Car repairs... getting railed...what can i do.

[Lash444]

Okay guys, took my car in because it just wouldnt start. Wouldn't idle at all either. Just completely stalls unless i hold down the gas pedal. Take it in because i am less than car savvy. Anyway, I figure my fuel injection might be less than sub par...and so they run their tests...Chrysler technician there. They change the spark plugs and wires...and clean the fuel rails and clean the fuel injectors. They then proceed to charge me an outrageous amount of money. I pay, get in the car...and of course, it doesnt start at all. Same as before...walk in and they want to look at it again. They then proceed to hold on to it for another full day and today I call and they think it is the memory timing when it runs at idle. There solution is to change out the battery! They want to try it out again tomorrow...so they are holding on to it for another day.
So now I am down XXX amount of dollars...and it is not chump change here. Final solution...BATTERY? I paid for it by credit card, but I doubt I can just call them and they would actually cancel the payment. Obviously their big money solution, which was to shotgun fix my 72000 mile car had no effect on its starting abilities, and I dont think I should pay them the amount they want.
What can i do?

 

[minendo]

What can i do?

Find a better mechanic and read up about cars.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Call your credit card company, have the charge reversed. Hang up, call a lawyer. Hang up, call the BBB.

 

[Ness]

Take it up with the manager rather than an internet forum?

You've authorized the work, you have parts in your car, they can't exactly take them back. You MAY be able to get them to refund you the labor fees, which is often the most expensive part of car repairs. You should also take a look at the work order agreements you signed and see if there is anything in the fine print about this. If you told them what the problem was, then they mis-diagnosed it, and you agreed to have that problem fixed, there may be nothing you can do about it unless the contract fails to mention anything about them not being liable for a misdiagnosis.

If you are that angry about it, don't take no for an answer when they refuse to compensate you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, as my dad always says. If they refuse to do anything about it, you might consider contacting your credit card company and see if they want to handle it.

How much are we talking about here, anyway? (specifically how much were the parts and how much was labor?)

 

[DougK62]

It's common practice at shady places to replace stuff that doesn't need replacing. Go to a different mechanic.

Learn to diagnose your car yourself and you'll save big bucks.

 

[Lash444]

90 dollars worht of parts...and total came to 370...so take a guess. Oh and they said they wouldnt charge for the battery replacement....what a joke.

 

[DrPizza]

Just completely stalls unless you hold down the gas pedal?
Has *nothing* to do with the battery. (and I'm not a mechanic)

 

[Lash444]

Yeah, thats why i think the battery will have no effect whatsoever on the outcome. And for the people who say to diagnose your own car... shut up...if the stupid Chrysler certified tech there cant fix it (with all of the diagnostic tools he has there) and then charge me extra for parts i dont need...how am i supposed to.