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[Mike Murrell]

The best you can hope for is to go back to the shop used and ask to speak to the service mgr.

Point out the mud-soaked oil filter(just an example) that was not changed. If one can clearly see that a part or service was not included, the mgr. should address the issue. If he won't, go inside and speak with the dealerships GM.

Obviously if one went to Quik Lube or an indy garage, the service. mgr. is as far as you're likely going to be able to go, unless the shop is a chain operation and you want to contact their national HQ. I wouldn't bet on that helping much.

The problem has to do with how automotive techs are paid. They're basically trying to beat the clock. The sooner they sign off on one car, the sooner they can pickup another. Now add in the fact that techs get a small portion of the whole bill, the reason they're in a hurry to move on in the first place. If they're paid a flat salary, you're less likely to run into this. Some people will argue this last point, but I know that in most cases, you have fewer "come backs" in flat salary shops. Those types of operations are; however, not as common as they were 30 or so years ago.

Another issue has to do with the lack of skills and the over-complexity of todays car. A 19 year old with an "auto mechanic" high school education and 1 years post-high school auto tech training simply does not have enough education to work on today's autos.

You need a clear understanding of physics to work on todays cars. A lot of junior colleges offer "engineering technology" assoc. degress. They're watered-down pre-engineering degress, but offer 60 hrs. or so of higher level mathematics, physics, mechanical principles(early stage mechanical engineering); micro-processor internals. This coupled with a legitimate 2 year auto training program will in most cases produce a solid automotive tech.

Since the dealer pockets most of the $$$ - not many are willing to go thru the effort/expense involved.