I'm 99 % sure that my repair shop tried to rip me off. The other one percent could be that they were all COMPLETLY INCOMPETENT. I brought the car for a second opinion and they identified the problem in 20 minutes and charged me 50 bucks, the other place wanted 870 and said they wernt a hundred percent sure if the work would fix the problem ( it wouldnt of). I guess my question is: is this something to report and if so, to who?
2007-02-12 17:40:27 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I thought it was the fuel pump and they said they were 95 percent sure it was that but ino gaurantees no refunds, turns out all they had to do was rip the old, unused remote starter out.
2007-02-12 17:48:55 · update #1
You didn't mention Shop #2's labor rate, or whether or not the technician who worked on your car was flat rate or paid hourly. But either way, isn't it fair that Shop 2 would charge for the time the technician spent on the car--because he actually verified and correctly identified the problem, and had a fix for it?
In my shop, we never charge the customer if we CAN'T FIND the problem, but we *do* charge for correctly identifying a problem, even if the customer declines to have it fixed.
Shop #1, that obviously *guessed* your car had a fuel pump issue, is the one that concerns me, not the one that charged you $50 for a correct diagnosis. While I am the first to admit that mistakes occasionally happen, and Shop 1 *did* say they weren't positive on their diagnosis, the technician should be thorough and experienced enough to correctly identify an issue AND rule out any possibility of a misdiagnosis.
I would calmly bring up your concerns with Shop 1's service manager and see if you have a reson to be concerned. If you still feel uneasy, I would speak to a Better Business Bureau representative to ensure your experience qualifies as reason to file a report. If so, go for it. If not, please remember that mistakes happen, even in the best shops--and obviously Shop 1 didn't install the fuel pump, so was there really anything lost except time? And as a side note, it seems Shop #1 charged you a fair price for the fuel pump--list price on the part (pumps are usually $400-$700 new) and the labor to install it.
In short: do I think either shop tried to rip you off? From the information given and my opinion as a neurtal insider, no.
2007-02-12 19:32:30 · answer #1 · answered by bracken46 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your basic question is this: "One shop said they could to it for $3000. Another shop said $2500, then $3400." That's all you gave. We have absolutely no idea as to what work needs to be done. A complete engine exchange for a used engine $2500. For a new engine $3500 are very reasonable. Replacing a windshield washer motor - it's outrageous. When a mechanic starts a repair, they have no idea what unforeseen damages there are. That's something no one can see, except superman with x-ray vision. Since you give no details about the repair, I would say you're not getting ripped off.
2016-05-24 04:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Report it to the Better Business Bureau. And, whatever you do, don't go back there. Tell all your friends, work associates, etc. The more people you tell, the less likely they are to stay in business for long, since most people who need a mechanic find one by word of mouth.
2007-02-13 02:20:49 · answer #3 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should always get a second opinion and a 3rd in most cases and get estimates and then take the reciept from your last visit and take it to another repair shop and ask them for info on what they did and if it helped the problem cause most mechanics these days aren't actually technicians unless they have paper saying so so they'll try rippin you off...
2007-02-12 20:44:13 · answer #4 · answered by MrOneDer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what kinda problem and maybe it's time to buy a manual for your car and start learning a little about your car...i myself would try fix my own....maybe it's just a simple little thing and they didn't really see what the real problem was,,,manuals usually have a atrouble shoot area in the book.
2007-02-12 17:59:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No details. One shop may have better diagnostic equipment the other may have charged you for a guess. Take it to someone who can provide written results and offers to give you the broken part once fixed.
2007-02-12 17:45:02 · answer #6 · answered by Captain 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are ripping you off just dont go back if you want to get them back then just contact a local newspaper to put a bad review for them and no one will go there again
2007-02-12 17:43:01 · answer #7 · answered by playa27 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it would make you feel better ring up your local better business bureau and report them. Thank goodness they didn't sting you
2007-02-12 17:45:55 · answer #8 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it doesnt sound like there trying to rip you off the said it might not fix it sounds like they dont know what was wrong and told you that
2007-02-12 17:54:11 · answer #9 · answered by gregs111 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Report it to your local vehicle assosiation. These sorts of things shouldn.t be happening.
2007-02-12 17:47:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋