Filed on: August 2
Filed against:
Eberle Automotive
8272 Quarterfield Rd
Severn MD 21144-2708
Complaint Description:
On 7/6 I went to Eberle Automotive to check on the status of my vehicle which I had towed there by Geico Insurance for evaluation due to it not starting. I was told it would need a new fuel pump. I had already researched several different parts that may be causing the problem. Which is what my father who owned four automotive shops taught me to do, prior to agreeing to have any work done, know what the market rates are. When the owner of Eberle Automotive presented me with the bill of nearly $900! To repair a simple fuel pump I questioned him as to what the cost break down was because the estimate he presented to me in writing only had a bottom line figure. NO break down for parts. NO break down for labor.
I already knew that the car would benefit from a new fuel pump and was planning to have him put it in regardless of what his diagnosis was. Little to this mans knowledge I already had a brand new fuel pump and filter that I purchased from Advanced Auto Parts for $174.88, which included a lifetime warranty! The fact that he actually diagnosed the problem having anything to do with the feul pump, was completely coincidental, seeing as I already had the part. But considered myself lucky. I was also going to have him repair the window motor and antenna, until the following occurred... So I asked him how much labor was he charging me for. He replied three hours at $75 per hour. I said soooo... You are marking that part up HOW MUCHA?!?!?!?! I was dumb founded and knew I was being bamboozled. Even in a recession this is a price mark up that GOES WAYYYYY BEYOND ETHICAL BILLING PRACTICES HERE.
He then proceeded to tell me that, "I could probally get it to start if I hit the gas tank with a hammer." What?! Hmm, fuel and sparks from metal, not a good combination the last time I checked. He basically said it in a way that it was like well, pay the price or deal with it. Never in my life have I had a mechanic tell me such a ridiculous thing. I knew at this point he was some kind of quack and wasn't going to allow him to do anything to my vehicle. After orginally telling me there was a free estimate, similiar to the last time I had work down on my boyfriends vehicle, this time he told me to get my keys to my vehicle I would have to pay a $100 fee for them. I refused to pay to regain custody of my keys. He said well then you have to have the car off my lot by noon.
I looked at his clock and told him it is already 12:10pm now. He said fine 3pm or I will have it towed. I told him if you want the vehicle off of your lot then I would need to have my keys. He then said $100. I said fine, I would pay the $100 but I would be filing a BBB report, because what he was doing was RIDICULOUS. I was borrowing my boyfriends vehicle and he then said well what are you going to do with that car, you can't leave it here and that I was pregnant, and what did he expect me to do walk. He then threw the keys across the counter at me and my 12 yr. Old daughter. I called Geico and informed them that the shop they originally towed it to was trying to rip me off and to please have it towed to my old mechanic that I used to go to before moving to the EBERLE neighborhood.
I left the area to get my daughter something to eat and returned to wait for the tow driver. When we returned there was the back end of a truck and a dumpster pulled in front of the right half of my vehicle. I thought, "YOU HAVE GO TO BE KIDDING ME, (have pictures) How is the tow truck going to get to it now. Not to mention it was the middle of the day and he had shut all of the garage doors and office door, basically leaving no way to ask him to move the items. Luckily, I got a very nice tow driver who had the patience to get the vehicle on the truck with a series of turns. The worst thing is that when the vehicle arrived at the new mechanic... The fuel pump was put in for $175 (have receipt) AND the problem WAS NOT the feul pump but the computer board. After all that he wasn't even right!!!
Your Desired Resolution:
I'm simply furious that someone would think I am stupid enough to believe that a part could be marked up several hundred dollars. This man was rude, dishonest, unethical, and highly inappropriate with me and my daughter. Making me pay to $110.04 to get my keys returned to me after demanding I have the car removed, which he didn't was to give back to me in the first place, ridiculous. The truck and dumpster being put in front of the vehicle to prevent me from having it towed... And then shutting his doors so no one could ask him to move it... Just simply FOWL business practices. Trying to charge $900 for something that didn't need to be replaced, even worse. But worse of all, giving mechanical advise of telling someone to hit their gas tank with a hammer. He shouldn't even be allowed to practice business. I am asking for a refund of the $100.04 and $35 for towing expenses for the extra time it took to maneuver around the barricade he left in front of my vehicle and for towing expenses to take it to A REAL MECHANIC. Total of $135.04 If he is lucky I may not consult my attorney for the duress he put me under while pregnant along with my daughter who he frightened.
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