Recourse with Mechanic
 

I took my dad's 2005 Ford F150 5.4 Triton to a local mechanic here. I told them that my dad had taken it to the dealership to get plugs changed and quoted him over $2000 grand for plugs because they are those piece of shit two part plugs that break off and fall in the engine compartment. I told them that he had a misfire on cylinder 6 from the codes. I provided them with the codes since the battery had gotten totally drained and it wiped the codes. I wanted them to take a look at the issue as well.

Next day they call me and tell me they found the coil was bad on cylinder 6 and a few other minor things and the total will be around $750. I was pretty certain I had asked about the plugs and he told me that was included.

Two days later they tell me it is like $950 and all they did was basically replace the coil along with the other minor things like changing the oil and a couple of light bulbs. I asked about the spark plugs and he told me that he said they didn't want to do that the day before on the phone. I am a little pissed but say whatever you got me bent over I guess.

I remembered I had recording software on my phone that saves the last 40 telephone calls I have. I went back and listened and I specifically asked if the $750 included the coil and the plugs and he says yes.

As of me posting this I have not went up to pick up the truck. Do I go fight with them over it now or do I pay the fee and maybe take them to small claims court later?

Or am I just ****ed?

My ****ing blood is just boiling right now. Top it all off I am sick as shit too. Muther ****ers!!!

You shoulda brought it to SAUTO in the first place. I don't know what else to tell ya.

Dinny

I don't think he is in Omaha otherwise I probably would.

My mechanic always prints me off a quote of pricing and work Before I agree to letting them start work.

Why not call them back and tell them you have proof of the original quote ? It could be a mistake on their part they're not aware of.

From what I can see it take all of 10 minutes to replace the god damn coil on one of those.

Only Omaha?

Bring it to him anyway. He is worth every mile.

Dinny

Which would have been the smart thing to do but I am past the smart thing to do at this point.:D

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Just out of curiosity, where did you take it?

It is The Auto Station on 135th and Q.

I went back and listened to all the conversations again. In the first one they quote me $753 for the coil and plug(singular) along with all the other little stuff. I ask again and say coil and plugs(plural) and he says yes.

I then listened to the conversation I had today with him and he says he talked to me and he said they weren't doing the plug and that price didn't include the new coil. That is where it gets up to $950 whatever. Complete ****ing scam place. At the very least I believe they need to change at least the one plug and coil at the agreed upon price of $753.

Do I present the evidence now or just take them to small claims court?

You are not going to small claims over $200.

See bold.

Why wouldn't I? That is exactly what small claims court is for. And it would be more than $200. They didn't even do the work that was included in the $753 quote.

I would simply take the recording down to the shop. Maybe park around the corner and wait till a few customers are in there. Then pounce. Be sure that when you play the recording for him that it is loud enough for all to hear. I would simply ask him what he is going to do to about the work HE promised that was not done but is still charging you for. So what if he kicks you out. His potential time and energy spent for a dealing with a small claims, with a recording of his voice as evidence would be not worth the hassle for him. It would be in his best interests to do the work and not have you as a customer going forward.