- Dec 27, 2001
- 47,351
- 14
- 61
I dropped my car off today at Belle Tire to have a new tire put on and an allignment done. We agreed on $150 and I killed an hour while they were supposed to be working on it. When I got back, my car was still on the hoist. Apparently, a brake line snapped when they were pulling it in.
My argument was that I dropped off my car in a certain condition and I should get it back in the same condition. I don't think they broke the line on purpose and don't know if they really did anything to make it happen when it was in their possession. But the point is that something happened while they had it. They offered to replace the brake line for $100. That's $20 for the line and $80 in labor.
After going rounds with the manager, I got fed up and told him that I didn't want to do business with them and that I wanted my car back in the same condition that it was in when I brought it in. He got a bit worried because he realized that I do have the right to demand that. He called his boss and came back and was wanting to deal. I said that I was willing to pay for the parts but not the labor. He came back with an offer of $220 for 2 tires and the brake line but no alignment. My whole reason for bringing it in was that it needed an alignment.
So I told him I wanted a night to sleep on it. My car is still up there and unless I call him and tell him different, he is going to do the brake line and throw a used tire on it for $100. I will still have to pay for an alignment later on. I am not happy but at least my car will be driveable.
Anyone have experience dealing with their corporate office?
Cliffs:
Dropped off my car to get it worked on
Brake line magically busted while they had it
I don't think I should have to pay for the labor to fix the brake line
Their manager talks like Elmer Fudd
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update:
I went to pick up my car and told the manager I wanted to talk to him in private. I showed him the laws I linked to below and also the ones on not providing a written estimate and one regarding intentionally misinforming a customer about needed repairs to their vehicle. I told him I would much rather solve this on the spot rather than have the BBB, DOT, SoS and small claims court involved. Its not about the money anymore, its about principle. He said his district manager was aware of the situation and that he wasn't willing to do anything else. I made sure I paid cash so I didn't have to sign anything before I left. No parts were returned to me or offered to be returned to me, violating another major law.
This is going to be my hobby until it gets settled one way or the other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/1 update:
Just got off the phone with the district manager. After a half hour long session of him denying responsibility and me stating the laws and my rights, he finally offered me most of the money I paid for labor back. I still wouldn't go back there or to any other chain repair places. They are only out for profit and don't care about customers. The only reason he was willing to do anything was that I did know my rights.
My argument was that I dropped off my car in a certain condition and I should get it back in the same condition. I don't think they broke the line on purpose and don't know if they really did anything to make it happen when it was in their possession. But the point is that something happened while they had it. They offered to replace the brake line for $100. That's $20 for the line and $80 in labor.
After going rounds with the manager, I got fed up and told him that I didn't want to do business with them and that I wanted my car back in the same condition that it was in when I brought it in. He got a bit worried because he realized that I do have the right to demand that. He called his boss and came back and was wanting to deal. I said that I was willing to pay for the parts but not the labor. He came back with an offer of $220 for 2 tires and the brake line but no alignment. My whole reason for bringing it in was that it needed an alignment.
So I told him I wanted a night to sleep on it. My car is still up there and unless I call him and tell him different, he is going to do the brake line and throw a used tire on it for $100. I will still have to pay for an alignment later on. I am not happy but at least my car will be driveable.
Anyone have experience dealing with their corporate office?
Cliffs:
Dropped off my car to get it worked on
Brake line magically busted while they had it
I don't think I should have to pay for the labor to fix the brake line
Their manager talks like Elmer Fudd
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
update:
I went to pick up my car and told the manager I wanted to talk to him in private. I showed him the laws I linked to below and also the ones on not providing a written estimate and one regarding intentionally misinforming a customer about needed repairs to their vehicle. I told him I would much rather solve this on the spot rather than have the BBB, DOT, SoS and small claims court involved. Its not about the money anymore, its about principle. He said his district manager was aware of the situation and that he wasn't willing to do anything else. I made sure I paid cash so I didn't have to sign anything before I left. No parts were returned to me or offered to be returned to me, violating another major law.
This is going to be my hobby until it gets settled one way or the other.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/1 update:
Just got off the phone with the district manager. After a half hour long session of him denying responsibility and me stating the laws and my rights, he finally offered me most of the money I paid for labor back. I still wouldn't go back there or to any other chain repair places. They are only out for profit and don't care about customers. The only reason he was willing to do anything was that I did know my rights.
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