I'm just wondering why the City sends their vehicles out to be repaired or standard maintenance?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Because they can't fix anything correctly, and an actual garage can?
ReplyDeleteMaybe their mechanics can't fix certain things? Or they have too many broken vehicles at one time and can't get them fixed fast enough?
ReplyDeleteIt's been said it's good to know one's limitations ....
If you ride around town. You can see city vehicles all over town at local repair shops... The city can't even change there own oil.. Their are always SPD cars at grants getting the oil changed..
ReplyDeleteIts cheaper to send it out to have it fixed. That way it only has to be fixed once because it is fixed right the first time. If the city does it they will have to do it twice or keep fixing it until they find out what is really wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteBy all these comments, it sounds like to me the City needs to invest in some good mechanics.
ReplyDeleteProbably need to hire some consultants!
ReplyDeleteFor many years the City maintenance shops did all the work.Its not that way today. The F.D. sends everything out and waste thousands of dollars.The P.D. sends alot of cars to the shops still and all of public works equipment gets repaired there. In every other city across America, the City's repair shop does the work of City equipment. I cannot imagine that a person could not change the oil in a car like the one pictured.There are plenty of good mechanics out there to be had. The Ocean City F.D. and Pepsi Cola Co. have their own shops and do it all in house. The fact that this City has evolved to this level of maintenance is unacceptable. The taxpayers should demand that the Mayor answer as to why this is happening.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the actual cost difference. If there is a contract with the car repiar businesses and the city gets a good price, then it might be a win win. Adding employees isn't always the most cost effective way, plus all the test equipment needed. I like the idea of keeping business inside and getting tax revenue from someone repairing city vehicles. Think smart before you make judgements.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIts cheaper to send it out to have it fixed. That way it only has to be fixed once because it is fixed right the first time. If the city does it they will have to do it twice or keep fixing it until they find out what is really wrong with it.
9:24 AM
This is not true. Places like Car Care work on the vehicles and they have to be returned numerous times because they can't fix the problem. I know what I am talking about because I drive one.
The bad thing is that the city keeps paying the bill over and over again without telling them to fix it right this time. Go figure!
yea ,joe i think this is the same crown victoria that you had pictured at car care. i am sure the bills that watkins is charging the city is out the roof too. any way you can see how much annually the city and county pay this business and i am sure the labor and parts are inflated at least 60%.
ReplyDelete11:50am I agree with you 100% I was joking when I said sending it out was cheaper. I have had dealings with Car Care and feel like they charge way too much for what they have done. The times I have had them fix things I always came out with them finding more wrong then when I took it there.
ReplyDeleteI beg to differ with the people that said Car Care was inaficiant and expensive. I have had my car at the dealership and in 2 other independent auto repair shop ("with good reputations"). But I was recamented by a friend, to Car Care and to ask for Clyde. (My friend does not like the big guy - the owner). I explained my problem to Clyde and his people worked on the car and fixed it. The bill was exstreamly reasonable. I have recomended many friends there and gotten only great feed back.
ReplyDeleteWhy shouldn't a local independent shop get the work from the city. They are not a chain and pay taxes in the city and county.
We should support our local people.
Would you rather ride around town and know your tax money is going in someones pocket that does not live in our town (a chain).
ReplyDeleteI am sure they pay more for their parts, because like Sears or Pep Boys they can not buy in bulk.
Have you ever had your car in Car Care or are you just talking out of your hate like always!!!!
You need a life!!!!!
In your picture is a school bus. Car Care must have a very good reputation with safety and getting the job done right, because the owner of the bus trust them and we trust our children's safety on that bus!
ReplyDeleteIn stead of taking pictures, maybe you need to stop in and talk to Clyde (the manager) and find out some facts.
A Happy customer of Car Care's!
8:58 PM
I have had my car at Car Care and the bill may have been a little bit higher but there was always one thing I could count on. If the car wasn't fixed I could take it right back to Clyde and when it left there the next time it was fixed. It didn't always have to go back that second time either, and when it did I wasn't charged the second time. A lot of times the car was fixed the first time. As a woman driver who is not mechanically inclined that is a real plus for me. I don't mind paying a little more if I know I'm getting service to back the repair.
ReplyDeleteOK, you can stop the bullsh!t with the car care being the best thing since sliced bread. As the Owner of this Blog, I have done this for so many years I know when I see repeat messages coming in one after the other on the same post that it's the same person feeding someone a line of crap. That being said, enough already. There have been NO other Comments on any other Posts than this one so I'm not buying it. Looks more to me like someone tipped the Owner of xar xare off and they're trying to cover their a$$. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeletecar care, sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou will not find more competent mechanics than Clyde and his crew.I have known most of them for over 20 years.As I own an auto repair shop,they are my competition. David Sapp
ReplyDeletethe owner brad watkins is a smart ass, there are schools buses all over town having repairs at this time of the year.so like joe says the buffing needs to stop. I WOULD WALK , CALL A CAB, OR PUSH MY VEHICLE BEFORE I LET THIS BUNCH OF BOZOS CON ME!
ReplyDeleteI think most are missing the point of this post. We don't care if car care is good or not, we were talking about the choice between the city hiring mechanics and buying equipment to service their cars themselves, or sending the work out to local repair shops. Just the facts please!
ReplyDeleteIt's called "outsourcing" stupid -- go figure how much it would cost the City to have all the equipment and skilled personnel needed (including thier full benefits as City employees) and then tell us if the City is doing the smart thing. Let's have facts not innuendo.
ReplyDeleteRepair shops double money on parts plus labor. Its call list price which is generally double the shop cost.
ReplyDeleteIf the city want to save money by outsourcing they would allow Life Star to have a contract to run the EMS calls in the city with the fire fighters running medical assist as needed. By outsourcing you wouldnt have a need for paramedics and could do layoffs saving the city even more money. By saving money from lay offs you could also move the minimum staffing back to 6 on the Engine as it was many years ago. Layoffs suck but as Chief See says Its the cost of doing business. Life Star could pick up anyone laid off so it would be a win win.
ReplyDelete