Good Help Is Hard To Find (the malfunctioning weather band saga)

My previous post indicated my problems with the malfunctioning weather band. The dealer said they fixed the problem (took 3 days). They told me I could pick up my car and they had washed it for free. They also used that stuff to shine the tires (which I don't care for very much). I retrieved the car and noticed I had a new radio. They did not have the paperwork ready, but they said they would mail it to me. The Weather Band problem was fixed. I noticed the radio was not recognizing my phone so I left a message on my service rep's voice mail. I later discovered that I had failed to fully connect the plug in the car to the phone. The head unit did recognize the phone, but I noticed the signal strength was low. I figured it was just network fluctuations.<br>
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I noticed a scuff mark on my door that I KNOW (but can't prove) was caused by the dealer. The mnrk looked like a skid mark made by another car door.<br>
I rubbed most of the mark out with several applications of 3M Perfect-It II Rubbing Compound. I also noticed swirl marks that I believe were made by improper wash technique. <br>
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I open my trunk to put some stuff back inside, and I find all the guts of the stereo/phone electronics spread all over the trunk. The left trunk panel is off, and one coaxial cable is disconnected from the "portable" cellular antenna (this part is the one that looks like a heat sink). I also see the mechanics pliers, and boxes labled as follows: Amplifier (box about the size of a very thick chalk board eraser) part #A 170 820 03 89; Antenna Mast part # A 170 820 04 75.<br>
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I thought about going back to the dealer to have them finsish the job, but at this point I have my doubts about their competence. I decide to put the stuff back myself. This is made difficult because I'm not exactly sure how it all fits back into the trunk space. After more then an hour, I get everything back in and reconnected (hint: put the black rectangular box into the styrofoam; angle the black box wiring into the forward opening; slide the black box forward so the front enters the opening; push the styrofoam flat against the side panel.) There appears to be some fiber optic cable coming out of the black box so don't force anything. The process involves more technique than pressure.<br>
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I will retrurn to the dealer to give the mechanic his pliers. I hope to have a private conversation with this man. My intention is to cut him some slack with the hope that he will be more conscientious in the future. Of course I could bitch to the service manager and curse everyone out, but I think a more reasoned approach might be more productive.<br>
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I also think that my stereo may sound better, but more extensive testing will needed before I can determine if this is just my imagination.

If you cover his butt there is a good chance that he will return the favor. On the other hand, they may have pulled the car away from him before he was finished or worst case, he may just be a sloppy mechanic who really doesn't give a damn. In any event I think you've got the right idea.<br>
Twice after maintainance on my Bonanza I found tools left in the engine bay. Now THAT makes you wonder if the mechanic is paying attention.

Spoke to the service manager and it turns out that the repair took longer than expected because the radio they ordered to replace the one with the malfunction also had the same malfunction.<br>
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They touched up my interior chip with a grey dye. A perfect color match. They dye has a gloss shine, but this is not noticeable unless viewed from an angle. <br>
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I also tried to dust my wheels today, but the goop they put on my tires to make them shine also attracted brake dust and resulted in smearing of the brake dust. I had to wash and wax the wheels to make the California Car Duster effective again.<br>
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Moral of all this: Try to do your own repairs and never let other people detail your car.