Re: RESPONCE TO LOW FPR SCORES
Posted to Emissions Forum on 6/12/2012
4 Replies
Jamey,
Thanks for the positive comment/pep talk.
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/pubwebquery/star/tech.aspx?tech=144107
I invite you to browse my short-term measure history. Go
back all the way to last year. I don't believe that I can be
any more careful about the cars I inspect or the data I
enter, without simply starting to pre-screen and reject more
vehicles that don't shift properly or possess maximum OBD
readiness issues. I'm not my own boss, so the rejection
method can only be taken so far...
In my opinion, customers can be divided into two conceptual
groups: those that want their cars fixed, and those that
want their cars certified. Certification for the first group
is merely an afterthought.
A service writer can usually determine which group a
customer falls into almost immediately, and take appropriate
action. I'm not a service writer, I'm a technician, who does
what he is told to do to the very best of his ability. I
have been told by those who know me personally that I am
quite able, so this is not just some conceited opinion.
This leads me to FPR. I don't believe that any logical
person can legitimately ignore the significance of the
"certify" group on the vehicle's future inspection
performances. The FPR attempts to do exactly that, and
FAILS.
It is too late for my shop to change it's customer intake
philosophy, and it is nearly impossible for me to improve my
inspection accuracy (in my opinion, it's already semi-good).
The "certify" group HUGELY outnumbers the "repair" group in
my neighborhood, so rejecting them is suicidal, and
attempting to convert them is beyond my abilities.
But, you know what? It shouldn't have to be my
responsibility! The FPR claims to simply grade an
inspector's INSPECTION performance! IT DOESN'T!! Inspection
performance is directly related to his knowledge and
accuracy. Not his repair performance, not his customer
demographic, not his lousy attitude. This is completely
illogical and ignorant, and I don't have the slightest
problem saying so!
So, if the FPR isn't fixed soon, either through internal
enlightenment or external pressure, I won't be doing this
much longer. Some will say "Good bye, Good riddance!!" I
just hope that you're ready for the flood of "certify"
customers headed your way. They can be both annoying and
entertaining, and they are like "Bebe's Kids" -- they don't
die, they just multiply!!
Later,
Michael Barry Technician Quick Stop Smog & More Sacramento, California, USA
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