I had a bloke come out to my place to replace the broken gas strut this morning. While he was there i got him to take a look at the struts under the bonnet of my car. I'd noticed they'd recently become fairly lethargic and i wanted his opinion on getting them re-gassed. He takes a look at the struts and tells me that they're not the original Toyota struts. Strange, i think to myself.
I tell him I've owned the car since new and nobody has ever mentioned changing the struts. He asks me when i last had the car serviced. About a month ago as a matter of fact. "And when did you first notice the struts weren't working like they used to?" he asks. "Well it would have been shortly after that because i was putting in an auto transmission cooler." He tells me, "I think you'll find that some mechanic has taken your good struts out and put these worn struts in." "Why would they do that?" I ask. "I reckon someone in the workshop needed some new struts. It wouldn't be the first time a mechanic has taken working parts from a car and replaced them with worn parts from their car. It's also not uncommon for the mechanic to tell you a part is worn and needs replacing. They'll put a new part in your car and take the old part for themselves because there's actually nothing wrong with it."
Ordinarily i'd be shocked and sceptical, but i've discovered these mechanics have done a number of dishonest things. Most recently, at the last service they told me my air filter needed replacing. I thought it had only just been done so i told them i'd do it myself. I checked the service log and saw that the air filter was supposed to be changed at the previous service, but they hadn't signed the service book or torn the docket out. There was nothing wrong with the filter. That same service they were supposed to change the diff oil. I went to install breathers a few days ago and checked the oil. It was black. I checked the receipt and saw i hadn't been charged for any oil or washers, but when i ask for a log book service i expect a log book service. What the hell is wrong with these people?!?
Mike
