HELP - is it legal for a mechanic to charge you thousands without asking???

[Telionis]

Trying to finally get my Stealth running again, but before committing big amounts of cash to have it towed to 3SX (about 4 hours away) I had my local auto-shop take it and try to fix it.

I suspected the computer was bad, and it would not start. They have since played with it, only to determine... guess what... "the computer is bad." No sh-t. So, today, out of the blue, they call me up to tell me that, and oh yeah, you owe us $3500. What?

3SX quoted me $5k to rebuild the whole mother f-cker and tune an AEM, all these guys did was tool around with it and figure out the computer is bad. They have kept the thing since August, they never quoted me, (though admittedly I asked them to see what they could do to get it running and never asked for a quote), and they never checked with me or asked me how much to spend.

There must be some consumer protection laws that protect people from this crap, right? I mean, you can't take your car to a dealership, ask them to see why the engine doesn't start right, and show up the next day to find a bill for $15k for a new engine because they never asked you before doing that much work... Right?!?
______________

Incidentally, the stealth still doesn't run, the computer is still bad (AVPro couldn't fix it), and I might be out $3500. Man, I've been saving for an HD tv since June 06... just about to get a 58" Panasonic Plasma - cost ~ $3400.

[eljefefx]

As long as you keep pulling a " Nav " and creating threads you know will degenerate into a fight, I'd say yes.



Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Telionis]

[quote=""eljefefx""]As long as you keep pulling a " Nav " and creating threads you know will degenerate into a fight, I'd say yes.



Sorry, couldn't resist.[/quote]

What? How will this degenerate into a fight? WTF are you talking about?

[vr4]

no.


you must agree to a set amount before the car can even be touched. if this amount is going to be exceeded they must contact you first and get permission with the amount and document the date/time permission was given and who they spoke with.


typical diag time for that would be around 1.5 hours. if there charging you 2300/hr....i want to work for that shop.

[eljefefx]

Your wonderful thread on 3si. You pulled one hell of a Nav with that.

[GTO Assassin]

I'm missing something here ElJefe?

[Ajabs]

They should only be paid billable labor hours. How long does it take to diagnose a dead computer? Other than that, they might charge you storage since the car was on the lot for 2+ months. The problem is getting the car off their yard without paying if you so choose. How are you going to do this?

[vr4]

if they dont specifically state storage fees after x days on something you sign youre not liable for that either.

if the car sat there for 3 weeks BEFORE they got to it....youre not responsible for that either. for storage fees to apply it has to start after repairs were completed or you were contacted and said not to do anything else and youll come get the car.

[Chris95RT]

[quote=""eljefefx""]Your wonderful thread on 3si. You pulled one hell of a Nav with that.[/quote]

Not 3si!


To the OP, do you have an invoice?

[JagdStealth]

[quote=""eljefefx""]Your wonderful thread on 3si. You pulled one hell of a Nav with that.[/quote]

This isn't 3si...who care?

They can't charge you unless you signed something...red the fine print. Your car has been there since fuckin August to diagnose a computer (first dumb move). Make sure you didn't sign something about paying a daily fee if you left it on the lot.

[J-Groove]

[quote=""JagdStealth""]Make sure you didn't sign something about paying a daily fee if you left it on the lot.[/quote]



That can be the only way I can see this bill beign real. Otherwise they are trying to fuck you over.

And Jeff, dude, this is not 3Si, he asked a serious question, why bring the drama over here? Take it to a PM if it is bothering you so much.

-John

[Telionis]

[quote=""eljefefx""]Your wonderful thread on 3si. You pulled one hell of a Nav with that.[/quote]

The "creationists response to this" thread? Because it's a controversial question and heated debate it's a Nav thread?

[jackhammer]

I once had a car into a repair shop for a drivability issue. They troubleshot it for 2 weeks, and couldnt even get it started. Finally, seeing the bill was going nowhere but up, i went and paid them $800, and called a towtruck. I then opened the hood, plugged the mass air in, cancelled the tow, and drove it away.

I took them to court and lost

[GTO Assassin]

ElJefe was just pissy. I'm sure he'll be back to apologise.

Scotty

[Monochrome]

[quote=""JagdStealth""]Make sure you didn't sign something about paying a daily fee if you left it on the lot.[/quote]

QFT

[TajMan]

jesus christ

[JagdStealth]

[quote=""TajMan""]jesus christ[/quote]

He's a mechanic??

[Jeff V.]

I thought he was a carpenter?

[TajMan]

Jesus wouldn't charge $3,500 for that

[Jeff V.]

What would Jesus charge?