Tom Amon Mobile Works West: veteran mechanic at your doorstep

[scottb]

As always, Grady gives a very thorough and thoughtful analysis.

As a lawyer, I worry about the liability issues.

As a P-car owner, I worry about cost.

I guess I'd end up doing a risk/benefit analysis. What are the risks, and what are the benefits of taking those risks? For relatively minor jobs like a tune-up, valve adjustment, a/c recharge, and the like, I think I'd be OK with having a mobile mechanic come to the house. Of course, I'd ask to see certificates for liability and workers' comp insurance (there's the lawyer in me). I'd also first check my homeowner's policy to see if independent contractors working on my property are covered in the event of an injury. I think I think I'd be reluctant to have a major, multi-day or multi-week project done at my home. I think the odds of something going wrong or somebody getting hurt increase. I realize that the larger cost savings comes with larger projects, but I think there's a lot of risk, too.

This has been a VERY interesting thread, and I'm glad to see some enterprising P-car wrenches up north are doing well on a mobile basis. Anyone know of people in SoCal doing the same thing?

Anyway, my $.02.

[Jason Cullen]

Grady,

Parts for normal jobs are always stocked – We use the same suppliers as the independents and dealers.

Certainly organization is critical – Note: 30 plus years of running one of the top Bay Area independent Porsche repair. Manuals, spect books – of coarse we have them.

Tom has decided to step away from managing employees, paying high shop costs, etc. to offer the luxury of service performed in the comfort of your home or office.

From a diagnostic analysis, this generally will produce a list of parts needed. Tom arrives to perform the job prepared with all parts needed once the diagnostic is performed. Should it be a simple maintenance, i.e.: Valve adjustment, Oil changes, plugs etc – In stock parts - the service is performed on the spot.

As far as the ideal set up? Brother – he spent a month building the dream “mobile” shop.

If there is an engine / transmission overhaul etc. – These are taken to his workshop

We are not dealing with a rookie mechanic Pelicans – We are dealing with an “Old School” veteran mechanic with 35 years of experience!

Are far as recycling oil & fluids, safe - professional measures are taken. All oil & fluids are placed in heavy duty containers are are properly recycled. Just like a shop.

Insurance? Tom is covered with automotive fleet insurance. He is licensed with all the appropriate documents. As far as homeowners insurance – unlikely your home would be damaged from maintenance on your 911. Tom has a “Mobile” first aid / safety on board his truck to include fire extinguishers etc.

All your concerns are valid – He has dotted the I’s and crossed his T’s - For us SF Bay area Porsche 911 owners who need a Professional on the spot – It is a blessing to have Tom Amon available to put us back on the road!

Beware of his funny looks – It is his technical abilities he is hired for!

Thank you,
Jason

Note: This is not me - Its Tom

[Jason Cullen]

Biosurfer,

This thread is about "Mobile Werks West" Tom Amon.

Thank you,
Jason

[scottb]

It sounds like Tom has done it right! You guys in the Bay area are lucky to have him. Then again, we have TRE!

[9XI]

WOW!!! Tom Amon, THE Tom Amon, is making housecalls. Tom, your number just went into my address book to call you for my next repair.

I used Tom for 10 years on my last Porsche. I hadn't used his shop in a while on my new one because he was having so much trouble keeping good technicians. Now, no technicians, and the man himself working on my car??? Sign me up!!!

[Jason Cullen]

He like's Coffee Shop style Folders or similar.

2 1/2 teaspoons of sugar and a touch of cream.

Warning:

Do not feed him a nice meal. Otherwise every evening he will be knocking at your front door for food.

I can’t get him to go away – We even turn the lights off and park our cars around the corner to throw him off. This does not work!

Jason

[Grady Clay]

Really cool that someone with Tom’s expertise has gone mobile. My posts aren’t to disparage his efforts in any way. He is doing it right.

My point is how to bring together all of the necessary parts of a system that provides excellent service. That can be a Dealer, Independent, Mobile – or some combination.

Clearly Tom has the love of Porsche. Hopefully in the next 20 years he can pass along that experience and skill to the next generation.

Best,
Grady

[scottb]

Originally posted by Grady Clay
Clearly Tom has the love of Porsche. Hopefully in the next 20 years he can pass along that experience and skill to the next generation.

Delete "Tom" from the quoted sentence, and insert "Grady." Enough said!!

[bob tilton]

jason - thanks for conveying the details.

moses - i live in pleasant hill so yes he will come visit you.

setting aside all the legalities - i think tom is an incredible value for the service he provides. you get a veteran mechanic with a great personality that is able to perform any job in your garage.

let's just say that tom's signature graces my engine shroud with pride!

[930addict]

I will surely be giving him a call soon! I've got lots of fun projects for him to work on.

[MobileWrks]

Heres my feed back !!!!!! I worked with tom for 7 years. He brought me from being a shop helper/janitorial,parts cleaner,.etc,etc. Did a 4 year apprentice program,and turned me into a mechanic. Yes i did start at the bottom,but thats how your learn the thing he has showed me . I would sit there on my lunch breaks and watch him goto work.Sit and ask all i can to learn about cars. At that time didnt even know how to put a battery in. He saw my intersts in cars,as it grew,my knowledge did aswell. he knows his stuff,and i dont think there should be any douts about the what if's!!!! i really dont.. im very confident in him and his words of wisdom !!!!! It dont take much to trust him,just ask him a question:like an episode of wierd science'the brainiack of the porsche gods.!!!!! From race to street,vintage or a daily driver. he knows it all...

'with no coffee,he goes crazy' right jason....

bio's posting is not a side choosing discussion,just to let every one know, that it it wasnt for tom,i wouldnt be who i am!! most people know tom,and some and alot know i worked with him.....
T H A N K S TOM AMON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jason Cullen]

Jimmy,

You always have my support! As you know, you always have work when you are down my way!

Yes, Tom needs his coffee, so keep the coffee brewing! And with Jimmy, keep the Pepperoni Pizza baking!

I agree Jimmy – Tom breed a wonderful mechanic out of you!

Thank you,
Jason

[rich22]

Just to add another voice to the chorus, T&D's rep in the bay area is as good as it gets. Considering the number of excellent Porsche shops in the bay area, I would say that you couldn't ask for much more. Bargain prices and house calls too.

[Nine9six]

Bob,
That is one gorgeous motor!

[9XI]

Just a quick update. Tom Amon came by and did an excellent job servicing my RSA the other day. I have hired him to do a full service next week and replace my brake pads with new high performance pads.

His rate is very much a bargain in that you get a master mechanic at a rate less than the regular shops charge for their third string.

Case in point, he spent one hour and fixed an electrical problem that the third string at a shop with a sparkling reputation in the bay area completely muffed. The other shop charged me more than Tom did, and did not fix the problem.

I'm sold. I recommend him 100%.

[K. Roman]

Does he make house calls to SF?

[MobileWrks]

yes, tom does goto S.F.

Jimmy

[widebody911]

I may have to turn someone on to him. The guy with the Ruf 930 cab I mentioned has been having a b!tch of a time getting competent work done on his car. I recommended 3 shops to him to get some basic tune up stuff done, and then he needed a clutch. The first shop did good mechanical work (basic tune up and checkup), but left his car out in the rain over the weekend with the windows down! The second shop only did a portion of the work (clutch adjustment, mixture tweaks, adjust hood,) but of course charged him for all of it. The 3rd shop, which was supposed to do the clutch, sat on the car for over a week without even touching it, and then they decide to order parts - WTF? If a customer drops off a car for a new clutch, how freakin' hard is it to pick up the phone/mouse and at least order the basic clutch parts?

I'd love to hire Tom, or a clone, to help with larger mechanical projects on my car, but I'm in Sacramento.

[MobileWrks]

Tom does mobile works in san jose, im doing the greater sacramento area.. My name is jimmy deering and i worked with tom for 7 years... he had me work off his hip for 4 years on a apprenticeship program.

Porscheworks@aol.com or call me @ 408-580-7919 (im in north highlands...

[widebody911]

Originally posted by MobileWrks
Porscheworks@aol.com or call me @ 408-580-7919 (im in north highlands...

You're about 10 minutes away!