4:31 am
After the Triple Trail Trek this past weekend, the front end didn't seem quite right so I decided to take it to an alignment shop to get things checked out.
My Jeep was brought right in and put on the lift. After inspecting the front end for wear, they brought me into the shop to review the damage item by item.
- A worn bolt on a tie rod end
worn ball joints
the bracket for the lower control arm was literally ripping off of the axle
The sales rep gave me a list of options ranging from driving away to having them repair just about everything in house.
As a Customer Service Manager I'm very critical of how situations are handled. I can tell you from experience that any customer service/sales rep can appear to do a good job when everything goes right. It's when things go wrong that separates mediocre from excellent.
The sales rep walked me through the problems, showed me what was damaged and how to fix them.
After we put together a game plan, I decided to have them replace the worn bolt, and replace the ball joints; then take the Jeep to a 4X4 shop to have the Control Arm bracket removed and replaced.
The sales rep called a fellow Posse member for possible suggestions, then called three shops to check pricing and shop time availability. He helped me negotiate over the phone while I went and smoked a cigar and took a lap around the block. Then after I decided which shop to go with, he made the appointment for me!
He never tried to upsell, I was made to feel as if he was my personal advocate while dealing with all of the outside shops.
The hardware has all been replaced, the last thing left is the alignment I originally went in for.
Who went the extra 20 miles? Our very own Lee at the Cameron Park Big "O" Tires.
I could never guarantee that same level of service, but your odds of being treated with respect and getting a great deal are excellent.
Great Job Lee, thanks!
4:49 am
i thought lee left big o for extreme gear? are you pulling double duty lee?
7:35 am
July 15, 2005
Offline I would have done the work for you for the price of parts and some food and saved you a ton of money...That is what work days are for....
__________________
'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."- Ronald Reagan
12:48 pm
"RobD" wrote: I would have done the work for you for the price of parts and some food and saved you a ton of money...That is what work days are for....
Price? did I mention price? I don't think I did.
In any case, it was as competitive as any other alignment shop, the main difference was service; which was incomparable.
1:20 pm
May 4, 2004
Offline Great job Lee & Big O! And nice write-up George!
1:22 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Lee's a good guy and I'm glad you're happy with the service you got.
But, like Rob said, don't be afraid to ask for a work party. It's a cheap way to go, it's fun, and you get to learn how to fix your own rig. This is an important skill to have if you get broke on the trail. I've learned a bunch from guys like Rob and Brad.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
1:48 pm
May 4, 2004
Offline I suspect there was a need to get it fixed right away rather than wait for a free weekend since the Jeep is George's daily driver.
2:01 pm
July 15, 2005
Offline "gamfam" wrote: [quote="RobD"]I would have done the work for you for the price of parts and some food and saved you a ton of money...That is what work days are for....
Price? did I mention price? I don't think I did.
In any case, it was as competitive as any other alignment shop, the main difference was service; which was incomparable.
I didn't say you mentioned price, I was simply stating there are people in this club that would have been willing to lend you a hand to save you some money.
__________________
'If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."- Ronald Reagan
2:11 pm
Nice work Lee.
Don't worry George, no matter how cheap he was, I wouldn't let Rob weld on my axle either. 🙄
😀
2:14 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "Bender" wrote:
Don't worry George, no matter how cheap he was, I wouldn't let Rob weld on my axle either. 🙄
That's what we have Justin for 😀
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:18 pm
"JohnDF" wrote: Lee's a good guy and I'm glad you're happy with the service you got.
But, like Rob said, don't be afraid to ask for a work party. It's a cheap way to go, it's fun, and you get to learn how to fix your own rig. This is an important skill to have if you get broke on the trail. I've learned a bunch from guys like Rob and Brad.
You and Rob are absolutely right about learning from a great knowledge base.
I happen to have ball joint removal AND installation tools at home, the problem was that the ball joints were literally about to break off. I've seen the carnage that can cause first hand and didn't want a repeat.
The only things I didn't have were a replacement bracket for the Lower Control Arm and a welder.
"FAM" wrote: I suspect there was a need to get it fixed right away rather than wait for a free weekend since the Jeep is George's daily driver.
It is my daily driver, and the wife drives it every chance she gets so I needed it repaired right away.
I'm saving the work party for my new transfer case installation, it keeps calling to me from the garage . . . . taunting me . . . . .
2:20 pm
"Bender" wrote: Nice work Lee.
Don't worry George, no matter how cheap he was, I wouldn't let Rob weld on my axle either. 🙄
😀
Rob seems like he has a lot of practice welding
4:25 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "gamfam" wrote: After the Triple Trail Trek this past weekend, the front end didn't seem quite right so I decided to take it to an alignment shop to get things checked out.
My Jeep was brought right in and put on the lift. After inspecting the front end for wear, they brought me into the shop to review the damage item by item.
- A worn bolt on a tie rod end
worn ball joints
the bracket for the lower control arm was literally ripping off of the axleThe sales rep gave me a list of options ranging from driving away to having them repair just about everything in house.
As a Customer Service Manager I'm very critical of how situations are handled. I can tell you from experience that any customer service/sales rep can appear to do a good job when everything goes right. It's when things go wrong that separates mediocre from excellent.
The sales rep walked me through the problems, showed me what was damaged and how to fix them.
After we put together a game plan, I decided to have them replace the worn bolt, and replace the ball joints; then take the Jeep to a 4X4 shop to have the Control Arm bracket removed and replaced.
The sales rep called a fellow Posse member for possible suggestions, then called three shops to check pricing and shop time availability. He helped me negotiate over the phone while I went and smoked a cigar and took a lap around the block. Then after I decided which shop to go with, he made the appointment for me!
He never tried to upsell, I was made to feel as if he was my personal advocate while dealing with all of the outside shops.
The hardware has all been replaced, the last thing left is the alignment I originally went in for.
Who went the extra 20 miles? Our very own Lee at the Cameron Park Big "O" Tires.
I could never guarantee that same level of service, but your odds of being treated with respect and getting a great deal are excellent.
Great Job Lee, thanks!
Thanks George for the write up! Also, I have worked with Lee and three different locations now, and his work/support is always Excellent! Keep up the great work Lee!
For a work party, I'd be more than happy to help with the T-case, but let me know because my weekends have been pretty booked lately.
I'm glad your jeep is safe for you and the family again.
Want to learn how to replace a windshield? That's up next for me! 
5:12 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline I'll help with the t-case if you want extra help. I've gotten pretty good at putting the Tera back together
I used to wheel a lot. . .
1:07 pm
"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: For a work party, I'd be more than happy to help with the T-case, but let me know because my weekends have been pretty booked lately.
I'm glad your jeep is safe for you and the family again.
Want to learn how to replace a windshield? That's up next for me!
"JohnDF" wrote: I'll help with the t-case if you want extra help. I've gotten pretty good at putting the Tera back together
Thanks guys, I'll definately take you up on that. I just don't have any idea when that'll be. We're trying to cram as much into our summer as we can before it's gone.
Probably will be mid to late August.
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