Remedy versus lousy Aircon Service Provider

[4wrider]

How can we protect ourselves from lousy automotive service providers? Can we not have something similar to Better Business Bureau that acts as depository of complaints against erring business establishments? Or a system for car owners to have a more informed decision with regard to choosing the right provider? Although, DTI might have some Consumer Protection program, the quality of service in the government may just add to your frustration.

Here's the reason for my current frustration:

I had my car aircon cleaned and repaired by a certain "de la Cruz" whose shop is located in Evangelista Avenue, Makati. He was given total freedom on what needs to be done or replaced to make the aircon fixed. However, we had to bring back the car several times and we were given different reasons each time. Upto now the aircon is still not working.

[madzie71]

the sad thing bro is that the best thing you can do is to bring it to a reputable shop and forget about this guy's shop.

[revoGSX]

ganyan po talaga mga aircon repair shops.. minsan hindi nila alam yung ginagawa nila..

dalhin na ninyo kay Mang Mario yan..subok na ng mga members dito..

[Hibiki]

Curious din ako. Meron bang regulating/approving body na nagbibigay ng "certification" of some sort to indicate na ang shop/service center ay qualified to perform the services that they offer? Malaking number kasi ng shops sa Pinas ay pseudo-automotive shops na puno ng backyard mechanics. Konting grasa, konting, llabe at wrench, mekaniko na. Sa ibang bansa kasi, you need to get accreditation from a certain body to say that you are qualified to service an automobile. For example, in California, they have the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) which gives accreditation to Repair shops in the State of California.

Dito sa atin, tsikot.com ang isa sa pinaka the best source ng "accreditation" pero pano naman mga computer illiterate na motorista? Sobrang dami niyan. Kawawa naman.

Ang TSIKOT.COM kaya? Baka pwedeng i-formalize ang pagi-issue ng acreditaion? Based on experience of fellow tsikoteers and based on the evaluation of our in-houese experts. AAP kaya? Pwede din kayang magbigay at magtanggal ng accreditation?

I personally would not ask the government to issue such accreditation. Walang kahit katiting na karapatan ito kung ako ang tatanungin.

[OTEP]

Malaking number kasi ng shops sa Pinas ay pseudo-automotive shops na puno ng backyard mechanics. Konting grasa, konting, llabe at wrench, mekaniko na. Sa ibang bansa kasi, you need to get accreditation from a certain body to say that you are qualified to service an automobile. For example, in California, they have the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) which gives accreditation to Repair shops in the State of California.

Ang pagmemekaniko ay hindi din naman nalalayo sa pagdodoctor when it comes to career paths. Most of the 'pseudo-backyard-shadetree-mechanics' have already finished their formal studies that is why they are free to go and open their own shops. Kumbaga sa doctor, consultants na sila and pwede na sila magbukas ng sarili nilang clinic.

A lot of the people in more 'structured' shops are still undergoing training. The casas have tie-ups with auto mechanic schools so that they will be supplied with with manpower. In essence, para silang Medical Clerks and Medical Interns ng casa.

Ayoko na ikwento ang mga horror stories ko with these students. Balik shadetree mechanic na lang ako afterwards.

[ss3wiper]

Here's the reason for my current frustration:

I had my car aircon cleaned and repaired by a certain "de la Cruz" whose shop is located in Evangelista Avenue, Makati. He was given total freedom on what needs to be done or replaced to make the aircon fixed. However, we had to bring back the car several times and we were given different reasons each time. Upto now the aircon is still not working.

Kakainis talaga yan ganyang shop, nagbayad ka na, naabala and then walang nangyari.

But kung aasa tayo sa serbisyo ng gobyerno for the protection of consumers, hay naku lalo lang nakaka frustrate, Matagal pa panahon ang dadaan bago mag mature ang politiko sa gobyerno natin to make necessary laws for the benifits of our people. Not to mention the implementation of the law.

[1D4LV]

nangyari na sa akin yang ganyang experience previously (dun sa dating oto ko). every two weeks sira aircon ko. tapos every two weeks, iba-iba pinapalitang parts. up to the point that i have spent almost 6k for the repair (syempre, drain/karga drain/karga yan parati ng freon every repair tapos may labor costs pa...)

to the point na dinala ko na lang sa casa. ayun, naayus for 12k.

the point is...siguro, we consumers need nga to assert our rights on these repair shops who drains us with our hard-earned money. and how do we do it? my ideas:

a. siguro, we can petition DTI as an automotive group (tsikot.com);
b. via personal network, try to spread the bad service as much as possible (also, this site can be of help, but there are other channels too).
c. via mass media (sulat na si marvin, eg. sa consumers plaints na meron sa PDI, etc.)

[4wrider]

Puede ba tsikot.com as forum to choose the best service/parts provider or dealer? Is it possible to solicit votes from members to choose the best and worst? What will be the safeguards against possible abuses? Is the system capable of ascertaining that only good faith participants are allowed to vote so as to protect otherwise good provider from malicious defamation?

Just some thoughts.

[1D4LV]

Puede ba tsikot.com as forum to choose the best service/parts provider or dealer? Is it possible to solicit votes from members to choose the best and worst? What will be the safeguards against possible abuses? Is the system capable of ascertaining that only good faith participants are allowed to vote so as to protect otherwise good provider from malicious defamation?

Just some thoughts.

ang alam ko may list of recommended shops na ang tsikot.com eh. dunno about your other questions...

[wrcastro_ph]

Opo, meron tayong "Auto Shop" section.... dun mo makikita ang mga recommended shops. Meron po syang directory, pero hindi po affiliated ang tsikot.com sa mga yan. Talagang parang list of shops lang po.

[arif_moin]

I had my car aircon cleaned and repaired by a certain "de la Cruz" whose shop is located in Evangelista Avenue, Makati. He was given total freedom on what needs to be done or replaced to make the aircon fixed. However, we had to bring back the car several times and we were given different reasons each time. Upto now the aircon is still not working.

I feel you here. Cleaning up an A/C takes up loads of time- at least 4 hours of solid work- and the returns for the mechanic aren't that great. Like how much is the guy gonna make? Maybe 600 bucks for labour and another 1000 for that gas canister? Because of this many guys give a half hearted response. Did the guy tell you something like "The blower is clean but there is a problem with the pipe connecting the blower" or some BS?

I'll gladly help with your problem- but what car do you own? Anyway, please do the following checklist:

The A/C belt: If you have a car priced < 5,00,000 INR (5,50,000 pesos), the chances are your car has a belt A/C (versus electronic). The belts get worn out really fast because they're made from sub-standard rubber parts from Thailand and/or Malaysia. Check the belt. The inside part of the belt should be uniform without wear. If there is even slight wear, CHANGE IT. You do NOT need to buy a company specific belt- you can get an exact made in any rubber moulding facility for like 1/10th the price.

The A/C gas: I'll need the exact make of your car to help you here. Each car A/C system has a different set of refilling A/C gas. Many mechanics use generic cannisters and this will produce a burst of results on the immediate and then fail very quickly as time goes by. Make sure he's using company gas. This could be a bit expensive in your area because I don't think they manufacture this part in the Philippines. Typically, each cannister should have an 6-8 digit ID code kinda thing. GIve me the make of your car (ex: Opel, Maruti, HM, etc) and model (Ex: Opel Astra, Maruti Esteem, HM Contessa) etc so I can dig up the part # for you.

Leaks: The worst cuplrit of them all. You should go your mechanic and specifically ask him to fix the leak in the A/C piping. Usually, it's in the connection areas. For obvious reasons, the cannister itself won't leak but you should keep an eye on the A/C pipings.

These are just some of the problems. If you could post what is exactly going on, I can zero it down to what's wrong w/ your car A/C. Does it give air immediately after the service but lose the cooling quickly after? Or does it not cool at all? Only fan air? Please give me some specifics.

Alternately, you always have another choice. You can opt for a complete A/C change. Go for a "Super King" brand A/C. We use this for the HM Ambassidor and it's more or less rugged. You can ask around some dudes in Vira mall (Greenhills). I dunno if it can be fit in your car, but I've fit it in an HM Ambassidor, a Mitsubishi Lancer and a Maruti Suzuki Swift. I've run the sucker for over 20,000 kilometers and no problems w/ the cooling. The entire system (with compressor, blower) is MUCH cheaper and WAY....W....A...Y better than it's Japanese/ American counterparts.

Other than SUper King there's always Jetstraab but the availability will be zero in your area. Ask for Super King in Vira Mall and/or any Bombay shop in your area and someone's bound to hook you up...