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Can I dispute a charge for dealer service?

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Bird222

Diamond Member
Let me say, I know that I can dispute the charge on my credit card but I am wondering what the likely response would be from the dealership? I'll try to keep the story brief.

I got an alignment a couple of weeks ago. My steering wheel was still slightly off center. I also an axle problem. I made the mistake of having them align the car before I fixed the axle. This gave them an out on fixing the alignment. So I paid the 'stupid tax' and paid for another alignment. Well of course it still wasn't right (same problem). So at this point I just want a refund, but I anticipate that they may not give me one which has me asking the question.
 
Certainly worth a shot. If nothing else, they need to fix it for free if it wasn't properly aligned last time.
 
From someone who used to process credit card disputes... They will likely require a second opinion letter from another qualified merchant specifically saying the dealership did it wrong.

In this case your dispute will probably be denied service rendered.
 
Ok so they aligned it, steering was off but you said nothing, then axle was replaced and then realigned, steering is off and you still said..... nothing.


Based on your story, you have given them 0 chances to fix the problem.
 
If they did an alignment and there's still a problem, they'll fix it for free but they won't give you a refund.
If you're being told that they won't fix it for free, talk to the service manager.
 
If you replace the axle after an alignment, the warranty for the alignment should be considered void.

If they did an alignment after the axle replacement; then they should make it proper. Is the vehicle pulling to one side when driving on a level, smooth road at 20-30 mph?

Just because the steering wheel is not lined up, does not mean that the alignment is not correct.

If they state that they can not align the vehicle, that is a different story. that question is why?
 
Evadman said:
This. Alignment means the wheels are pointed int he right direction, not the steering wheel.
Click to expand...

I know that the alignment can be fine and the steering wheel off, but any decent alignment shop centers the steering wheel first, then brings the alignment into spec. If they can't bring the alignment into spec with the steering wheel centered, then something's wrong (or someone previously took the steering wheel off and put it back on crooked, which is generally unlikely in modern cars with airbags).

In either case, the shop should identify the root problem (crooked steering wheel, bent suspension piece, bent tie rod end, etc.) and inform the owner that additional work is necessary.

ZV
 
Zenmervolt said:
I know that the alignment can be fine and the steering wheel off, but any decent alignment shop centers the steering wheel first, then brings the alignment into spec. If they can't bring the alignment into spec with the steering wheel centered, then something's wrong (or someone previously took the steering wheel off and put it back on crooked, which is generally unlikely in modern cars with airbags).

In either case, the shop should identify the root problem (crooked steering wheel, bent suspension piece, bent tie rod end, etc.) and inform the owner that additional work is necessary.

ZV
Click to expand...


This. I guess I am kind of frustrated because I have dealt with them on this same issue in previous alignments. But even in this most recent issue, on the first alignment I specifically said make my steering wheel extremely level (because of previous issues). They didn't do it. I voided the alignment by changing the axle ok. So again I pay for an alignment again stressing my steering wheel and again it is still not right.
 
Any decent shop will let you sit in the car and hold the steering wheel while they do the alignment so you can position it exactly where you want.
 
Did the alignment paperwork have anything written about the steering wheel?

Is the vehicle still pulling after the alignment was done?

Costs of an alignment does not normally include pulling the steering wheel and re-centering it.
 
EagleKeeper said:
Did the alignment paperwork have anything written about the steering wheel?

Is the vehicle still pulling after the alignment was done?

Costs of an alignment does not normally include pulling the steering wheel and re-centering it.
Click to expand...

Yes it had info on the wheel. I can't remember the wording though. Everything is within specs according to the paper but the wheel is not exactly right. If I put the wheel perfectly level the car will start going to the left. The steering wheel shouldn't have to be pulled. They just need to turn the wheel a little more to the left before they do the alignment.
 
EagleKeeper said:
Costs of an alignment does not normally include pulling the steering wheel and re-centering it.
Click to expand...

That's true, but they shouldn't have had to pull the steering wheel to re-center it, they just needed to start from the right initial position (unless something else was wrong).

I'm not saying that they should have pulled and replaced the steering wheel for free, only that they should have identified the fact that the steering wheel couldn't be centered (if that's the case), identified the cause (bent suspension, etc) and then called the owner to let him make a decision on how to proceed, informing him of the additional work and extra cost.

ZV
 
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