Need Advice

[Wheaties]

I had the transmission go out in one of my cars. So I took it to a place that was recommended by someone I trusted (maybe I shouldn't have). I took it in on Friday April, 9th. The owner of the shop said they were really busy and could get to it on Monday the 12th. I said that was fine. I called back on the 13th or 14th and it had not been started: "we'll get started on that tomorrow or the next day". So I called three days later to see how it was going: "well we had a guy take some vacation and we are really busy...". Same story another time, this must have been around the 21st by now and I called again. He said "I am going to devote all day Friday and Sat. to it. I'll be done Saturday afternoon, Monday morning at the latest". So I called this morning asking when I could pick it up: "Well I got it apart and I'll know more about how long it should take this afternoon". Well, 10 minutes ago: "It should be done by Friday".

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm beyond frustrated with this place! I have been NOTHING but nice and pleasant so far, but when I go and finally pick it up I plan on unleashing hell.

So what I am seeking advice on is this: How much should I complain, and how much should I try and get the price down? I sure as heck am not paying the $1800 he plans on charging for a 3-4 day job that will end up taking him 22 days IF he IS done this Friday.

I don't think $500 less unreasonable, but who knows.

Any advice is welcome!

 

[B727phixer]

Wow Zach, I feel your pain. I just bought a newer car and had it "checked out" by another shop, when I went to pick it up the front bumper was cracked. They told me they didn't do it...well I was ready to go to battle but maintained my cool, went to the Manager the next day and he told me to get it fixed and bring back the reciept and "we can talk about it". I was ready for a fight...but maintained my cool he took a copy of the reciept and said he would submit it to "the corporate office". One week later I had a check. Now with your deal I would try and maintain your cool, then explain that you were refered to his shop by a friend if he will not give you some relief on the bill, I would suggest to him that his reputation and your respect for his business will cause you to have a change of businesses in the future and you will submit a compliant to the BBB.
I know you have already fought the battle in your mind...hopefully he will be a stand up guy on the bill. Good luck!

 

[Wheaties]

Now with your deal I would try and maintain your cool, then explain that you were refered to his shop by a friend if he will not give you some relief on the bill, I would suggest to him that his reputation and your respect for his business will cause you to have a change of businesses in the future and you will submit a compliant to the BBB.
I know you have already fought the battle in your mind...hopefully he will be a stand up guy on the bill. Good luck!

That's almost word-for-word what I want to do. I don't want to freak out unless he refuses to budge.

Thanks for the advice and reassurance!

 

[ed4copies]

In most cases in business, when you START yelling, you also firm up the "opponent's" position.

I would start with, "I can see you are very busy and my car was willing to wait". So, I'd appreciate a discount on my job. Don't you think that's a reasonable request??

Threatening the BBB is a last resort. No one goes to BBB.

"My Facebook friends in the community can hear a good story about you, or a humorous story of the nightmare you have caused. I'm sure they'll repeat it at cookouts--which story should I write??"

BTW, when you actually DO write a facebook story, don't lie. You can accentuate what a great guy he was, but DO tell people he had your car for nearly a month.

Good luck!

 

[thewishman]

Well Zach, by the 21st you had almost two weeks in with no results. That should have been some indication of their speed of service. The shop people continued from that point just the same as they had up to then.

Did they know that time was important to you? Did you tell of your need to have the car repaired quickly?

Hope they do a good job with all of the extra time they took.

 

[RAdams]

I woud go by the shop.

There is a chance that he hasnt even started on your car yet. My brother in law has been a transmission mechanic for many many years, and i know the time frames when dealing with a tranny. It takes him between 15 minutes, and 2 hours to remove a tranny (depending on make and model) The same to re-install. The toughest tranny's only take a day or two to rebuild unless you drive a MAC truck or something. Go by there in the morning. If your car is outside, look under it. If the tranny is still in the car, go in and get your keys and a refund. Make some calls to other shops. Dont mention the name of the shop you had problems with, but do mention what you just went through. They will know you are already frustrated, and will be more likely to give you an honest time estimate.

If they have started the work, then you might want to contact the local courthouse. In Oklahoma, there are laws that protect consumers from things like this, and there are likely laws locally for you that do the same.


Good luck!

 

[workinforwood]

I would have taken the car somewhere else long ago, heck, I don't know what car you have, but that price is quite high in the first place for my area anyhow. I had the transmission completely rebuilt in my wife's monte carlo, and it was $1200 and finished on the same day. Had it done at a very busy place too, but it was a transmission repair place only, and they have a lot of guys that know what they are doing, they work fast because this is all they do so it's like just a routine with them.

 

[Russianwolf]

I called a shop on Friday about some brake work I needed. He said he could get to it on Tuesday and to drop it off anytime. I dropped it off last night. I had a call by noon letting me know he had finished the work, but the drums were thin and making noise (I had already noticed). If I wanted to leave it another day, he can have them in with no additional labor charge (since all you do to change them is remove the tire), just the parts. I told him to go ahead.

 

[Rfturner]

My Dad is a mechanic by trade, I know how busy a shop can get at times but it often is not the fault of the mechanic but the fault of the service writer, the person that is writing out the jobs. I am sorry that you got burned. If you remain cool it will help, as soon as a person becomes defensive they begin to shut down that is true in all life situations.