the work load for days before they actually start working on it.
5- They will be open, only half of the business hours posted on the door.
6- If you think customer service and customer relations are deteriorating in the US, you ain't seen nothing till you ventured out into the wilderness of northwestern Ontario.

This is the land where a grilled cheese sandwich, fries, and a cup of coffee (NO refills) will cost you $10.07.

These aren't complaints, they are reality.

Accept it, they have, I have, I just hope it doesn't get that bad here in the states.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

... I just hope it doesn't get that bad here in the states.

Gotta love competition.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: How to handle a "small town" problem

Is this the fat old bag that ripped you off?

Holy Crap - That looks EXACTLY like the one at the marina up the highway here....
That's the EXACT expression when she says "NO WARRANTY ON ELECTRONICS!!!"
That's all the ol thing has in her vocabulary....