Let's not mince words, there has been much discussion on ActiveRain in the past, few days and here's my analogous post.

Putting on the Brakes

The other week I took my car in to get a routine service inspection.

I took the car to a recognized, national franchise.  They are well-known.  The manager, JC, was a piece of work . . . although I didn't know it at the time.

He was flattery, and professionalism, all at the same time.  He told me how very well I kept my vehicle, saying that he could tell.  My car is a 2002 Mercedes Benz ML 500.  He said I have treated that car well. 

After only 15 or 20 minutes of waiting, JC told me there was really nothing wrong with my car, other than it needed to have the oil changed . . . and new brakes; both front and rear.  He'd have the quote for me in a minute, and he recommended I use "factory" parts.  Since I took such good care of my car, he said, I should continue doing so and "factory parts are just so much better," he said with his lips firmly planted to my ass.

He had no problem quoting me over $1,500 for the job.

Kinda high for brakes, I thought, even with factory parts.

When I said "Okay," he wouldn't let it go.  He would not release my car to me.  He knew he had a sucker on the line . . . and that's when he told me he needed a "down payment" from me so he could order the parts.

Not only have I NEVER paid for parts in advance, I never heard of people paying for parts in advance, or putting a "deposit" on repairs, as JC termed it.  

It was at that exact moment that I knew JC was a full of monkey grease

But he had one thing that belonged to me . . . MY CAR!

So I smiled and didn't make a big deal about it.  I wasn't worried about the money I was being EXTORTED for the parts, even though I wasn't driving home with them on my vehicle.

What I was really, really, REALLY concerned with was the following:  They had my car!

I knew I was dealing with a thug . . . but he had one thing in his possession . . . my possession!  My car was out of my sight.  I just smiled and said "Oh sure . . . no problem, I'll come back at 10:00."  

There was JC, and two mechanics.  All of which looked as though they hit the sauce pretty hard!  I did not trust them . . . not a one!  

And when you know you are being robbed, conned and taken for a fool, you play the game and hope the criminals don't do MORE damage!  They had my car.  Don't piss them off.

I was all smiles and happy face and when JC had an inch . . . that SOB took a mile.  At first he told me that I had to pay for the "parts" in advance, but the minute he had my debit card he charged the ENTIRE quote!  Yes, he did!  He stole over $1,500 of my money -- right before my eyes.

This is how desperate people are when it comes to YOUR MONEY!  They wanted my "deposit on parts" which turned into me being billed the entire "quote".  I suspect this was to assure my return.  To force my business? IDIOTS!

And I smiled and said "WOW, I never paid for a mechanic job on my car before the work was even preformed" all stupid and blonde-like.   JC didn't respond directly to that comment, but replied,  "Well, we'll see you tomorrow.  Come by at 10:00 . . . we'll have donuts!"

After I got my property back -- my car -- back safe and sound in my home, I called and CANCELLED the appointment, and said I wanted a full refund.

JC got defensive, rude and intimidating.  He told me he would have to change me a "restock" fee because Mercedes had already delivered the parts.  HUH . . . it had been less than an hour.  He also said I would have to come back with the card so he could refund the money.

The next day I went back to that rip off, national brand name.  And I'm NOT making this up . . . all three mechanics were waiting for me!  They were in the bay, lined up in a row, looking directly at me with their arms crossed, staring me down.

I don't intimidate easily and I laughed at all of those grease meinkees and said

"Oh, looks like the GANG'S all here!"

Because that's what they are . . . a gang of thieves!

I was refunded my full amount -- over $1,500.

And the rest of the story . . . 

Yesterday I took my car in to Les Schwab's for a FREE brake check.  Les Schwab Tire Centers company is a local business and they sell brakes and tires, and specialize in that.

That's all they do . . . brakes . . . tires . . . tires . . . brakes.

And guess what kids?  I don't need brakes!  I have about 60% left.  The rotors are fine . . . sensors fine!

Everything that the "other" national name company said my car needed -- and took over $1,500 from my bank account for work never performed --  my car does NOT need.  

Do I want to tell my local community that they may want to to stay clear of this national name?   Hell yeah!  

There is some stank going around AR about  "points of view" and the cavelier claptrap about:  There's your side, their side and the truth.  

But the TRUTH is often one side . . . in this case, the "truth" IS my side

The EVIDENCE is that over $1,500 was taken from my bank, when NO WORK WAS EVER DONE . . . and the work that was supposed to be needed . . . wasn't necessary.

There ARE people who cross the line.  All.  The.  Time.  

I was almost robbed out of $1,500!  

Les Schwab Tire Centers gave me a second opinion . . . a TRUSTED ONE!

My car does NOT need brakes!

Les Schwab Tire Centers -- a company that sells brakes --  told me I did NOT NEED BRAKES!!   They told me the TRUTH and valued me as a customer, person and member of my local community.  They didn't try to shake me down or extort funds from me . . . as the national name mechanic folks were attempting to do.

Do I say nothing?  Do I stay "classy" (whatever that means).  Don't you WANT TO KNOW THEIR NAME?!?  

I bet you do!

Don't you want to know what national name brand mechanic center tries to sell products your vehicle doesn't need?

Yeah, I'm sure they just "made a mistake" when they said I needed brakes . . . to the tune of $1,500.

Yeah, I'm sure they NEVER did that to other customers!

What a bunch of savvy mechanics if they can't discern 60% of life left in the brakes.  

Do I CARE about the people in my local area and want to warn them?!?  Yes, yes I do.

I LOVE honest!

I DETEST dishonest!

So . . . Meineke on SW Canyon Store #991 tired to play fast and loose with me.  They tried to sell me brakes with all the fixin's when my vehicle does not need brakes.  They took over $1,500 without even doing ANY WORK . . . taking the money straight out of my bank w/my debit card.  They caused me upset, they were intimidating towards me and I had to demand a full refund. 

Les Schwab Tire Centers CAN boost about "doing the right thing" -- because they do!  They are a great company with honest employees

This is their tagline . . .