Why do so called Certified Mechanics seem so cocky when they are wrong about something?

Question

Im a non certified mechanic, Been in this business for 25-30 yrs, My father was a certified mechanic for GM. I just don't understand why certi's get so cocky when I fix their screw up and the customer calls them out on it. Had one last year that got really upset when the customer took his shop to court and sued him for an improper transmission insallation. He was pretty upset with me also. I just dont understand the shadyness.. Just say "I screwed up Im sorry but I will make it right" Well before it was done He had to refund all of her money and compensate her for the time she had wasted broke down and my labor for redoing the job.
All I did was remove the trans, replace the bell housing and torque converter and put it Back. There were 2 bolts in the torque converter that were cross threaded and the bell housing was broken because they had only put 2 trans bolts in it.
They kept saying there is no warranty because it was a used trans.
Im sorry but you have to do good work.

Answer 1

Your complaint has nothing to do with the "Certified Mechanics" it has all to do with the repair facility. Companies are cheap... that's why they are rich... in your example, the company simply did not want to pay up for their mechanics failure.

It does not matter if you are "Certified" or not... many mechanics are cocky... most are not. You really shouldn't stereotype people because of a couple bad experiences. We are all here to work on the same problems.

Answer 2

Dude I don't know where you come from, but a real certified mechanic would never do that kind of work to begin with. Most back yard shade tree mechanics wouldn't do that kind of work!! I'll bet if you called them out on their certification, there would be no record of them being certified any where. People like this give mechanics a bad name, as I don't think I have ever met or worked with any real mechanics that do that kind of work. This sounds like someone who has never worked on a vehicle in their life. They wouldn't know a 3/8''-16 bolt from a 10x1.5mm bolt, and would be a total disaster working on anything. I just can't believe ANY certified mechanic would do that kind of work. They have to pass a test to be certified, and they would have to know better than that. I'm sorry too, but I don't buy your story. A grease monkey maybe, but a real certified mechanic...NO!!!
Seems like that is the same story I read in school to take a certificaton test years ago. Good try!
For the dude that thinks they are idiots:
I don't think a real certified mechanic is an idiot, or do I think I would stoop that low to make that kind of statement. When your car breaks, who do you take it to, an idiot? You couldn't even come close to passing the test, or would you have the education to come close to repairing a transmission or rebuilding an engine. Go to any shop around and find you one of those idiots, and call them an idiot, and see what happens.

Answer 3

I call bullsh*t on this "question" on so very many levels it makes me sick.

First off he claims to be a "non-certified mechanic" who has "been in this business for 25-30 yrs". What's wrong with that you ask? Well take a look at his questions asked history. Pay special attention to these two;

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au_4WoXpq8hQjh7u8zlTy37sy6IX?qid=20061113113126AABn7ro

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai1OrpbpTFH1MK11_bpjX0Xsy6IX?qid=20061110214050AA4p9Q2

Now be absolutely honest. Does that sound like someone who has been working on cars professionally for 25-30 years, or even 2-3 years and why doesn’t he know if it’s been 25 or 30 years? The answer to part one is no, not a damn chance and the answer to part two is your guess is as good as mine. Now, let's take this a step further.

Go back to his profile and look at his answer history. What do you find regarding automobiles? These two gems;

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlnQ8R7NCG28.Zhf7CBawBPsy6IX?qid=20061115073654AA8Z0ap

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuxCWqR653Il5QlNWEvuStDsy6IX?qid=20061115043747AABVMUX

The second one has an ambiguous answer, but it shows a pattern. The first one just plain proves what I'm saying because someone with his alleged experience would know the answer, know where to find the answer or at least have a strong and definitive opinion. My best educated guess after dealing with all kinds of people over the years it that he's just another internet, loser, wannabe who has never accomplished an automotive repair in his life... he just wants to stir up some poop.

Want some more proof. Okie dokie. He alleges that he replaced the torque converter and the bellhousing to repair the problem, and this is something that someone who claims to have 40 years experience should have caught... If the car had a torque converter it had to be an automatic. Somebody tell me how many cars are on the road in the US today with automatic transmissions and non-integral bellhousings. Anyone? The answer is not zero, but it's darn close. Looks like he was caught in a lie again.

So what is my take on the certified vs. non-certified "mechanics"? In the interest of full disclosure, I have to tell you that I'm an ASE certified Master Automotive Technician, ASE certified Master Engine Machinist (both gas and diesel) along with plenty of other certifications, some of which are on my profile, most of which are not.

To become a certified tech requires time, money, training and dedication. To stay certified requires more of the same. Would you rather entrust the second largest investment you'll ever make in your life (statistically, after your house) to someone who went to Wal-Mart and bought $300 worth of tools or someone who has spent the last 35 years of their life striving to continuously learn best practices and keep up to date with the latest changes?

Now, before someone comes along and tries to put words into my mouth that I never said… There are good, honest, hard working non-certified mechanics just as there are also clueless and crooked certified techs, BUT. And this is a critical but. In the grand scheme of things who would you rather trust, someone who can prove their experience and knowledge or someone who is afraid to do so? Would you go to a doctor just because he said he's a doctor, or go to one that’s been to medical school, continues his education, is certified and has the documentation to prove it all? You all know what the answer is. Have a nice day.

Answer 4

I am a nationally certified firefighter, going to school taught me how much I did not know. I found that out starting college too, I thought I knew everything, I soon found out I knew very little. I have been to the GM training school in Hinesdale, IL. I usually came away with more questions than answers. I will say they had very good instructors though. When I think of good mechanics I think of the ones that have a shop at home with a wood burner for heat and drive stock cars once a week. It seems like the new breed that gets paid by the job and has the big mortgage just tries to kick the cars out as fast as they can. I will go to the shade tree mechanic anytime.

Answer 5

Face it, no one knows the thank you to repair each and every thing. i've got worked with "grasp mechanics" and employed human beings off the line. i've got worked with third worldwide mechanics and commerce college graduates. i've got worked with some smug jerks too. i think of that each time somebody defers to "qualified mechanic" as their foundation for an answer is lacking in self esteem or something. i might extremely pay attention,"I observed that till now and...". I even have found out from extraordinarily much all of us i've got ever worked with and you'd be stunned who can practice you issues. lots of the "grasp techs" won't supply you the time of day and you may in no way practice them something.(sorry Hank) Your understanding can in no way extremely be fixed on a wall. Your movements communicate a approaches louder. And confident My container is a multitude,my artwork section might seem a multitude, yet maximum of my purchasers are happy and so am I.

Answer 6

Simply because two of the hardest things for people to admit to are the words "I'm Sorry", or in the case of an "expert" "I don't know". I have worked in the auto repair, sales, etc. for most of my life and can't for the life of me figure out why so many folks will not admit that they don't know something. I like learning new stuff and you can't learn if you refuse to admit you are wrong, or that it is possible that you are wrong.

Answer 7

They need a reason to justify their high prices - that's where the cert comes in. When someone bad talks them, or points out an issue - that is taking away the justification for their jacked up prices. They charge more, but do less - explain that one!

Answer 8

Because they are "certified" they think they are the absolute experts!

Answer 9

They are idiots and just haven't realized it yet.