TDR Shop Directory for North America?

[Darkbloodmon]

I'll ask just incase, do we have a shop directory on forums?

If not, would it be possible to get a regional shop directory going with verified TDR reviews?
There's a lot of great information on these forums with many questions that get answered. Though often times the million dollar questions are "Who and where should I take it too?" for x work if you are unable to do it yourself.

I think there is a good need for it, I myself would be more inclined to trust a directory listed and managed by TDR than word of mouth, facebook, yelp, google, etc. Not everyone lives in a city or town where good work can be found. Plenty of people are willing to travel for a one and done; right the first time job.

If you don't mind me stepping on a soap box. I'm currently getting burned by the shop I went too; to have my transmission looked over (if you're following my destitute NV5600 thread) and to install head studs and burn on traction bars while it was there. Long story short my truck was there for 2 weeks and 2 days. They didn't tell me anything new about the transmission I didn't know already, bars weren't welded on straight, their mounting hardware was loose/unsecure and i'm drinking coolant. The cherry on top is that they won't be able to look at it till September 6th. This is the first shop to ever touch my truck and i'm living through my worst nightmare. I shouldn't have to be decked out in powder coat and rock lights to have some level of attention to detail when working on my truck. I'm frustrated that I do better work with less in my own garage. If my head needs a job I'm more inclined to take credit for the cost of the repairs and take it elsewhere, the first job you did wasn't difficult and you screwed up, a head job is more difficult and demanding of competence than the first. It only takes one time to burn me.

That being said I would be in support of a verified shop directory by TDR to help people avoid circumstances like mine that are all to common and heard about. I think it would be a really stand out addition to a forum as organized and reputable as this one. I've not been here long but I've learned a lot and shared as much as my experience has allowed. I'm very grateful to have found this site and become a member.

 

[Timd32]

Good idea, doubt it will happen.

It's really a grass roots effort that needs personal buy in from the members to supply real recent feedback.

Take the ECM vendor repair list, which is not a TDR thing think thats a MM73 deal, these companies are so hard to keep track of and are all inter mixed it's very difficult to maintain a list of those vendors. There are some decent go-to folks on that list but it's always buyers beware and subject to others.

There are some really bad vendors and shops out there. I'm sure I have customers of mine that have had bad experiences with some of my stuff, so one bad review trumps 100 praises any day of the week.

I fully support this idea, just very hard to keep up on it.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

ECMs are an excellent example that I hope to never find myself in. I've worked retail automotive service and parts and I understand the nature of reviews, the pressure is on and the bar is set very high for service performance. Numerical or star reviews aside; what I think sets shops apart is the effort to make something right when something goes wrong. My attitude would've been a complete 180 in my situation if they told me to come in the following day so they could do a hot retorque and look over their work.

It's really a grass roots effort that needs personal buy in from the members to supply real recent feedback.

I agree, it would take alot of grass root effort. But I think there is alot of good value to be had and worth supporting. Anything of worth requires effort.

As these older trucks get fewer and fewer in numbers as well as parts that weren't meant to be replaced I think owners will use more scrutiny where they send their trucks for repair. A fee for a directory of reputable specialty shops becomes a small thing in comparison to warranty claims, call backs, and non liable damages.

 

[Timd32]

Here is a quick survey to collect the info.

If there is interest this creates a PDF for the shop and an CSV data base file that can be used to link and it keeps it self updated.

I don't have a ton of time, but if you see errors or need something basic added or deleted no issue.

This is not a TDR official effort......... other then, my basic membership, it's a report at your will. I have no issue sharing the sheet when they come in will share it.

Click Here to Submit:
Shop Recommendation

Should note nothing is mandatory on the form fill in as much or little as you know.... other folks can correct as needed.

 

[Timd32]

Had a few minutes to download the samples of the files it creates.

Of course the name got washed out for this thing. It usually has the shop name and the info recorded.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Had a few minutes to download the samples of the files it creates.

Of course the name got washed out for this thing. It usually has the shop name and the info recorded.

Before I ask about additional question options for finer data (ex. specialty shop, time frame, fleet service, general maint, heavy over hall, performance, etc). Is there an easy and accessible way to compile, organize and view this information? I don't mind doing some reading up on options out there if you can point me in a direction.

 

[Timd32]

Google Drive or Dropbox would have the Excel or CSV file for what I specifically posted. It would be shared or emailed to whomever.

Also a manual list can just be used in a thread and you copy and paste out of a thread.

Maybe consider tossing a poll up about the idea to see if there is alot of folks able to share good shops.

The form deal I shared could be a bust for sure and not work for this. It was less then 10 min to make that deal.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

gotcha, i'll get to the poll then.