I took my car to a shop that I've had oil changes & also prior inspection. My car is used but excellent condition; purchased 2 yrs ago, new brakes & more. Owner of shop told me how impressed he is w/condition of car. I drive it short distances only; my office is 5 miles from home so have little mileage since purchase. Owner was out for this 2nd year inspection last week so his son worked on my car. After a short time he showed me the brake pads were worn but that all else was in good condition. I told him to replace the pads. Over an hour later I went to pay the bill & it was nearly $400.00. I found he not only replaced the pads but rotors as well. I told him I had not authorized him to do anything but replace the pads. He said that even though they were in good condition they were a little worn on one side & that they do not like to turn the rotors as "they use to do in the old days" so they replace the rotors too & that I should I should know this. I had to pay or not get my car back
2007-09-14 08:43:30 · 8 answers · asked by LAURA C 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Depends on the vehicle, a lot of European cars should have rotors replaced every time. They should have given you an estimate before doing the work, if they didn't you may have a valid claim against them.
2007-09-14 08:52:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
laura you need to pop sonny in the teeth. he sounds green, but more to the point, in most if not all states, you need to authorize the repairs in writing ,technically, though most "courts" allow for authorization over the phone. Unless there was a miscommunication, he had no legal right to do work you didnt authorize. A technician that worked for me did that very same thing. When the customer confronted me about the bill, looked at it, and explained that it was a clerical error and that the rotors were gratis (free) because I valued her as a customer. I corrected the ticket and away she went. Five years later, im the first person she calls for a concern on any of her cars, or her girlfriends. The long and short is the shop owner just bought you rotors. they should be free if you push the issue. good luck. Oh yeah if you need to go to small claims, you'll win if you signed the original estimate specifying the repairs.
2007-09-14 17:45:24 · answer #2 · answered by skid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the owner---the shop should eat the rotor cost if you did not authorize it which by law in my state (Wisconsin) has to be documented on the repair bill of when they called you---time and date---, how much was authorized and their signature. Your state may differ---contact the DMV or Atty General for reg's. Call a lawyer or BBB if necessary and tell the owner you're going to take steps to get your money back for the non-authorized items or maybe meet him halfway if you still like them. Next time, tell anyone prior to working on your car that you will not pay for any repairs that you do not explicitely authorize, even if they have the best intentions in mind....no one deserves a surprise like that. How can they justify spending your money without consulting you which is what it boils down to...if the son made the decision on his own, he should pay for it too.
2007-09-14 16:53:24 · answer #3 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many States have regulations regarding auto repairs, Customer rights and repair facility responsibilities. Go to the web site for your State government and search under auto repairs. If they have any regulations, there will be documents that explain everything in detail. They also will have a complaint form to fill out. I know the State of Michigan does.
2007-09-14 16:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by sh752 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should only pay for what you authorized. Can you talk to the owner and explain? If he won't respond, then file a complaint about him with the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, or any other oversight agency.
2007-09-14 15:52:37 · answer #5 · answered by Lepke 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This young man is full of it. Demand either your rotors (original) be put back on, or you money. Unless you were fully aware of what is was going to involve and cost, you did not have full dis closer.
2007-09-14 15:57:10 · answer #6 · answered by cfb193 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
contact your state attorney generals office and see if they have a consumer fraud bureau. and the guys son is full of **** they do still turn rotors today
2007-09-14 16:29:45 · answer #7 · answered by hermitofnorthdome 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I WOULD NOT HAVE PAID BILL. IF YOU DID NOT AUTHORIZE IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.
2007-09-14 16:10:14 · answer #8 · answered by DENNIS R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋