My 1996 Toyota Camry suddenly began losing power and acceleration in rush hour city traffic at approximately 5 PM on a weekday. The engine light came on. I barely got it to a Firestone location at which I left it overnight. I decided not to have Firestone do any work after they gave me the computer code but refused to identity or interpret the code unless I agreed to have them service the vehicle. I had had work done last year at a nearby Midas and was satisfied with the work. (I save a significant amount of money after persuading the mechanic to install O2 sensors that I had purchased on the Internet.) I called the Midas location, assuming that the vehicle would have to be towed. I indicated that I was prepared to have the car serviced at Midas, but was concerned about the towing expense. I was prepared to travel to the Firestone location in order to arrange for a towing because I had a rental car at my disposal. I was told by the Midas manager that he was busy and that he would call me back. After 45 minutes and not hearing from him, I called Midas and was told that he had one of his mechanics drive the car to the Midas location.
Approximately one hour later, Midas called and said that the computer code indicated that the 2nd cylinder was misfiring. I had assumed the worse, thinking I would have to have a transmission rebuild or overhaul. (I had been told by mechanics not to have a transmission flush because of the dirty condition of the fluid. I was also told to expect a transmission failure at some point in the future. The vehicle has almost 162K miles.) I was also told that the vehicle required a brake flush.
I WAS THEN QUOTED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $875. (Sales tax of $36 was added when I claimed the vehicle.) I was concerned about such a costly repair and asked to come down to the Midas shop. I was told that that wouldn't be necessary, that I could pick up the vehicle later that afternoon. (It was approximately noon at the time of the telephone conversation.) Since the only repair item the mechanic mentioned was the brake flush, I assumed that the repairs would involve some kind of transmission repair. The fact that a cylinder was misfiring had to particular meaning to me.
Because I was urged NOT to visit the shop, no written estimate was provided with parts and labor itemized. When I arrived at approximately 4:30 PM that day, I was told to sign both the estimate and the credit card receipt. The time written on the estimate form was 12:30 PM, not the 4:45 PM time at which I signed the form. Because I was in a hurry to return the rental car, I did not have sufficient time to scrutinize the bill. Upon reflection and some research several days later, I discovered to my disgust that Midas had charged me $911 for a tuneup, transmission and brake flushes, as well as a fuel injection service. Such maintenance would cost $600 WORST CASE and most likely closer to $500 parts and labor.
When I called the manager and expressed outrage at the fact, for example, that I had been charged $100 labor (labor rate is $92 per hour) to install four spark plugs and a new wire set, he stated that 'the manual' allowed him to do so. When I picked up the vehicle, he had noted that two men had worked on my vehicle in order to avoid having the service go into the next day. He said he would be willing to meet with me and discuss this "man to man, " but that he would not refund any portion of the bill.instead, he would 'give me a break' on any future service.
When I checked out his B.A.R. Registration at the California Department of Consumer Affairs, I discovered that his license was delinquent as of 2/29/08. (I had the car serviced on 6/13/08.) I immediately filed a complaint with B.A.R. I was told by a field office manager that technically, operating under a delinquent license if a misdemeanor and that the mechanic should not practice until such registration is renewed.
I will dispute the bill with my credit card company. The California Business & Professions Code requires that a written estimate be presented and signed by the customer. Should the cost exceed $150, verbal assent may be adequate if the estimate spells out the circumstances under which oral consent was obtained. The Midas form only indicates written consent, but at a time when I was not physically on the premises.
Any insight and assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Douglas
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.
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