O/T Ripoffs............

Goose · Apr 27, 2009

The more I think about this, the madder I get.

Our local NAPA store has a service department in conjunction. I've known the fellow who owns the whole works for years. In fact, on various occasions I've worked with most of his service department techs.

My wife has gotten into the habit of taking her Chrysler mini-van there for oil changes, instead of imposing on me. Which is OK by me, because whenever I have time I can't get the van away from her. A couple of weeks ago, when she had the oil changed, the owner told her the van needed outer tie rod ends, and gave her an estimate along with a four wheel alignment. I smelled a rat over the four wheel alignment. Normally when you change outer tie rod ends, all you do is check the toe-in.

The fellow made it sound to my wife like the van wasn't safe to drive. A week ago, I drove it 120 miles each way to a funeral and nothing seemed loose in the steering. This last Saturday, I mounted and balanced a new set of tires on the van, and I could get absolutely NO movement or play in the outer tie rods.

Who wants to bet that if it had been me that took the van in for an oil change, not a word would have been said about the tie rods? I've been in service management myself, and it just plain infuriates me when someone goes into an instant scam/oversell mode as soon as they start dealing with a woman.

I'm glad we recently had an O'Reilly parts store open in town because there's no way NAPA is going to get another dime of my money.

Mike M · Apr 27, 2009

Too many of these places pay employees by comission , which directly leads to overselling things.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 27, 2009

Very difficult finding an honest person anymore and when you do it is a pleasant surprise. It is almost a right of passage to demonstrate that one person can take advantage of another. I'll bet people wonder why you change your own oil and do your own repairs.

omahagreg · Apr 27, 2009

I agree with you 110%! I have a different perspective as well. I used to remodel residential bathrooms. My main geographic market were almost 100 year old. Most of these bathrooms were on the second floor. I knew they had lead drain pipes and galvanized water lines. I always suggested highly that these should be replaced at the same time-because you usually have to mess up the second floor floor when doing such, and that was being done with the remodel anyway. MOST people thought I was trying to pull a fast one on them! I have actually replaced new floors and walls AFTER a remodel for that exact problem, and that does not make a happy customer either. Greg

bradk · Apr 27, 2009

Take it back there and ask them to show you the wear!

Catch 'em red-handed,then they'll know why you haven't been back.Abolutely no excuse for service scams like that.

PJH · Apr 27, 2009

Wife dropped her car off for wheel alignment and tire rotation. The shop owner called her and said she should replace a part on the front suspension, and needed to keep it overnight. Next evening I decided to change the oil, and look at the shiny new part. Guess what - no shiny new part. The following morning I drove it to the shop, and the owner said, "I didn't know she was your wife." I asked him to show me the part he replaced. He didn't get off his fat rump, but informed me it was an upper A-frame bushing. I took it home and looked it all over again. No new part anywhere. Took it back, and by then his shop was full of loafers. He loudly said his bays were full and he couldn't "raise it up to show me". I told him I'd jump it up on the curb out front, and he and I would crawl under it. All the loafers were watching - he couldn't show me anything new. All the threads were dirty. He said he'd give me a refund if I was unhappy, and I beat him to the register. He's out of business now.

Dad used to say - your reputation doesn't follow you. It gets out in front and waits for you to arrive.

Paul

Anonymous-0 · Apr 27, 2009

I always try to show the customer what the car needs, show him/her the bad parts . Makes it alot easier to sell the job . Lot of times I will even take pics and e-mail to doubting husbands . Too much work out there that needs to be done than try to scam anyone . MN joe , disconnecting your battery is erasing al your ECM drive strategy memory ,I'll see if I can find reset proceedure for you . Is it oil maint light , or service engine light that is coming on ?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 27, 2009

A few years back I had my '88 Chevy Astro in to the Chevy dealer (a respected, long established, but thrifty dealer) to have a problem repaired with the windshield wiper/computer. Well, as the tech set about to repair my wiper problem he also removed all four wheels. It wasn't too long, and the service writer came to me with quite a lengthy list of concerns. The tech had discovered, in addition to the repairs I had brought it in for, my van needed rear axle seals, rear brakes, tires, and a serpentine belt, as well as some rather extensive exhaust work. Of course, if I'd simply nod my head they'd get right at making all those critical repairs. I clearly let them know I was quite aware of the condition of all the items they were concerned about and to simply repair the wipers as I had asked them to do in the first place. I said I wasn't just born yesterday and was quite capable of taking care of that list myself.

NAPA isn't the only rip-off joint in town and they'll also try sellin' their wares to a man if they're desperate enough.

I go back there when necessary, but I'm not about to be sold.

Glenn F.

MarkB_MI · Apr 27, 2009

Dealerships have been using cheap oil changes to sell expensive repairs for years. Years ago I took my pickup into the dealer for a 20 buck oil change. I was told that my alternator was making noise and would go out any day. I said I'd take my chances. It did eventually fail, but about 80,000 miles later.

Of course he only wanted to sell you the outer tie rod ends: the inner ones are a bear to change!

Orangefever · Apr 27, 2009

I agree we have an o reileys and there straight forward , honest and i've never seen someone go out of there way to help a customer like they do I would'nt loose any sleep if they put all the others out of business

IH2444 · Apr 27, 2009

Getting ripped off and substandard work is why I do virtually all of my own vehicle maintenance.

The few times the wife has bypassed me there have been problems with 90% of the jobs.

Beake pads. Left an anti squeal pad out.
Front end alignment. Left the tie rod collar clamp bolts loose.
Tire change. Ruined a wheel cover lock.

RandyB(MI) · Apr 27, 2009

Instead of being mad , be happy that you were smart enough to see through the scam , but more importantly take the opportunity to spread the word to all the less knowlegable people that you come in contact with. Church , work place , barber shop etc,etc. These places thrive on the fact that people JUST DON'T TALK!!! I spoke at a senior center at the request of a lady that I "coached" through an unpleasant experience with her auto ins co after an accident. She told me that these people had no clue as to how they were being fleeced , lied to and led and they needed the info I had learned through the years of having to deal with them every day. I did as she asked and they were all greatful and it was a good feeling. If the people don't talk , the criminals will rule!!

Anonymous-0 · Apr 27, 2009

Interesting. I do part time parts delivery for our local NAPA store. Three of the counter guys work at car repair shops part time off and on, are certified. When there's been slack times in the past I've mentioned to them they should have a bay or two to do some repair work there at the store. They already have a shop with a couple full time guys who grind valves, rework heads- pretty much anything but grind cranks, and of course turn brake rotors and clutches. Here's what's interesting-- the counter guys are good workers and able to do most anything. When I asked them why they don't have bays to work on cars there they said THEY DON'T WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE SHOPS THEY SUPPLY PARTS TO. I didn't know any of them do.

Goose · Apr 27, 2009

I intend to talk to the guy.---After I've had time to cool off.

glennster · Apr 27, 2009

the industry term is called an "upsell". car comes in for one thing, the you try to sell the customer other work. real common in the corporate chain stores. that is why they have the fancy buidings, giant offices ect. chain store collision shops are the same way too.

Billy Shafer · Apr 27, 2009

My late wife took her car in for the state inspection. They told her it would not pass because the battery was weak. So she bought a new one. I was very upset when I found out. Went down to the garage and demanded they show me in the manual about the battery test. They refused so I told them they could explain it to the DPS inspector I was in the Guard with.Got a refund and a new battery. Not long after that the DPS shut them down for selling inspection stickers

lust for rust · Apr 27, 2009

I do agree that there are a lot of auto repair businesses and individuals out there that are ripping people off, especially when women come in. But there are also a lot of technicians out there that are very honest and only trying to make an honest living. When I worked at a new car dealership, I would check a car over for anything that might need repairs. The customer had the final say so and I did not pressure them. They could do it here, accross the street or do it themselves. It did not cost the customer any extra for these inspections. If they came in and said that they did not want me to look for other things, I respected their wishes. Also, I would bet if some of you took your car in for a oil change and then the front upper ball joint fell apart from being worn so bad and the tech did not inspect the vehicle, you would scream bloody murder and want to know why they didn't find that while the car was up on the lift. Seen it happen a few times.

Nancy Howell · Apr 27, 2009

No kidding?! I've dealt with it for over 40 yrs.

Maybe one of these days I'll share some of my "gotcha" stories where a male (there's a difference between being male and being a man) treated me like I was an idiot or inferior and found out otherwise.

Spook · Apr 27, 2009

I had a similar problem at a huge, multi outlet Chevy dealer.

Sean Feeney · Apr 28, 2009

Here in Ma getting annual inspection has become $29 plus 1 or 2 tires and there not needed, just jacking.

rbel · Apr 28, 2009

Was at a fast change oil shop one day when the guy came in with a small plastic pail with dirty gas and a dirty fuel filter. Told the guy he needed to change it. Guy says ok. He left and 15 mins later guy brings in the same pail same dirty gas and same fuel filter to show a young lady. Tells her it has to be changed or she probably won't make it home. Lady looks at me and I said excuse me but which car is yours. She points to one I know has the filter integral with the pump inside the tank. I said to the guy you pulled her gas tank? He turned white and ran back out and finished her car and my truck as fast as possible to get us out of the waiting area

tractormarkb · Apr 28, 2009

I had a Saturn once, the clutch wore out on it. I caled around for prices and the Dealership beat all others be $400. so I had them replace it. When the final bill came it was double what they origionaly quoted. then on my way out of the dealership the alternator died. Must be quidince they said another $287. I think they switched the alternator while it was at their garage for the week. I'll never deal with these people again!

CJ3b_jeep · Apr 28, 2009

The did this to my wife with her air filter a couple weeks ago. She told them I would replace it and picked one up at a local auto parts place. I took her old one out and the bolts holding it one were rusted and stuck, but the filter was fine. I think they showed her someone else's filter.

kyplowboy · Apr 28, 2009

My aunt found that out the hard way. Bought a new Old Bravada years ago. Always had neighbor good ol' boy change oil and such. Service engine light came on right at 50k miles. Took it right to the dealer, scared to death. They checked the oil and all fluids, belts, tire presure, ect. Took the batter cable off and charged her $150.

And people say USED car dealers are crooks.

Dave

jack harmon · Apr 28, 2009

reminds me of the time I worked at a major stores auto dept,manager carried a small bottle of wd-40 in his pocket,when he saw some old lady come in he would spray her shocks and tell her they were leaking.and make it sound as if the car was fixing to fall apart.then when they told him to go ahead he would just wipe them off and charge them,and pocket the money.I told the store manager and he didnt believe me,I quit the second day,because I didnt want no part of them.I heard the dept manager lost his job the next week because he tried it on the managers mother,idiot didnt remember they had put shocks on that car the month before!

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Apr 28, 2009

The shop I work in has let a couple guys go for claiming repairs that didn't need doing or flat out just not actually doing them.
When I became ASE Master Certified, part of the deal is you do nothing unethical. When I recommend a repair, I always am able to demonstrate to someone more knowledgeable than me that the repair needs to be made. That way if they go somewhere else for a second opinion, I don't look bad. I have absolutely no tolerance for lying/scamming people.

O/T Ripoffs............

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