The clutch on my car is on its way out by way out I mean I dare not drive it more than the 13 kilometres it takes me to get to the shops. I figure 13 kilometres is a do able walking distance if it fails. If I don’t need to go to town I don’t go. I have lost faith in the mechanical ability of my car which is when one should promptly take their car to the mechanic but not me. Me I have been trying to put it off until my father arrives in ten days, holding my breath every time I take a drive to town all because well I’m not a fan of dealing with mechanics. It’s a situation evolved through bad experience and knowing too little about my car and a fear of being ripped off and treated like a idiot.
Mechanics well I just can’t look them in the eye. Not only is it because I usually am not as tall as them there is just something that intimidates me about them the same goes for hair dressers but that’s a whole other post. I think it’s because I just don’t know enough about what’s under the hood. Its guilt. Guilt that Im operating something I dont understand. Guilty as charged. I can change the oil, change the tyre maybe even the air filter at a stretch; with the help of Google but I’m afraid I have to draw the line at the clutch. Simply wouldn’t know where to start and I guess a girl has to admit she needs a little ahem help at some point.
Typically the car is on its last legs when FIFO husband is out but you know that how it happens it’s almost a given. So today was the day. I had to suck it up and deal with a mechanic today so I do as I normally do; I faked it until I made it. So over the course of several conversations with some mechanics today whilst trying to get a quote on how much my little beast was going to cost to mend I learnt a few tricks on how best to deal with them. I make them sound like another spices but like most professions they have a lingo all their own ; along with the need to display a half naked Tara Reid on the office wall I will also never understand.
Now given I know the problem with the car they told me it might happen at my last service I was half way there. It was there at the last service I asked the several questions how long will it last? Should I drive it different? All that stuff he dutifully told me.
So I guess that’s lesson one: Take an interest in your car. It’s your car after all.
So I called mechanic one. The clutch is going on my car I said to him. How do you know he said? Because I do I said. How he replied? Because I just do. I explained you change gears, it revs and kind of looses power hmmm he said. What’s the make and model? It is at this point I fumble around trying to find the details of my car while he sat impatiently on the other end of the phone getting more and more ticked off. Like he didn’t have anything else to do as a small business owner? He told me he would call me with a quote typically like a girl I said okkkay far too happy like. Like a failed first date I don’t expect to hear from him.
Lesson two: Do your research. Telling him everything you can recall. The situation the noises and how often it makes them. The more the better. It helps him diagnose the problem better. As stupid as you sound do it. Have the vehicles details on hand. The log book is even better.
I then called mechanic two. I had the car details, I described the noise and then he gives me ahhh that will be around $3600. What do you mean around I said to him. Depends if you want genuine or non genuine parts he said, duh I don’t know I said. You could almost hear the ‘typical woman’ in his voice.
Lesson three: know your options.
Finally I called one more mechanic it was the dealer my least favourite mechanic in town, the one I have had my past problems with which is why I guess I left him until last. I was a pro now at talking the talk. After revolting hold music I was answered John was his name I want a quote to change the clutch in a Nissan Navara I told John. You could almost hear the drop in his voice when he heard the voice of a woman (actually I have been told I sound like a three year old. Worse). He went to start asking questions but I interjected I was on a roll I want a quote for both genuine and non genuine parts. I wasn’t rude but I want blousy about it either. That will be between $1800 and $3600 depending on the labour. Ah no I said. I want something a little firmer than that. The part will be a fixed price I would assume I said and given that you are the Nissan dealer and it is a Nissan you must have an idea of the amount of time it will take to install. I went on to say I only want the clutch changed nothing else…ahh his tune changed. It ringed with perhaps she knows what she was talking about …you can never tell these days, this is where the fake it till you make it comes in. Right he said. Can I email that to you? Why yes you can I said.
Lesson four: be clear of your expectations.
And finally.
Lesson five: Be nice. Manners will get you everywhere.
So I got my quotes all of them. Always a minimum of three.
The best was the Nissan dealer and I get a 12 month warranty on the non genuine part. I was nice. He was nice. We have a firm understanding of cost but if I get the bill and it’s a little out or under I’m cool with that. I understand that he is a professional if he wasn’t any tom dick and harry would be under the hood. His professionalism and mine will go a long way. I don’t think he will treat me like a fool and I for future reference won’t treat him like a would be bank robber.
So that my friends is my conclusion on how to talk to a mechanic. All mechanics feel free to complain here however those spoken to today reaffirmed my faith in the old grease monkey not being that bad.
Xx Deb
