Auto service and false advertising

@speakeasy (4171)
United States
May 24, 2008 8:37pm CST
We have all run into it - the big promises and come-ons to get you in the door of an auto repair shop and then the experience quickly goes from bad to worse. I am a big believer in checking places out before I need any major repairs on my car. A simple way to do that is to get a minor service done when it is not a rush or a big deal and see if these people live up to what they promise. Lately, I have been seeing a lot of ads for a company called "Brakemasters" in my area. They claim things like: "Express Oil Change Most Services in One Hour Service While You Wait" It was a slow day and I was sent home early from my job; so, I decided I would try their "Lube, Oil, and Filter" special. When I went in there were only 3 bays open (2 still had the doors rolled down) and only 2 cars in the open bays. Just 3 cars in the entire parking lot, including mine. Not real busy. The manager greeted me when I walked in and said he would assist me when he finished with the customer ahead of me. Not a problem. I stood there patiently waiting while he went into a long detailed highly embroidered explanation of what her vehicle needed and how much it would cost. (NOTE: I had the same work done the previous year by a trusted mechanic for half the price he was quoting her.) I was very careful to keep a straight face and not make ANY comments or sounds during this process. When he finished bamboozling this poor woman, I handed him my coupon and told him I was there to try out his lube, oil, and filter service. He then told me that he "didn't have time or enough mechanics" for it "right now"; but, if I would leave my vehicle there for a couple of HOURS he could get to it later in the day and he would even provide me with a ride back to work or my home; and then, back to his shop. (He didn't have time or mechanics to do an "Express Oil Change"; but, he did have time to have someone shuttle me around.) OR, if that was not convenient, I could make an appointment two days later. I politely informed him that that was OK and I just turned around and left. Perhaps - "Express Oil Change, Most Services in One Hour, and Service While You Wait" are the company's fantasy; but, they clearly were not the reality. I also do not trust any company that tries to separate you from your vehicle for a long period of time for something simple like an oil change or a tire rotation. My husband once took his vehicle in for an oil change and caught the mechanic removing his spark plugs. For those of you who are not familiar with cars - spark plugs and oil changes have nothing in common. My husband made him put the spark plugs back and stood there and watched him perform the rest of the oil change. Neither of us ever used that mechanic shop again; and, less than a year later that garage was out of business. So, share some stories. What false advertising have you caught repair shops doing? What questionable or even illegal practices have you caught them doing (or trying to do) to your vehicle?
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