Should I write an angry letter?

Question

I took my car for an oil change, when the guy said "Start the car for me" it wouldn't start. So they charged the battery, with jumper cables, and it still wouldn't start. So he says to me "You need a new battery, does your car do this often?" I said, "No, first time, and it's a brand new battery." To make this shorter, they tell me I need all this stuff, and end up pushing me out of the bay, make me pay for the oil change and tell me my starter is broken. I call my mechanically inclined brother, he peeks under the hood, re-connects the starter cable THAT THE SHOP KNOCKED LOOSE CHANGING THE OIL FILTER, and away I go. I want my money back for the oil change, I went and told them that they loosened the wire, but should I write a letter to the manager asking for my $55 back?

They weren't trying to get me to buy a new starter, they just broke my car and pushed it out of the bay. It's their fault, and they basically just took my cash and shoo-ed me away.

Answer 1

ABSOLUTELY and if it's a chain, write to their headquarters, too, telling the city and street location. Also ought to register this with the better business bureau because that is absolutely unacceptable that they'd do this to a girl who doesn't have a guy with her the first time. what jerks!

Answer 2

I think maybe what you should do is not go back there again. You did get your oil change, so you got what you paid them for. You could never prove they intentionally caused a cable to become loose, and it sounds to me like maybe the cable was loose already so you are lucky it fell off there and not someplace out in the middle of nowhere. If they had loosened it on purpose they could have done a better job of scamming you than just pushing your car out of the way so they could do more oil changes, so it seems like it was not something they did deliberately because they had no clue as to what it was and didn't seem to want to even be bothered with it..

Answer 3

I would call first- I would hold back on the anger - I can see how you would be angry, though. But remember you catch more flies with honey. I would say that I understand that people make mistakes but this mistake costed you and they should bew the ones to pay for it. Don't ask- tell them you expect them to take care of this and when should you expect the refund- if you get a negative response keep going up the ladder. At the final rung if the response is still negative, let them know that not only will you not use their services any more but you will make sure to let everyone you know, know what kind of business they are and you will make a point to give them bad press- you can do this also without getting nasty or raising your voice - usually the prospect of losing business will do the trick, either this or threaten to either keep calling and tying up the phone lines or threaten to come into the shop and let all the customers know they are not accountable for their mistakes- (that threat worked for me !) But again, say it calmly and without swearing, getting loud or frustrated.

Answer 4

Yes you need to complain. If you paid by check have it cancelled and send another a payment for just the oil change. If you paid by credit card call to cancel the charge, again paying for just the oil change.


Sorry to say but it sounds like they were trying scam you. I don't see how your a starter connection could have been knocked lose by a professional oil change.

Not only that but they could have done damage to the battery that was already charged.

You also need to report them to the Better Business Bureau.

Answer 5

You do owe them for the oil change but not any additional charges to attempt to fix what they broke. The only good a letter is likely to do is let you vent your anger. It is very unlikely that it would get your money back. If you had actually paid for a new starter or anything else, then you could report them to the automotive repair bureau. You still can report them but your case is extremely difficult to prove. If they make a habit of trying to jack up the repairs it would add up on their record and eventually they will get nailed.

Answer 6

I would write a letter and complain about the attempt to get you to buy more services that you wanted. But you did get the oil change that you went in for so you should pay for that. You might file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau since they attempted to cheat you with the starter problem.

Answer 7

If you payed for a new started and found out it was thier fault and trying to scam you then you could get the money for the starter but they did the oil change and you have to pay for that unless there is something they did wrong specifically on the oil change

Answer 8

You should write a strongly worded letter. They deceived you and I'm sure that you are not the only person this has happened to. If you get no reply within a week, contact your local news station consumer reports person and they will get to the bottom of it and will even warn the public. You can also tell them you will stand out front of their business with a picket sign making potential customers aware of your being ripped off. Finally, write a few paragraphs for the editorial section of your local newspaper.

Answer 9

yes you should write a letter. Not a mean letter, but an informative letter. Tell them all the details and ask for your money back. If that letter gets you nowhere, then and only then tell them you are going to report them to the B.B.B "better buisness buero" They will not like hearing those words. If that doesnt do it, tell them you are going to call your lawyer, "even if you dont have one." You shouldnt have any problem getting your money back from the first nice letter. If that doesnt do it, the above threats will for sure get your money back that you deserve

Answer 10

You paid 55 bucks for an oil change? Its only 25 dollars at my dealer. Write the letter to the business being firm but not abusive.you did get an oil change ,so that service was performed and they were entitled to that money.maybe they will refund it