freakshow54
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Tennessee
I will try to make this as brief as possible, and note that I don't have estimates or invoices in front of me so dates are as close as I can possibly get from memory.
My car had been sputtering for a bit, and I decided to go in for a tuneup at at major car repair chain (approximately May 17th). They ended up replacing several things, including spark plugs, distributor cap, and rotor button. They told me my car needed platinum plugs, and gave me two estimates accordingly. I told them to put in what my car needed. They told me if I had any further problems, they didn't have the diagnostic tools they would need to diagnose the problem. This visit cost me $249.89
The next morning, my car stalled. As a result of their comment about diagnostic tools, I brought my car to the place it was purchased, a large chain of new & used car dealerships. They told me that the problem was a result of the spark plugs not being platinum. This bill was for $215.05
I called the repair center the same day to let them know that I would be coming by, and what the issue was. I was unable to make it to the center for approximately a week. When I went, they refused to cover anything except the parts and labor for the spark plugs. This was a refund for $59.94
Fast forward to last Friday, June 2nd. I was on my way to Ohio, when my car stalled on the highway. The engine wouldn't turn over. I ended up getting a tow to a dealership of my car's make in the town I was driving to, approximately 170 miles away. This was approximately $135 after a AAA discount.
After they looked at it today, the dealership called me to let me know that at this point, they suggest replacing the motor with a used motor. They estimate $2711.93 for parts and labor on that. They also said I owe them $125.13 for work that had already been done. They told me that the distributor cap had been blown out because the rotor button was installed improperly. They also told me that this blowout would possibly cause my car to stall, and could very likely cause the car not to start. I won't know until tomorrow (when the technician is there) what further damage could have been caused as a result.
I called the customer service line for the repair shop I went to in the first place, and filed a complaint, as they told me that each center handles any claims themselves. I then notified that original shop that I had filed a complaint and that I am waiting to have invoices and estimates in hand before further action.
Now, getting to my question.
What is the best way to handle this at this point? I would prefer to keep this out of court, but I want to handle it in a way that won't damage my chances in small claims court if necessary.
A more specific question; If I were to go into the center to discuss what they are willing to do about this, and I accept a refund for any of it, does that negate any claims I might have for taking them to court?
And lastly, if this can't be resolved out of court, is it worth my while to persue small claims action?
I will try to make this as brief as possible, and note that I don't have estimates or invoices in front of me so dates are as close as I can possibly get from memory.
My car had been sputtering for a bit, and I decided to go in for a tuneup at at major car repair chain (approximately May 17th). They ended up replacing several things, including spark plugs, distributor cap, and rotor button. They told me my car needed platinum plugs, and gave me two estimates accordingly. I told them to put in what my car needed. They told me if I had any further problems, they didn't have the diagnostic tools they would need to diagnose the problem. This visit cost me $249.89
The next morning, my car stalled. As a result of their comment about diagnostic tools, I brought my car to the place it was purchased, a large chain of new & used car dealerships. They told me that the problem was a result of the spark plugs not being platinum. This bill was for $215.05
I called the repair center the same day to let them know that I would be coming by, and what the issue was. I was unable to make it to the center for approximately a week. When I went, they refused to cover anything except the parts and labor for the spark plugs. This was a refund for $59.94
Fast forward to last Friday, June 2nd. I was on my way to Ohio, when my car stalled on the highway. The engine wouldn't turn over. I ended up getting a tow to a dealership of my car's make in the town I was driving to, approximately 170 miles away. This was approximately $135 after a AAA discount.
After they looked at it today, the dealership called me to let me know that at this point, they suggest replacing the motor with a used motor. They estimate $2711.93 for parts and labor on that. They also said I owe them $125.13 for work that had already been done. They told me that the distributor cap had been blown out because the rotor button was installed improperly. They also told me that this blowout would possibly cause my car to stall, and could very likely cause the car not to start. I won't know until tomorrow (when the technician is there) what further damage could have been caused as a result.
I called the customer service line for the repair shop I went to in the first place, and filed a complaint, as they told me that each center handles any claims themselves. I then notified that original shop that I had filed a complaint and that I am waiting to have invoices and estimates in hand before further action.
Now, getting to my question.
What is the best way to handle this at this point? I would prefer to keep this out of court, but I want to handle it in a way that won't damage my chances in small claims court if necessary.
A more specific question; If I were to go into the center to discuss what they are willing to do about this, and I accept a refund for any of it, does that negate any claims I might have for taking them to court?
And lastly, if this can't be resolved out of court, is it worth my while to persue small claims action?
