My car broke down (misfiring) on a trip to Atlanta, Ga. And was towed to America's Service Station. They did 2 diagnostic checks and recommended replacement of the following: spark plugs, s/p isolators, coil cover, 2-coils, ICM module and crank shaft sensor
I O.K.'d the replacement of these parts since the mechanic said they needed replacing. The total cost was $1370.37. I requested the old parts when I picked up my car.
Upon returning home I took the old parts to the Oldsmobile dealer service dept. And asked if all the parts had needed replacing. Their ASE master auto technician assured me, after testing, that the 2-coils and ICM module did not need replacing. These parts cost me $540.00, excluding labor.
The dealer removed the 2 coils and ICM module installed by America's Service Station and replaced them with my old parts. As of today (1 yr later) I have driven over 13000 miles without any problems.
When I contacted one of the owners of America's Service Station (Mr. Smith) about my problem, he told me the reason these parts were replaced was because he could sleep better at night knowing that his mechanic had replaced all the parts that might cause me problems on my return trip to Va.
I'm upset because I felt the mechanic should have told me what parts needed replacing in order to get my car running okay again. If he felt the parts in question might need replacing later he should have explained it that way.
I'm not a mechanic so I had no way of knowing that the parts in question were not needed at that time.in fact, they still are not needed after one year and over 13,000 miles.
I still have the parts (2 coils/1 ICM module) that were installed by America's Service Station in the original box. They are a constant reminder that I got ripped off for $540.00, plus labor, by America's Service Station.
I contacted the BBB of Atlanta, GA and the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs only to be told that they have not received enough complaints against America's Service Station to take action. They suggested I might take it to a small claims court.
I live in Suffolk, Va. And am 65 yrs old. My wife and I do not feel we can handle the traveling, expense and stress that might be involved in taking this case to a small claims court.
We have resolved to go on with our lives and try to put this behind us. We have stressed too much already over this.
I'm writing this only because I hope it will make others aware that there are people out there who are willing to take advantage of you when you are in need of help. Don't be fooled by a friendly face or smooth talker even if they do have all kinds of certifications.
Roland
Suffolk, Virginia
U.S.A.
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