I own a shop and have seen blatant theft many times. Had a customer with a Camry suddenly using oil. Local shop told him he needed a cam scrubber and it would be $700. Cam scrubber wth? Took it in and found the pcv valve stuck shut. He was very grateful for the easy fix and honesty. My sister took her Subaru to the dealer for an oil change, they told her her brakes were so bad they didn't want her to drive the car home. I just did her brakes 6 months prior, they were all brand new. Got lots of these stories, it's pretty sad honestly
Here's one way to tell if you're savvy with cars and if you're not, have them explain it to you. Have them physically or digitally show you with the car on the lift what isn't right. My local Mazda dealer did that when I brought the car in for a recall. The tech was able to find about 6 different things that needed to be replaced on the car. He was right. Now was I gonna replace my rear main seal early and do a clutch with it. Na, I'll do the rear main when the clutch is shot and I'll just stay on top of the oil level.
We run a family repair shop, this year makes 36 years. We have been successful for the same reasons this man has been successful. We keep it simple, we are honest, we do what we say and we explain to our customers what we are doing and even invite people down so we can show them what we are doing. Everything this man is saying is spot on and it is refreshing to know there's other shops out there doing it RIGHT. My hat is off to this man that ownes the shop, he cares and so do we.
This video has so much depth for people OUTSIDE of the auto world. Great business man, leader, and communicator. This experience could be emulated in so, so many places in our world.
Every manager in the world can take lessons from Dave how to address employees who make mistakes. He got his point across clearly, the employee understood what he did wrong and what he needs to do to keep it from happening again, and Dave did it without being angry or raising his voice. Of course we might not know how Dave handled this off camera, but this should be required viewing for anyone in training to be a manager or supervisor no matter where they work or what they do.
I’m less concerned about a business making a mistake than how they respond to fixing the mistake. 💩 will happen, but fixing it properly and without argument is the mark of a business I want to deal with.
We as shop owners are always working against the common thought that all shops are crooks, especially with new customers. Another important factor is we try and have fun with our day along with the work to help create a healthy work space, this is not easy work and even though i have done this for 36 years i still learn new things and still ask questions if i don't know. We enjoy making new customers and earning there trust.
I’m a medium/heavy truck shop supervisor. My supervisor when I was a tech always said”let the truck talk to you”. You’re going to look at a 20,000 mile truck way different than a 200,000 mile truck
I wish I could find a similar competent and trusting garage like Dave’s in the greater Toronto area. Dave is an example of the perfect manager. It’s all about training and educating than immediate corrective action.
Sometimes a mechanic can do everything right and something can still happen. When things are old with lots of mileage, you never know when something like an o-ring is gonna leak, especially if you disturb it by taking it off. Your mechanic did everything right. The only thing maybe he could’ve done is like you seemed to suggest, that he could’ve looked closer at the hose and o-rings, and used the mileage as a way to judge that the hose should just be replaced. Often times as mechanics we try to not add a bunch more parts to a repair because we don’t wanna have to charge the customer more than the original estimate was, and we don’t wanna seem like we’re trying to add things after the fact or trying to upsell them extra things they might not need, but sometimes it can bite you when you don’t do it. It’s usually worth at least calling the customer and telling them you can use the old stuff if they want, but there’s a chance it could leak and it won’t be your fault if it does. Most of the time people are understanding but sometimes people only wanna spend exactly what you originally quoted them. It’s a really difficult balance and age and experience is the only way you can possibly learn how to approach situations like that. Anyone young or just starting out deserve lots of forgiveness and patience with things like this cause there’s just no way to learn without doing it.
I love this. 7:12 just teach the mechanic how to make sure there aren’t any call backs. Invest in your employees, TEACH them, you’ll have a loyal employee for that just as important as loyal customers.
2018 buisness owner of matts mobile diesel service in minnesota I have been running my little outfit of about 3 employees and treating people similar!!! I look up to u!😊
As a old computer technician I created customer's problem tracking similar to a doctors office. Dave diagnoses the vehicles the same which is the best way to do the best job and the quickest method. Helped reduce customer returning for the same problem. I have a 7.3 that if I ever have issue I will be seeing if I can get it to Dave.
Pressure testing a cooling system after to confirm is not correct. You should run the vehicle till it hits operating temp and then watch and check for leaks. If you just pressure test it cold after the repair that isn’t confirmed. Stuff will expand so you need to do it warm while running
Driving for over 20 years & had my vehicles to 4 shops for mechanic work. 1 was done right. 2 years ago my transmission blew on my 05 3500 dodge, found a shop who delt with BD Diesel parts. Had a HD transmission installed & under 500 miles the flex plate broke. Shop found the crank had excessive play, replaced the thrust washer & wont run now. Was an amazing truck, umm 3 trucks were before mechanics worked on them. ❤️ Your Values❤
Dave you have made even my non-automotive repair trade better through those of us who watch you. Your reach is greater than you know. In teaching your son and your other workers (and those of us watching) "the way", you are truly doing God's work in helping people beyond even your own years of which I pray there are many more remaining.
*Dave's Auto Center* Great job Dave, trust is a difficult thing in todays world especially when it comes to repair shops. Thank-you sir for taking the time to bring content like this to us. GOD Bless.
Dave, we all enjoy the content you provide and I'm sure your customer's appreciate the service you provide. Please don't shorten the possibility of that continuing by relying on a hydraulic floor jack to protect your life.
I think the most impressive thing about Dave is how he teaches, shares knowledge like a coach, and manages his business with a sense of Humor. Clean floors, good lighting & air, each mechanic with his own tool set, fair pay & benefits, & amortizing his expensive machinery. I’d love to see a collab with Gale Banks, and there are very few “shops” that can clean a block & align bore an AMG block and care for a WWII Jeep that was likely used for a radio. From now on stuff!
Dave I’m still so amazed by your work, ability and dedication to doing automotive work the right way my hats off to you guy’s. I would have loved to work for a company like yours, the dealership that I did work for in my prime for years, I had a great guy for a boss that was very particular and very professional about how he expected all the work that was done regardless of what it was if you didn’t provide top quality service work he would let you know about it. I mean he was very strict but then again he was a great man and I learned so much more from him than just working on cars and trucks. I still think about him today and it’s been a long time since I worked for him and he has since passed away , RIP Jim. If I’m ever up your way I’m definitely going to have to stop by. Thank you for posting all the good stuff!
That guy from Alaska came to your shop for service, maybe I should bring my vehicles there as well. Problem is that I keep them well serviced, and since getting rid of the BMW have not had any trouble with any of them.
There is probably no "good" shop in my entire state, then. Maybe a handful in 1500 miles. We have access to Walmart Automotive, dealers with new service kids (parts cannon shooters!) every 6 months with very few ASE certified, and 60 year-old Independent shops with some old school knowledge, but an inch of dirt on the floor and no current tools. 😰 We need Dave's franchises!!
Full respect to the way that you work as I dont find many that work the way that I do. I work in a different field but Im old skool like you and you work with your heart and dont deal with boomerang issues. If the customer comes back then either they didnt disclose something in a way that I understood properly or I didnt do a proper job....either way its me. Attitude is everything and I agree we will always get people that push the buttons and limits, but if youre transparent, concise, consistent, clear and considerate then youve checked most of those boxes. The reassurance is the checking in with them afterwards. We dont always get things right, but we wont know unless we check in with people. Not everyone considers that necessary but deep down customers feel valued, respected and looked after if you check in with them. Everyone also wants cheap, that doesnt go in the same sentence. Cheap means they cut something out or tried to cut corners. Cheap to me means I did it right and you didnt come back (in the nicest way) because your customers time is finite. You will always find money, finding time comes at the detriment to other things. Loved the video, not many touch my heart the way that this did.
I left a shop I had been going to for around 5 years because every time I would bring my car in for service he wasnt prepared for the job. Examples: fix my exhaust. Only 1 of 3 leaks repaired and sent home. Transmission and differential service requested. Did not service differential because honda fluid required. Again sent home and rear diff still squealing during parking.
One struggle we have is a new customer comes it with a scan report from auto parts store and wants us to fix there car based off that information. I then try my best to explain the difference between reading a code and diagnosing the car. I normally say what if we replace the part you want us to and the code or issue is still there? Lets verify this issue first and then make the repair based of our research.
I am a self taught mechanic 55 years on countless type machines, I work in High Tech as an lead in a division of a company. Nothing surpassed what I Do, nothing, as far as mechanizing repair, design etc. You must know all top 24 sciences , chemistry of things like the reactiveness, laws of thermal dynamics, calculus trig math etc. ALL of it like a Phd. Think it thru, troubleshoot like any industry to resolve ANY issue that is masked Layers DEEP! I can spot top drawer platitudes of sorts in the mechanical realm in a second. Dave is absolutely one of them as proper as a base of operation reliability as I can find. With out going there can see the “traits” .
Damn… I wish I lived in Utah. I’d quit working as a nurse, go back and get an education to be a proper mechanic and go work for Dave. Excellent boss, excellent character.
Dave you're great and an awesome role model. I have a small shop. I do care enough to do the best. That's why I basically do 90 percent on my own. My name's on it and it has to be right. Even when I know it's right or I did everything I can to fix it correctly with the customers ok I still think about it later hopefully I did everything I can to make sure it's perfect.. sometimes stuff happens. Most of the time it is a manufacturer problem with a part if I have any issues at all. Everyone wants to be treated right and not be ripped off at the end of the day.
The way you measure your vendors is how they behave when things go wrong. It’s easy to look good when everything goes right. When things go bad, do they run or start blaming, or do they jump in the Fox hole with you and make things right? A great vendor sees the long term relationship.😊
Back in the old days when roller lifters were a Hot Rod part they never seemed to fail, but now that they are OEM they seem to fail and destroy the engine. I guess hot rodders bonded more with their engines and kept a look at the machine and checked the oil etc... Now people jst take the engine and drive train for granted drive the vehicle and never think about the drive train because they are so enamoured with the electronic gadgets that come with new cars. Most people consider the vehicle to just be an extension of their smart phone. I guess I am old school, I consider the engine and drive train the most important components. That is why the companies that build the cars and trucks have the word "motor" in their title. General Motors, Ford Motor Company...
The problem is with the coolant leak. If you tell the customer needs a radiator then you tell all the coolant hoses need to be replaced due to age and the customer does not want to replace the coolant hoses because the say "you are trying to sell me things I don't need just fix the leak." So you do that well technically you did fix the leak that they were concerned with. The radiator hose is now a new leak which they did not pay for.
I just had a terrible experience when my service writer fixed one problem and I had another issue and he said he was waiting to find out if this last issue was covered. I waited two weeks and got nothing, I contacted him back and he gave me an excuse I called back a week later to his boss and he promised me to get to the crux of the matter. The service writer called me back today and I found out he called the warranty company and somehow got an answer today but hadn’t received anything until today. After hearing this from the service writer, if it hadn’t been for my relationship with his boss I wouldn’t go back, I refuse to work with the service writer ever again.
I had a Toyota dealer over fill my wife's 2020 Camry by 3 and a half qrts! She took it in for service picked ip up and came home she drives slow so the symptoms did not make them self known yet. She knows to always visually check it after oil changes, but that time she did not. We got in the car got on the Tollway and got up to 75mph when it started to stall and blow heavy smoke out the back. Pulled over put 2 and 2 together and checked oil it was way over filled. Took it a short distance to the local oil change place they removed 3 1/2 qrts before getting it to correct level. The Toyota dealer did pick the car up did another oil change and inspected the car for any seal damage or anything else so they said. Have not had anymore issues. To think at a Toyota dealer this would happen. I told them they should require a visual check of the oil in front of the customer when they pick up their vehicle to be sure it never happens again. They have now made that mandatory at that dealership so they really took it to heart.
I really enjoy the videos like this as they help me with the small things that I need to tweak in my business. If you are ever in thr Columbus Ohio area, you are welcome to stop by. We are a very small shop but we do our best to get things right the first time but the main reason we have been able to stay in business is because we are honest.
Ohh, trust is so important when choosing a place to take your vehicle. Mechanics are so careless with small things. 1 Do the put disposal mats in you car so grime is not on you carpet. 2. Are they explaining what they are doing and what you potentially need in the future. I use to go to an old school garage where the guys Don and Tony were absolutely the best. Find a great shop that treats your vehicle and you with respect.
Not knocking him, because he is literally just one of thousands, but that new truck guy is the perfect example that owning a truck is more of a status symbol than actual use. Going to sound old, but in my day, if you owned a truck it meant you were capable. Your truck put on a show, but you had to back it up. A truck owner should at least be able to do routine maintenance on their vehicle, props to the second truck guy for doing at least the routine stuff.
I'll never understand folks who can't do even basic maintenance. I'm not mechanic but Ive rebuilt calipers, replaced shocks, exhausts, belts etc.... it's just mechano for adults. I'm not gonna start rebuilding blocks in my garage but not being able to do routine stuff is crazy to me.
@@kraftypk7283I’ve done everything you’ve done but I can understand why people don’t work on their own stuff…who’s to say those same people are doing something you aren’t doing or you can improve on…also with that logic half the shops would be out of business lol
I wish I could afford the kind of work Dave's auto does. Unfortunately for me I have to be my own mechanic. Ive gotten good but a good shop cannot be understated
Well I love the honesty. But for the casuals in the maintenance business it's about keeping face which Dave does amazingly. Obviously everyone does mistakes and admitting is the sign of a professional. Even techicians get anxious, we want to do a perfect job every time and are proud of it. Admitting something went wrong just happens or you can't find the fault is a sad possibility
The parts team could be used in this situation, and look at points of failure and help give the parts estimate to include a new oring and circlip. Oh wait, the oring and circlip are not available separate, okay, let’s put a hose on the estimate. Team work. Techs wouldn’t mind if the parts guys up sell and make the repair more complete, and take off the parts not used.
This oil issue happened to me and I lost that client forever. He brought his jeep liberty and the follow day when I wanted to reposition the car the engine seized. When I checked there was no oil.
Years ago I worked for a major auto parts chain. Customer came in with an early 70s Mercedes 450SL. He bought a can of a popular brand of fuel system cleaner and dumped it into the tank, and then tried to start the car. That was the moment that the timing chain in the engine decided to break. Which caused the engine to lock up and bent most of the valves. He came back in and blamed me for what happened and the manufacturer of the additive, and took everybody involved to court. He lost badly on that. Moral of the story? Not everybody is reasonable or understanding of things. The victory? He and his lawyer had to pay the legal fees of the defendants and had to pay for a full engine rebuild for his Mercedes which was in the end 100% his responsibility for neglecting in the first place. How to deal with people who won't listen is the biggest challenge.
Unfortunately, most repair shops are grimy. The “office” has parts laying on the desk and on the floor-papers stacked in every corner 😂😂😂. Not one shop owner EVER sat down with me or a group😂😂 Even if know nothing about auto repair, just the way they speak to you will give you a tell tale warning or trust. Or if they are hitting you with honesty right from the start “you really don’t need that part, but we can look at it next time”. Something like that.
Friend's Dad owned a transmission shop and he said the way to tell a good shop from a bad was how "happy" the employees were. If everyone is joking around laughing, bad shop. If everyone is kind of ticked off, good shop. Hard to hear but true. Good shops still joke around but the difference is, what's the priority?
Dave , idea . dyno a good running say 50-75k mile truck, pull the engine balance it maybe freshen it blue print it or just get clearances the way you want and re-dyno. It would be a lot of work for a video. I suggest a GM LT engine. Also test fuel mileage before and after.
There are very few places that are honest. Unless you establish a long time relationship with an auto shop, most places will screw you over. I've always done my iwn maintenance for 50 years. Now older, I need a shop to do simple tasks. If you're a new customer, they treat you like you're just a number. It's the it is today
My transmission went out in my 2014 Dodge Grand caravan. I got a donor vehicle but I've been told not to put the used transmission in. For as much as it costs for a new transmission. Might as well get a new car but I don't have the money for that and that stinks. And being a pastor it's hard not doing visitation because that's my number one duty after prayer
It's amazing how another man can sit down waiting for another man to do something so simple for them that they can easily do themselves. They are something with money but literally nothing without it.
The other day, I went to get a quote for a front end job on my 1995 c1500. They quoted me 11 hrs of labor and $3980 bill. I walked out. They had mentioned that they were going to replace the control arms, and separately mentioned the costs of ball joints, which dawned on me how much they scam people.
As requested no names but man being a mechanic myself and seeing youtube clips or friends and family having bad experiences really makes me feel like people won’t trust me; The very worst is people posting themselves on youtube doing something wrong (like starting a drain bolt with an impact not lubing oil filter o rings etc) then saying they are a master tech at a dealer. The second worst is upselling even big dealers are occasionally bad news my friend was lied to about a diagnosis and the dealer attempted to sell him thousands of unnecessary work. I came to the conclusion that he was lied to after 2 different shops said that the dealer’s single diagnosis was bad. My second example is when aunt took her newer german car to a dealer they said it needed 2,500$ for engine mounts so she calls me and I said that seems unlikely considering the age and how much vibration engine mount failure cases I advised getting a second opinion. so she declined but didn’t book an appointment she comes back to the same dealer 3 weeks later for an oil & filter change and she asks about engine mounts and they said oh yeah they still have plenty of life keep in mind the engine mounts were not replaced on this car ever. 2019 Q7.
I married at close to 40 years old, finding my wife was easier than finding a good shop, I have yet to find one, that's why I fix and do maintenance on my own vehicles, I went to tech school for 2 years to learn how to do that, cheaper and less time consumed than dealing with bad shops...
I just had this problem. So 4 visits to the same shop for poor ac performance. They said my lines were clogged, I had defective pressure sensors. Charge on an 01 ranger is 30 oz written as 1lbs 14oz. My factory stickers are intact written on the core support. They said they didn’t understand why it was written like that. But once we charged it correctly my issues went away, i thought i found a good one but man i was wrong.
In ANY service type situation ... EVERYONE IS going to make the occasional mistake. Everyone knows this fact. Simple facts of life. It is always about how you correct the mistake, and HINT: Sometimes the fix is going to cost you (the company doing the service) more than the original service! You MUST "suck it up" and think about the fact that a "satisfied customer" will be a repeat customer, and they will brag about how you "took care of them", thereby bringing you more business from themself, and others.
I really enjoy your Channel Dave. Very Informative!! Finding a good repair shop can be difficult but thankfully there are several in the area I live. I do have one question to ask. In one of your videos you covered doing a proper brake job, new pads/new rotors etc. At your shop, do you replace or reinstall the Rotor retaining bolts if the Rotors are so equipped? I have always reinstalled the rotor retaining bolts when I do a brake job. I figure they were engineered into the rotors for a reason. The rotors seem to have excess play without the bolt. When I have taken my vehicles to the shop they don’t reinstall the bolts. What do you think?
The way dave worked with his employee and how he educated him in a perment corrective action was brilliant sign of a great leader 👍
A comeback because of not changing a hose. And Dave gives the excuse of ,brand new employee. I was away on a fishing trip. 1000% un acceptable.
@@brian-ek1ec relax man life is all good 👍
@@brian-ek1ecpeople take vacations 🤷 and he still made the time and effort to talk to his employee
@@brian-ek1ecDid you miss the fact that it held pressure? Most customers dont want to just replace hoses because of high mileage.
I own a shop and have seen blatant theft many times. Had a customer with a Camry suddenly using oil. Local shop told him he needed a cam scrubber and it would be $700. Cam scrubber wth? Took it in and found the pcv valve stuck shut. He was very grateful for the easy fix and honesty. My sister took her Subaru to the dealer for an oil change, they told her her brakes were so bad they didn't want her to drive the car home. I just did her brakes 6 months prior, they were all brand new. Got lots of these stories, it's pretty sad honestly
Here's one way to tell if you're savvy with cars and if you're not, have them explain it to you. Have them physically or digitally show you with the car on the lift what isn't right. My local Mazda dealer did that when I brought the car in for a recall. The tech was able to find about 6 different things that needed to be replaced on the car. He was right. Now was I gonna replace my rear main seal early and do a clutch with it. Na, I'll do the rear main when the clutch is shot and I'll just stay on top of the oil level.
they'll do it more easily to women and guys who they pick up as clueless about cars. it's criminal and should be shut down.
We run a family repair shop, this year makes 36 years. We have been successful for the same reasons this man has been successful. We keep it simple, we are honest, we do what we say and we explain to our customers what we are doing and even invite people down so we can show them what we are doing. Everything this man is saying is spot on and it is refreshing to know there's other shops out there doing it RIGHT. My hat is off to this man that ownes the shop, he cares and so do we.
I can't do that, I'm probably one of the best techs out there, but i can't stand people
We need more of this Dave… America needs this. America needs more Dave ❤️❤️
Dave for president right?
@@chrispy104k you got that right! POTUS!!!
This video has so much depth for people OUTSIDE of the auto world. Great business man, leader, and communicator. This experience could be emulated in so, so many places in our world.
Every manager in the world can take lessons from Dave how to address employees who make mistakes. He got his point across clearly, the employee understood what he did wrong and what he needs to do to keep it from happening again, and Dave did it without being angry or raising his voice.
Of course we might not know how Dave handled this off camera, but this should be required viewing for anyone in training to be a manager or supervisor no matter where they work or what they do.
Yeah and employers need pay like Dave as well, the cheap beyatches
@@MagaTBTF🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 literally
@@kkpage01100You must be one of those cheap employers, literally! 🐖🦧🐁. LOLLIPOP! 😮 FOAD! 😮
Admitting a mistake requires a brave heart, you are doing a great job, congratulations and keep it up.
Thank you, I will
UA-cam is the best… all this knowledge and insight for $15/month, saving people thousands.
I’m less concerned about a business making a mistake than how they respond to fixing the mistake. 💩 will happen, but fixing it properly and without argument is the mark of a business I want to deal with.
Amen. Well said.
Great customer service, this is the prime reason people keep coming back. Well done Dave.
Not just a great shop and owner, someone with moral values.
I love the shop. The trucks running great now! Thanks guys!
It takes some real integrity to make a video on this. Dave is a legend. Much to learn from him.
We as shop owners are always working against the common thought that all shops are crooks, especially with new customers. Another important factor is we try and have fun with our day along with the work to help create a healthy work space, this is not easy work and even though i have done this for 36 years i still learn new things and still ask questions if i don't know. We enjoy making new customers and earning there trust.
We will all be lining up outside your shop!!!!!
I’m a medium/heavy truck shop supervisor. My supervisor when I was a tech always said”let the truck talk to you”. You’re going to look at a 20,000 mile truck way different than a 200,000 mile truck
You still made a great choice by hiring that employee. that guy knows his shit👍 he deserves to work there...
MR DAVE your PERSONALITY IS KEY YOUR AWESOME
I wish I could find a similar competent and trusting garage like Dave’s in the greater Toronto area. Dave is an example of the perfect manager. It’s all about training and educating than immediate corrective action.
Shops like Dave's are extremely rare, most mechanics in the GTA are crooks.
Sometimes a mechanic can do everything right and something can still happen. When things are old with lots of mileage, you never know when something like an o-ring is gonna leak, especially if you disturb it by taking it off. Your mechanic did everything right. The only thing maybe he could’ve done is like you seemed to suggest, that he could’ve looked closer at the hose and o-rings, and used the mileage as a way to judge that the hose should just be replaced. Often times as mechanics we try to not add a bunch more parts to a repair because we don’t wanna have to charge the customer more than the original estimate was, and we don’t wanna seem like we’re trying to add things after the fact or trying to upsell them extra things they might not need, but sometimes it can bite you when you don’t do it. It’s usually worth at least calling the customer and telling them you can use the old stuff if they want, but there’s a chance it could leak and it won’t be your fault if it does. Most of the time people are understanding but sometimes people only wanna spend exactly what you originally quoted them. It’s a really difficult balance and age and experience is the only way you can possibly learn how to approach situations like that. Anyone young or just starting out deserve lots of forgiveness and patience with things like this cause there’s just no way to learn without doing it.
I love this. 7:12 just teach the mechanic how to make sure there aren’t any call backs. Invest in your employees, TEACH them, you’ll have a loyal employee for that just as important as loyal customers.
2018 buisness owner of matts mobile diesel service in minnesota
I have been running my little outfit of about 3 employees and treating people similar!!! I look up to u!😊
As a old computer technician I created customer's problem tracking similar to a doctors office. Dave diagnoses the vehicles the same which is the best way to do the best job and the quickest method. Helped reduce customer returning for the same problem. I have a 7.3 that if I ever have issue I will be seeing if I can get it to Dave.
Thanks for sharing
Pressure testing a cooling system after to confirm is not correct. You should run the vehicle till it hits operating temp and then watch and check for leaks. If you just pressure test it cold after the repair that isn’t confirmed. Stuff will expand so you need to do it warm while running
I had the same thought, his age is maybe getting him lol
Always check yout oil dip stick no matter where you go.. also check the ground
Driving for over 20 years & had my vehicles to 4 shops for mechanic work. 1 was done right.
2 years ago my transmission blew on my 05 3500 dodge, found a shop who delt with BD Diesel parts. Had a HD transmission installed & under 500 miles the flex plate broke.
Shop found the crank had excessive play, replaced the thrust washer & wont run now.
Was an amazing truck, umm 3 trucks were before mechanics worked on them.
❤️ Your Values❤
Dave you have made even my non-automotive repair trade better through those of us who watch you. Your reach is greater than you know.
In teaching your son and your other workers (and those of us watching) "the way", you are truly doing God's work in helping people beyond even your own years of which I pray there are many more remaining.
has nothing to do with god.
@@steveww07 I don't fault you for being an atheist activist.
@@InsideOfMyOwnMind I don't fault you blaming/praising God for everything in your life instead of taking personal accountability.
@@steveww07 You have no idea how I handle personal accountability. If you did you wouldn't be mouthing off about it.
@@InsideOfMyOwnMind and you dont know what Im an activist for. See how that works schmuck.
*Dave's Auto Center* Great job Dave, trust is a difficult thing in todays world especially when it comes to repair shops. Thank-you sir for taking the time to bring content like this to us. GOD Bless.
Great video. Had a shop tell me I needed a whole new exhaust for $1200. Another shop just replaced the flex pipe for $100.
😮 dave crawling under that truck at +60 was impressive 18:00
I was crawling around my grand daughters Jeep 72 young
Dave, we all enjoy the content you provide and I'm sure your customer's appreciate the service you provide. Please don't shorten the possibility of that continuing by relying on a hydraulic floor jack to protect your life.
I think the most impressive thing about Dave is how he teaches, shares knowledge like a coach, and manages his business with a sense of Humor.
Clean floors, good lighting & air, each mechanic with his own tool set, fair pay & benefits, & amortizing his expensive machinery.
I’d love to see a collab with Gale Banks, and there are very few “shops” that can clean a block & align bore an AMG block and care for a WWII Jeep that was likely used for a radio.
From now on stuff!
If every shop did what you guys do then we would have a thousand more youtube channels from auto shops promoting themselves. You guys are amazing!!!
Word of mouth travels faster than the speed of light, especially negative. If you're busy and have repeat customers, that speaks volumes.
Dave I’m still so amazed by your work, ability and dedication to doing automotive work the right way my hats off to you guy’s. I would have loved to work for a company like yours, the dealership that I did work for in my prime for years, I had a great guy for a boss that was very particular and very professional about how he expected all the work that was done regardless of what it was if you didn’t provide top quality service work he would let you know about it. I mean he was very strict but then again he was a great man and I learned so much more from him than just working on cars and trucks. I still think about him today and it’s been a long time since I worked for him and he has since passed away , RIP Jim. If I’m ever up your way I’m definitely going to have to stop by. Thank you for posting all the good stuff!
That guy from Alaska came to your shop for service, maybe I should bring my vehicles there as well.
Problem is that I keep them well serviced, and since getting rid of the BMW have not had any trouble with any of them.
There is probably no "good" shop in my entire state, then. Maybe a handful in 1500 miles.
We have access to Walmart Automotive, dealers with new service kids (parts cannon shooters!) every 6 months with very few ASE certified, and 60 year-old Independent shops with some old school knowledge, but an inch of dirt on the floor and no current tools. 😰
We need Dave's franchises!!
Just like a restaurant, if the parking lot is full that tells me that it's good, if empty prolly not. Word of mouth is huge too
Full respect to the way that you work as I dont find many that work the way that I do. I work in a different field but Im old skool like you and you work with your heart and dont deal with boomerang issues. If the customer comes back then either they didnt disclose something in a way that I understood properly or I didnt do a proper job....either way its me. Attitude is everything and I agree we will always get people that push the buttons and limits, but if youre transparent, concise, consistent, clear and considerate then youve checked most of those boxes. The reassurance is the checking in with them afterwards. We dont always get things right, but we wont know unless we check in with people. Not everyone considers that necessary but deep down customers feel valued, respected and looked after if you check in with them. Everyone also wants cheap, that doesnt go in the same sentence. Cheap means they cut something out or tried to cut corners. Cheap to me means I did it right and you didnt come back (in the nicest way) because your customers time is finite. You will always find money, finding time comes at the detriment to other things. Loved the video, not many touch my heart the way that this did.
Great manager/owner and educator. I would definitely love to work there. So hard to find a honest and respected mechanic. Good job!👏🏽
Right on
I left a shop I had been going to for around 5 years because every time I would bring my car in for service he wasnt prepared for the job. Examples: fix my exhaust. Only 1 of 3 leaks repaired and sent home. Transmission and differential service requested. Did not service differential because honda fluid required. Again sent home and rear diff still squealing during parking.
One struggle we have is a new customer comes it with a scan report from auto parts store and wants us to fix there car based off that information. I then try my best to explain the difference between reading a code and diagnosing the car. I normally say what if we replace the part you want us to and the code or issue is still there? Lets verify this issue first and then make the repair based of our research.
I am a self taught mechanic 55 years on countless type machines, I work in High Tech as an lead in a division of a company.
Nothing surpassed what I Do, nothing, as far as mechanizing repair, design etc.
You must know all top 24 sciences , chemistry of things like the reactiveness, laws of thermal dynamics, calculus trig math etc. ALL of it like a Phd. Think it thru, troubleshoot like any industry to resolve ANY issue that is masked Layers DEEP!
I can spot top drawer platitudes of sorts in the mechanical realm in a second. Dave is absolutely one of them as proper as a base of operation reliability as I can find. With out going there can see the “traits” .
You real ass hell for bringing a comeback customer . Transparency is everything . Godbless
Damn… I wish I lived in Utah. I’d quit working as a nurse, go back and get an education to be a proper mechanic and go work for Dave. Excellent boss, excellent character.
Amen….fellas…amen🎉
Was never ever compromised….my knees gave up…
I’m goin nowhere….I’m at home
Dave you're great and an awesome role model. I have a small shop. I do care enough to do the best. That's why I basically do 90 percent on my own. My name's on it and it has to be right. Even when I know it's right or I did everything I can to fix it correctly with the customers ok I still think about it later hopefully I did everything I can to make sure it's perfect.. sometimes stuff happens. Most of the time it is a manufacturer problem with a part if I have any issues at all. Everyone wants to be treated right and not be ripped off at the end of the day.
The best shop is to do stuff yourself.
Order online, wait, & watch UA-cam and do it yourself.
Save you tons of money! 💰
Dave's Auto Group Therapy
Good stuff guys!
Right at the start of the video. Fixing the mistake,(oversight) and admitting it!!! Disturbing old o-ringed hoses😊
Dave is a PR master!
Purple Cow!
A good shop takes care and treats there costumer's right
The way you measure your vendors is how they behave when things go wrong. It’s easy to look good when everything goes right. When things go bad, do they run or start blaming, or do they jump in the Fox hole with you and make things right? A great vendor sees the long term relationship.😊
Was a big fan of bill hewitt r.i.p ,Dave is just as proper, OG to the bone.
Back in the old days when roller lifters were a Hot Rod part they never seemed to fail, but now that they are OEM they seem to fail and destroy the engine.
I guess hot rodders bonded more with their engines and kept a look at the machine and checked the oil etc...
Now people jst take the engine and drive train for granted drive the vehicle and never think about the drive train because they are so enamoured with the electronic gadgets that come with new cars. Most people consider the vehicle to just be an extension of their smart phone.
I guess I am old school, I consider the engine and drive train the most important components. That is why the companies that build the cars and trucks have the word "motor" in their title. General Motors, Ford Motor Company...
The problem is with the coolant leak. If you tell the customer needs a radiator then you tell all the coolant hoses need to be replaced due to age and the customer does not want to replace the coolant hoses because the say "you are trying to sell me things I don't need just fix the leak." So you do that well technically you did fix the leak that they were concerned with. The radiator hose is now a new leak which they did not pay for.
I just had a terrible experience when my service writer fixed one problem and I had another issue and he said he was waiting to find out if this last issue was covered. I waited two weeks and got nothing, I contacted him back and he gave me an excuse I called back a week later to his boss and he promised me to get to the crux of the matter. The service writer called me back today and I found out he called the warranty company and somehow got an answer today but hadn’t received anything until today. After hearing this from the service writer, if it hadn’t been for my relationship with his boss I wouldn’t go back, I refuse to work with the service writer ever again.
I had a Toyota dealer over fill my wife's 2020 Camry by 3 and a half qrts! She took it in for service picked ip up and came home she drives slow so the symptoms did not make them self known yet. She knows to always visually check it after oil changes, but that time she did not. We got in the car got on the Tollway and got up to 75mph when it started to stall and blow heavy smoke out the back. Pulled over put 2 and 2 together and checked oil it was way over filled. Took it a short distance to the local oil change place they removed 3 1/2 qrts before getting it to correct level. The Toyota dealer did pick the car up did another oil change and inspected the car for any seal damage or anything else so they said. Have not had anymore issues. To think at a Toyota dealer this would happen. I told them they should require a visual check of the oil in front of the customer when they pick up their vehicle to be sure it never happens again. They have now made that mandatory at that dealership so they really took it to heart.
They should do a visual and test drive before handing over to the customer
I really enjoy the videos like this as they help me with the small things that I need to tweak in my business. If you are ever in thr Columbus Ohio area, you are welcome to stop by. We are a very small shop but we do our best to get things right the first time but the main reason we have been able to stay in business is because we are honest.
Ohh, trust is so important when choosing a place to take your vehicle. Mechanics are so careless with small things. 1 Do the put disposal mats in you car so grime is not on you carpet. 2. Are they explaining what they are doing and what you potentially need in the future.
I use to go to an old school garage where the guys Don and Tony were absolutely the best.
Find a great shop that treats your vehicle and you with respect.
I travel to Utah every couple years. Hopefully I never break down. If I do, I know where I’m going
It's always the extra steps which makes all the difference
Not knocking him, because he is literally just one of thousands, but that new truck guy is the perfect example that owning a truck is more of a status symbol than actual use. Going to sound old, but in my day, if you owned a truck it meant you were capable. Your truck put on a show, but you had to back it up. A truck owner should at least be able to do routine maintenance on their vehicle, props to the second truck guy for doing at least the routine stuff.
@@craigfin3222 Did you mean for your comment to sound condescending?
I'll never understand folks who can't do even basic maintenance. I'm not mechanic but Ive rebuilt calipers, replaced shocks, exhausts, belts etc.... it's just mechano for adults. I'm not gonna start rebuilding blocks in my garage but not being able to do routine stuff is crazy to me.
@@kraftypk7283I’ve done everything you’ve done but I can understand why people don’t work on their own stuff…who’s to say those same people are doing something you aren’t doing or you can improve on…also with that logic half the shops would be out of business lol
Dave has a good formula for a car shop VLOG
I wish I could afford the kind of work Dave's auto does. Unfortunately for me I have to be my own mechanic. Ive gotten good but a good shop cannot be understated
Well I love the honesty. But for the casuals in the maintenance business it's about keeping face which Dave does amazingly.
Obviously everyone does mistakes and admitting is the sign of a professional. Even techicians get anxious, we want to do a perfect job every time and are proud of it. Admitting something went wrong just happens or you can't find the fault is a sad possibility
The “ old bucks” is the greatest teachers.
The parts team could be used in this situation, and look at points of failure and help give the parts estimate to include a new oring and circlip. Oh wait, the oring and circlip are not available separate, okay, let’s put a hose on the estimate. Team work. Techs wouldn’t mind if the parts guys up sell and make the repair more complete, and take off the parts not used.
This oil issue happened to me and I lost that client forever. He brought his jeep liberty and the follow day when I wanted to reposition the car the engine seized. When I checked there was no oil.
Years ago I worked for a major auto parts chain. Customer came in with an early 70s Mercedes 450SL. He bought a can of a popular brand of fuel system cleaner and dumped it into the tank, and then tried to start the car. That was the moment that the timing chain in the engine decided to break. Which caused the engine to lock up and bent most of the valves. He came back in and blamed me for what happened and the manufacturer of the additive, and took everybody involved to court. He lost badly on that. Moral of the story? Not everybody is reasonable or understanding of things. The victory? He and his lawyer had to pay the legal fees of the defendants and had to pay for a full engine rebuild for his Mercedes which was in the end 100% his responsibility for neglecting in the first place. How to deal with people who won't listen is the biggest challenge.
exactly, lots of customers are freakin clueless.
I want see how start a little painting wet sand buffing business thanks for the teaching brother
some of the worse leaders i ever had used rhetorical statements and questions in order to correct. being direct and asking to self solve is on point!!
Look how clean his shop is that tells you everything lol. If you pull up and shits everywhere cabs off parts laying around .. you better pullout quick
Dave for president? 👍
Dave for president!!!
We need you out here on the east coast Dave!
“Gods auto repair” at the very end killed me 😂
Unfortunately, most repair shops are grimy. The “office” has parts laying on the desk and on the floor-papers stacked in every corner 😂😂😂.
Not one shop owner EVER sat down with me or a group😂😂
Even if know nothing about auto repair, just the way they speak to you will give you a tell tale warning or trust. Or if they are hitting you with honesty right from the start “you really don’t need that part, but we can look at it next time”. Something like that.
This was beautiful Dave!
Friend's Dad owned a transmission shop and he said the way to tell a good shop from a bad was how "happy" the employees were. If everyone is joking around laughing, bad shop. If everyone is kind of ticked off, good shop. Hard to hear but true. Good shops still joke around but the difference is, what's the priority?
Dave , idea . dyno a good running say 50-75k mile truck, pull the engine balance it maybe freshen it blue print it or just get clearances the way you want and re-dyno. It would be a lot of work for a video. I suggest a GM LT engine. Also test fuel mileage before and after.
There are very few places that are honest. Unless you establish a long time relationship with an auto shop, most places will screw you over. I've always done my iwn maintenance for 50 years. Now older, I need a shop to do simple tasks. If you're a new customer, they treat you like you're just a number. It's the it is today
I think some of these customers that are traveling great distances for your shop Dave, have to understand that nobody can 💯 guarantee. That is all.
So beautiful , god bless america and men like these
Dave going under a truck held only by a jack scared me 😅
About the differential guy we understand a code list it’s not a parts list 😊
My transmission went out in my 2014 Dodge Grand caravan. I got a donor vehicle but I've been told not to put the used transmission in. For as much as it costs for a new transmission. Might as well get a new car but I don't have the money for that and that stinks. And being a pastor it's hard not doing visitation because that's my number one duty after prayer
I’ll pray for you brother, but God is faithful and will provide
As insurance companies state there is no warranty on re used parts
It's amazing how another man can sit down waiting for another man to do something so simple for them that they can easily do themselves. They are something with money but literally nothing without it.
The other day, I went to get a quote for a front end job on my 1995 c1500. They quoted me 11 hrs of labor and $3980 bill. I walked out. They had mentioned that they were going to replace the control arms, and separately mentioned the costs of ball joints, which dawned on me how much they scam people.
As requested no names but man being a mechanic myself and seeing youtube clips or friends and family having bad experiences really makes me feel like people won’t trust me; The very worst is people posting themselves on youtube doing something wrong (like starting a drain bolt with an impact not lubing oil filter o rings etc) then saying they are a master tech at a dealer. The second worst is upselling even big dealers are occasionally bad news my friend was lied to about a diagnosis and the dealer attempted to sell him thousands of unnecessary work. I came to the conclusion that he was lied to after 2 different shops said that the dealer’s single diagnosis was bad. My second example is when aunt took her newer german car to a dealer they said it needed 2,500$ for engine mounts so she calls me and I said that seems unlikely considering the age and how much vibration engine mount failure cases I advised getting a second opinion. so she declined but didn’t book an appointment she comes back to the same dealer 3 weeks later for an oil & filter change and she asks about engine mounts and they said oh yeah they still have plenty of life keep
in mind the engine mounts were not replaced on this car ever. 2019 Q7.
Brilliant 👏 very well Said we are human shit happens.. real boss not mad educating the man
You are one in a million, customer is your paycheck.
Lovin the spongebob cuts 😂
I married at close to 40 years old, finding my wife was easier than finding a good shop, I have yet to find one, that's why I fix and do maintenance on my own vehicles, I went to tech school for 2 years to learn how to do that, cheaper and less time consumed than dealing with bad shops...
I just had this problem. So 4 visits to the same shop for poor ac performance. They said my lines were clogged, I had defective pressure sensors. Charge on an 01 ranger is 30 oz written as 1lbs 14oz. My factory stickers are intact written on the core support. They said they didn’t understand why it was written like that. But once we charged it correctly my issues went away, i thought i found a good one but man i was wrong.
Dave crawling under truck with out jack stand
I noticed that too. I guess he would argue that the wheel is still on and he may get a scare but would not get squashed.
In ANY service type situation ... EVERYONE IS going to make the occasional mistake. Everyone knows this fact. Simple facts of life. It is always about how you correct the mistake, and HINT: Sometimes the fix is going to cost you (the company doing the service) more than the original service! You MUST "suck it up" and think about the fact that a "satisfied customer" will be a repeat customer, and they will brag about how you "took care of them", thereby bringing you more business from themself, and others.
Dave should be the John target of shops.
I really enjoy your Channel Dave. Very Informative!!
Finding a good repair shop can be difficult but thankfully there are several in the area I live. I do have one question to ask.
In one of your videos you covered doing a proper brake job, new pads/new rotors etc. At your shop, do you replace or reinstall the Rotor retaining bolts if the Rotors are so equipped? I have always reinstalled the rotor retaining bolts when I do a brake job. I figure they were engineered into the rotors for a reason. The rotors seem to have excess play without the bolt. When I have taken my vehicles to the shop they don’t reinstall the bolts. What do you think?
17:20 another youtuber in the shot :D