Greetings from SE Asia! I have a F-150 5.0 littre (302 cu inch) with about 230,000 miles. 2nd owner. Well, it lost power - some folks had syphoned off gas from both unlocked tanks. It happened outside a garage... Which indicated a defective "intake manifold". OK, i paid $ 500. Then they removed the tires and showed me brake fluid on the connecting hoses, near the brake shoes. (I hadn't asked them to check the brakes and knew braking was good - Yucca Valley is about 3,000 ft high). Anyhow, I ended up paying $ 1,800. But then they wrote they used "used parts". So they just took my money and I cannot even prove they didn't exchange any parts. OR CAN I? Maybe I can subpoena the record of them "ordering" those parts :--) ? *** Now I need to get a relais exchanged (indicators won't work) and the automatic transmission is leaking oil when the truck stands. SO DO YOU KNOW A BUSINESS OR MECHANIC IN THE HIGH DESERT you can recommend? Thanks a lot! The morale: a l w a y s ask for the old parts to be r e t u r n e d to you!!!

 

You got scammed - they will just lie anyways. They probably do it everyday. My dad and I were working on the road (OUT of STATERS) Anyway we were working on a fiber project in Pensacola, Florida. Dad had problems with his brakes on his 93 aerostar.so he took it to the ford dealer. It turned out to be the little return spring, simple couple dollar part-- anyway to make a long story short they presented him a bill for over $500 dollars to put that little spring on. My dad raised hell and said he wasnt going to pay , let him see the manager-- Instead they called the cops-- who forced him to pay the Bill (read highly Illegal) and he had the choice of leaving or going to jail-- yet he never threatened them at all-- SO, you can see some places have a nice racket going on.. ALot of places are like that. I had a friend that worked at a local oil changing chain. He was told no matter what to make the customer buy something else by telling them that say a air filter was no good. I think most shops work on the scam and screw theory to tell the truth. I guess the only lesson you learn is who not to take your vehicle to.

 

Or Be Your Own Mechainic Because You Got Screwed

 

Ghostgunn,

That's some good info about the Ford dealership, I'm from pensacola and I think I know the stealership your talking about. Most of the time being your own mechanic is the best route.

Sanders

 

Use visa or master card to pay. Write on invoice that the bill is more than what you were told it would be. Don't use a check because it will be theft if you cancel the check. But you can cancel visa or master card, call the credit card CO. tell them that there is a dispute over the bill. Then send a letter to the credit card CO. about the dispute. Send a certifed letter to the repair shop & make them an offer for repairs that you approved for.

 

I'll also try to get an inspector from Riverside look at the "repairs". Since the truck only drove 50 miles afterwards, I hope something can be proven. Chris

 

After paying $60.00 to get a radiator hose clamp replcaed, a few years back. I have become, unfortunately, very distrustful of most mechanics. Now whenever I need something repaired, I've done my homework. I know the price ranges of replacement parts. And I also request all my old parts, the boxes the new parts came in, and any paperwork or warranties the new parts have.
You live and learn from bad experiences.

 

Yours gratefully, Chris

 

mm1esg,did you get the repairs inspected,how did you come out??

 

Ask them if they can say Better Buisness Bureau ??

 

Unfortunatly, there's not much you can do. If it's a mom and pop shop, BBB wont hurt them at all. Even if it's not, it's unlikely that BBB will do anything, as very few people check with BBB before doing something. I'm one. I've checked BBB AFTER doing some stuff and found complaints against Lithia motors and a few companies I've gotten financing from. Ugh. BBB wont force a business to do anything, but can write letters warning them that a complaint is being filed against them.

I got VERY ripped off on an engine rebuild from a mom and pop shop, but I only found this out after I pulled the engine apart. Now, what can I do? If I take it back, they'll say it's not the engine I had rebuilt. I DO, however, tell every one I know about the shop. I even show them the work, if they are interested.

Worn main and cam bearings, scuffed pistons, scratched bores and a cracked head. All less than a year away from a rebuild. Plus, they used my old cam. Plus they told me they were boring the thing only ten over. The pistons are ALL marked that they are sixety over. Oh and they forgot to give me my horn back too. AND they totaly munched a set of MSD wires I had and said "It was that way when we got it." I may not be a pro, but building a set of plug wires is something my wife can do. They had no torn boots when I went in there.

 

All excellent info, it's time for me to be my own mechanic!