Damn cheek.

[ATH]

I've just had the plastic Prado serviced by the mobile mechanic I've used for a couple of years and caught him out using my oil!
What happened was I went out to the carport just to check how things were going and he's holding a plastic container of GTX3 I use in the wifes Camry. (I know, don't tell me, owning a Prado and a Camry shows shocking bad taste)
"OK if I use this" he asks "I've run about 1/2 a litre short of Magnatec".
I answered "No don't use that it's for petrol engines, use this" and I gave him a container of Castrol Edge for diesels.
I thought nothing about it, paid the bill (he didn't give me a discount for my oil) until I was watching my security cameras later when I noticed him appear to use oil from 5 containers!!!
Most odd so I checked closely....1st container went in and he got on with greasing the prop shaft while it settled in the sump, he checked it and got another container from his vehicle but that must have been nearly empty from the short time he had it tipped up.
Then he went out of vision into the carport again and then reappeared with an old oil bottle with used oil in. This he tipped up but seemed to stop quick as if realising it was used oil.
He then went back into the carport and came out again with the container of GTX3 and proceed to put around 2 litres of that in and I caught him just as he finished, and that was when he asked if he could use it.
Then he tipped a small amount of the Edge oil in and finished the service.
After reviewing this a couple of times I checked with fair trading about the best way to approach him and then phoned him and got virtually complete denials of everything!
Anyway he came round later and protested that I didn't trust him (I did, but now I don't) and still denied using my oil.
I told him I had it on tape and would get it reviewed by an independant person and see what they said. I also told him it amounted to theft of my oil as well.
I also said his name and number were clearly visible on his vehicle and I think he then thought better of denying what was obvious he'd done and offered to change the oil again and the filter as well.
He did it fully aware now the camera was on him and departed in a bad temper.
The Prado has such lovely clean oil now but it was a bit rude of the bloke to use my own oil and not even offer a discount!
I've only used a mechanic to service the thing while it's under warranty and now that's nearly finished I'll go back to doing it myself.
At least I'll know exactly what's gone on under the bonnet.
AlanH.

[Redback]

Just imagine how long he has been doing this, I dare say he's been using oils drained from other cars he has serviced before yours

I hope you tell others that use him, that you know of.

Baz.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Why don't you offer the footage and the details to "a current affair" then it could be their exclusive report, and then we can channel flick and see the exclusive report on 7's "Today tonight" also

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

I would have sent the video to one of the 6:30 shows....


Sent from my backyard TeePee using smoke signals.

[George130]

Very polit title for a thread about fraud and vandalism of your vehicle by a supposedly qualified mechanic.
I would have asked him nicely once. After that It would have been I have you on tape stealing and damaging the vehicle while charging me for it. I would also have asked for a written and signed statement that he only did it the once while he payed for the vehicle to be independently assessed.

Yes I would take his actions personaly and would not forgive.

[PAT303]

I'd bust him big time.''Mechanics'' like him deserve everything they get. Pat

[p38arover]

Was the oil poured from multiple containers actually used oil or the left overs from other services?

If the latter, was it suitable for diesel engines?

[Ausfree]

Spread the word as you are doing, this guy has lost your trust (and for good reason) so I would be telling everybody to avoid him!!!

[Hymie]

Oh my, that's disgraceful!
I believe you have handled the matter really well, if it were me, I'd probably be in trouble with the Law.

[JDNSW]

I wish I could say it was unbelievable. Unfortunately, it is all too believable!

John