Comments on: How can I get an auto repair shop to refund me money without going to court?

By: JSalakar

JSalakar — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:07:59 +0000

I don’t understand why you are unhappy. I mean, the shop fixed your car and got you back on the road. You didn’t mention that you have had any problem with it since they fixed it. You saw the quote and agreed to the price. I have no idea whether the estimate they quoted you was high or not, because I’m not a mechanic.

It seems to me that the only thing you are upset about is that you couldn’t get away with disputing the charge like you had planned on to get out of actually paying for the work, which is being extremely dishonest! I’m happy your plan fell apart, because it’s people like you that cause the prices to go up for the rest of us, who are honest when it comes to paying for the things we buy or the services we need.

If I don’t get the 10 points for giving you my opinion, then so be it. At least, I can go to sleep at night with a clear conscious, because I have not tried to cheat anybody out of anything.
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By: ladylucknc

ladylucknc — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:23:59 +0000

They fixed your car right?
They gave you an estimate up front right?
You agreed to this estimate right?
If you answer yes to all these questions, then you don’t have a leg to stand on.
When the garage quoted you a price for the labor and you agreed to that amount you entered into a contract. They performed the work, and I assume that it was done correctly because you haven’t complained about that, so they held up their end of the contract. You paid them so you held up your end of the contract.
Now you want to go back and change the terms of the contract? You can’t do that, your time to change the terms have passed.
Why are you so disappointed in the system? The system has nothing to do with your situation. The "system" is in place for people who make a contract with another party and one of the partys involved doesn’t hold up their end of the contract.
The situation that you are in would be no different than if your boss hired you to perform a job, you did the job, and then he decided that he didn’t want to pay you for the job done. Would you be happy in that situation, because that is exactly what you are trying to do to this garage.
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By: Ironhand

Ironhand — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:36:59 +0000

If you signed a repair order with the written estimate for the 7 hours and the parts, you are most likely NOT going to get anywhere.
IF, however, you were not offered a wirtten estimate, you MAY be able to collect damages.
In any event, if Florida Attorney General could not recommend an advocacy or watchdog agency, about anything you get is going to be through the courts.

Good Luck
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ASE Tech

By: edselmanll

edselmanll — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:49:59 +0000

get some legal letterhead paper and send them a demand for refund or you’ll take them to court, worth a try.

Remember, it doesn’t cost much to take them to small claims and let the judge settle it.
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By: mailbox1024

mailbox1024 — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:36:59 +0000

Unless you can prove that the repair was defective, you may not have a recourse. You already admitted that you pre- meditated to file a claim so i think you are just looking for money and not at the quality of repair.Do some homework , find out what the actual labor repair in hours that the repair should actually take. But 7 hours labor could be the fair time.Even if you filed a claim or stopped payment on your credit card, there may be a possibilty that you may be sued for non-payment. Then in the end you would be footing a bigger bill. good luck
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By: CowboyBill

CowboyBill — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:27:59 +0000

Seven hours labor is an insane charge for this…BBB is a joke. I hate to say it but this will probably have to be chalked-up to one of those $hit eating life lessons.
Not much help, I’m afraid, but trust me….a weird sort of karma does exist in automobile world. This shlep will get his one day. I’ve been associated with the auto & repair industry for thirty years and these @ss-holes are getting fewer and farther between every day. Just pray he screws up and pulls this stunt on a physco lawyer soon and watch what happens!
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By: Justa_Honay_Guy

Justa_Honay_Guy — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:03:59 +0000

First off. Did they fix your car so you get to your destination? If they did and you told them to go ahead with the work. Thats a verbal contract or did you sign a work order? Thats as good as a contract. If they charged you what you feel is to much, well tough chit. You agreed to it.
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By: dodge man

dodge man — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:18:59 +0000

i own a repair shop,and you are liable to pay the bill if the work was done,but it doesn’t take 7 hours to do,,its like a 2 hour job at the most to do you cant get out of paying nothing for the repair,,even if you fight it and win the cost to do so is going to be 10 times more than you will get back,and that’s a lot just to prove a point id chalk it up to bad experience and let it go,,if you loose you,ll wind up maybe having to pay the repair shop more if one of the mechanics has to go to court and loose a day of pay for it,,either way your going to loose something out of it,good luck if you decide to pursue it,,your going to need it,i hope this help,s.
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been a certified mechanic for 36 yrs.

By: emilystartsfires

emilystartsfires — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:34:59 +0000

I live with a mechanic. He said 7 hours on a master and slave is a good quote for that make/model because you have to tear the engine apart to get to it. You really can't get them to refund anything because when you sign the paper that gives them permission to work on your car you are also releasing their liability as long as they use new parts. Pal, you got screwed because you thought you could screw them. They gave you a good deal. Shame on you.
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By: melissa

melissa — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:24:59 +0000

Threaten to take them on Judge Judy……she hates the ‘big’ guy. he’ll fold like a house of cards…..
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