From: susan@rooftop.com   
      
   On Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:20:42 -0600, Oldphart   
    wrote:   
      
   >Jeff wrote:   
   >> Susan wrote:   
   >> ...   
   >>  > It makes me sick. The only people who should have older cars are   
   >>  > people who know how to work on them. Taking an old car to a shop,   
   >>  > especially if you are a woman, is almost a guarantee of getting ripped   
   >>  > off, even when you educate yourself to avoid it!   
   >>   
   >> Well, that's mostly true. However, it has nothing to do with being a   
   >> woman. And, it's a lesson most of us have learned.   
   >>   
   >> And, educating yourself CAN help. You're learning about "standard   
   >> practices" in the industry, the hard way, by examining the bloody pieces   
   >> left after surgery. Only a custom, specialty shop will "spec" rebuild   
   >> your starter.   
      
   That's news to me. Even the guy I argued with (the go-between)   
   understood that a rebuild means plunger, brushes and contacts, not   
   "just the contacts" though he did say that that was how it was done   
   back in the day. Apparently these days they only replace what's worn.   
   IOW, the rebuilder saves money on parts, charges you the same amount   
   as if everything was replaced, and the thing is more likely to break   
   again sooner, bringing you back [to someone if not them] for more   
   repairs...  It is a much better strategy for the auto industry and   
   much worse for the consumer. And it is not a rebuild! Only a part   
   replacement.   
      
   I can't wait til nanotechnology builds engines out of materials that   
   self-repair. (Yes, that's actually coming, but not soon enough!) A   
   good auto mechanic is a gem, but they are too few and far between.   
      
   >> A mainline shop will replace it with a good rebuilt, for   
   >> the flat rate. Done deed. You're lucky it's not a Delco-Remy replacement!   
      
   I don't feel lucky having paid $225 for $11 contacts, but I'll take   
   your word for it. :)   
      
   > Olphart added:   
   >....and the part they replaced will hopefully have a 1 year replacement   
   >warranty.  I paid 142.00 for a starter 9 months ago and replaced it just   
   >yesterday.   
      
   Oh man, how odd, just when you were talking about starters here! Did   
   you have any idea it was going bad on you?   
      
   > They called the warranty exchange done under the term   
   >"defective replacement".  The knuckle-busting location of the starter   
   >on my 2000 Maxima did not add to the joy of working in a church parking   
   >lot with little light.   
      
   That does NOT sound fun!   
      
   >The only shop here in Wichita that rebuilt   
   >starters (and generators) often did so while you waited.  Rickets   
   >Rebuilders closed shop about 15 years ago due to competition from south   
   >of the border.  But there was something good about sitting there at the   
   >tin covered front bench talking with the guy who cracked the starter   
   >apart and replaced or reworked your own unit.   
      
   What a visual. There are many things progress has brought that are   
   great, but much we have lost along the way too.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)