Am I right? Service question

[Apple Of Sodom]

I paid a local company to install trailer hitch receiver/wiring for brakes on vehicle (note: this is primarily what they do, they are an auto parts installer - hitches, running boards, etc)

They quoted me a fixed price of $300 for wiring alone.

When I picked it up, they said they had a really hard time with wiring it and told me to hook it up to my trailer they weren't sure if it was working (they weren't terribly familiar with my brand of vehicle, even though I told them up front make and model)

Trailer brake lights don't work. I had to take vehicle to local service shop to get wiring corrected - to the tune of $600 because it was messed up so bad.

I want a refund for my initial $300. The company states they tried their best and it isn't their fault it didn't work because they followed the instructions.

Am I right for wanting a refund for services provided when those services actually ended up not working, costing me more money and time?

Second, is it wrong to post factual (but unflattering) comments on FB and serach engines about said company if they don't refund my money?

 

[waggy]

yes it is right to ask for the refund. hell you can even sue in small claims court. you paid for a service. they didn't do it. you then had to pay MORE to get that serviced done.

 

[BoomerD]

IMO, there's no way they could have known for sure about your trailer wiring. While there are recommended standards, there's no "Trailers MUST be wired this way" sort of standard.

Yes, they should refund at least PART of your money, IMO, but to me, a better question is why it cost so much?

$300 is too much to wire in a trailer plug...$600 is outright robbery.

Shoulda just done it yourself and saved a ton of $$$. It's not like it's a difficult job...

 

[Beev]

First off, post away on facebook. You aren't lying so it's not defamation, right (IANAL)?

Labor is labor, so I don't think it's realistic to expect a full refund, though it sounds like you certainly deserve it. See if they'll meet you halfway maybe.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Shoulda just done it yourself and saved a ton of $$$. It's not like it's a difficult job...

It is for a 2011 Mercedes GL... it is apparently somewhat complicated as the professionals couldn't even do it...I don't expect that I could have. I also value my time. I would rather spend a few hours making that money then spending it under a car trying to figure out something I'm not familiar with.

As for them quoting a price, it is pretty standard to get a price quote from them. They should know about how long it takes. If they don't, then quote "Time and Materials" and leave it at that.

Either way, I didn't walk away with a working product. If they would have gotten it working and told me it took 2 hours longer than anticipated and had to charge a little more, fine...

My position is, if they felt uncomfortable doing it, they should have turned the business away. I turn business away if it isn't something I'm comfortable doing.

 

[SamQuint]

Go to small claims court and sue them for the refund. Hell sue them for the difference it costed you to get the job done right. What is the worse that could happen. Most likely you would only get the $300. You paid for a job that they did not provide. Plus they made things worse that had to be repaired. They owe you.

 

[olds]

Did you give them the opportunity to fix it before you spent the $600 some where else?

 

[MotionMan]

Tell them they can keep the $300 you paid them, but they need to pay you the $600 it cost you to actually get the job done.

MotionMan

 

[Mike Gayner]

Hell yes you should expect a refund. They utterly failed to perform a job you paid them (under quote) to do.

edit: Or this:

Tell them they can keep the $300 you paid them, but they need to pay you the $600 it cost you to actually get the job done.

MotionMan

In fact, this would be my preferred solution. I don't know about the US, but NZ we have very strong consumer protection legislation, and they would be forced to remedy the situation, including paying any consequential damages. You could probably compel them to pay for the subsequent work under our laws.

 

[brblx]

it's their fault for not knowing the basic principles of CYA.

when installing aftermarket parts, if you SELL the part and advertise competent installation, you're pretty bound. if you brought the stuff in and asked them to do it, it can be a harder fight.

not to mention that there should have been no additional difficulties in wiring your mercedes. the rear lights are probably managed by an electronic module in the rear of the vehicle, and activated by the BCM or similar via CAN bus. you have to tap the output side of the module- which will change the resistance of the circuit and probably give you a dash warning (in cheaper cars, just a fast blinker).

this is true of most any car nowadays. if they expected to tap straight into your rear lights, they're retarded. i don't usually mess with trailers, though, so they may use some kind of converter box or something by now...

 

[pcgeek11]

300 and then 600 dollars. Damn! is way too much for a simple trailer hookup, no matter how complicated it may appear. A half assed electrician could figure this out with a multimeter and 20 minutes. You've been screwed, twice.

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...Class/2011/56146KIT.html?vehicleid=2011305987

All you need for $52.85 and shipping. It prevents the control module problems.

 

[brblx]

300 and then 600 dollars. Damn! is way too much for a simple trailer hookup, no matter how complicated it may appear. A half assed electrician could figure this out with a multimeter and 20 minutes. You've been screwed, twice.

http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-...Class/2011/56146KIT.html?vehicleid=2011305987

All you need for $52.85 and shipping. It prevents the control module problems.

ok, so there is some kind of box.

yeah that's cake and they're retarded. go after them.

if i had to guess, the 'problem' may have been LED tails instead of incandescent.

 

[pcgeek11]

ok, so there is some kind of box.

yeah that's cake and they're retarded. go after them.

if i had to guess, the 'problem' may have been LED tails instead of incandescent.

This kit is OK for LED Tails also:


Curt Upgraded Circuit Protected Tail Light w Converter Hardwire Kit - 4 Pole End (Includes Tester) - Mercedes-Benz G-Class, 2011

Features:

Adapts separate turn and stop lights (3-wire system) to a (2-wire system) on trailer
Works with domestic and import Mercedes-Benz G-Classs
Virtually eliminates draw on Mercedes-Benz G-Class tail light circuit
No HD flasher required
Battery powered and circuit protected
Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
Does work with Mercedes-Benz G-Classs that LED tail lights
Will work with trailers that have LED tail lights
Includes circuit tester and (4) Quick splices to aid in installation
Also includes 4-pole trailer connector cover