my mother's car broke in a small townm the mechanics said it gonna cost $ 700 to fix it.Final cost turned to be $1300.
I think he was lying since he said it gonna be fixed in 1 day but took him 1 week. also he wanted to charge more if he gonna work on saturday & finally wanted to charge extra $150 if he is to replace a part in one day rather than ordering it & replacing it in 3-4 days.
he is not a memer of AAA or ASA (auto service association) & the Better business bureau may not handle such a case.
2007-06-22 15:26:59 · 15 answers · asked by drinda_house 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
I don't see what you have to complain about.
2007-06-22 15:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by bundysmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can file a complaint with the BBB, if he is a licensed mechanic. The problem I see is that, it seems he told you there would be an extra fee for overnight delivery of the part, and his normal business hours were likely M-F, so if he had to work on Saturday to get you on the road, there would be an additional fee, for him opening the shop. When he gave her the original estimate, each time the cost was going to be higher, should have been discussed with your mother, I don't know if it was the overtime Saturday work that tipped the scale, or ordering the parts for quick delivery, or if something else came into play. I would doubt she'll be able to collect anything from the guy, but she could always file a claim in small claims court.
2007-06-23 02:04:56 · answer #2 · answered by fisherwoman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im sorry to hear this is happening to you..
but unfortunatly, there is nothing you can do..
He told you what it would cost, and he also let you know that 'emergency" repair is more costly..
he has every right to charge what he wants ..sad but true..
I would of found another mechanic. This one saw an opportunity to make extra cash..
like the saying goes "he saw you coming a mile away "
Its sad how some people will take another persons misfortune and push it to the limit to make their wallet fatter.
In this case, you will just have to take your losses and use it as a lesson learned the hard way.
next time, when dealing with a mechanic, let him know you just want a written estimate, tell them you are getting other estimates from other mechanics and will be going with the best ( even if you are not shopping around, make him think you are ) ... This is how you get your work done at a fair and better price.
Also remember a written estimate is not an exact guarantee, they will try and keep it as close to that quoted price with the understanding there could be extra costs ( but they will let you know this and get your consent first ) or it could even end up being under the quote ( found cheaper parts, not as bad as first thought, etc )
Sorry for your misfortune, all you can legally do is write a complaint letter to the local newspaper and never give him your business again..
2007-06-22 22:43:28 · answer #3 · answered by The Chesire Cat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I ran an auto shop with my ex fiancee............ We were in a smaller town......... Its common knowledge that if a " home town person " broke down they charged them a reasonable rate........... and as quick as possible, and if they were from out of town, they got raked over the coals, part mark up .. up to 100X's it actual cost ( all shops mark prices up by the way) And the labor rate is always higher for out of town work, simply because you know they wont be return customers...... Out of town work is know as gravy....... It might not be right but THEY ALL DO IT. Wrecker companies also do the same when they tow in a car........... They have also been known to put on used parts for a new price.......
Who are you going to complain too? It might be a little dirty but not illegal.
If she had a problem with it she should have refused to pay the bill, faught him....... but she couldnt have her car back until a judge ordered it, or the bill was paid.
She has 2 choices let them fix it or have it towed home, which is expensive in itself.
An estimate is just that.... a guess.......... The parts have to be bought then the labor added on......
2007-06-22 22:35:49 · answer #4 · answered by tammer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if there is anything you can do. You could go to another mechanic and find out what he would of charged for the work and compare it to what that guy charged. I knew I got took when I had a mechanic replace an alternator in a VW I had, by the time I found out I was ripped of it was too late to do anything.
2007-06-22 22:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by CherishTheMoment 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try contacting the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
2007-06-22 22:30:59 · answer #6 · answered by badbill1941 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So, were you there? If not you probably shouldn't be commenting on it since you have no idea what was said or what happened.
No mechanic will do a repair without authorization, so obviously she allowed whatever happened to happen, and if she has a problem with it, it would up to her to do something about it, not you.
2007-06-22 22:41:19 · answer #7 · answered by oklatom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
BBB, Consumer Affairs, State Court House, Personal Lawyer, Paralegal for legal advice, etc.
2007-06-22 22:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by ev1go 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its done its over. You should have done something before you gave him the cash. Pick your battles, this one is lost . Put your energy into something productive, I am personally sorry there are people out there today but there are.Remember "Caveat Emtar"
2007-06-22 22:36:36 · answer #9 · answered by bob D 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
get a list of what was supposedly "broken" and take the orginal parts from the car that the mechanic said were "broken"and take it to a dealer ship to make sure what hes saying is true
2007-06-22 22:30:43 · answer #10 · answered by FR 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
LOL.
Soulds like she was in a "take it or leave it"situation. I'm afraid you're stuck.
2007-06-22 22:31:47 · answer #11 · answered by Barry auh2o 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋