Lured by the $99.88 special I took my 2004 Grand Caravan to have the brakes replaced. After inspecting it they claimed it needed $619.85 in repairs. About $286.00 were repairs the man in charge (Bob) said were not needed right away but recommended. When I told him to do everything else but not the $286.00 work since my brother in law is a mechanic and I would have him do that later, he got very upset and told me it was all or nothing. Shocked by his reaction I asked him why and he angrily struggled to come up with an excuse. After a few seconds he said he would be responsible if they didn't do all the work and something happened to my van. I said that could not be so; he had given me a written estimate and I was choosing to do only what was actually necessary not just recommended. He kept arguing in a very rude way and telling him I would report his business practices and offensive behavior to his corporate office only made him angrier. He shoved the estimate towards me and told me (still very angry), that I could keep it. Al along he was trying to intimidate me and force me to pay the $619.85. Since I had spent about
30 minutes there already, I insisted one last time and asked him to do the necessary work but he still refused. Note that I kept my composure and at no point replied to him disrespectfully or offensively.interestingly, one person in RIP OFF, Com said the mechanic used a screw driver to poke the wheel cylinder on his car to make it leak and charge the extra $300.00-$500.00 to replace them. This could have happened to me too.in my case, in addition to the front brakes, which I knew my van needed (the rear brakes were still good), I was surprised when they showed me that the rear right cylinder was leaking (I had the brakes checked 2 months ago). Now, I cannot prove they caused that damage and I am not accusing them of that, but judging by their deceptive business practices and Bob's attitude, I would not be surprised if they were found to be doing that. I reiterate that I agreed to have the brakes AND the wheel cylinders replaced but not the other (recommended but not yet necessary) work. I have filed a claim with the BBB in Dallas, not because I expect anything back (I paid them nothing), but trying to stop them from abusing and ripping off other customers. P.S. I took my car to another mechanic who inspected it and performed only the NEEDED work for a reasonable amount, with no scams or gimmicks. Problem date: 10/3.
0 comments