I needed an alernator replaced for my 83 Mercedes 300D. I paged through through the yellow pages and came upon Statmart's add where they featured "free installation" if you brought their alternator. I called them; a woman responded. I requested a quote for the replacement of an alternator;she asked for the specific make of the car and whether it was a Turbo Diesel with air conditioning. I replied yes.
She looked up the price and gave me a quote of $104.95. On the the strength of that quote, I drove from Seattle to Lynnwood. They provided me with a written quote for $104.95 and a $7.50 environmental fee with an authorization for $30 if they encountered unusual problems.
I smelled a rat so I did not sign the authorization. They pulled out the alternator in 10 minuites but did not have one in stock so they starting "rebuilding" mine. After pulling it out, they stated that the alternator belt was badly worn and it should replaced.
I inqured how that that would be; they stated they'd have to take off another belt, it would be $15 labor and $10 for the belt. After a few minuites more they stated, they'd have to replace the second belt for another $25.
I reluctantly approved it. I waited about 2 hours for them to complete the rebuild and they reinstalled it without incident.
When I went to pay the bill, they presented me with a bill for $204, at that point, in addition to the additional $50 for the replacement of the belts, they tacked an additional $30 because of the they termed a "difficult" installation.
I objected, they insisted and after some hard words, I felt I had to pay the bill by credit card to get my keys back. I will take this up with the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General unless I get reimbursed the unauthorized $30 they tacked on to the bill,
Neil B
Seattle, Washington
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