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Babysitting
The CAC hose solution thread mentioned the importance of
babysitting your coach at the shop. I wholeheartedly agree.I have much of my work done at service centers and other
shops and can say that being there asking questions has had great value for me.
Seeing first-hand what’s being done has given me a greater understanding what
work I am and am not capable of performing, along with understaning my coach’s quirks,
maintenance and tips to avoid future shop visits. I also feel my presence has
an impact on how the bus is treated. I have had miscellaneous items and a sewer
hose go missing when I didn’t stay with the bus. That was the last time I went
to that shop for anything.The shop I visit frequently has a profound understanding of
Prevost, my converter, my specific bus and also welcomes my questions before,
during and after the work is complete. As a bonus, my questions do not show up
as added hours on my bill.However, I recently may have crossed a line. While at
Prevost Mira Loma this month I was watching and asking questions about the
repair while the tech worked. After fifteen minutes or so the service manager
walked by and asked me to wait in my coach or the drivers lounge. I was told
that I was distracting the guys from getting their work done. Getting my last
few questions answered and apologizing to the tech for getting us in trouble, I
went back in my coach and waited.It caused me to recognize that shops are in the business of getting their customers back on the road and not runing a Jr mechanic school for owners. I’m aware and respectful not to put myself in a position to impede
their work, as I certainly don’t want to add hours to my wait or my bill, but I
believe there is a balance and appropriateness for me, or any owner, to ensure
questions are answered in order to understand the issue, its resolution and
ultimately the bill.When I get work done, I stay with the bus. When it’s been
necessary for me to leave the coach at a shop, I have done so with shops that I
know and who know my bus and me. I have found word of mouth and the users map
here at prevostcommunity have been valuable tools in locating quality and known
service.
Thanks to all who continue to participate.
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9 Replies
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That is strange !!!!! What was the techs first name , I find that very hard to believe , I have been there alot over the years two days at a time , day shift and night shift and have never been told that before , I known just about all the techs there and the managers , most are friends , wonder why that happened in Mia Loma??
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Prevost Centers seem to tolerate quite a bit of owner involvement but in the end I think it depends on the tech. Some seem to enjoy an owner that is hanging around. Others, not so much. I usually get a quick sense which way a particular tech leans and adjust accordingly. The last thing I want to do is slow them down.
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Sounds like an unusual situation. Most competent techs enjoy dealing with owners who care enough to want to understand the coach. They are almost always happy to answer questions and typically enjoy the respect owners show them by acknowledging their skills.
I had an alignment done in Nashville this year and as can be imagined I was at the work station watching the process. Without saying much or asking questions the technician started telling me what he was doing, why he was doing it, and what the outcome was going to be. He was pleased I cared enough to watch him work, and especially pleased he could show me he was not only going to get the various settings in the allowable range, he was going to get them in the center of the range.
Maybe I am wrong, but the technicians who don’t like being watched or feel uncomfortable answering questions are those who are not sure of themselves. The competent technician rarely has people watching him, and when he does he seems very happy to demonstrate his skills.
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My experience at Prevost Jacksonville for a three axle alignment last January was identifcal to Jon’s. In the almost two days we were there, three different techs and a supervisor worked on the coach. The tech who did the alignment made special effort for me to understand what he was doing, why he was doing it, how it would impact the handling, and not only got “it” inside the acceptable range (which is what he said it would typically come from the factory with) he got “it” as close to the exact “middle” as possible.
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To be very clear about my Mira Loma experience, the Techs, both day and night shift, welcomed my questions and had zero issue with me watching the work. The person who ever so politely asked me to leave, and who prefaced the request with something like “we don’t mind owners out here for a short time but…” was from the office.
I have no idea what their work load or situation was at the time. Definitely sounds like a unique experience.
Point is, I encourage all to stay with your coach, watch the work and get your questions answered. It helps.
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Many moons ago, probably about 23 years, Prevost moved from Williams St in Jacksonville to the new facility where it is today. At the new facility they had yellow plastic chains across the door openings with signs that basically said we owners were not welcome in the shop.
With very rare exception I stopped taking my bus for service at Prevost or anywhere else. Until then I was perfectly happy visiting “Camp Prevost” whenever I needed any kind of service. I don’t think I am far off saying I averaged about $5000 per year so chasing customers away, especially those who have a strong interest, costs Prevost a lot of money.
I have learned a lot by doing my own work, and the ripple effect is I probably have influenced more than a few owners to also do their own work. The fellow in Mira Loma that did the chasing might want to get an attitude adjustment.
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Jon do you think we are the average Prevost MH owners, I am thinking the average guy maybe a Prevost Proud type guy does little other than fuel his vehicle. I could be wrong.
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I’m not sure how to characterize Prevost owners. Over the years we have seen some that literally do nothing more than drive their coach, and rely on others to not only maintain the coach, but to even vacuum it. But we have also seen other owners who do everything on their coach up to and including building one.
We are a very diverse group in education, financial status, career choice, age, and just about any other descriptor, but if my gut is correct the one common thread that ties almost all of us together is we earned our coaches. Almost everyone we know from our years of ownership worked hard, most still do, and nobody gave them anything.
I think those who participate on the various forums tend to have a somewhat greater interest in how things work but may not have an interest in actually working on the coach. Some don’t have the time to do their own work. Some don’t have the place to do work, or maybe even the tools. Some will tackle any job, including pulling the motor.
To some it is just something they enjoy owning. Like a nice car. To some it is a hobby and to some others it is their entire life because they full time in it and use it every day.
I wish sometime when we are at a rally or when we run into each other on the road someone could start to write a book about the owners of Prevost conversion coaches. Any writers among the PC members who would be willing to do that?
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I do know some Proud members that do much more than just fueling their bus.
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