unauthorized alignment?

Question

I'm so pissed. Took car in for alignment, asked if it need all 4 wheels done and he specifically told me that no, that's only on 4 wheel drive cars. So I made an appointment for front end alignment.... cost $49... all 4 would have been $75. Went to pick it up and they did all 4 anyway. Is this right? do I have a right to be pissed????

nope, no signing anything. I'm most mad because they didn't call and ask permission to do the back also. There was no miscommunication anywhere. When we went to get it they handed us the bill and said, the back ones needed it too.

thanks for all your quick replies! I just went back there and talked to the owner, who chewed out the guy's *** that told me only 4 wheel and rear wheel drive cars need a 4 wheel alignment. I totally would have authorized the job had they called, I do want my car to be safe after all. But when going to pay for it I was completely unaware that there may be additional charges. He gave me a printout of the before and after specs, and it really needed it, and like I said I would have oked it. I was just mostly mad as hell that I got there and had to spend more money then anticipated. And you say be glad it was only $75 and we're only talking about a $30 difference... but it's more then that because yesterday I spent $523 putting 4 new tires and brakes and rotors on it. So had I not spent that much yesterday, today probably wouldn't have been as big a deal to me. The owner did apologize for not calling me and said he should have but figured since he knows us he knew we would want it done.

Answer 1

yes and no. Since you didn't tell them to do a 4 wheel alignment then they shouldn't have. You got a better alignment out of it. If you have a solid rear axle car, then they didn't do anything to the back 2 wheels.

You could raise some cane with them and complain to the management, but since you are no longer there and already have paid the bill, just let it ride and write it odd. You're only talking about $30 difference. It is not worth the hassle and the pain that you are putting yourself through. good luck.

Answer 2

a 4 wheel alignment is used on most cars these days not 4x4 vehicles in order to do a proper alignment you must first check and make sure the rear camber and toe is ok because alignment machines rear off of the heads that are put on all 4 wheels they align the front wheels to the back so if the back is off then the front will be off now for your problem if they sold you a front wheel alignment at the counter and then performed a 4 wheel alignment then that's there loss you do not have to pay for services that were not authorized! did they really do a 4 wheel alignment? The alignment machine at my shop shows the readings for all 4 wheels before and after the alignment so you can see where it was off and where it was fixed at the end don't pay more than you agreed and ask for a print out of the alignment good luck

Answer 3

I don't know what shadetree machanic you took your car to, but ALL cars these days get 4 and most of the time 5 wheel alignments!! The steering wheel has to be counted in that total. Even rear wheel drive cars need to be aligned for thrust angle!!!! He should have called you and told you that he make a mistake and the cost would be higher before doing work on the car. You should have had some sort of contract/work order that explained this. If not..............SHADETREE MGMT. as well. be glad that it's only $75.00. most alignments run around $100.00. You should have a copy of this "work order" if one existed. Read the fine print. Anytime you take your car to the shop, state very clearly that you "want to be notified of any charges above the quoted price"!! If you're going to get an estimate, make sure you tell them "not to do any work until I'm informed of the full cost, and then authorize the work to be done"!!! and go find another mechanic. Billy Joe JimBob has a few things to learn about cars.

Answer 4

What they did was a mistake indeed. However, not just 4 wheel drive vehicles need both axles aligned. You can do the front, the rear or both. There are cases when you do just one axle. For example, if you replace a part in the steering system or suspension, like a ball joint. When it's a time for an alignment, it is recommended to do both axles. The person you spoke to the first time didn't probably know what he was talking about, and a technician did the job because he saw that it was necessary. You got your car fixed, and for a cheap actually, I would just forget about it.
Sorry for what happened...

Answer 5

Did you sign a repair order before the work was done if so did it say four wheel alignment?If not demand a refund if they do not give you a refund tell them you are going to the better business bureau if that doesn't work then call the boss and eat on him about it,raise hell you have rights as a consumer if it is a franchise store call the zone office.Don't dive up stick up for your rights,there are too many shops doing unjustified repairs everywhere in the United States!Good luck

Answer 6

sounds like what we have hear is a failure to communicate! You must have signed some sort of agreement before they did the work. If you are unhappy, talk to the manager.

Answer 7

pay for the front as agree it
,I don't think they done the 4,they are only charging You.for it.

and my believe is ...You still need the four wheels alig.....

I get pissed too,when a crook got in my field of work...

Answer 8

IF YOU SIGNED A REPAIR ORDER FOR AUTH. OF $49 then yes you can demand that is all you will pay