During my search for a used vehicle thru private sale, I met "Brian" from Allen's Imports, as he had a car for sale. I did not purchase the vehicle he had for sale (it was AWFUL looking), but instead remembered that he mentioned how his business was starting to drop from the slowing economy.
So when I did purchase a used vehicle, I called "Brian" to find out if he might want a little business thrown his way, could he do a diagnostic on my recently purchased used vehicle? He asked "what do you mean?" THat should have been my first clue. But I let him know I'd like to know EVERYTHING, if anything, that is wrong with my "new" car. He said "Normally that would be $90, basically an hour of labor, and we'll give you a written estimate on everything, if anything, we see wrong with the car. SInce you came by yesterday and I remember you, I can do that for $45." Of course I was stoked. Boy was I in for a surprise!!!
The next morning, I took my 1991 HOnda Accord in for a diagnostic. "Brian" drove the car around the block, put it up on his rack and gave it a visual inspection. THat's it. He then proceeded to tell me what HE THINKS could be wrong with it, and that it could be $180 more just to tell me!!! Not even deducting that from the repairs if I had him do them!!! I let him know a visual inspection and drive test is not a diagnostic, which is what I brought my car to him for, and I tried to refuse to pay for whatever it was he thought he'd done for me. He then refused to give me my keys until I paid him his $45.
I feel like because I'm a girl he took advantage of me... I WILL NEVER RETURN THERE, and have reported them to the local media, as well as the BBB and RC Chamber of Commerce.
He had mentioned from his "inspection" that he thought I would need such and such work done and could cost me upwards of $2000.2 days later, I had my car REALLY diagnosed and it just had a cracked axle, which cost me $350 to repair, out the door (I happened to find a wonderful, MOBILE mechanic the next day who has now won a customer for LIFE).
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