Topic: Trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
catseyes1's photo
Tue 07/28/09 05:23 PM
Edited by catseyes1 on Tue 07/28/09 05:25 PM
Auto shops that see young ones coming rant

My son (who is 17) took my car to get an oil change the other day, he came home and told me that the place he took it too said I need a whole new exhaust system.frustrated I figured oh great how much is that going to cost.grumble So again my son called this place back and asked how much this will cost and they have told him roughly around $1100.00.noway But then they said to bring it back and they will double check to see if it really needs a whole new exhaust system what , well that just did not sit right with me, so I took it to another place and explained what was going on. Too my surprise I do not need a new exhaust system just a flex pipe that is attached to an exhaust system.surprised So what I did is called this place and told them that you have told my son I needed an exhaust system and come to find out I don't, you can stick your business else where and hung up.

Jon85213's photo
Tue 07/28/09 05:27 PM

Auto shops that see young ones coming rant

My son (who is 17) took my car to get an oil change the other day, he came home and told me that the place he took it too said I need a whole new exhaust system.frustrated I figured oh great how much is that going to cost.grumble So again my son called this place back and asked how much this will cost and they have told him roughly around $1100.00.noway But then they said to bring it back and they will double check to see if it really needs a whole new exhaust system what , well that just did not sit right with me, so I took it to another place and explained what was going on. Too my surprise I do not need a new exhaust system just a flex pipe that is attached to an exhaust system.surprised So what I did is called this place and told them that you have told my son I needed an exhaust system and come to find out I don't, you can stick your business else where and hung up.


i recommend sticking with the new mechanic you found. Sounds like they are very honest. Honest ones are hard to find especially with women and young kids.

ironheadjim's photo
Tue 07/28/09 06:10 PM
it happens to us all. i took my truck to get it aligned and they had a list of stuff wrong a mile long. according to them they don't know how i drove it to the shop. i told 'em i wanted to wait and the head person said well we can work the price down if we do the work today.
Well over 1,000 miles later - truck still running fine.

Lilypetal's photo
Tue 07/28/09 06:16 PM
It pays to know a little bit about cars. And it's fun to watch the look on their faces when they realize they've been caught trying to scam you.

no photo
Tue 07/28/09 06:17 PM
I'll admit it, I got scammed on brakes once. Paid WAY too much money. I'm not even sure I got new brakes to be honest. Won't happen again. Jerks!

seamac's photo
Tue 07/28/09 06:24 PM
Some mechanics think they see us coming...just dumb business! We are all smart enough to get a second opinion, right????

My late husband used to walk off of car lots if the sales person (usually male) did not acknowledge me. Another dumb move on their part. How I loved my hubby when he did stuff like that!

TxsGal3333's photo
Tue 07/28/09 06:31 PM
As some has said it pays to know a good shop that will not rip you off. It also pays to have a very good friend that knows all about cars and will in fact either fix it for you. Actually I'm lucky enough to have both. bigsmile

Jon85213's photo
Tue 07/28/09 07:20 PM
one other option you always have is the local college or trade school. they often can do the work at a very cheap rate. they also do not have the need to scam you to make an extra buck. They do that in tuition, lol. Anyways they are usually very honest there.

catseyes1's photo
Wed 07/29/09 12:25 PM
My son's high school may do it. But getting that second opinion saved me at least 870.00.

Rockmybobbysocks's photo
Wed 07/29/09 12:26 PM
i used to work for an auto shop and before that a few dealerships.

some places are told to "look for" problems and sometimes even "create"

yeah.. that bad.

franshade's photo
Wed 07/29/09 12:28 PM
like most industries - everyone is out to make a quick buck

Ladylid2012's photo
Wed 07/29/09 12:32 PM
I hate taking my car into a shop...I try to take a male friend that sounds like he knows what he are talking about.