Unscrupulous Mechanic

msnln · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 02:48 PM

Last week, during my fillup, I noticed check battery light was on in my car. When I asked mechanic to check the light, he plugged diagnostics computer under the steering column and told me that everything in the car was fine, except battery was not taking charge. He told me he would replace the battery for $145, and I agreed after he told me he had one that fit my car.

After unscrewing my battery, he tells me he does not have that particular model and then tells me that I still have to pay him $145 as he "worked" on the car. I told him I would not pay $145 as he did not replace the battery but would be willing to pay for his diagnostics.

He refused saying he had put in same amount of work as putting in a new battery. I told him BUT I DID NOT GET THE BATTERY. He still charged me $145 on my credit card, saying I can take the car to the dealership and they will probably do it for free as the car is under warranty. My main concern was getting home from work that night and I did not want the car to stop in the middle of highway.

I promptly took the car to dealership on this Monday, and they replaced the battery for no charge (covered under warrranty).

I got so upset that the mechanic knew battery was under warranty but acted like he worked on the car to scam money off me. In any case, I notified the credit card company and they reversed the charge, pending investigation. I also contacted better business bureau and filed complaint.

Has anyone else been scammed like this? Times like this really makes me appreciate my regular mechanic I take the car to whenever I have any problems.

Ima saver · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 03:10 PM

Always take your car to the dealership for anything if it is under warrenty, even if you have to have it towed there. My car insurance pays for towing, so I am reinbursed for it.

Thrifty Ray · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 03:25 PM

Good for you for calling the credit card company and for contacting the BBB (Have you checked the BBBs website to see if this guy already has complaints against him?)

It literally makes my blood boil when people scam others. I worked in fraud for a number of years and have seen most everything...and it is so frustrating when folks get taken advantage of.

My biggest peeve is when someone rips of the elderly. THEY CANT MAKE BACK THEIR LOST LIFE SAVINGS....yet, there ae those who could care less so long as the money is in their pockets.

If this guy has your credit card number, he may try something else...Id ask the CC company to issue a new card just to be sure.

ok...off the soap box now....Good luck to you...let us know how it turns out.

Snoopy2645 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 03:47 PM

What a you know what I agree for taking the car to the dealership always as long as its under the warranty. I usually ask people anymore will an estimate be free BTW just a heads up to never pay for the product & service or give cc info until service & product are delivered!!

Reminds me a little of when my mom went to a certain place to get her oil & it was never changed she went back & demanded they change it while she stood thier & watched

BUt I think you did the right thing now by call the BBB & the cc company

getforfree · #5 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 06:11 PM

My Dh does our cars maintenance by himself, so I never have to pay anybody for anything. I used to change the oil myself before I got married. The car service is way too expencive for me, so my dad tought me how to change oil and how to change a tier, but then I haven't done it for years now, I almost forgot how to do it.

markio26 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 06:48 PM

scammers are even nice ppl. and are showing their faces more often in this economy... buyer beware................................

Thrifty Ray · #7 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markio26

scammers are even nice ppl. and are showing their faces more often in this economy... buyer beware................................

nice????

#8 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 07:54 PM

I could tell my battery was going out, and was afraid I wouldn't make it to my mechanics, as I didn't have much gas. I took it to Sears where they replaced the battery and then the guy told me it would just die like the last one because my alternator was bad and wasn't charging the battery properly.

Well I told him I didn't have time to do it that day as I had to go to work, drove to gas up and drove straight to my mechanics. They tested it right then and there and said there was nothing wrong with my alternator, but Sears was kind of known for trying to pull one over.

I am proud to say that 2 years later my alternator and battery still seem to be fine, and I feel so fortunate to have found the honest mechanics that I have been using for the last 6 years.

Snoopy2645 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 08:32 PM

Oh I know all the car places do it every time I get my oil changed they try to tell me a zillion other things are wrong with the car!!! My brother does all the work on my car & sometimes dh but as for the oil being changed we have to go somewhere for that because of the laws preventing us dumping it. I just tell them wherever I go to get my oil changed I will have to talk to my husband about doing anything else.

Crystallas · #10 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 08:42 PM

I hate people who use their knowledge to screw others over. It doesnt matter if they are mechanics, lawyers, or cashier.

34saving · #11 (**permalink**) 06-23-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoopy2645

My brother does all the work on my car & sometimes dh but as for the oil being changed we have to go somewhere for that because of the laws preventing us dumping it.

I don't know about the laws in your state, but here there are certain places that have to take used oil (I think it's any place that does oil changes, but some of them charge a small fee and some don't.) Anyway, you might want to look into that

(I find it's much easier to keep track of "the little things" like a cracked CV boot or low power steering fluid when we're forced to crawl under the car every 3,000 miles to change the oil.)

msnln · #12 (**permalink**) 06-24-2006, 06:13 AM

I always take the car to the dealership but I was concerned that the car would just die on the highway as I was 30 miles from home and as it was late afternoon, dealership service department would have closed. With my old car, I had it stall twice on the highway, once due to battery and the second time due to alternator and I did not have to face that situation again.