I brought my car to Complete Car Care Center, Inc. As the 'check engine' was on and the anti-freeze overflow was empty. The radiator, however, was full, and the car was not overheating, but I wanted to be safe than sorry. I ended up being real sorry!
I left my car with them for them to check if there was a leak in the cooling system, or the thermostat was faulty, etc. Later that day, I stopped by again to see if they had diagnosed the problem and I was asked to sign an agreement stating that the diagnosis would cost $99.50, but that amount would be applied to the cost of the repair. Before all was over they tried to sell me work in excess of $1,800.00!
They had my engine apart, and I was told that all of the cooling system gaskets needed replacement, such as the lower intake, upper intake, and throttle body gaskets, along with new hoses and new clamps along with a coolant flush. These hoses and belts were replaced less that 3,000 miles before along with the 'flush'! They also dropped my transmission and said that I needed a new transmission filter kit, a new transmission gasket, and transmission fluid kit. This work was also performed less than 3,000 miles before. I always performed the scheduled maintainence of my car. My vehicle only has 51,000 miles on it, but I was also told that I had a massive oil leak and that I needed an oil pan gasket as well as a valve cover gasket.
I was also told that my rear brakes were leaking and that the rear brakes alone would cost over $300.00 to repair, and that amount would be costing them money. They were bestowing that inexpensive job out of the 'goodness of their hearts.' I had the brakes checked, again, less than 3,000 miles before. These people held my car hostage for more than one week, and there wasn't a day that went by that they didn't call me with another 'must fix' extremely inflated repair that was considered mandatory and if I did not go along with their suggested repairs, I would be in eminant danger driving my vehicle.
The shop steward, Tom, became very irate with me, as well, and verbally abusive. This company promotes a 'Car Care', credit card, underwritten by GE Money Bank, which they receive commission for, and once Complete Car Care is aware of the credit limit, they push to max out that limit, whether the work is necessary or not. When I refused to have any more 'repairs' performed by them, Tom became extremely angry, saying that he will no longer 'sell' jobs, and customers like me were the reason, and he was looking for other employment. (This affects me how?) I was willing to have all of these repairs checked and repaired by any other mechanic, rather than deal with this these people for one more minute!
When I said I was picking up my car, I was quoted a final figure including the original $99.50 diagnostic fee, which was intended to go towards any repair work. This company was again trying to pad the bill. Tom denied telling me that, and said begrudginly that he would credit this amount, however, he would have to cover it out of his own pocket. (Again, this affects me how?) I escaped with spending only $650.00, after this company had me sign many, many waivers, after the fact, and work orders that should have been signed before the work began.
I have since taken my car to not one but two other mechanics showing them the invoice after I had the 'must have' issues looked at and diagnosed. Both companies debunked thier claims and let me know that I was totally overcharged for the work that they allegedly performed. I am driving my car to this day without incident.
My question is, if it appeared to be a cooling system issue repair, what gave them the right to pull my rear wheels, drop my transmission, and dissect my vehicle? They certainly didn't have my better interests at heart, only thier bottom line of unnecessary inflated repair jobs.
This company and their employees are so dishonest and smarmy that I am surprised that they can still be in business. I intend to file this complaint and reporting Complete Car Care to any and all consumer agencies. I have documentation of every claim that I made in this report.
Ann Marie
Deerfield Beach, Florida
U.S.A.
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