Auto Repair Work Order Form: Fill & Download for Free

A decent paying job that doesn’t leave you exhausted at the end of the day so you can write in your spare time.In the last survey the Science Fiction and Fantasy writers took of their members, less than 10% made their living from writing.Of that 10%, 1/4 were making about the same as a minimum wage, full time job, 1/4 were writing something other than fiction, such as being journalists or working on magazines, or some other form of writing (including one or two who had an income from popular blogs). That leaves about 5% making a living that is better than minimum wage.In order to survive as a writer I would strongly suggest you get the skills of a plumber, auto repair, heating and air conditioning, or electrician. These skills will enable you to live well, and allow you time to write.

Stupid takes many forms.There is the story I told here of the customer that hooked his battery up backwards and thought it was the car company’s fault. He was pretty dumb.But since I don’t want to repeat that let me tell you about my very first day at a Volvo dealer. I did a couple of services then when I went to dispatch the dispatcher asks me “Have you worked on Volvo’s before?” Lying through my teeth I said “sure, lots”. “OK he says this car died on the freeway. An independent checked it out says it needs a new computer. If the computer is bad go ahead and order it the car is in warranty.”Taking the keys I wander out to the lot thinking that I dint even know where the computer was on a Volvo 240.I find the car and hit the key. It cranks but does not start, but at least the engine sounds normal. I thought of just ordering the computer, but since it was my first day, I figured I’d do some of that technician stuff. We pushed the car into my stall and I thought fuel, air, spark. Right place, right time right amount. At least one of those 6 items is screwed up. So I looked at the intake all of that seemed to be connected and when cranking the engine sounded normal so I put air into the OK column. Spark? I hooked up a test plug and saw spark. Good. Now fuel. I unbolted the fuel line only a dribble came out. That’s odd I thought, I thought these systems held pressure. I stuck the hose into a soda bottle and cranked the engine. Nothing. Wait, fuel injection means an electric fuel pump., check the fuses. All good. Hmmmm? Bad pump? Asking the guy next to me to hit the key I grabbed the pump. It buzzed away just like it should? WTF? I glanced inside and realized that unless E stood for enough this car was out of gas.I had a porter to bring me 5 gallons and poured it in and the car started right up. COOL! Score one for the new kid. ( here is the fun part of the story)I go to the service advisor and tell him the car was out of gas. “But the independent said it needs a control unit”“I understand that. I know you don’t know me or how good I am but answer me one question. How could the independent tell the car needed an ECM, since the car was out of gas?”“I don’t know, let me call the customer .” 20 minutes later he comes out and says “I talked to the customer, he was on the freeway and the car just quit.”“Excuse me but isn’t that EXACTLY what happens when you run out of gas?”“Oh. Yeah.” Turns around and wanders off.Box score. Two tow bills and a labor charge for me to diagnose that E is not “enough”.

No, most mechanics are not trying sabotage your vehicle for you to bring it back to them to fix.There are a vast majority of mechanics who are amazingly good at what they do, and like myself, I care about other people’s car. I care to the point of it sometimes being annoying, like when I will pull out some ‘invisible glass’ cleaner and clean their window and mirrors, or hearing a problem with someone’s car they don’t even know about and trying to fix it five minutes before a family dinner (the Seinfeld mechanic).Yes, it would be naive and wrong to say that there are no crooked scammers or scans that some use to steal money from clients. Jiffy lube, Sears, and other scare or misinformation tactics have been cought in video. Some will hold up generic old parts, and show you, and then the client will say to fix it of course. I personally was in a hurry, (wouldn’t have had time to clean up), so I had the dealership do a timing belt and 90k mile service (almost all fluids flushed and filled), then 3 months later, went to auto oil changers and the guy said, “you may want to change your p/s fluid, it’s not too bad, but I recommend it”. I looked at him as if he was blowing smoke, but I got out and said “I just had this changed last time.” Then he let me look and sure enough my p/s, atf, even coolant was not Changed. I apologized and told him that’s what I get for getting lazy and not doing it myself. This guy at a lube shop, literally opened my eyes that sometimes even dealer ships can participate in scams.On another occasion I pay for the 20-$40 quick xyz-point inspection now, to see what they say. Everyone has been spot on, except for one, but I asked, them “based on inspection?” And the answer was “no based on miles for recommended service” so that is understandable.I have had been ripped off badly regarding a transmission in 2002 for a couple thousand, but I had a bad gut feeling about them and I was right.Some tips to protect yourself:1: listen to your gut feelings, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or phone a friend or use the internet for resources.2. (This one got me for my tranny). If they already do the repair work, or breakdow the vehicle to the point you can’t easiky drive it away, WITHOUT YOUR WRITTEN APPROVAL, that should be a red flag. This means they did a diagnostic with written approval, then piggy-backed a work ordered sheet with it after the fact or (like me) say that there was a phone approval when there was not. If it does happen, ask for your old parts back, or order receipts forms from where they bought the pricey items, I’m not out of a wrecked car.3. IF the repair shop is connected with a tow company, or that’s their main advertised expertise, or if they sell cars parked out in front, BE CAREFUL. These guys will acquire vehicles, through non-payment of tow or storage fees, or charge an exuberant repair amount where the client says “f- it, it’s not worth the repair” and leaves. I knew a guy that forfeited a 2001 Isuzu trooper that was not the best looking, just left the vehicle in exchange for “attempted labor costs”, then saw it for sale two days later in the same condition. The guy said he was told the transmission was shot and needed a new tranny at $2,400. I thought that was to fast to order and install a new tranny, so I went and looked underneath, and old tranny, but new “B” solenoid put in. So a $300 cost P and L, they guy lost his car, and not only that, the tow yard was selling it for $4,600. I brought it up, they argued, I had pictures of the old tranny underneath, with the new part, my guy had his old work ordered form, he was smart and didn’t approve over the phone because when you do, they can leave out or put in all kinds of things they did or didn’t do. He got it back for the honest p an l cost of $300.4. Avoid high pressure tactics, like “I would not drive another mile”, or “this is completely not safe” unless this… is done. If they do say that, generally they go out of their way to show, prove, and make you understand it, even if your eyes glaze over.5. Get estimates and second opinions of possible. Ask you friends or co-workers where they go too.6. Avoid “Texas billionaire” show offs of wealth. If they have a stuffed armadillo and gold plated cherry desk and fancy nice things in their office, but the wooden chair in the waiting area looks like it’s from nuclear test site, and missing foam, good sign that they take care o themselves first, and the clients second.7. Always be polite, and ask questions if you don’t know, but ask open ended, not yes or no questions. Ask, “what is the hours on the (r&r) book for this job?”, “do you used aftermarket or (OEM) original equipment manufactured?” “”Can I have my xyz come take a look or explain it to them, please?” “How much longer do you think I have before it fails?”8. Don’t tell them to take their time, or rush then either. They will take their time, and rushing is annoying and can lead to accidental mistakes, some intentional too.9. Be wary if they make you pay conoletely up front cash, not payments or cards though.10. Always ask them to save old parts even if you don’t plan on checking them out after the repair. This is enough to discourage the crooks most of the time.