Service Honda - Why the love?

I don't imagine many other vendors would jump in the mix on a public forum and work to get things resolved like this. Just another reason SH will continue to be my primary source for OEM and aftermarket parts. :cool: :cool:

SS109- People here are extremely loyal to both sponsors and their friends to be sure, so to them it might seem like a ballsy move to criticize SH. I have seen other members go public with complaints against vendors they are frustrated with- the aim being to get some action on a problem. You are correct it isn't inappropriate, even if hard to see a friend and sponsor take the heat.

AJ is a topnotch guy-one of the nicest you'll meet, but business isn't just about that, and we all know it. A friend of mine once quoted some Japanese guy or other that 99% of learning is from our mistakes. (I'm making up the number.) I am glad for both Service Honda and you that the issue got vetted. They might not have known about the other consequences of the web transition but for you speaking up. The cracks in good service.

I used to use a friend's shop for my car repairs...but his friendship wasn't enough to stand up to my needs in good communication and fair prices. (And he didn't seem to know alot about what was going on with the mechanical end of his business anymore- the part I was paying for out of loyalty.) I now take my cars to other mechanics who communicate with me honestly, don't try to upsell me unneeded "preventative maintenance", and understand my financial limitations on what I can repair when and help me prioritize those things without compromising safety. They aren't friends, but, they have my loyalty by performing conscientiously.

Anyway, interesting vetting and venting.

The funny part about all this is that it could have been easily resolved with a phone call :laugh:

SH didn't respond BECAUSE of the thread they responded to it just like they would have a phone call. A lot of times it's easier to hide behind the Internet and make a gripe rather than confront the situation directly. I think this also might apply to fatcat's situation as well. Friends are not telepathic and should be able to take comments from a friend. If they can't can you really say they are a friend? Not really.

You are probably right, that maybe I can't say my friend is my friend. I tend to use the term fairly loosely- but he only had my business because he was a running buddy, and seemed like an upright guy. Which he is...

But, I'm no ballbuster. When I did talk to him about my car and tried to get a handle on the repairs, and my intuitive sense that what I was being told to replace wasn't the real problem...it was he who shrugged and said he was out of touch with that part of his business.

I'll still use him for towing, but, I've found people that I can communicate better with, who provide honest reliable service. I do not think my friend is dishonest either. I don't hold it against him that he was unconcerned about what was going on with my car. He doesn't have to babysit me, I'm a big girl. But when it comes to spending money, I'm going to give it to the place I have the most confidence in.

I do expect someone to communicate with me and not shrug me off- when I am standing face to face with him in his shop- paying my bill. So there ya go. Maybe "a phone call" ? Hiding behind the internet? Kind of a presumptuous statement to be sure. And completely wrong. I am sure you've never made incorrect statements, so, I'll cut you some slack for a first time situation.

You and I both know that not every human is perfect, nor every business transaction. That mistakes happen, and sometimes people are willing to fix them, sometimes they are too apathetic to even help you understand, even if it wasn't a "mistake". But yeah, you are probably right...someone you run with for a few years doesn't a friend make. They are just someone you run with.

However, I certainly wouldn't hold his lack of interest in my business against him in the friendship department. I like him for who he is outside his business. I take my business elsewhere and just consider it an imperfect fit. He's still a super nice person, still teaches Sunday school, is good to his wife, pleasant person. Whether that makes us friends or not, I do not really care. The sort of label I do not really need in telling me how to interact with him. I like him. Good enough for me.

One other question I'm not getting- is- if SS109 didn't make an attempt to get the problem resolved who the hell is Jen:

ss109 said:

Now, Jen pointed me to the standard disclaimer "prices subject to change without notice" on their site and that basically I'm SOL. Well, unless I want to return it all and incur the 25% restocking fee, ofcourse.

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Again- seems to be a presumptuous overstatement. We'll still count that as one incorrect statement for you Patman, seeings as it was in the same post.

I typically HAVE to use email to communicate with many business transactions, because I am unavailable by phone by day. (job and commute thing.)

My point was merely that vetting issues makes us all better at what we do- if we care enough to look, see if there is a problem or miscommunication, then attempt to rectify it.

Cudos to AJ for being that kind of guy.

(Of course, I've heard dolphins are impeccable judges of character AJ so would expect nothing less ;) .)

Perhaps go re-read things before getting so emotional. I think I made my points on the situation clear, if going thru and re-reading things can't clear it up I doubt another post will either but I'll try a couple more times.

I'm sure there are plenty of "reasons" that a phone call to place the original order couldn't be made. Heck I've only done it from a pre-printed list with prices and numbers from my cell phone on my commute a few times :laugh: I've got too much experience with people not getting emails, not understanding them, or just not reading in to them what was intended :think: (much like this thread LOL!)

Different people have different ideas of what a "friend" is. In this day of facebook type sites users with hundreds of friends, people they have never met or only meet in a casual situation I can see how the term gets used in a lose manner. To me a freind is somebody you can count on to do the right thing. Sometimes that's what you want and someimes it's what they think is best for you. Bottom line friends care, people you know will be friendly but may not have your best interests in mind. I know who my friends are, they will have my back, they will kick me in the butt when I need it and I will do the same for them. Try finding people like that and see if there is a difference in the results you get.

Sure hope that clears things up and if not I'll really not lose any sleep over it. Besides this is after all the Flame forum and if you can't stand the heat...

friends test

AWESOME! :rotfl:

It also happens to work with Gomer as long as you leave some Schlitz & Moon Pies in the trunk with him.

Patman said:

AWESOME! :rotfl:

It also happens to work with Gomer as long as you leave some Schlitz & Moon Pies in the trunk with him.

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Gomer, Schlitz, and Moonpies- I would suggest just having the car crushed it will not be pleasant ever again in there

Gomer is too cripped up to get into a trunk- even with the lure of moonpies and schlitz.

as to friends- I keep pretty low standards on what I consider a friend or expect of them. lol. I would think low standards would be a requisite trait of anyone who hangs out in this place. :uh: :p