Five(5) signs of a bad bike mechanic

A couple of bikers in Nigeria have been rendered bikeless as a result of unscrupulous mechanics. The fact is that a larger percentage of bike riders have a limited understanding of how their bikes actually operates, hence, falling into the traps of dubious and unprofessional mechanics. 

The common trick that mechanics use to scam bikers is that they bring up unnecessary maintenance expenses by making this conditional statement to create fear in bikers “if you don’t repair problem X on your bike, problem Y will surface”.  A few of us have been served hot breakfasts by our mechanics either on our first bike or the bikes we are currently riding. 

This write up will highlight tips to identify dubious mechanics and how to avoid them:

1. Negative Reviews: Consistently bad reviews from other bikers who have patronized the mechanic in the past is a strong indicator that the mechanic is unprofessional. You will agree with me that a lot of them are not internet savvy, hence, it is difficult to drop reviews on them on platforms like Google, Instagram and other social media channels.
2. High number of wrecked bikes: A shop with a lot of dead and faulty bikes in a signal that such mechanic has poor management culture. It could also mean that he lacks requisite skills to repair their bikes and they are left abandoned. I’m sure you will not like your bike to be exposed to daily sunlight in a mechanic garage.
3. No Warranty on Work: A reputable mechanic typically offers a warranty on their work. If they don’t, it may suggest they lack confidence in their services. This is very common with mechanics in Nigeria, they hate to hear complains after fixing your bike. The most disturbing is that after you have left their workshops with your bike, they will not bother to ask about your bike performance and feedback generally. If you have any complaints immediately you ride out your bike after repairs, they will shift the blame on your and exonerate themselves. 
4. Refusal to Show Old Parts: If a mechanic replaces parts but refuses to show you the old parts, it could indicate that they are not being honest about the repairs needed. Going forward, you need to make it a habit to request for your old bike parts while leaving the mechanic workshop. If you do not collect the old part, there is a probability that he will use for another unsuspecting biker and the part will not perform efficiently.
   
5. Unwillingness to Provide Estimates: Ideally, a reliable mechanic should provide a clear estimate of costs before starting work. If they refuse to talk about the cost implications before they lay their hands on your bike, be cautious because it is an invitation to unnecessary arguments. 
   

Thanks for reading this article, please feel free to drop your comments.