Customer States:‘There is a clunking under the hood when I accelerate’ – UnderhoodService

Customer States:‘There is a clunking under the hood when I accelerate’

What happens when customers fail to tell the full story... Almost every repair order starts with the words, “customer states.” In ­repair shop language, it is the customer’s complaint without any speculation.

Almost every repair order starts with the words, “customer states.” In ­repair shop language, it is the customer’s complaint without any speculation. But, most ­repair orders fail to ­capture the shear ignorance, neglect or inaptitude of the ­customer’s treatment of their vehicle. 
This picture was sent in by a reader to show how an owner chose to fix a worn motor mount with a tie-down strap. Or, maybe it was done to ­prevent a vacuum or coolant leak from the intake manifold.
 
If you have your own  ­“customer states…” story and picture of a problem that was ignored for too long, please send it and you could win $50 if your entry is selected to appear in the magazine. 

 
It could be an air box filled with a squirrel’s nut stash or an engine where the oil change interval was extended way too long. Send your entry to [email protected]. Thanks!

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Asking for tips would probably not have gone over too well with customers in the past or in today’s constantly shifting tipping culture. I think it is a question of how people think technicians are compensated. If you are paying 20% gratuity on a meal, it is understandable. But, technicians and shops provide more than a service, they provide expertise and tools that should be compensated through the number of hours billed, not a tip from the customer. 

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