I took my 1999 Taurus to a Monroe Muffler Service Establishment after hearing a loud noise that sounded like a bad exhaust problem. He called me later stating there was a whole in the pipe that houses the catalytic converter and it would be 800.00 to fix it. He assured me this was the lowest price around and I should check with other places for pricing. So, I took his advice and took it to another muffler shop. After their inspection, there was a small weldable hole on the top of one of the pipes, but there was a much bigger problem. One of my spark plugs fell out of the back of the engine causing the noise, not the pipe that Monroe told had said. So, I've been driving the car around, after I was assured it was okay to by Monroe, until I had enought money to get it fixed. (I was planning on getting it fixed the end of the week.). Is there any liability there with Monroe? Why couldn't they discern the different noises? Either muffler or spark plug related? Help?
2007-02-07 07:13:35 · 8 answers · asked by Lizzy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
EXPERIENCE, or the lack thereof, has a lot to do with what you described. Sometimes ya gotta give credit to old timers who've been around and seen (and heard) just about everything. Liability with Monroe? Check the paperwork, check with your State Attorney General; the Att'y Gen can surely let you know your rights (and if you have any legal recourses). Good luck and best wishes.
2007-02-07 07:19:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sued Monroe Muffler a few years ago for fraud...and won my case.
I live in New York & filed a complaint with NYS Consumer Protection Board. You should be able to find something on-line where you live. If not, try contacting your State Senator for this information. They also helped me get things going because these complaints coming from a Senator's office are often handled faster. I would start there.
The trouble with Monroe Muffler is that they are such a huge conglomerate that they just don't care if they get sued. In my case they had to pay a $15,000 fine to New York State, pay for my damages (another $4,000) and the employee involved was fired. (my goal was to have their inspection certification suspended...but that didn't happen) They said they thought it was a great deal. And my attorney showed me their case file. She had 3 stacks of complaints about 4 or 5 inches thick from this one place.
I would definitely try it. Good luck.
2007-02-07 07:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I own a general auto repair shop. When you have a technician look at your car. You should always receive a diagnosis (whether its from a computerized scanner or verbal) in writing. If the shop is trustworthy and reliable, they will have no problem providing this for you.
If they balk at the idea of putting it in writing (it's called an estimate) RUN!! If the diagnosis is in writing and is found to be incorrect (we are human after all) conatct the shop owner and give them the opportunity to work with you to make it right. Again, if they are reputable, they will work with you.
The other person who replied was correct, you should not take a car to a muffler shop for general repairs. It's understandable that you probably did not know exactly what the problem was and took it where you thought you should.
As far as liability goes, you could get the shop owner to pay up after you spend three months in small claims court (if that's even an eligible amount) and who knows how much in court costs. I would just go to your state website and the BBB and file a complaint. This doesn't necessarily make him pay up, but it will tarnish his name.
If in fact you do have the information in writing from both shops, follow up with both of them and show them that both of their diagnosis' were incorrect and ask what they would be willing to do to correct the situation and keep you as a customer.
If they aren't willing to work with you, just move on.
2007-02-07 07:33:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay away from Monroe and stick with a small mechanic that has a good referral from a friend/family member. Since no work was done on your car by Monroe they aren't liable, there doesn't seem to be any actual damage. They are simply trying to make more money than necessary off of you. I would, however, go to the Better Business Bureau, if you feel strongly enough to mark up their reputation, and share your experience at Monroe.
2007-02-07 07:22:33 · answer #4 · answered by tlm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mufflern shop diagnosed a muffler problem, encouraged you to seek other estimates, and you did that. The next person feels it is a different problems -- now you can choose which yo desire to follow and have your car fixed.
You were not damaged because the muffler shop did not fix your car, they simple gave you a different diagnosis. Was it weldable - who knows, I know I sure wouldn't know. Who is to say person #2 isn't trying to nail you for his specialty which might be engines.
Thank God I married a mechanically inclined man!
2007-02-07 07:24:05 · answer #5 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you described as the noise and where you said the noise was coming from. Also you have to prove that they were negligible in diagnosing the problem. I would just stop going to that place. That is what I do when I get upset with a place I just stop giving them my business.
2007-02-07 07:26:34 · answer #6 · answered by Jason F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Liability only exists where loss exists. If your car became undrivable due to Monroe's misdiagnosis, then he might be liable - but probably not based on the first person's answer. If you were lucky enough to get it fixed before it got worse, then you have no loss.
2007-02-07 07:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What are your damages?
I would not expect a muffler shop to do engine work.
2007-02-07 07:17:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋