[Sacramento]: If your car is mod with Plenum spacer, don't take your car to this smog place
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
If your car is mod with Plenum spacer, don't take your car to this smog place
A tech work there ( big A-Hole) , he used to own a G35 so he know what Plenum Spacer look like and refuse to pass you if you do not remove it. Off course, he will not tell you until he charge you the fee and drive your car in to the garage. After few minute later, he will tell you that your car failed because he can see that you have the Plenum spacer. Just a friendly warning to people in Norcal. Will never go back there again. I told him that I had this spacer for years and didn't have any issue. He refuse to perform the smog check and refund me the money. He say that he can see the spacer.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
#2
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
A tech work there ( big A-Hole) , he used to own a G35 so he know what Plenum Spacer look like and refuse to pass you if you do not remove it. Off course, he will not tell you until he charge you the fee and drive your car in to the garage. After few minute later, he will tell you that your car failed because he can see that you have the Plenum spacer. Just a friendly warning to people in Norcal. Will never go back there again. I told him that I had this spacer for years and didn't have any issue. He refuse to perform the smog check and refund me the money. He say that he can see the spacer.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
Sure, you'll find another place that probably won't notice it but that doesn't make it any more legal.
Could be worse.... you could pass visual and then get caught by the sniffer.
Just sayin'....
#3
Registered User
Sartre wrote that “Hell Is Other People” and some days that certainly seems to be true. The cable guy, the bank guy, the cell phone guy and no doubt the smog guy and others of their ilk all appear to be born with the A/H gene. The tone of your post suggests that you are quick to anger, not the best way to get these get people to give you a break/cut you some slack/etc. In this situation I think I could have got this car passed. My routine (in case you want to adopt it) is to crank up a thousand watt smile, do a hair flip, fiddle with the buttons on my blouse and generally act coquettish all while suggesting how we might overcome this impasse. I might propose he just overlook that tiny spacer, or how about we call it a good stout gasket and not any part of the smog system etc.
I don’t always prevail, but I’m pretty good at ‘helping people to help me’. Try it, you’ll be amazed at what a pleasant attitude can get you.
I don’t always prevail, but I’m pretty good at ‘helping people to help me’. Try it, you’ll be amazed at what a pleasant attitude can get you.
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
I am not asking him to pass me and break the law. He could have just say I can't do the inspection unless you remove the spacer. Why charge me if he knew that he is not going to do it. " Just sayin ". geee, this is what I get trying help YOU for not getting rip off. Sure will not do this type of posting again. I don't even have a Z.
What do you expect? You failed visual.... the FIRST thing they have to do. And what, you expect for them to NOT do the job they are licensed by CA to do and lose his license?
Sure, you'll find another place that probably won't notice it but that doesn't make it any more legal.
Could be worse.... you could pass visual and then get caught by the sniffer.
Just sayin'....
Sure, you'll find another place that probably won't notice it but that doesn't make it any more legal.
Could be worse.... you could pass visual and then get caught by the sniffer.
Just sayin'....
#5
Administrator
iTrader: (25)
I am not asking him to pass me and break the law. He could have just say I can't do the inspection unless you remove the spacer. Why charge me if he knew that he is not going to do it. " Just sayin ". geee, this is what I get trying help YOU for not getting rip off. Sure will not do this type of posting again. I don't even have a Z.
#6
Registered User
Sartre wrote that “Hell Is Other People” and some days that certainly seems to be true. The cable guy, the bank guy, the cell phone guy and no doubt the smog guy and others of their ilk all appear to be born with the A/H gene. The tone of your post suggests that you are quick to anger, not the best way to get these get people to give you a break/cut you some slack/etc. In this situation I think I could have got this car passed. My routine (in case you want to adopt it) is to crank up a thousand watt smile, do a hair flip, fiddle with the buttons on my blouse and generally act coquettish all while suggesting how we might overcome this impasse. I might propose he just overlook that tiny spacer, or how about we call it a good stout gasket and not any part of the smog system etc.
I don’t always prevail, but I’m pretty good at ‘helping people to help me’. Try it, you’ll be amazed at what a pleasant attitude can get you.
I don’t always prevail, but I’m pretty good at ‘helping people to help me’. Try it, you’ll be amazed at what a pleasant attitude can get you.
#7
Registered User
Cant say i agree. Tommy knows he wouldnt pass with the spacer, yet he tried anyways. He wasted the guys time. Thats like me applying for a home lone KNOWING i wont get it, but demand that the bank give me back my money for the loan application.
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#8
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
I am not asking him to pass me and break the law. He could have just say I can't do the inspection unless you remove the spacer. Why charge me if he knew that he is not going to do it. " Just sayin ". geee, this is what I get trying help YOU for not getting rip off. Sure will not do this type of posting again. I don't even have a Z.
Now, if he didn't give you any money back, he does HAVE TO offer to re-test - and generally, your original payment should cover that. (Most smog stations offer "free re-test" and/or offer to fix the problem for a fee. Psh.....) Yeah, seems like a racket but again, the smog laws are designed to accommodate the widest range of possible scenarios.
It's kind of like a fix-it ticket.... "repair the infraction, then we'll talk."
Again, I get where you're coming from but it's not me getting all uptight about it, it's just facts.
Mic
#9
Administrator
iTrader: (25)
Can't say I agree here either sir. The OP states he's had no problem passing inspection in the past. So I would presume, he thought this to be the exact same case and no reason to believe otherwise...
#10
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
I think one thing is perfectly clear here.... It's a shi*ty situation. Again, I see both sides of it but unfortunately, it's just a shop doing its job correctly from a procedural POV but not from a "good human" perspective. And that has the word "suck" written all over it.
#11
Administrator
iTrader: (25)
I think one thing is perfectly clear here.... It's a shi*ty situation. Again, I see both sides of it but unfortunately, it's just a shop doing its job correctly from a procedural POV but not from a "good human" perspective. And that has the word "suck" written all over it.
If I had been in the same position I would have asked the inspection tech first. That would have been my instinct...
#13
Registered User
Yes he has passed before, but it is HIS job to know the smog law in his area. Ignorance isnt an excuse. (Not using ignorance as an insult here) thats like saying, "oh officer, ive sped before without getting a ticket, why are you giving me a ticket now?"
Thats all im saying. Yes it sucks, but i cant blame the guy for not giving him the money back. As mic said, the guy was simply doing his job. Cant get mad at him for that. Tommy pay to be tested, he was tested and failed. He shouldnt have gotten mad over it.
#14
Registered User
Poor Tommy, He came here with such high hopes of being lauded a hero for saving his comrades from, in his words, being ripped off by shady a’holes. Little did he know that MY350 is a pit of vicious, disparaging, ungrateful vipers, who chose to point out his failings over the tech who had the audacity to follow state protocol.
This forum has lost the bulk of its members and may die if we don’t encourage new participants. However, there’s no pleasing some people.
This forum has lost the bulk of its members and may die if we don’t encourage new participants. However, there’s no pleasing some people.
The following users liked this post:
superlim9 (10-10-2015)
#15
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Poor Tommy, He came here with such high hopes of being lauded a hero for saving his comrades from, in his words, being ripped off by shady a’holes. Little did he know that MY350 is a pit of vicious, disparaging, ungrateful vipers, who chose to point out his failings over the tech who had the audacity to follow state protocol.
This forum has lost the bulk of its members and may die if we don’t encourage new participants. However, there’s no pleasing some people.
This forum has lost the bulk of its members and may die if we don’t encourage new participants. However, there’s no pleasing some people.
Hmmmmph, twice in a week now I've had to go to Walgreen's to replenish my supply to ease the pain...
Cheers,
#16
Registered User
What can I say Mic, I’m one of those dangerous, treacherous, females this forum frequently warns about. (Inside joke.) Also a viper can’t change her spots!
#17
New Member
iTrader: (5)
A tech work there ( big A-Hole) , he used to own a G35 so he know what Plenum Spacer look like and refuse to pass you if you do not remove it. Off course, he will not tell you until he charge you the fee and drive your car in to the garage. After few minute later, he will tell you that your car failed because he can see that you have the Plenum spacer. Just a friendly warning to people in Norcal. Will never go back there again. I told him that I had this spacer for years and didn't have any issue. He refuse to perform the smog check and refund me the money. He say that he can see the spacer.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
Smog In
Smog Check Stations
5889 Stockton Blvd
Sacramento.
#18
Registered User
Dnguyent, your analogy isn’t really relevant, considering California presently doesn’t use tailpipe sniffers on cars of the 350Zs vintage. Google is your friend, it can provide dozens of reasons why a physical and visual inspection is necessary in addition to a deep ECU probing. Even I can think of a few pertinent situations, so you should too.
Not all is lost, as I believe California still has some form of referee smog inspection system for modifications where you can have your case adjudicated.
Not all is lost, as I believe California still has some form of referee smog inspection system for modifications where you can have your case adjudicated.
#20
tommyz9 thanks for the information.
Sorry to hear about that.
Those AH can only beg on people $30 for the rest of their life, is a sad story for them, lol
Don't let this AH ruin your mood.
Sorry to hear about that.
Those AH can only beg on people $30 for the rest of their life, is a sad story for them, lol
Don't let this AH ruin your mood.