Yes, you can wait

I have been in the automotive repair business since 1984.  In that time, I have seen my share of wacky stuff.  As I get older, I realize that the some of the same things happen over and over again.  This blog will hopefully educate you on how the automotive repair business works and how to avoid frustration. Maybe, if I am lucky, you might laugh a little bit as well.

The title for my first post is "Yes, you can wait" because the most frequently asked question people in the automotive repair industry hear is, "Can I wait for it?"

Here is the plain truth of the matter.  You can wait for anything.  If your vehicle is having the engine replaced and it will take three days to complete the repair, you can wait for it if you are willing to sleep outside the facility.  What is wrong with your vehicle will determine how long the repairs will take.  Other factors that will impact repair time is the availability of parts, how fast the supplier can get the parts to the shop and how much other work is in the shop.

When customers come and see me, and they ask, "Can I wait for my car?", I say "Sure!".  The next question is always the same.  "How long will it take?"  Well, an oil change takes about 30 minutes.  Adding a vehicle inspection will add another 30 minutes to your wait.  These are the easy ones. 

Here is one I get all the time.  "My check engine light is on, can I wait for my car while you check it out?"  I then say, "Sure", then they ask, "How long will it take?" The answer is not as easy.  You see, when it comes to diagnosing a problem, giving a customer an absolute time when it will be done is impossible.  You can guess, but that guess is never correct.  I try and explain to the customer that I can't give them a time because I don't know what is wrong with the car.  At this point the customer gets frustrated.

So, how can you avoid frustration when getting your vehicle repaired?

First, realize that most repairs and maintenance take time.  Waiting for an oil change makes sense.  Waiting for an oil change, spark plug replacement and a transmission flush does not make sense.  If you absolutely must wait on your vehicle, plan on being at the repair facility for a few hours.  And by few, I mean 5 or 6 hours.

Second, if you don't have to wait, then don't.  Whether it is getting a ride from a friend or co-worker or renting a car, try to let the repair shop have the vehicle for as long as they need it.  Rushing them to get to a diagnosis or through a repair is not the best thing for your car.

Third, understand that the repair shop is not telling you a repair will take a long time to drive you crazy.  They are telling you it will take a certain amount of time because that's how long it will take.

And finally, realize that your car is not the only car in the shop.  Repair shops make money by maximizing the efficiency of the technicians.  That means that the technician will be working on multiple cars, and not just yours.  If the tech estimates the job before yours will take an hour, and then ends up taking an hour and a half, that will push back the completion time for everyone, not just you.  The shop understands everyone needs their car, and they are not holding it hostage for giggles.  The sooner they fix your car, the sooner they can work on someone else's vehicle and make more money.

Good luck and happy motoring!!

Scott