Well, did you enjoy the speech? It certainly generated a lot of energy in the press. Problem is, the press has nothing to offer as far as solutions are concerned- only a plethora of 'what if' scenarios.
Competition isn't the solution as many believe. The solution lies in our hands if we are to change things. Consumers, American Consumers, will change the economy and bring the jobs home if we purchase goods that are competitive amongst US manufacturers. There is nothing "competitive" about imported goods as there are no Labor Rights, Worker Rights, Fair (Minimum Wage) Compensation or Child Labor Laws from the countries we buy goods from.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Automotive Repair
Recently a friend asked about O2 sensor replacement on her Honda Civic. Apparently, her check engine light had been on for some time and she finally went to the service center at her local dealership to inquire about the check engine light.
Service Advisor: “You have a faulty [front] O2 Sensor and it needs to be replaced.”
Friend: “Ok, how much is that?”
Service Advisor: “$89.90 for the sensor and one hour labor brings the total to $200.”
Friend: “Ok, is that all?”
Service Advisor: “Actually, your rear struts need replacement too. Have you noticed the vehicle handling worse lately?”
Friend: “On the highway it does seem to bounce a lot in the back, how much is it to replace those?”
Service Advisor: “$700 total including parts and labor.”
Friend: “Oh gosh, I’m not sure I can afford that right now, can those wait?”
Service Advisor: “They can wait but...”
I don’t think it’s hard to imagine how the advisor went on to scare my friend about waiting. It’s not the best idea to drive around with worn shocks/struts, but what dealerships do not tell you (nor will most shops) is that shock/strut replacement is a very [VERY] straight-forward procedure that can be performed in less than an hour (per axle) on most compact cars or sedans (larger vehicles including trucks can be more time consuming depending on the size of the vehicle).
Replacing shocks/struts is not exactly a DIY project but, please go to a reputable shop that will charge you an honest price for the job. When I was in the business I regularly replaced all four corners in an hour. This is NOT a 4 hour job if they want to tell you that. It DOES require special tools that the home mechanic may not have (and I do not recommend purchasing the tools unless you are in the business- suspension work might be a one-time job for the home mechanic- most shocks and struts will last 100,000 miles easily.
Try calling around to different shops and ask some of your friends if they’ve had suspension work done at a reasonable price. The shop I used to work for would only charge the actual time spent for labor purposes not the ‘book’ time that dealerships use. In other words, I used to charge clients less than two hours labor to change all four struts on the vehicle (as I said earlier, some vehicles may differ depending on suspension type). Another tip- shop around online for the best price on suspension components. There are numerous options now for purchasing automotive parts- don’t settle for dealership prices unless they are willing to compete for your business by charging less than list prices.
Feel free to contact me with questions, I'm happy to help.
UPDATE (Jan. 28): I replaced both rear shocks for $240 (parts and labor) and checked the O2 Sensor (it was fine) and my friend passed emissions inspection with no problem. As I said before, try and find a reputable mechanic who will fix your car at an honest price.
Service Advisor: “You have a faulty [front] O2 Sensor and it needs to be replaced.”
Friend: “Ok, how much is that?”
Service Advisor: “$89.90 for the sensor and one hour labor brings the total to $200.”
Friend: “Ok, is that all?”
Service Advisor: “Actually, your rear struts need replacement too. Have you noticed the vehicle handling worse lately?”
Friend: “On the highway it does seem to bounce a lot in the back, how much is it to replace those?”
Service Advisor: “$700 total including parts and labor.”
Friend: “Oh gosh, I’m not sure I can afford that right now, can those wait?”
Service Advisor: “They can wait but...”
I don’t think it’s hard to imagine how the advisor went on to scare my friend about waiting. It’s not the best idea to drive around with worn shocks/struts, but what dealerships do not tell you (nor will most shops) is that shock/strut replacement is a very [VERY] straight-forward procedure that can be performed in less than an hour (per axle) on most compact cars or sedans (larger vehicles including trucks can be more time consuming depending on the size of the vehicle).
Replacing shocks/struts is not exactly a DIY project but, please go to a reputable shop that will charge you an honest price for the job. When I was in the business I regularly replaced all four corners in an hour. This is NOT a 4 hour job if they want to tell you that. It DOES require special tools that the home mechanic may not have (and I do not recommend purchasing the tools unless you are in the business- suspension work might be a one-time job for the home mechanic- most shocks and struts will last 100,000 miles easily.
Try calling around to different shops and ask some of your friends if they’ve had suspension work done at a reasonable price. The shop I used to work for would only charge the actual time spent for labor purposes not the ‘book’ time that dealerships use. In other words, I used to charge clients less than two hours labor to change all four struts on the vehicle (as I said earlier, some vehicles may differ depending on suspension type). Another tip- shop around online for the best price on suspension components. There are numerous options now for purchasing automotive parts- don’t settle for dealership prices unless they are willing to compete for your business by charging less than list prices.
Feel free to contact me with questions, I'm happy to help.
UPDATE (Jan. 28): I replaced both rear shocks for $240 (parts and labor) and checked the O2 Sensor (it was fine) and my friend passed emissions inspection with no problem. As I said before, try and find a reputable mechanic who will fix your car at an honest price.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Not a liberal, not a conservative, what about you?
Partisanship out the window, let's get something done.
So, jobs jobs jobs. Is Washington gonna create some jobs? Nope. Washington can try, and try again, and try again but Washington seems to have forgotten- the government creates policies, not jobs.
Too many adjustments in too little time. Why has the Fed lowered interest rates so much? (Only to see the economy sputter along for oh so long) The US is a consumer society with a government that encourages such behavior. Money is being spent regardless of interest rates. The problem is not how much money is spent, the problem is where the money is spent.
*When we say where we are referring to where the goods purchased are manufactured.* In this case, the majority of the goods purchased in the US are manufactured in China. Let's be clear, there is no "anti-Chinese" campaign. China is great. I happen to love Chinese food- let's Wok and Roll baby. We must shift the consumer trend from solely purchasing imported goods to more local goods.
Don't spend LESS, spend the SAME!
Let's get this right. We shouldn't be saving money right now (explanation warranted). The economy does need stimulation, people need jobs. So, let's spend, spend, spend (what's new?). The key: we will buy goods produced by fellow Americans. Americans are smart and capable. America CAN and DOES produce quality goods. Buy one quality good produced in the US rather than 10 turds produced in China. I used to work with a guy who prided himself on quality. Chuck's line, "you can polish a turd all day, but at the end of the day, it's still a turd."
Efficiency
Little less crap, little more efficiency. Buy less, spend the same, employ Americans.
(As a side note, I'm not suggesting we buy American turds either. Buying quality American goods- to encourage better quality- is the idea here.)
So, jobs jobs jobs. Is Washington gonna create some jobs? Nope. Washington can try, and try again, and try again but Washington seems to have forgotten- the government creates policies, not jobs.
Too many adjustments in too little time. Why has the Fed lowered interest rates so much? (Only to see the economy sputter along for oh so long) The US is a consumer society with a government that encourages such behavior. Money is being spent regardless of interest rates. The problem is not how much money is spent, the problem is where the money is spent.
*When we say where we are referring to where the goods purchased are manufactured.* In this case, the majority of the goods purchased in the US are manufactured in China. Let's be clear, there is no "anti-Chinese" campaign. China is great. I happen to love Chinese food- let's Wok and Roll baby. We must shift the consumer trend from solely purchasing imported goods to more local goods.
Don't spend LESS, spend the SAME!
Let's get this right. We shouldn't be saving money right now (explanation warranted). The economy does need stimulation, people need jobs. So, let's spend, spend, spend (what's new?). The key: we will buy goods produced by fellow Americans. Americans are smart and capable. America CAN and DOES produce quality goods. Buy one quality good produced in the US rather than 10 turds produced in China. I used to work with a guy who prided himself on quality. Chuck's line, "you can polish a turd all day, but at the end of the day, it's still a turd."
Efficiency
Little less crap, little more efficiency. Buy less, spend the same, employ Americans.
(As a side note, I'm not suggesting we buy American turds either. Buying quality American goods- to encourage better quality- is the idea here.)
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