Why dont people keep service records?

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Tmall

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it was all documented work. He was shown paperwork. Buddy tears the engine open and sees the word "kit" written on his cams in marker which made him suspicious. Further investigation revealed everything to be stock.

I'll admit, it would be easy to fake a generic invoice. But the colored & serrated paper that big shops/dealers use isn't something most people are going to use in their printer. Not to mention replicating the dealership's logo and everything. Kind of doubtful that anyone would fake that for 100K+ worth of services.

[Tmall]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I'll admit, it would be easy to fake a generic invoice. But the colored & serrated paper that big shops/dealers use isn't something most people are going to use in their printer. Not to mention replicating the dealership's logo and everything. Kind of doubtful that anyone would fake that for 100K+ worth of services.

It's confusing that you're trying to argue little details and then flip flopping when somebody refutes it. Which do you want to debate? Service records, or proof of mods and work? You're trying to do both and its just not working.

He could have easily had all kinds of components installed. He also could have removed them himself, sold them separately, and still show somebody the paperwork proving they were there at one point.


But, I don't remember if you're still considering slipper clutches, or only services..

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

So on the one hand, you guys are saying proof of maintenance isn't important, yet on the other hand you're saying you'd call a shop to find out if it's been maintained. Which is it?

I'm consistent... I don't ask and I wouldn't call.

I've interviewed, managed, and sold enough people over the years to tell with freakishly good accuracy, when someone is lying... even when someone is REALLY good at it. That said, most people are REALLY bad at it.

Also, I'm no expert, but I can look over pretty much anything mechanical and tell if it was abused or in the least, poorly maintained. AND you can tell a lot about how something's maintained based upon how well the person responsible for it maintains their other shit. It's not rocket science...

And... I think what the people are saying, without double talk as you imply, is that if they are that concerned about maintenance records, there are other ways of obtaining the information without saving/asking for every receipt for everything that's ever been done...

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

So on the one hand, you guys are saying proof of maintenance isn't important, yet on the other hand you're saying you'd call a shop to find out if it's been maintained. Which is it?

Unnecessary redundancy is not important.
Unnecessary redundancy is not important.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by shmike

Unnecessary redundancy is not important.
Unnecessary redundancy is not important.

It is important if it saves me time when deciding whether to buy someone's car. No matter which make & model I'm looking for, there's always several of them being sold in my local area. Asking about service history is one way to whittle down the options and save time, rather than going over to everyone's house.

[the chi]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Sometimes I think you people just take the opposite side just to disagree.

Ding ding ding...I think he gets it boys...not saying all member here do it, but several admit to arguing just to argue. They like seeing ppl (you especially) get their panties in a wad so to speak.

Originally Posted by Flexin

Even the most well kept car can break the day after you buy it.

James

Yeah, just ask Drewpy.

tee hee.

I have to say, in my short like I avg a car at least every 2 years. New, used, etc. Bikes too, tho I kept the GSXR a good long time. And NONE, I repeat NONE of the purchasers, be they private or dealer have ever asked or cared about records. Nor can any be provided the few times I ask when they tell me how good it was taken care of.

I dont keep them, I dont see the point in more unnecessary paperwork cluttering the place. Not to mention, most of ours is done by the family mechanic, Dad. I'm sure he keeps every single receipt for our stuff and has it filed alphabetically and by date. But thats his thing, and he does it for himself, as he doesnt to my knowledge hand over any of his records when we buy and sell.

As far as mods and such, unless its something crazy awesome, which it never is, I'm not paying more than a vehicle books just because you think you should make some money back that you put into it. Cars arent houses, they dont appreciate. They depreciate. (Again, unless its something insane, like an original Shelby racing Cobra or something along those lines.)

Originally Posted by Homeslice

It is important if it saves me time when deciding whether to buy someone's car. No matter which make & model I'm looking for, there's always several of them being sold in my local area. Asking about service history is one way to whittle down the options and save time, rather than going over to everyone's house.

Now thats a valid point. If you are into whittling them down. But if its something that speaks to your soul and you just gotta have it and no one else has one, are you going to refuse to buy it because they couldnt provide records?

[Trip]

Originally Posted by the chi

Yeah, just ask Drewpy.

tee hee.

I wouldn't call Drewpy's choice "the most well kept." Bart is pretty hard on his stuff.

[anthonyk]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

It is important if it saves me time when deciding whether to buy someone's car. No matter which make & model I'm looking for, there's always several of them being sold in my local area. Asking about service history is one way to whittle down the options and save time, rather than going over to everyone's house.

Well shit, if we all kept service records, it wouldn't save you any time would it?

[Mr Lefty]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Until you try and sell it.

You guys think it's not important because none of the buyers you've had so far have seemed like they cared. But that doesn't prove nobody cares.

Pretty sure that Camry has a timing belt, right? If so, it would be scheduled for replacement every 75-90K miles. Meaning that when you bought it at 165K, it probably was due for its second replacement. It would certainly save you money and time if it had already been done. And if in fact that's what the owner told you, wouldn't you like to see some verification of it? Otherwise you are simply taking his word.

Same with clutches. If I'm looking at a car that old, and its clutch has recently been replaced, that's a potential advantage in my eyes. But if it can't be proven, it's not an advantage anymore.

Two different Camry's, same condition, same amount of miles.......If one can show that it's timing belt & clutch had been recently replaced, I'd be willing to pay $500 more for it.

problem... you can inspect the timing belt on a camry just by taking of a piece of plastic. who cares if they replaced it or not, proof or not, it's something I'd inspect... and even if they had proof that it was changed 5 miles ago... if it looks bad I'll replace it again.

I go by what MY inspection shows... I could care less what is said to be done... receipt or no.

[Flexin]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Until you try and sell it.

You guys think it's not important because none of the buyers you've had so far have seemed like they cared. But that doesn't prove nobody cares.

Pretty sure that Camry has a timing belt, right? If so, it would be scheduled for replacement every 75-90K miles. Meaning that when you bought it at 165K, it probably was due for its second replacement. It would certainly save you money and time if it had already been done. And if in fact that's what the owner told you, wouldn't you like to see some verification of it? Otherwise you are simply taking his word.

Same with clutches. If I'm looking at a car that old, and its clutch has recently been replaced, that's a potential advantage in my eyes. But if it can't be proven, it's not an advantage anymore.

Two different Camry's, same condition, same amount of miles.......If one can show that it's timing belt & clutch had been recently replaced, I'd be willing to pay $500 more for it.

Even with that paper you can't really prove much. You also don't know the condition. If you want to keep this car for a long time you might be better off setting your budget and offer on that car with the plans on replacing that part. That way you know for sure that it was done. The part now has 0 hours and miles on it.

Thats the same advise that I got from a dealer when I asked about a used Blaster that they were not selling. He said to change the piston and rings. He said I don't care if they said they did it yesterday, you will want to replace them as soon as you buy it. Would have saved a lot of money if I had listened to him.

James