car shops, ugh Options

[Legit94GT]

So i sent my car into to get the clutch, timing belt, new spark plugs and water pump replaced. They called me back to say that my CV boots were cracked, my valve cover, distributor ring, ??"spark plug seals"?? were leaking, and that someone replaced my distributor cap and wires with aftermarket ones and when they took the wires off they broke them, and i have to foot the bill for new ones, ugh.

I'd rather pay someone to work on my car than fight it myself but why does EVERY shop have to try and swindle you? I mean come on, my spark plug seal!? WTH

Anybody else feel the same way?

end of rant

[hurley97]

I'd rather pay someone to work on my car than fight it myself but why does EVERY shop have to try and swindle you? I mean come on, my spark plug seal!? WTH

The spark plug tubes are sealed at the bottom, they do occasionally need to be pulled out and resealed.

A shop's job is to upsell work. They're going to find other things wrong. It's up to you to filter out what you think is important and what can wait. Ask to have them show you the issues and decide which ones you feel are legitimate problems. If they don't want to show you or you go down there and you just don't feel like you trust them, go somewhere else or do it yourself.

I work at a dealership, I'm the person that would have called you and told you all that stuff, and sometimes I feel bad and feel like people don't trust what I say. All I can do is relay what the tech tells me. Depending on the tech and how much I trust him I'll usually look at the issues myself to better get an idea of the severity and how to tell the customer. The best way to do it is to just present the facts, answer any questions honestly, show the customer, and let them make their own decision.

I have heard stories about dishonest dealerships, for example, they'll sell brake jobs when the pads are only half worn, crap like that gives dealerships a bad name. It all depends on the kind of people you're dealing with.

This post has been edited by hurley97: Jan 1, 2009 - 2:56 PM