I have a 2001 camaro z28. The person that I got the car from told me that it had a shift kit in it and the wrong servo was put in so there is a small blip going from 1st and 2nd gear. Also, the A/C needs a new compressor. So that's the back story. I took it to my local mechanic who was the only person in town who was willing/able to sort out an engine issue that I had previously. Everyone else in town gave me the run around or would not work on it. So I trust this guy.
The issue is that I made an appointment for last Monday and took the car in in the morning. I called later on in the day and they told me that they needed to special order the compressor and they needed more time to check out the transmission. I was told that I would be looking at the middle of the week for it to be done. I then called on Wednesday (after having noticed that the car had been sitting outside and not in the shop) and was told that they were still waiting for the compressor and that they would be putting the car on the lift to check out the transmission. Fine. When I would drive by on Thursday and Friday the car still had not moved. I then called around 3pm on Friday. They told me the compressor had still not come in. I asked "What did you find out about the transmission?" The receptionist (with whom I spoke with on Wednesday who told me that they would be looking at the transmission that day) told me "We weren't aware that there was a transmission issue".
I reminded her what she told me on Wednesday and that I had filled out paperwork that they had telling them what was needed. She said that they would look for the paperwork and then informed me that the owner (who was working on my car) would be on vacation for a week. Crazy! Why would they not tell me this or give me a more accurate timeframe or straight up tell me that they did not have the time for my car?
Is there anything that I can do at this point to get better service from them? As stated earlier, this is the only shop in town that I was able to get anywhere with previously.
A lot of this is just a rant, but I would appreciate any advice on how to deal with this situation.

Thanks in advance!
Cheezy

 

would be best to find another shop.

 

Agree, if they haven't ordered a compressor, take the car back.
If they have ordered the comp, can't see why they would not have one in two days at the most, then buy the comp, if delivered, and take the car.

You can have a local HVAC, neighbor?, help you evac and charge the system.
Ollies, Trader Johns, and Big Lots sells cans of R134 for around $8 each. The label on the hood tells the quantity, so convert to ounces and buy an extra can. Plus, you can buy the charge kit - a can and the valve and hose, for around $20. Follow instructions.

RockAuto would have the comp to your door within 5 buss days.

 

Kind of hard to go to another shop when there is no other shop to go. I sure hope you didn't tell the owner that he's the only one around who would give your car the time of day, or he's likely to feel that he's "got you". How about a shop in the next town, how close is that to you by comparison?

 

The AC seams like something that I can do. So I will follow up tomorrow and see if it is in or even ordered yet.
It is hard when it is the only shop in town. The next nearest town is about 20 minutes away. It may be worth checking into that.

 

What do you mean by "small blip"?

 

It shifts hard into second gear. If I don't apply too much gas it is barely noticeable. However, the more gas I give it from 1st to second the harder it shifts.

 

That's how a performance built/prepped trans is supposed to shift. I take it you don't like it that way?

 

I would guess you are getting the run around because they are over booked. Even with large shops it is very hard to schedules work. Heck I ordered a compressor off Ebay last Tuesday and it was at my door Wednesday. It should only take about 2 hours to install.

Let say he has 3 mechanics total. He schedules 15 State inspections and a couple of misc cars than “need checked”

The 15 State inspection can easily turn into 60 hours worth of work and the “Needs checked” can be another 30 . So now you have 24 (8 x 3 mechanics) hours worth a labor and 90 hours worth of work and tomorrow is already scheduleed.
Now take the same Schedule and none of the cars need anything for Inspection and the cars that just need checked just need belts or clamp tightened. You have 24 hours labor and 10 hours worth of work.

Larger shops level out a lot better but smaller shops it is truly a nightmare. If he is really a good mechanic try to work with him. If you develop a relationship with the mechanic in the future he is going to let other cars sit while he works on yours. I have seen mechanics work late into the night to keep a regular customer happy. The hard luck stories you hear from people whose life is going to end if they do not have their car today will make you pretty numb to a guy who wants his AC fixed. I have had customers tell me their disabled son needs his treatment and this car was the only way to get him there. Seriously?

I am not saying the way he did it was right, He should have called and asked if he could wait till next week but I am sure he kept hoping something would break in the schedule. If this is a one man show these guys are normally very good mechanic and they know who to use when they are in over their head. They can be a great source of information almost like a good general contractor who know who to use and who not to.

FYI:
1-2 Corvette servo is a common upgrade to these transmission. The shift should feel stronger with more of the thump when it shifts. This makes for a little rougher ride but it makes the transmission stronger and will reduce wear on the 1-2 clutch pack.

 

Thanks for the info Gorn and 69. Gorn does put things in perspective a bit and it is good to try and see things from the other side. I believe that he is a good mechanic.
1-2 IS supposed to shift that way with a built tran? That is good news to me as I thought it felt like something was wrong. As long as it is is performing normally under the circumstances I described and not hurting or prematurely wearing out the transmission, I may be a happy guy again!