I had a transmission serviced a while ago after the gears began slipping at about 66,000 miles on a vehicle that was approx. 3 years old at the time. While the themes were similar to some shared here, I was able to learn some valuable lessons regarding consumer advocacy and conflict resolution. Being female, one of the biggest strikes is walking into a service shop and requesting service, most places will upcharge right from the get-go, or assume you are dumber than a box of rocks. Wrong!
Long story short, the shop agreed to "look at" my car, called me at work to authorize an approximate $300 charge to "look at" my transmission. The important part of the story here is that AT NO TIME DID THEY INDICATE THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD BE PULLED AND DISASSEMBLED. Never having transmission work done before, it was certainly their job to explain this, have signed work orders for liability purposes, etc. Of course, the end result was a repair bill for over 2K, one I could not afford to pay, which I explained to them.By this time, they explained in very politically correct terms that they had me over a barrel. SOUND FAMILIAR???
My basic problem with the whole situation was several fold:
1) A CLASSIC bait and switch
2) Lack of written work order with full disclosure instructions to consumer
3) Most transmission shops can give a very good BALLPARK estimate based upon findings in the fluid/model/year/mileage.
BUT, how many of us could afford to have work done "on the spot" unless we are given a compelling reason, AKA being under duress and being ripped off? Most of us may wait several months to gather together the money. AND this classic scheme also CONVENIENTLY keeps MOST of us from getting a second opinion.
Not me!
As I was to find out in dealing with some very nice Consumer Protection people in my state, a repair shop "Cannot charge separately for a repair that, by its nature, causes a further repair". They went on to affirm all three of the bases, illustrated above. I was also able to deliver to them COMPELLING EVIDENCE which I recorded on a MINIATURE CASSETTE RECORDER talking to the shop manager!
End result: Transmission shop had to pay the local dealership for replacement of my transmission.
Don't stand for crappy service, lack of respect and common business ethics. Technology affords us many ways of covering our assets... Use them AND see if you have similar state laws.
God Bless!
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