Car service problem

shane3 · 11-09-2013, 07:40 PM

okay here is what has happened, I took my BA GT to a local guy who had some good reports but what i got was total BS.

What I asked to be done.....
1.Wheel balance & alignment (all 4 wheels)
2.Brake discs machined,
3.Full auto trans flush,
4.Engine oil change (new oil filter and new oil).

What i got was..... 1.Balance and rotate of wheels OK! $35.00
2.Auto trans flush, OK! $$242.53
3.Engine oil change (with new filter) OK! $70.90
4.wheel alignment OK! $65.00

WHAT I DIDN'T GET......Disc's machined!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT I GOT BUT DIDN'T ASK FOR...

4 x indicator globes WTF!! they were fine.$16.02
Hand break adjustment $45.00

IT ALSO TOOK THEN 2 DAYS TO DO THIS WORK, I DROPPED OFF AT 8:30 AM TUESDAY, PICKED UP AT 4:20 PM WEDNESDAY, ALSO NEVER CALLED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING NOR, TO TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE OR WERE GOING TO DO!

Smoke Pursuit · 11-09-2013, 07:55 PM

Wow hes pretty cheap!!!

$70.90 for oil and filter?? What oil did he use? Valvoline Woolworths home brand?

Sounds to me like you got a pretty good price, too cheap by the sounds of it.

ratter · 11-09-2013, 08:01 PM

did he adjust the handbrake shoes or just the cable? your car should be running 0-40 synthetic oil which is a lot dearer than the price you have posted

**fordomatic** · 11-09-2013, 08:03 PM

I'd be draining that oil quick smart

Franco Cozzo · 11-09-2013, 08:05 PM

We hope you enjoyed your experience of the automotive industry, see you in 10,000km.

90% of auto workshops suck, find a good one and stick to them like **** to a blanket.

My local guy is real good and me and all my mates get him to work on our cars.

csv8 · 11-09-2013, 08:17 PM

I just had my GHIA's handbrake adjusted and they had to take of the discs to adjust it.
$89 at Kmart....

kempy311 · 11-09-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane3

okay here is what has happened, I took my BA GT to a local guy who had some good reports but what i got was total BS.

What I asked to be done.....
1.Wheel balance & alignment (all 4 wheels)
2.Brake discs machined,
3.Full auto trans flush,
4.Engine oil change (new oil filter and new oil).

What i got was..... 1.Balance and rotate of wheels OK! $35.00
2.Auto trans flush, OK! $$242.53
3.Engine oil change (with new filter) OK! $70.90
4.wheel alignment OK! $65.00

WHAT I DIDN'T GET......Disc's machined!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT I GOT BUT DIDN'T ASK FOR...

4 x indicator globes WTF!! they were fine.$16.02
Hand break adjustment $45.00

IT ALSO TOOK THEN 2 DAYS TO DO THIS WORK, I DROPPED OFF AT 8:30 AM TUESDAY, PICKED UP AT 4:20 PM WEDNESDAY, ALSO NEVER CALLED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING NOR, TO TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE OR WERE GOING TO DO!

My bet would be your indicator globes had lost there orange colour that's why they were replaced.

ratter · 11-09-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kempy311

My bet would be your indicator globes had lost there orange colour that's why they were replaced.

this is quite a common problem, most owners aren't worried about it but can make a car technically unroadworthy

shane3 · 11-09-2013, 08:37 PM

the globes still flashed orange when I was driving home at 10.30 last sunday night, I was sitting behind to a white territory waiting to turn left, so I know the left ones was fine!, when i got home and parked in the drive way and hit the lock on my remote they all lite up orange!

BUT the fact is I asked to get the discs machined and they didn't do it, nothing said about it at all.

Smoke Pursuit · 11-09-2013, 09:07 PM

Problem is most small shops don't have their own disc machining unit... Therefore they have to wait for someone to come around and do them or send them out....

Anyhow Id be more concerned about why the oil was SO cheap and if he even changed it...

Itsme · 11-09-2013, 09:27 PM

You can scratch that business of your list!

Spurious · 11-09-2013, 09:45 PM

A mechanic should only perform the jobs that the customer requested. You are legally entitled to ask for a refund for the cost of the indicator globes & the handbrake adjustment.
Maybe ask them to machine the discs at a prorata cost, minus the outlay of the handbrake adjustment and globes.

If it were me I would have refused to pay for those jobs.
Some mechanics have a rule that states, no pay...no car but that's BS.
If you don't want to pay for a certain job you don't have to, then it's up to the workshop to take legal action to recover their costs if they so wish.

If you refuse to pay & the mechanic say's you can't have the vehicle until you do, then you call the police! Next time (with a different workshop) you make them write up a quote so theres no room for error & ask for a specific time frame.
Most small workshops have the issue of people just rocking up & distracting the mechanic. I have no tolerance for this. If your paying them to do a job they should focus on that job 'til it's done.

A happy customer tell's their friends, an unhappy customer TELL'S EVERYONE!

You should name the workshop, maybe it's a bit of a trend they have going and yes, ditch the oil quick smart!

99AUXR · 11-09-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

If it were me I would have refused to pay for those jobs.
Some mechanics have a rule that states, no pay...no car but that's BS.
If you don't want to pay for a certain job you don't have to, then it's up to the workshop to take legal action to recover their costs if they so wish.

If you refuse to pay & the mechanic say's you can't have the vehicle until you do, then you call the police! Next time (with a different workshop) you make them write up a quote so theres no room for error & ask for a specific time frame.

Interesting.... Under our MTA code it states that we are actually allowed to hold a vehicle until payment has been made

. However have only ever held one vehicle pending payment.

ratter · 11-09-2013, 10:12 PM

we are allowed to hold the car, if the car is finished and the owner refuses to pay, we can charge storage based on a daily rate, after a period of time we can go through a process and sell the car, any shortfall of money can then be claimed from the owner or any excess goes back to the owner.

deesun · 12-09-2013, 12:01 AM

Then again you may go back and complain and he may say< oh shoot didnt I put that on the invoice? That will be another $100 thanks.

uniacidz · 12-09-2013, 12:26 AM

Cheap, concern over the oil and filter though.
Any reason why ya need disks machined? Warped?

Dunno what disks you have now, but might be a worthy time to start looking for new slotted rotors. DBA good brand. Small outlay now, but should pay off in long run.

And dont worry, My ex-mechanic didnt do work I wrote down for him to do.

Could rant for at least 15mins bout him, but meh.
Actually in the lookout for a good one in the St George area NSW.

Bent8 · 12-09-2013, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane3

2.Auto trans flush, OK! $$242.53

That's a bargain... I'm getting the ZF serviced next week.. $780 !!

Next time, find a local tuning shop in your area (preferably one that knows their Ford's) and you should be fine.

Dave3911 · 12-09-2013, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

Some mechanics have a rule that states, no pay...no car but that's BS.
If you don't want to pay for a certain job you don't have to, then it's up to the workshop to take legal action to recover their costs if they so wish.

If you refuse to pay & the mechanic say's you can't have the vehicle until you do, then you call the police! Next time (with a different workshop) you make them write up a quote so theres no room for error & ask for a specific time frame.

I can tell you that in Victoria, if you ring the police, they will likely tell you it's a civil matter. Not saying they won't attend, they probably will. But they don't have any power to order the return of the car if the mechanic wants to hold his ground.
This is what is called a "Mechanics Lien" See here ==> http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/motor...es-and-repairs

With that said - in the OPs case, holding a 20k+ car for a $60 dispute? I doubt any mechanic would bother and if they did, it wouldnt take too long to get a magistrate to order the return of the vehicle. No need to get a lawyer, just turn up to small claims, pay your filing fee and it'll all be over quite quickly. Isn't really worth it for $60 though. If the mechanic wont budge when you protest about the fee, just pay, move on with life and don't use their services again.

Spurious · 12-09-2013, 01:19 AM

In my view that's deprivation of liberty or straight up theft! One small quote in that posted link doesn't sound like an enforceable law to me.
You cannot knowingly hold someones property without their permission. I don't care what any "law" say's.
Try that on me & see what happens.
Do work to my car that I've not asked for & try to charge me for it...mmm, I don't think so.

The registered owner has ALL rights to their car/ property.
A second set of keys come in real handy in this scenario!

ILLaViTaR · 12-09-2013, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Wow hes pretty cheap!!!

$70.90 for oil and filter?? What oil did he use? Valvoline Woolworths home brand?

Sounds to me like you got a pretty good price, too cheap by the sounds of it.

What do you drop this guys pants for him whenever he wants you to or something? Clearly you missed the part where he made it quite clear to the guy what he wanted.... a response like yours is so condescending.

To the OP ask nicely for what you paid for and don't listen to all these people who tell you it happens all the time and that justifies it for some stupid reason. It does happen all the time and it's completely unacceptable. When it does happen lodge a dispute through here, http://www.fos.org.au/centric/home_page.jsp. He'll get a strike and hopefully he has a few already, it might be a bit hard without a written quote regarding the alignment as he's only charged you for a balance but you should be able to get him for the rest lot of these dodgy ****** have gone down in the last few years, we can only try to get them all.

ILLaViTaR · 12-09-2013, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

In my view that's deprivation of liberty or straight up theft! One small quote in that posted link doesn't sound like an enforceable law to me.
You cannot knowingly hold someones property without their permission. I don't care what any "law" say's.
Try that on me & see what happens.
Do work to my car that I've not asked for & try to charge me for it...mmm, I don't think so.

The registered owner has ALL rights to their car/ property.
A second set of keys come in real handy in this scenario!

Well as you can see for yourself first hand some actually have the genetic composition to feel entitled to ripping off their consumers rather than seeing it as unethical.

Always good to get a written quote but don't learn from your mistake, you don't need one to strike this ahole. The shop wasn't in Berwick by any chance was it?

ILLaViTaR · 12-09-2013, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane3

What i got was..... 1.Balance and rotate of wheels OK! $35.00
2.Auto trans flush, OK! $$242.53
3.Engine oil change (with new filter) OK! $70.90
4.wheel alignment OK! $65.00

WHAT I DIDN'T GET......Disc's machined!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT I GOT BUT DIDN'T ASK FOR...

4 x indicator globes WTF!! they were fine.$16.02
Hand break adjustment $45.00

IT ALSO TOOK THEN 2 DAYS TO DO THIS WORK, I DROPPED OFF AT 8:30 AM TUESDAY, PICKED UP AT 4:20 PM WEDNESDAY, ALSO NEVER CALLED TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WAS GOING NOR, TO TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE OR WERE GOING TO DO!

1. Should cost $60-$80 for the balance and alignment. He's charged you individually for both, some less ethical places may do that unfortunately. A suspension shop is the place to go for the best alignment.

2. $220-$2400 for a FULL flush and filter swap, I've quotes up to $440 because 95LE costs $200 alone (which is more than the retail price for 20L) some shops have better suppliers than the $440's that have an account with repco. If your fluid is still discoloured and not a bright red, you know what to do. Take it back to him and make him flush it again. I doubt he'll be happy to do this (fluid will cost him more than most jobs) just try to explain to him you established specifically what you wanted prior to the work done and this hasn't happened and I can prove it to you, see what he says and if he's decent he'll flush it again (I'd want a new filter too as it will be contaminated). If not report it now and don't let time get the better of this situation.

3. Engine oil sounds reasonable

I wouldn't have payed for the handbrake and probably the globes either you didn't give them the authority to do that work, it's not your fault so it's not your responsibility to bear the burden of it.

xxx000 · 12-09-2013, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

In my view that's deprivation of liberty or straight up theft! One small quote in that posted link doesn't sound like an enforceable law to me.
You cannot knowingly hold someones property without their permission. I don't care what any "law" say's.
Try that on me & see what happens.
Do work to my car that I've not asked for & try to charge me for it...mmm, I don't think so.

The registered owner has ALL rights to their car/ property.
A second set of keys come in real handy in this scenario!

wrong: for starters the registered owner isn't always the actual owner

leased cars and cars under finance are registered in the name of an individual but owned by the bank or finance company until final payment is made

shane3 · 12-09-2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

1. Should cost $60-$80 for the balance and alignment. He's charged you individually for both, some less ethical places may do that unfortunately. A suspension shop is the place to go for the best alignment.

2. $220-$2400 for a FULL flush and filter swap, I've quotes up to $440 because 95LE costs $200 alone (which is more than the retail price for 20L) some shops have better suppliers than the $440's that have an account with repco. If your fluid is still discoloured and not a bright red, you know what to do. Take it back to him and make him flush it again. I doubt he'll be happy to do this (fluid will cost him more than most jobs) just try to explain to him you established specifically what you wanted prior to the work done and this hasn't happened and I can prove it to you, see what he says and if he's decent he'll flush it again (I'd want a new filter too as it will be contaminated). If not report it now and don't let time get the better of this situation.

3. Engine oil sounds reasonable

I wouldn't have payed for the handbrake and probably the globes either you didn't give them the authority to do that work, it's not your fault so it's not your responsibility to bear the burden of it.

I rang 5 places and about $250 was the go for a auto flush, the place is an authorized repco place, that's all that they use.

the oil is Valvoline XLD Premium Engine Oil - 15W-40 (asked for thicker oil due to the way i drive!)

the trans oil is PENRITE ATF Multivehicle MHP

but yes I'm ****ed as the rotors weren't machined, I asked if they could do it and they said "yes we do an on car machine", the front rotors have tiny grooves in them (you can feel it with your finger) and I had slight pulsation when slowing (under gentle braking) from 100 down to 70, the rear rotors and pads were replaced about 7 months ago, so they are okay.

Also besides from climbing under the car how would I check the colour of the trans oil (at home with a stuffed knee so walking is painfull and climbing under the car is out!!!)

GT450 · 12-09-2013, 09:40 AM

If he had charged you for something he didn't do I could understand the reason for your complaint, but it appears you haven't contacted him to see why he didn't machine the discs. Perhaps they were undersize , who knows, but the first thing you should have done is discuss it with him.
As for the globes and handbrake talk about that too but they may have been needed. You will get varying opinions on here but he is the only one who can answer your complaints so talk to HIM.
GT450

GQ_Smooth · 12-09-2013, 09:44 AM

He probably found he had to send the rotors out to get machined ran out of time and said f/it. (should have told you first). Happens to shops that don't know the size of GT rotors, I have the same brake set up in my partners Ghia, always has to be sent out.

Regarding globes/brake adjustment. It's annoying, but not extravagantly charged. You're in your rights to complain about it because you didn't agree with it (or were even told about it). A discussion with the mechanic should be your 1st step. If their response is unsatisfactory, the value of the dispute would put me off taking it any further. Move on and find a different mechanic, you may need to go through another 5-6 before you find one you are happy with. Keep in mind good mechanics are normally very busy and you'll normally need to wait.

Spammy · 12-09-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

In my view that's deprivation of liberty or straight up theft! One small quote in that posted link doesn't sound like an enforceable law to me.
You cannot knowingly hold someones property without their permission. I don't care what any "law" say's.
Try that on me & see what happens.
Do work to my car that I've not asked for & try to charge me for it...mmm, I don't think so.

The registered owner has ALL rights to their car/ property.
A second set of keys come in real handy in this scenario!

You are wrong on all counts.

Spammy · 12-09-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

In my view that's deprivation of liberty or straight up theft! One small quote in that posted link doesn't sound like an enforceable law to me.
You cannot knowingly hold someones property without their permission. I don't care what any "law" say's.
Try that on me & see what happens.
Do work to my car that I've not asked for & try to charge me for it...mmm, I don't think so.

The registered owner has ALL rights to their car/ property.
A second set of keys come in real handy in this scenario!

I don't make up the laws - I just understand them: (extract from NSW Fair Trading)

Paying for repairs

If you are not able to pay cash, make sure an alternative method of payment is agreed with the repairer before the job is commenced.

The repairer may retain your vehicle until the invoice has been paid (possessory lien).

TIP: When a repairer applies a lien the owner may sue the repairer in the local court for the return of the vehicle. The repairer may retain the vehicle until the court orders its return to the owner. The police cannot order the vehicle’s release.

shane3 · 12-09-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GQ_Smooth

He probably found he had to send the rotors out to get machined ran out of time and said f/it. (should have told you first). Happens to shops that don't know the size of GT rotors, I have the same brake set up in my partners Ghia, always has to be sent out.

As stated before I asked him if he could do them he said YES!!!!! I even pointed out that they were bigger then the stock rotors and were 2 piece set up on the front, he again said "no problem we do an on car machine"

AND they had the car for 2 whole days!!!!

XBv8mmm! · 12-09-2013, 11:29 AM

Cost of engine oil and filter is very sus.
A decent performance oil like castrol edge 0-40 will set you back somewhere north of $70-80 alone (remember 6 1/2 lt not 5).
Oil filter would also be at least $15-20.
So oil change would over $ 100.

I'd be a little ify on what they put in.
And given you went to a ripp offs (Rip Every Poor C**t Off)workshop I'd be sus on the whole service!