On 6/09 I took my car to Greg Lane Automotive located at 2415 E Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610 regarding a service engine soon light that was appearing on my dashboard. A diagnostic was done that day which consisted of plugging in a scanner to read the codes. After this, I arranged to bring my car back for the repairs. Upon looking at the diagnostic receipt, I noticed that there was an additional charge of $6.77 which was added as a hazardous materials fee. This did not seem appropriate given the fact that no hazardous materials were handled during my diagnostic. This is my first area of complaint.
On 06/17, I brought my car back to Greg Lane Automotive around 8:30am to have the repairs done that were previously determined during the diagnostic. Upon dropping off my car, I requested that my parts be given to me and that only the agreed upon repairs be done. Later that day, around 4:15pm, I received a call from Cheryl, the office associate, stating that my car was ready for pick up and she gave me the balance. At that time, I indicated to her that the balance did not seem correct. However, I would discuss this with her when I arrived.
Upon arriving Cheryl notified me of the balance once again and also indicated that there was some oil found on my spark plugs which meant that my valve cover gaskets were starting to fail. I said ok and immediately redirected the conversation to discuss the discrepancy in my balance. I went on to explain to her that it was my understanding that since I paid for a diagnostic and subsequently had the repairs done at the shop, the diagnostic fee would be deducted from my total. At this time she indicated that this was not correct and they always charge a separate diagnostic fee. I told her that I had never been charged this previously. She then pulled up my repair history and after determining that I had never been charged a diagnostic fee in the past, she went on to say that the diagnostic fee is not reflecting on my previous invoices because it was embedded in other costs.
I continued to question her regarding this, as hiding fees/costs seems fraudulent within itself and if there was never a separate line item for a diagnostic fee then how could they justify charging me this fee now. She then left out the office and returned with Greg, the owner. Greg asked me what the problem was. I proceeded to explain the issue to him and I was abruptly cut off by him stating why am I questioning his integrity, I didnt question his integrity when I received the estimate for my repairs. At this point, I explained to him that the repairs were not the issue. I went on to explain that I am questioning the separate diagnostic fee that I was charged previously. Greg proceeded by telling me his experience, educational background and equipment costs. I explained to him that was irrelevant and at this point, I just wanted reasonable justification as to why I was being charged a separate diagnostic fee since I had never been charged this before.
Greg became very defensive and said that he would deduct the diagnostic fee of $68. Although I was charged $81.47; I did not further argue this issue with Greg and agreed to pay my balance minus the $68. Greg then proceeded to tell me that they would not be servicing my car any longer and to not come back.
The following day on 06/18 at approximately 8:30am, I contacted Greg Lane Automotive and inquired about the valve cover gaskets. Cheryl answered the phone and I asked her to confirm this needed repair. She indicated that she would call back. At approximately 10:30am, I called back after locating my receipts and indicated to Cheryl that my valve cover gaskets were replaced by them on 10/19 and how do they plan to resolve this. Once again, she indicated that she would call back. I never received any communication from Greg Lane Automotive indicating how they plan to satisfy the warranted parts. This is my second area of complaint.
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