Complaint Review: AFS Auto

 I own a 1994 Dodge Ram 3500 in next to new condition that needed a bi annual E test and I noticed this business not far from my home with a sign out front advertising they did E Tests. I stopped in and set up a time for them to perform this job. The next few days I took my truck over to have them perform E test, which they did and the truck passed "Emissions" test. The owner and his Son (not sure if I have their nationality correct but id guess East Indian or similar) who both work in the shop as mechanics seemed like decent guys so I asked them while my truck was in there to change the windshield wiper motor and also change engine oil, oil and fuel Filters. They called me to inform me my truck was ready and over I went to pay my bill and get on with my day. I had expected the total for work performed would be somewhere between $600-$700 and imagine my shock when he handed me an invoice for $1168. They had itemized the E Test, wiper motor, diagnoses, remove and replace of 2hrs which I thought was too expensive but no big deal id let that go, also itemized oil and filter change, then over 2 hrs for fuel filter change but again no biggie I'll let that go too. Then on the invoice is this "Full Service" and a $500 hit for this. I asked umm what is this "Full Service", and I'm told, well we go over your vehicle front to back.. My reply, one, I didn't ask you to do that and two there's nothing wrong with my truck and if there was I'd have asked you to do it. I've been a mechanic most of my 55yrs and when you drive a vehicle every day you tend to know every noise creak and groan from them. I knew what I wanted done and nothing more.

Prior to me getting hit with this bogus invoice and before they did my oil and filter changes I showed the owner a crack in a weld on my rear trailer hitch and also a broken grease zert in the dump box hinge that I asked him to fix, which was overlooked and never done after I picked my truck up, I guess they forgot that and missed it during their "Full Service" In my upset state, the owner on the day I went to pick my truck up after these alleged repairs, while standing at the counter and he slapped me with this bogus invoice tells me to "Sign here" which not thinking fast enough, I did. I didn't have enough money in my bank account to pay his $1168 bill so I had to write one post dated cheque for $500 to be cashed that day and the remaining $658 balance for 2 weeks later. After I left I started making phone calls to different people I know in the auto industry including 2 Chrysler dealers as to what the would charge and AFS Auto clearly ripped me off for all parts and their labour for the things I asked them to do. I recalculated what the invoice "should've" been from any reputable repair shop and I wrote a second cheque out that was fair for an additional $248 which I thought as a good guy I'd take and hand deliver to AFS Auto. He wouldn't accept it and said he would take next steps to get his money from me. So I was so upset I called my bank and put a stop payment on 2nd post dated cheque. I get a call from the owner Ali of AFS Auto and he informs me that I'm "White Trash" and if this invoice isn't Paid In Full he will "teach me how the laws work in this country" and have my truck repossessed. I called my lawyer and another friend who owns a auto repair shop out of town and they both inform me they can only put a Lien against my vehicle.

Then today I get a phone call from a Baliff telling me if I don't deliver the remaining balance to AFS Auto TODAY my truck will in fact be repossessed this weekend and then it'll be sold etc etc. But they will get their money. I don't begrudge anyone of earning an honest living not do I take advantage of others because I'll pay for work I asked to be done but when people feel they have the right to add extra bogus charges on an invoice especially when it was never asked for nor did they do that work yes I have a real issue with that. I'm concerned for all the unsuspecting clients that happen into places like AFS Auto and are forced to pay unrealistic charges such as what I've gone through. What has this world come to and sad when certain companies feel they can swipe the pen across an invoice and charge prices like this. Funny thing is, AFS Auto always seems to have empty work bays. Other than a few commercial accounts that don't know any better that continue to keep getting work done by these crooks not many vehicles in there. Sadly I trusted then and I called my lawyer this morning to see what I can do about this. I'll take his cheque over, actually I'm going to mail it to them because the mood I'm in over this rip off I don't trust myself how I'll react if I see him face to face. I've never sued anyone before but I'm not letting this go simply bc of the principal. I can't ever remember such a hideous thing happening to me but I do know I had to warn others about this company to Stay Away so you can avoid falling victim as I have.

Something else I've learned from all of this is Don't Sign when they tell you to, no matter what state your mind is in at the time of shock staring at an illegitimate invoice. That's where I made my biggest mistake was signing that invoice and the other mistake I made was putting my trust in AFS Auto.