Do employees at auto maintenance places get a reward for selling auto parts that have

[raccoon]

recently come out?

The other day I went to a local mom-and-pop business where they change oil, sell tires, etc., to have my oil changed.
The guy claimed my oil pan plug had the threads stripped and had to be replaced with a Smart-O oil pan plug.

I thought the guy was lying through the teeth, but it was only $8.00 and I figured that he would stick to his story
anyway.

I had been going to this place for years, but I don't plan to go any more.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Possibly, in some places, they do.

I think it's true of doctors, mechanics, and other professions.

Of course ethically, they should be honest about it but in practice they aren't, usually.

[dr.strangelove]

2. A trusted mechanic is worth their weight in gold

A lot of shops will hit you for an many of those low cost items as they can. Like you said, its $8, so who cares, but if they sell 100 $10 filters, lights, plugs and caps a month, its an extra grand in their pocket. In the aggregate it can make a huge difference. Fast lube shops have a terrible reputation for this. I always ask that any part they pull out of my car, they give to me in a box.

[d_r]

3. yes, a trusted mechanic

is one of the best people in the world.

[raccoon]

4. Good idea about the box and the old parts. nt

[dr.strangelove]

5. We have a mechanic in the family, but it is too far to use him

but nonetheless I run everything past him. Many times he will tell me its a scam. Air filters are a big one at those fast lube/oil places. He also will tell me when the engine light is on what really must be fixed. A lot of times its just a sensor that detected air or fluid but nothing is wrong. A bad mechanic will tell you that the computer says you need to replace something, when all it needs is to be reset.

[bluesbassman]

6. Honestly I'd consider that cheap insurance...

Generally when a drain plug thread strips it takes out the oilpan threads first which can be an extremely expensive fix. I suspect the drain plug gasket was more likely where the problem was as it was probably too worn out to properly seal and the mechanic didn't verbalize it correctly. The Smart-O drain plug has an integral O-ring built into the threads and provides a superior seal and the added benefit of not having to be excessively torqued down to seal the drain hole and thus minimizes the chance of stripping the threads.

If they've been good to you in the past, I wouldn't stop going over this as he provided you with a good and useful part for a reasonable retail price. If you had said he charged you $20 or $30 then I'd say you got ripped off.

[lastlib]

7. Ask to see the old one. It's yours.

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. Think about that for a minute.

.
.
.

How much "commission" could a mechanic possibly make off an $8 plug?

Also, there's no labor involved really - he's just putting in a different plug.

I've been a licenced mechanic since 1975 having started my training/apprenticeship 5 years previously.

Stripped oil plugs are not uncommon.

Chill.

CC

[davidpdx]

9. I can understand it if it was a large amount

$8 really isn't. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt.

Now if you go in and they tell you something will cost several hundred dollars then I would be asking questions.