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BENDER'S AUTOMOTIVE attempted poorly executed ripoff Newbury Park California
Brought my vehicle in because the air conditioner was blowing hot air (August of last year) - I was told they would do "diagnostics" on the AC system and then would call me back and let me know what it would cost to fix it. I get a call back and Mr. Bender (great name for an auto repair guy!)tells me he's got some "bad" news for me (man was that prophetic!) I am told I need a new compressor (which is the most expensive part) mind you my car is only 5 years old! Parts, labor, tax etc will come to $1,500.00! I said no thanks, I'll be there in 15 minutes to pick up the car (it didn't seem worth fixing - I thought it would be better to sell it and buy a new one).
Several months later while suffering thru a pretty hot southern California summer I took the car to Pep Boys to do an oil change. They called me a few hours later and told me they noticed the belt to my AC compressor was missing - "would you like us to replace it?" Sure I told them - how much? $50.00 sooooo I guess I saved $1,450 dollars cause my AC works perfectly again
Bob
THOUSAND OAKS,CA., California
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
No thanks!
#7Author of original report
Thu, July 02, 2015
I wouldn't even park a car near your shop let alone ever come back - remember - I drove an ENTIRE summer in Southern California without AC because I believed you and couldn't afford your repair quote. Pep boys found the missing belt (btw GMC Trucks have more than one belt so your first excuse is ZERO) You lied or your mechanic lied (which means you hired a liar) No trust = no business and no referrals. PERIOD. Not sure why RR.com didn't contact me about this last rebuttal - all I'm getting now is a little more incentive to write a complaint on other more local sites.
Truth NEVER changes.
#7Author of original report
Thu, July 02, 2015
Inspite of Mr. Benders claims my original story remains 100% intact - I woiuld never trust this shop with ANY work and would never reccomend them to any family or friends. The first impression was a lasting one.
Bob
THOUSAND OAKS,CA.,California,
U.S.A.
No hate - just facts.
#7Author of original report
Wed, July 11, 2012
There is no hate or vendetta going on here - the original post was to alert others about my experience with your shop. Got better things to do than lie on a post like this to destroy someone's business. The internet is a wonderful tool and this site provides quite a service to it's members, and people searching BEFORE trying out a new company - wish someone would have posted on here about your company BEFORE I gave it a try - it would have saved me driving around in a hot car for a few months without AC. CUSTOMER SERVICE and HONESTY are still highly valued and rewarded in our society - this site helps that cause.
BA1
NEWBURY PARK,California,
United States of America
A/C FACTS
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, July 11, 2012
Just to let u know i just saw your attemp at trying to bash poeple or a business thats what angry dishonest people do. someone who is more of a honest person would make a phone call or stop by and inform owner,manager or whoever hey this is what happend and almost all of my customers do. your senerio is very unlikely and for someone to wait 6 years and watch these post well you can figure it out. no one is perfect and misstakes get made if you were unhappy about the diagnosis, right or wrong like i tell all of my customers ask to see what we are talking about. i love show and tell with my customers.
it helps my to know them better and when i explain a problem i can see if they understand so i can help them better.the real problem is posting anyone can do no fear no guilt saying whatever they want and they know its mostly not TRUE its how they feel, cheated or betrayed,taken advantage of. if in your case why did you not get a second opinion and then bring it to me and as you would like to do shove it in my face. if there was no belt you could have brought it in when u found out and the odds are in your favor i would have put a belt on for free.
im sorry you feel so vengfull and hatefull but comunication by telling someone is very helpfull. there are tons of these sites and i dont see all of them. but if you read my responces and i have poeple who will tell you exactly what went down most of the posts are false. the senereo did happen but not how it was told its in a emotional state and not seeing what actually went down. so again sorry i know all the bobs in my database and if you were a 1st timer i dont remember. your post is up you dont have to hold in illwill toward others for so long. poeple know there is some truth in there somewhere they can make their own choices. good luke to you BOB. CHRIS
Bob
THOUSAND OAKS,CA.,California,
U.S.A.
Standing FIRM
#7Author of original report
Sat, July 07, 2012
I stand FIRMLY behind my original post. If your "mechanic" on duty couldn't find a broken or missing belt perhaps he should find a different line of work. The truth is you (or your employee) lost a lot of potential work by being DISHONEST with me.............I reward good businesses with lots of referals AND I take the time to post good, and bad reviews when they are deserved. Your bad review WAS WELL DESERVED.
BA1
NEWBURY PARK,California,
United States of America
A/C FACTS
#7REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sat, July 07, 2012
Hi some a/c facts. in order to properly diagnose an a/c system. 1st is visual, check for leaks and if the compressor is locked up or turning while the engine is on. it has to have a BELT to do so. then hook up gauges to check pressures to see if system is full of freon or empty and if the system is working proporly or not. Now as for a customer not having a belt. most vehicles only have 1 belt which means the vehicle would overheat or not run. most compacts have 2 or 3 belts. so to blatently try to sell a customer a compressor when missing a belt would not be to smart since most people when hearing a noise from the motor when the belt broke off would mean that they looked under the hood. which most people do out of couriosity. now one other important part is that this shop has never sold a complete a/c job for more than about 1100.oo dollars. most a/c jobes run about 795.00 to 1100. average is 950. even a mercedes is about 1000.00 with a compressor. these units run 350.00 to 600.00 dollars, 3 hour labor 282.00, freon 75.00,a/c oil 5.00, and a dryer 55.00. also if the customer had a complaint he could have called or had us show him what we found when he picked up the car. another note i never say i have bad news never have never will. i let you know what we found on your vehicle. and that is why i do not believe this person was ever really here. any questions feel free to call and ask. chris/805-376-2497