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I equate the auto repair business to the mob

blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
edited November 2007 in A Moving Train
Screwed yet again!
Why doesn’t somebody expose these corrupt practices?

Told a price of repair than go in and the price has doubled.
Take car in because it’s squeaking or something and ten other mysteries problems arise. Those problems are fixed but the original squeak remands.
Some past news reports have placed hidden cameras in shops that reveal no work had been done.
Problem is repaired half-assed and a short time later your cars back in the shop.

I’m just thinking of the things my family and me have experienced at different repair shops.

Some say the money amount isn’t high enough to justify getting a lawyer.
But damn, this type of stuff happens everyday. And on a large scale too.
Can’t anything be done?
*~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    blondieblue227 wrote:
    Screwed yet again!
    Why doesn’t somebody expose these corrupt practices?

    Told a price of repair than go in and the price has doubled.
    Take car in because it’s squeaking or something and ten other mysteries problems arise. Those problems are fixed but the original squeak remands.
    Some past news reports have placed hidden cameras in shops that reveal no work had been done.
    Problem is repaired half-assed and a short time later your cars back in the shop.

    I’m just thinking of the things my family and me have experienced at different repair shops.

    Some say the money amount isn’t high enough to justify getting a lawyer.
    But damn, this type of stuff happens everyday. And on a large scale too.
    Can’t anything be done?

    Use a repair shop that has a guarentee on all repairs made.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • farfromglorifiedfarfromglorified Posts: 5,696
    blondieblue227 wrote:
    Can’t anything be done?

    Hehe...why don't you learn how to fix your car yourself? But I suppose that's just kooky talk....
  • Danny BoyDanny Boy Posts: 161
    I'd suggest picking up a service contract the next time you pick up some wheels. I'm a sales manager at a dealership and always pick up a service plan to extend the warranty out. Easier to shell out an extra $25-40 a month than a bunch of dough for a costly repair, not to mention, if they fix your rig and don't truly fix it, you won't get piped twice for the same repair.

    I don't know what to recommend concerning your current problem ~ it's assholes like the ones you're dealing with who give the car business a bad name and unfortunately, there's a lot of those types out there.
    Trading magic for fact, no tradebacks... So this is what it's like to be an adult...
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Danny Boy wrote:
    I'd suggest picking up a service contract the next time you pick up some wheels. I'm a sales manager at a dealership and always pick up a service plan to extend the warranty out. Easier to shell out an extra $25-40 a month than a bunch of dough for a costly repair, not to mention, if they fix your rig and don't truly fix it, you won't get piped twice for the same repair.


    Or...easier to pay yourself $40 a month the whole time you have the car and then you probably have a pile of money there to pay to get it fixed. And if it doesn't break, you've got a down payment on the next one.

    Let's face it, the dealership is making money on that $40 per month or they wouldn't offer it.....so why shouldn't you just make the money yourself?
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • Danny BoyDanny Boy Posts: 161
    Most people don't have the discipline to stash away cash in such a fashion. Not to mention, if you lose a computer, drop a tranny or the engine blows, you'd have to save for a substantial amount of time to cover the cost. I had an engine rebuilt after driving from Alaska to Indiana for college under a powertrain plan and two years back had the front and rear axle seals on my Jeep replaced through my service plan along with a repair to the hub. The service plan cost me $1800 and the work tallied well over $2,000. I've had good experience with them personally. Your idea, Know1, is not a bad one, but if such were the case you wouldn't see things like 401Ks, life insurance etc.
    Trading magic for fact, no tradebacks... So this is what it's like to be an adult...
  • Indian SummerIndian Summer Posts: 2,296
    I hear people bitching about mechanics all the time. I fortunatly have brothers and a father in law, who are great mechanics, and they always take care of me for the cost of parts.

    I'd suggest always going to a independent mechanic, those chain store places like Meineke (among others), can work on commission.
    "It's all happening"
  • tybirdtybird Posts: 17,388
    farfromglorified wrote:
    Hehe...why don't you learn how to fix your car yourself? But I suppose that's just kooky talk....
    On modern cars with on-board computers running the engine....yeah, it's just kooky talk. :rolleyes:
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • pj10alive42pj10alive42 Posts: 381
    I think you need a lesson in history before you are allowed to post again
    I'm trying to drink away the part of the day I cannot sleep away...
  • RolandTD20KdrummerRolandTD20Kdrummer Posts: 13,066
    If you walk in and tell them it makes a funny noise and then try to make the noise...you just embarked yourself on a journey. Best to narrow it to a part or function at least.

    I've ripped a few engines apart, installed custom suspensions, exhaust kits, etc... so I'm somewhat handy when it comes to car repairs. When I'm too lazy or don't have the time to do it myself, I just tell them what I want done and what I want replaced. Otherwise you roll the dice on something anonymous.

    They did a great bit on 20/20 once with hidden cameras.

    Not to mention noo ne will do as a good a job as yourself as it's not their car.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
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  • SongburstSongburst Posts: 1,195
    know1 wrote:
    Or...easier to pay yourself $40 a month the whole time you have the car and then you probably have a pile of money there to pay to get it fixed. And if it doesn't break, you've got a down payment on the next one.

    Let's face it, the dealership is making money on that $40 per month or they wouldn't offer it.....so why shouldn't you just make the money yourself?

    Hahaha. Extended warranty? How can I lose?!?!
    1/12/1879, 4/8/1156, 2/6/1977, who gives a shit, ...
  • MrBrianMrBrian Posts: 2,672
    blondieblue227 wrote:


    Can’t anything be done?

    Yeah, learn to fix the car yourself. otherwise just take it to like a few shops, see the avg price, see what each place says about the problem/s and make a choice.
  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    Indian Summer wrote:
    I hear people bitching about mechanics all the time. I fortunatly have brothers and a father in law, who are great mechanics, and they always take care of me for the cost of parts.

    I'd suggest always going to a independent mechanic, those chain store places like Meineke (among others), can work on commission.


    best advice. thanks.

    sure learn to fix it myself..... *laughs*......i'm disabled my hands are useless.
    pearl jam fans are mostly men.......this proves it.
    PS. my grandma knew how to fix cars so i'm not sexest.
    -and that's not the point anyway. NOBODY should get ripped off.

    Sure the work is guaranteed but it’s still a pain in the ass to drop what you’re doing and take it back for something that should’ve been fixed in the first place.
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • farfromglorifiedfarfromglorified Posts: 5,696
    blondieblue227 wrote:
    sure learn to fix it myself..... *laughs*......i'm disabled my hands are useless.

    Umm...then don't do the work yourself, but at least you'll know exactly what needs to be done. A little knowledge with cars goes a very long way.
  • CHANGEinWAVESCHANGEinWAVES Posts: 10,169
    blondieblue227 wrote:
    best advice. thanks.

    sure learn to fix it myself..... *laughs*......i'm disabled my hands are useless.
    pearl jam fans are mostly men.......this proves it.
    PS. my grandma knew how to fix cars so i'm not sexest.
    -and that's not the point anyway. NOBODY should get ripped off.

    Sure the work is guaranteed but it’s still a pain in the ass to drop what you’re doing and take it back for something that should’ve been fixed in the first place.
    I feel the same way about getting a car fixed...and I've had similar problems.
    "I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
  • blondieblue227blondieblue227 Va, USA Posts: 4,509
    farfromglorified wrote:
    Umm...then don't do the work yourself, but at least you'll know exactly what needs to be done. A little knowledge with cars goes a very long way.

    good point.

    CHANGEinWAVES wrote:
    I feel the same way about getting a car fixed...and I've had similar problems.

    thank you.
    i knew i wasn't the only one.
    *~Pearl Jam will be blasted from speakers until morale improves~*

  • inmytreeinmytree Posts: 4,741
    blondieblue227 wrote:
    Screwed yet again!
    Why doesn’t somebody expose these corrupt practices?

    Told a price of repair than go in and the price has doubled.
    Take car in because it’s squeaking or something and ten other mysteries problems arise. Those problems are fixed but the original squeak remands.
    Some past news reports have placed hidden cameras in shops that reveal no work had been done.
    Problem is repaired half-assed and a short time later your cars back in the shop.

    I’m just thinking of the things my family and me have experienced at different repair shops.

    Some say the money amount isn’t high enough to justify getting a lawyer.
    But damn, this type of stuff happens everyday. And on a large scale too.
    Can’t anything be done?

    Yeah, you got screwed...

    but without specific information regarding what was "fixed" on what kind of car, I can't tell you how screwed you were...

    if you're driving an older car, the repairs may have needed to take place...or they could have looked at you, gambled on your knowledge level pertaining to cars, and figured they'd tell you needed a "johnson rod"...

    I do agree with others, knowledge is power...while you may not be physically able to repair a vehicle yourself, you can at least learn about them, how they work, basic routine maintenance scheduled, things like that...

    when something does need fixed in the future...I suggest you Google the vehicle make along with the word "forum"...for example "Volkswagen + forum"...and look through the results....more than likely, you'll find a forum of people like the fine folks here, who are willing to help you trouble shoot your problem...

    Also, after any repair, ask for the parts replaced...that way you know it was done...

    Good luck..
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