This is a very tough question to Answear - but i will have a bash at it.

I percieve that some might consider me old & old Fashioned in my ways but i personaly have left the rat race behind.

I believe that it is impossible to correctly diagnose a truck unless you absolutely now what is wrong Tune up fer instance - you can guesstimate approximate time that it will take.

But lets say the brakes are gone on a Clark & you know that you will have to pull the wheels etc etc ok.

However in the building it is not convienient for you to work on site - but your customer & the COMPANY you work for want it done there because no one wants to pay shipping.

So you out of the goodness of your heart perform this job in a corner tucked away with no room to swing a cat arround.

You do a fantastic job you fix the truck in 3 days.

Then siad customer remembers that he had that job done last year & he then finds that work order - but this time Bill did it in the shop in 2 days
now he phones your boss to see why it took you so long.??????

Every job can only at best be guesed at unless you know exactly whats wrong & you have the parts & pricing on hand.

I have found when i know what the problem is i tell my customer approximatttely how long it will take for me to get it apart then when i can see exactly what the problem is then you can give a proper informed oppinion.

I allways take the customer to the machine & i explain as much to him about the situation as i can - then i give him the choices in his repair explaining what each decision will mean to him helping him to make right choices this teaches & builds trust without which I wouldn,t have very many customers -- My customers here on the Island are all my friends they call me when they need me & i help them as much as i can.

Dont let company politics rule you make your own decisions based on your own integrity build trust with your customers & you fine.

Every job is different no 2 same jobs are ever the same each job has its own merritsdeal with each accordingly.
Hope this helps