Sbeadg
It's not about expertise. Think of it in terms of game theory: Like a football game, or, better yet, a chess match. You increase your chances to win if you can figure out what the other guy's gonna do next. Even something as simple as tennis -- if you figure he's gonna rush the net, then you lob the ball behind him. I play handball. The whole secret there is, you return the ball where the other guy isn't. Can't tell you how many times I get my feet set for a shot, hear the other guy's feet rushing over where he expects I'll hit it, and so I hit it the other way instead. That's why prize fighters feint. Most every game has something like that. Figure out the other guy and you can figure out the outcome. So, what you do, you reckon his motivation first, factor in the conditions next, predict the future, and away you go.
Game theory works in a whole slew of other things besides games, like business, and politics. Billions to be made on the one hand and regulations you can weasel out of on the other, what's Goldman Sachs gonna do? Forget the demagogue's fine words and altruistic statements, here comes the health insurance lobbyist with a fistful of cash, who writes the health care law? Here comes the UAW union boss with a pocket full of votes, how's the senator gonna vote on bailouts? This is why we have fascism in a democracy.
Now look at this dealer service you just had using the same game theory. What's his motivation? He needs to make a profit in order to make payroll. He does the job, then he looks at a handful of parts inadvertently left out. Now here's where the conditions have to be factored in. What are the conditions? He quoted you from a book that says how many hours this should take. Now where's he at? If he starts the job all over, he'll take a bath, and he won't make payroll. What's he gonna do? Let things slide and hope you don't notice. It's very feasible you won't. That happens a lot, where you have some washers left over and never miss a beat. Last thing he's gonna do is call you up and say: "I am sending a tow truck out at my expense. I need to bring your bike in here for a day's work at my expense. Oh, by the way, know anyone who wants to buy a bike shop real cheap?"
On the other hand, what if you had done the job? Apply the same game theory to yourself. What's your motivation? Saving bucks, getting to know your machine, enjoying steel, making sure your bike is in shape, something like that. What if you had found a handful of parts after you were done? I positively guarantee you that you would not have let it slide. Why? One of your motivations trumps all the rest: Your ass is on the line. And the conditions favor you, too, because more time taking it all apart again does not cost you your shop. That damn thing is never gonna leak.
What comes next? Well, if your leak hits the clutch push rod it may well run down that rod onto the clutch plate. Now you will have to crack the bike apart in the middle and buy expensive parts. So, you tell me, if this shop that didn't bother to call you about the parts he left out takes the bike back in and puts those parts where they belong, is he gonna go as far as to inspect the clutch plates he endangered and replace them? Yeah. Sure. About as certain as hope and change, ethical stock swindlers, and me letting my handball partner get an easy shot.
Professional only means you get paid.
DIY means you do it right.
Seen it happen a million times.
