Is it really worth it?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I am always amazed at what people will do to save a buck or two. Yesterday was a picture perfect example of this.

We found a vehicle (the identity will remain anonymous) with a broken lower ball joint in the lot. There was no information left as to the owner or there intentions. After a good part of the day the owners where finally contacted and they intended to replace the ball joint and leave. Unfortunately we do not allow repairs in our lot just like you wouldn't bring your own grill and ribs to Famous Dave's or your own keg to a bar.

We quoted them around a couple hundred dollars to replace the joint with there part which was way to much according to them. They said they would be back with a tow dolly later in the evening.

About 6:30 or so they show up with the dolly. They spent about 3 hours trying to get the car on the dolly. They tried forcing the dolly under, jacking up the front of the car, etc. Eventually they decided to put the broken ball joint back together and hold it in place with a chain. Then when they went to start the car the battery was dead. They finally get it jumped and drive it onto the dolly.

This is where it gets good! Without strapping the car down they decide to pull head to unblock our entrance which they had been doing for about 45 minutes. Upon pulling forward they either turned to tight or the car shifted ripping off the fender of the dolly which put a hole in the tire of the dolly. Now they have a disabled car half on a disabled dolley and there stuck right in the middle of our entrance!

So they try backing up and the car contorts itself just enough to blow out the right front tire on the mangled fender of the dolly. Out come the floor jacks and blocks of wood and about 20 minutes later they finally had the car off the dolly.

So I ask you is it really worth it to spend over four hours (not including travel time to get the dolly) to get a car on a car dolly only to blow out two tires and ruin the dolly to save a couple hundred dollars?

[CJH]

Crazy. What a waste of time.

There is no cure for dumb.

[Shack]

Crazy stuff in the automotive world lol! I could tell ya~

[jwhjr]

I bet there was a lot of popcorn being consumed in the shop at break time watching the show No cure for dumb is right.

[goblueM]

hmm this makes me think since my ball joint is starting to get squeaky

cmon paycheck, get here faster!

[Jeremy airjer W]

No popcorn but just when we where thinking it couldn't get any better it kept getting better!

[Macgyver55]

Stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime!

[muddpuppy]

Were you able to sell them some new tires and and repair cost to weld on the fender of the dolly after they gave up and had U install the ball joints?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Oh they didn't give up. They drove the car off our lot with a police escort. As far as what they did with the dolly I left as soon as the entrance was open at around 10:30. I was beat after replacing a motor in an equinox.

[Scott K]

I bet they left, and are telling their friends how high priced you are on labor, and how much they saved by doing it themselves

[bucketmouth64]

Pure stupidity. Once they add up all the costs of the damge they caused versus having you do the job they will have to admit they were pretty stupid. No savings here. That would have been entertaining to watch...video taping would've been fun.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

I could see my cheap self trying to do that, I would at least have a repair manual

Maybe they were hoping that with you watching their toils you would cut them a break on the cost

[muddpuppy]

Too bad you had all that bad advertisement going on all day...... People driving by thinking that's how you guys work.

It's a shame how some people just can't swallow their pride.

[shizzy]

thats funny.

Interesting that it was on the same day I decided to just drop my truck off at the shop. I thought it was a noisy U joint but wasnt 100% sure. I quickly decided my time would be better spent at work and not under the truck on my back in the parking lot of my apartment complex for two days. it cost me a bit more then I would have liked, but it was done in about 3 hours and I didnt get dirty. you dont alwas save money by being cheap, but you have to factor in time and aggirvation.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Here's the thing. Ball joints just don't break out of the blue. There have been warning signs for a long, long, LLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG time! Things like the car is pulling, the steering wheel is off, the horrendous clunking noises, squeaking when you turn the wheel, you only get 10k miles out of a set of tires because the insides are worn to the cords.

They had well over a year to deal with this in a cost effective manner. $50 for parts and a Sunday afternoon and its a done deal.

Just because it isn't physically broken doesn't mean it it isn't broken. That seems to be a hard concept for people to understand!

[Dozer]

Just because it isn't physically broken doesn't mean it it isn't broken.

Those are wise words that some people will never take to heart!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Those are wise words that some people will never take to heart!

I think thatss the first time I have been called wise and not had other word follow!

[jltimm]

I was beat after replacing a motor in an equinox.

...and Chevy says let the best car win!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Yup, the old 3.4 puking head gaskets. For some reason when there in a minivan/suv they just don't last.