Ever been disrespected by relatives re:their POS?
- Thread starter bullwinkle
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That's why when I do side work I either charge $100/hr or $0/hr. If I charge them and do an oil change and a month later they complain that their brakes are noisy "Is it related" I am not wasting my time checking their brakes for free (not to mention it could be an upsell). If I charge $0/hr there is absolutely no warranty on anything whatsoever.
Gotta love the family treatment
I would never discuss or be involved in anything automotive with them again!
That's why outside of simple things like oil changes, I tell my parents and other family to either fix it themselves while I hold the (typically my) tools, or pay to take it to a shop. Surprisingly, my brother does occasionally take me up on that.
I do both building and auto stuff.
Advice is free for the asking.
Work is not.
Advice is free for the asking.
Work is not.
Family is a tough one. I have some who are gracious and appreciative, so I go out of my way for them. Others, like my sister, are just completely ungrateful and difficult the whole time. Guess who I'm just to busy to get to?
When people want me to work on their car, my rates vary. I am always willing to teach someone how to repair/service their vehicle. I usually don't charge for that, unless they volunteer to supply beer.
As far as doing the work, I charge something like $15 per hour because I am not a certified mechanic. As a result of that, I tell them that I have a 3-foot/3-second warranty on all my work. I keep all the old/bad parts for their full inspection. I supply them with a detailed receipt, which I make them sign, showing work done and noting my warranty mentioned above. I also will not do any work for known whiners (like half of my in-laws).
Family is a lot easier if they know you can be an uncouth, grouchy SOB. There are family members I've told to pound sand (in words not so kind) when they wanted me to work on their car, or anything else. I've told my sister that there are plenty of mechanics in the yellow pages.
I long ago determined that, family or not, if they don't care about my feelings, I'm not going to spare theirs.
As far as doing the work, I charge something like $15 per hour because I am not a certified mechanic. As a result of that, I tell them that I have a 3-foot/3-second warranty on all my work. I keep all the old/bad parts for their full inspection. I supply them with a detailed receipt, which I make them sign, showing work done and noting my warranty mentioned above. I also will not do any work for known whiners (like half of my in-laws).
Family is a lot easier if they know you can be an uncouth, grouchy SOB. There are family members I've told to pound sand (in words not so kind) when they wanted me to work on their car, or anything else. I've told my sister that there are plenty of mechanics in the yellow pages.
I long ago determined that, family or not, if they don't care about my feelings, I'm not going to spare theirs.
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Originally Posted By: lasmacgod
I also will not do any work for known whiners (like half of my in-laws).
This is why I don't work on my wife's car.
I also will not do any work for known whiners (like half of my in-laws).
This is why I don't work on my wife's car.
Go over to the house in the middle of the night and drain all the oil. Let her lock the thing up the next day. Then they don't have a choice. Not the best way to do it but it'll get something in motion. The end justifies the means.
OR, screw 'em. Let whatever happens happen.
I really have no sympathy for people like that whether their family or not.
OR, screw 'em. Let whatever happens happen.
I really have no sympathy for people like that whether their family or not.
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Hey, I have family members that only call me when their cars are in need of repair and thay don't want to spend the big money having it fixed. Of course I oblige! They pay for the parts, I don't ask for any money, they never invite me over to their house otherwise and I usually spend 4-6 hours working on their cars(on the cold ground) and you would think they would at least offer me a sandwich.
After arriving home, my wife asks me if I had any lunch or if I was offered any lunch. "No" I say and she scolds me for continuing to do this with no reward/satisfaction of being appricated. I know, I need to stop! Getting too old for the cold ground. Besides, I have enough of my own projects to keep me bussy.
I can't wait to see their faces when they have to pay $800.00 for a brake job or $500.00 for an O2 sensor installed....Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Don't offer me a sandwich Hah! Sucks to be you!
After arriving home, my wife asks me if I had any lunch or if I was offered any lunch. "No" I say and she scolds me for continuing to do this with no reward/satisfaction of being appricated. I know, I need to stop! Getting too old for the cold ground. Besides, I have enough of my own projects to keep me bussy.
I can't wait to see their faces when they have to pay $800.00 for a brake job or $500.00 for an O2 sensor installed....Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Don't offer me a sandwich Hah! Sucks to be you!
what maximus said, in the first reply to your OP.as well, what caravanmike said, further down on page one.intelligent people learn, and avoid these situations like poison. stupid people don't learn, and keep getting involved, and itch and itch forever about the predictable results.'nuff said.
the best day in your life is the day you learn that it doesn't matter one bit what anyone else thinks!
Stay out of their problems and be friendly, but still say hi and bye to them.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
the best day in your life is the day you learn that it doesn't matter one bit what anyone else thinks!
Wisdom.
the best day in your life is the day you learn that it doesn't matter one bit what anyone else thinks!
Wisdom.
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Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Hey, I have family members that only call me when their cars are in need of repair and thay don't want to spend the big money having it fixed. Of course I oblige! They pay for the parts, I don't ask for any money, they never invite me over to their house otherwise and I usually spend 4-6 hours working on their cars(on the cold ground) and you would think they would at least offer me a sandwich.
After arriving home, my wife asks me if I had any lunch or if I was offered any lunch. "No" I say and she scolds me for continuing to do this with no reward/satisfaction of being appricated. I know, I need to stop! Getting too old for the cold ground. Besides, I have enough of my own projects to keep me bussy.
I can't wait to see their faces when they have to pay $800.00 for a brake job or $500.00 for an O2 sensor installed....Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Don't offer me a sandwich Hah! Sucks to be you!
Boy do I hear you! I've had similar experiences. It's fun to hear that they later paid 350.00 for a transmission fluid change or 1400 to change a fuel pump!
I had to learn all these lessons the hard way so today there is only one close friend that I ever help with his car work. I'm "too busy" to help various family members!
My Dad used to say "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me."
Hey, I have family members that only call me when their cars are in need of repair and thay don't want to spend the big money having it fixed. Of course I oblige! They pay for the parts, I don't ask for any money, they never invite me over to their house otherwise and I usually spend 4-6 hours working on their cars(on the cold ground) and you would think they would at least offer me a sandwich.
After arriving home, my wife asks me if I had any lunch or if I was offered any lunch. "No" I say and she scolds me for continuing to do this with no reward/satisfaction of being appricated. I know, I need to stop! Getting too old for the cold ground. Besides, I have enough of my own projects to keep me bussy.
I can't wait to see their faces when they have to pay $800.00 for a brake job or $500.00 for an O2 sensor installed....Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Don't offer me a sandwich Hah! Sucks to be you!
Boy do I hear you! I've had similar experiences. It's fun to hear that they later paid 350.00 for a transmission fluid change or 1400 to change a fuel pump!
I had to learn all these lessons the hard way so today there is only one close friend that I ever help with his car work. I'm "too busy" to help various family members!
My Dad used to say "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me."
Kestas
Staff member
Been there. Ditto to all the above posts. Now I've cut my favors down to family members that deserve and appreciate it.
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