For what it's worth - my recent experience...
For what it's worth:
I had been needing to find to find a trusted TDI mechanic for last 3 years since I moved to the South Atlanta area for my '09 Jetta...just so I would not get gouged by dealers' prices, etc on regular maintenance...and just recently ran across the thread here under:
"TDIClub Forums > Meetings/ GTG/ Regional Discussions > South Eastern USA >
Repairs at Richard's.
After reading through the whole thread, spanning from 1/2013 to the present, I figured the guy had done a few good jobs and seems to have built a rep as a decent mechanic on here. So, I wrote him then talked on phone and made appointment for last weekend.
Nothing major, just a DSG oil and fuel filter change, plus taking a look at car overall and doing a VCDS diagnostic on my CEL and code "P047A - Exhaust Pressure Sensor 2" (which we decided dealer would look at since I had that $500 TDI Goodwill Package Dealer Service money to use - a separate story for which I will post separately, as I welcome others' input and experiences, some of which I've read up on here...
)
AAAnyways, all I can say is, this mechanic treated me with nothing but respect, took his time answering all my questions patiently (before AND after service), fully, and found him to be as others described in the mentioned thread. All the while, hobbling on his recovering ankle and enlightening me in various TDI topics and my vehicle... ran through a full VCDS diagnostic, explained much, etc.
So, no one is perfect, I dunno what happened in this other, particular instance, and need not know; it's none of my business.
Just saying, for balance and fairness' sake, how my experience has been. I felt I paid a fair price for fair work and guidance.
Lastly, as some wise/elder forum members mentioned in the other thread spawned, under "vendor issues", I also hope that the parties involved can dialogue in proper manner, and come to some sort of settlement, based on facts, even repentance and forgiveness and making amends, if necessary, and not driven by hurts, emotions or other "non-constructive forces". There's enough of that yuk in the world.....
We're all humans...sometimes we get stuck in moments unforeseen, or awkward, or whatever. Whatever happens, I hope things can cool off, and true, constructive justice can be arranged.
Blessings and good vibes to all.
md.
