They shouldnt have the same people diagnosing your car as the same people fixing it.

Posted By MonsterMommie on 05-15-2012 5:21 PM
Ok so I just wanna say that I know that they are doing their job, but grrrr! I am frustrated. I took my car in for a diagnostic, found out I had to replace the radiator and water pumps, and all hoses on a car I bought in September. Frustrating enought. Whelp,husband went to take the car in today for my appointment tomorrow, (I called to ask if my husband could drive it over today since I don't feel well and didn't want to take the little one up there and walk back in the morning) and it won't turn on. I call the autoport to arrange a tow. I go up there to hand in my keys and they ask what the problem is. I said I don't know, maybe the battery? It won't start and none of the lights turn on. So the guy whips out a book and tells me it will be (at first) about $100 to replace the battery. I asked how much to make SURE it was the battery before spending that much. He tells me $25 for a diagnostic...I just had one done, isn't it listed on the sheet? He says no, that was just for the overheating. Oh. I thought that diagnostics checked for all problems but whatever, I know nothing about auto repairs. So then he says if it is the battery it will be over $200...wait, didn't you just say $100? Oh, he was looking at the wrong one. Gotcha. Then he gathers up my paperwork and I remind him of my appointment in the morning, and ask if he could estimate the repair time for me. He looks confused and asks me if I ordered parts. I say yes, several weeks ago and it's costing me just over $1200 (just about as much as the dang car). He looks down, walks off and grabs a sheet and starts stapling stuff together. I'm nosy and trying to look over papers as he is doing this and notices something is off on the price...why am I paying close to $1600...instead of $1200? Ooops, he didn't bother to CHECK the paperwork and had grabbed someone else's paperwork (which if not checked would have had something completely different done on my car). Awesome. When he's done stapling he asks me, no freaking joke....do you want us to do it? I asked him, do what? Put in the radiator and pumps. My jaw dropped. Really? I have an appointment tomorrow for JUST THAT REASON! You JUST freaking read that I had an appointment! ARGH! 

This was my first experience with the Autoport garage, and I hope my last. But from what I've been told a lot of people go in there for one reason, and walk out with eight reasons why they need several thousand dollars worth of work done on a car. A good friend of mine went there last week for an inspection and was denied because of wrong size tires....even though the last inspection done with same tires on passed. It's going to cost her a couple hundred to fix that, and she needs *dat da da da* a new battery. Even though she's never had any issues with her current one.

Again, I'm sure they are just doing what they do, but it's frustrating to have a five minute conversation turn into a twenty minute, why aren't you paying attention/why is the price changing every five seconds type of event. I had to vent. I fully understand that my car is NOT new, and is old, and probably has had this problem for awhile ( I asked why it wasn't caught in inspection for the base before I bought it and I was told it isn't part of the inspection ).  I'm not mad, or ungrateful, just frustrated with the whole experience. I'm seriously worried I'm going to go to pick up my car and have to have MORE work done on it. 

Posted By ~Amy~ on 07-13-2012 4:57 PM
Keep telling yourself that Sauce. You might be one of the lucky ones. :o)

Posted By Vanilla Blue on 07-16-2012 1:17 PM
I have to share my recent story about them.

Last month, I bought a used car from the Lemon Lot. I discovered the hard way that the back door doesn't close easily and long story short--I ended up with a dead battery the next day.

The guy that jumped my car (Japanese road-side assistance provided one-time free through insurance company,) said that my battery was both dead and very old. I took it to Autoport and I got the rude guy (you all know which one I'm talking about!) who told me it would take 3+ hours to determine if it is the battery or alternator. However, he called me 15 minutes later and said I needed a new alternator AND battery to the tune of $600.

I told him to hold off. The next day I called and spoke with the female that works the counter. I explained to her why I was puzzled about the quick diagnosis. I told her I'd like another mechanic to check. She called me back an hour later and said I only needed a battery and my alternator is fine. It's been over a month now and my car is doing fine.

I am sending an ICE comment now that I'm settled in our house. Honestly, not that I expect much to come of it.


Vanilla Blue, When you ICE them use NAMES, DATES, and TIMES. Also, ask for a response. MAKE THEM RESPOND.