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Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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agdunn
New User
Feb 23, 2011, 12:23 PM
Post #1 of 11
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Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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I took my 07 Subaru Impreza in because the check engine light was on and I have been getting very bad gas mileage. The mechanic suggested it was the fuel injector but they'd need more time to find the problem. It has now been 3 business days since they've had my car. The shop called me today and said it's probably not the fuel injector but the cylinders but they are not sure. Told me to take my car to the dealership to get fixed and to pick up my car. Oh and mentioned it will cost me $250 for their labor. I'm not sure what to do since I never agreed to pay if they didn't find the problem or because they didn't do anything to fix my car. What should I do?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 23, 2011, 12:36 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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Diagnostic time is something they have to be compensated for. Someone had to spend time running tests and tracing things. What constitutes authorization for this charge varies from one state to another so you would have to look into that if you intend to challenge them but I'm sure they will be holding your car in the meantime.
If they didn't get prior authorization for this time then you may have a case.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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agdunn
New User
Feb 23, 2011, 12:42 PM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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A diagnostic cost $50 in Utah, they are charging me for taking apart my car to find the problem, which I never agreed for them to do... [
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 12:45 PM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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OK, go to court then.
Don't say the diagnostic charge is $50 in Utah because it's whatever the shop wants to charge. You just need to find out what the laws are concerning prior authorization.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 12:46 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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Seriously, this trade has idiots like about any and gets a bad rap. Most are honest shops and real folks. Here's the trouble with this scene. They don't know what's wrong with your car and want it out of there - hmmm. Are they due something for trying? I would say yes but that sounds steep to me for NOT having a diagnosis for you.
You had a check engine light on so there's was info stored to at least lead to the direction of the problem. You should have a printout of what was found and they are due some bucks for that.
It rarely helps to get mad so keep your cool and I'd start with discussing this with owner(s) or management of the shop and discuss what's fair.
Hey - having a car for a few days is needed sometimes. Face it - they can't be working on it while you are driving it.
Perhaps not the rule and long retired now but if I couldn't fix or couldn't find a problem I was ticked at myself and customer paid nothing but I may have been the only one like that. I would charge for any parts and would keep that cheap if guessing with owner's consent.
Start with sugar and hope this can be worked out behving as adults,
T
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 12:53 PM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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HT is fast and had suggestions before I was done?? Good luck with a good outcome without fighting about it,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 1:09 PM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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I just did a little quick research on Utah consumer laws and it appears they have no laws regarding auto repair shops and prior authorization so you don't have many ways to go beside suing them.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 1:17 PM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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Good work HT. I just can't know local laws so easy. Get that car out of there is best I can suggest for now whatever it takes.
B-Law, Denver University but dated now. Handwritten things will supersede printed anything and I doubt that has changed. No room of course at a signature line so say "see attached" if needed. Keep records, times, date and who you dealt with.
Again, this site was NOT set up as a legal site but some of us have a clue,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 23, 2011, 1:25 PM)
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croatia84
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Feb 23, 2011, 2:39 PM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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They do need to be compensated for the work they did, but $250 is way out of line. Most shops just do simple checks first and once they need to start taking stuff apart they confirm with the owner first to get an ok to proceed. I don't think you should pay $250, they should have got an ok from you first, try talking to them. I just don't think it would be worth suing them for $250. Good luck.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 23, 2011, 3:18 PM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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We don't know that they didn't get authorization. Who knows what the conversation was going in.
We also don't know how much time was spent on the car or what communication took place along the way so you can't say $250 is way out of line because you don't know that..
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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re-tired
Veteran
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Feb 23, 2011, 9:02 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: Getting ripped off by the mechanic
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I doubt you just handed over the keys to your car without something in return . How did they know how to contact you ? How did they know what to even look for ? I would think that at the very least you would have signed a work order . If so read the fine print on it. If they did Anything without some kind of consent , verbal or written , its going to be a classic I said / they said.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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