I wanted to bring up this topic as I'm curious to know if anyone else has had these problems related to this.
It started recently when I ordered a used gauge cluster for my Chrysler that was fully functional, had all the gauges and everything. My mechanic finally received the cluster 10 days later, but the one he received was cracked and 3 of the gauges were missing, it turns out the guy had sent the wrong one and had accidentally grabbed the cluster next to the one he meant to send. He apologized and now the correct one is on its way (hopefully).
I could accept that someone had accidentally had sent the wrong part (I didn't lose any money), but what I heard next really irritated me. It turns out when I sent my brake booster to be rebuilt that the machine shop that welded it back together had damaged the booster during the welding process it so it leaked air, my mechanic sent it back to have the piece replaced and put back together correctly this time (for free of charge of course). The shop admitted they weren't very skilled welders (thanks for telling us that AFTER you damaged the part) but hopefully they are still capable of putting it back together correctly. Neither me or my mechanic has had trouble with this particular machine shop until recently, and they have welded things back together for my mechanic before and did a fine job previously, maybe they hired some unknowledgeable workers?
Another incident my mechanic ran into was with a warehouse transmission shop, he needed an automatic transmission for a 1995 Dodge Dakota and was having trouble finding a decent one for under $2,000 with less than 200k miles. This particular shop listed online that a transmission for this truck was available, so he calls them and they tell him that it's not in stock. After calling around multiple other places, other shops tell him that the warehouse in fact does have the transmission he's looking for. He calls them 2 more times, and turns out that they DID have an automatic transmission for a 95 Dodge Dakota, they just didn't see it when they were looking for it and they had to have someone "more experienced" find it, apparently they don't have they're transmissions organized very well and they didn't teach the new guys where all the different transmissions are located.
All over the country I've been hearing a lot of mechanics including my own and YouTube channels including Scotty's talking about faulty parts. My mechanic is retiring after 35 years because he's tired of having to deal with worker incompetence and faulty parts, and for the last year I've been hearing about different places all over the country having a run of bad parts or not being able to get parts at all. And it seems to be getting worse, like how lots of people just assume that a part is probably faulty if it doesn't work, that's how bad it's seems to have gotten. But I want to know your thoughts, will things eventually improve and will people start to know what they're doing again? Or should I start going to salvage yards and getting used parts since they may be more reliable than the new parts? I don't have the money to afford lots of tools, so I'm still debating on what I should do.
It is unfortunate that the older, more experienced auto enthusiasts are leaving the business. Apparently, they are being replaced by inexperienced, unenthusiastic day workers who don't have the same fascination with the ICE that we do since we took apart our Dad's lawnmower engine and couldn't put it back together. What I don't get is this new generation of tech savvy computer geniuses that still can't seem to figure out how to fix a car even after they are given the trouble code.
Tech savvy computer geniuses are busy playing video games. That's more important than anything else.
I’m very good with computers, much more then your average “gamer”
The issue with this generation is their lack of will power, they do not want to understand what’s going on under the hood.
(this extends far beyond their cars, it’s everything. A lack of understanding in politics, economy, public policy…)
And the level of insane complexity that cars have gotten to is insane.
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Personally I’ve always been fascinated with transmission of power, using small forces to adjust and modify big ones is so interesting but there ain’t much money in fixing that…
I asked about this because I needed ADVICE, not a tirade on how bad the new generation is. And for the record they're not all bad, just some of them are like that, I know some are like that unfortunately and it's true they have an issue with their lack of will power on just about everything. While not all of the newer generation are like that, I do understand where you're coming from. But all the cars I own are from before 1995, so this is a problem for me which I really would like some advice on.
Well, I'm a tech savvy computer genius who has written my own programs and holds multiple certifications and degrees in Information Technology. I also have degrees in Business Administration, own my own shop, build cars from scratch, and work on extremely high end vehicles. So @JohnnyRemlik, stereotypes aren't the way to go about judging people.
There are a lot of old school guys here on the forum, and I have no issues with how they go about their business. But the shaming of younger generations is misinformed and simply not true.
My employees are all younger guys/gals than what most expect, and the reason is simple: You put a traditional mechanic to work on a modern day McLaren and watch exactly how much they are going to be able to get done with brute force and a socket set. Not much. Modern cars are more and more computerized all the time, and Scotty mentions this every time someone asks about what field to get into in order to be a mechanic in the future. Computer skills are an absolute must to work on the cars I do, not to mention to build a modern car from the ground up, wire it, program all the modules to make it work. People these days want BlueTooth, Apple Car Play, ABS, Traction Control, Radar Guided Cruise Control.....and none of those can be fixed with an 8mm socket when they break. You have to know software and how computers work intricately to determine where the issue is and correct it.
As a side note, I am a heavy gamer and have played games since the days of Atari. I turned out just fine, as did many people I know. Nothing like getting the guys online and taking out stress over a few round of Call of Duty. Did that today actually.
Point being: you shouldn't judge people. I know a lot of stupid CEO's and extremely smart unemployed people. You never know what someone is going through, so if you have nothing nice to say, keep it quiet.
How's that sharing personal experience becomes a stereotype? When you are the only person programming, and your co-workers play video games during working hours, I think I have a right on this forum to say that programmers are lazy in their nature and tend to prioritize personal pleasure over doing useful stuff. I love when people feel urge to advise other people they don't know to be quiet. I love how people distort words and intentions of each other.
Sure you have a right to say that. And I have a right to tell you my experience as well. I didn't distort any of your words...you said what you said, and I commented to your exact words. That's how a forum works. If you don't like hearing what others have to say, I'm not sure why you are here. I simply pointed out that your comment that "tech savvy computer geniuses are busy playing video games" is an incorrect statement as not 100% of them are doing as you said and I know this as I am one. Not twisting your words at all, so you can also stop falsely accusing me of that.
Gentlemen - There is no disagreement here, only a sharing of ideas, not one better or worse than the other. I am very grateful for the opportunity this forum provides. So let's get back to the job of helping people with their automotive problems. It is what we are here for.
^ As doc says "not one better or worse than the other". We just have our own experiences and opinions, and I am also very grateful for the opportunity this forum provides. But word of advice Mod_Man, maybe don't post your opinion on "tech savvy computer geniuses" as an answer to a topic, that's not what this topic is about and it never was. Worker Incompetence and Parts Reliability is the topic, it isn't "Don't judge people" or "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Ah ok. So we are to comment only on the topic post only and zero components of any comments in the thread? Gotcha. I'm about to save myself A LOT of typing answers for follow up questions.
Fine, forget it. I was just trying to defend my topic as "Worker Incompetence and Parts Reliability" rather than something it wasn't meant to be about. But I guess I'm wrong and stupid for doing that, I was literally just trying to get an idea of what I should do in the future because of this problem. I didn't want nor do I want to argue with anyone.
Now hold on. Nobody said you were stupid or wrong. And I have no interest in arguing either. Tell you what. I apologize for not sticking to your topic and I will take your advice under advisement for the future. No need to keep on a negative path further. Agreed? {black}:face:
Agreed
You probably read/heard Heinlein's statement "Most people won't learn even by experience. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." I think it's even more important nowadays. I would expect the worst outcomes from humanity actions. With low expectations, if they do something right, you will be pleasantly surprised (instead of disappointed).
