Ellis Brooks Chevrolet Cadillac Pontiac Buick GMC Saab They did nothing to fix my car or diagnosis my problem and still charged me $250 San Francisco California
I brought in my 2006 Pontiac G6 to Ellis Brooks because it was make a scratching noise when I would turn the wheel left. The employees claim there was nothing wrong with my car and that since it wasn't under warranty I would have to pay $250. They did completely nothing to fix my car or diagnosis why it was making this noise. I reported this business to the Better Business Bureau and Ellis Brooks responded multiple times saying they see no reason to give me a refund for my money. This is a clear case of highway robbery. I can not believe how rude and unprofessional their employees act! If you have a problem(s) with your vehicle take it else where or be prepared to get rip off.
Angel
Fullerton, California
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Lee
Moreno Valley,California,
U.S.A.
Do you like to get paid for work you do, or work for free?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 11, 2009
Dealerships and technicians have to be paid for their expertise and time. They have overhead! I am sure you like to be paid for work you do, so do technicians. A minimum diagnosis fee is common in the auto industry, not only at dealerships, but even at most independant facilities too. Everybody has bills to pay. A diagnosis fee pays the shop for the average time they have to spend on a vehicle. I find it ironic that all professions have minimum service charges or office visit fees: electricians, plumbers, doctors, dentists, lawyers, but the auto facility is always the one everyone complains the most about.
Lee
Moreno Valley,California,
U.S.A.
Do you like to get paid for work you do, or work for free?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 11, 2009
Dealerships and technicians have to be paid for their expertise and time. They have overhead! I am sure you like to be paid for work you do, so do technicians. A minimum diagnosis fee is common in the auto industry, not only at dealerships, but even at most independant facilities too. Everybody has bills to pay. A diagnosis fee pays the shop for the average time they have to spend on a vehicle. I find it ironic that all professions have minimum service charges or office visit fees: electricians, plumbers, doctors, dentists, lawyers, but the auto facility is always the one everyone complains the most about.
Lee
Moreno Valley,California,
U.S.A.
Do you like to get paid for work you do, or work for free?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, February 11, 2009
Dealerships and technicians have to be paid for their expertise and time. They have overhead! I am sure you like to be paid for work you do, so do technicians. A minimum diagnosis fee is common in the auto industry, not only at dealerships, but even at most independant facilities too. Everybody has bills to pay. A diagnosis fee pays the shop for the average time they have to spend on a vehicle. I find it ironic that all professions have minimum service charges or office visit fees: electricians, plumbers, doctors, dentists, lawyers, but the auto facility is always the one everyone complains the most about.
Joe
Austin,Texas,
U.S.A.
I DON'T KNOW A SHOP YET THAT DOESN'T CHARGE A FEE TO LOOK AT YOUR CAR...
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, January 21, 2009
I am not naming any names.
My sister worked there as a Mercedes Benz tech, she also learned to repair Volvos, Toyotas and taught herself to repair others. She worked at a LOT of shops and dealerships in the entire state before she retired.
She said in EVERY shop she ever worked for THERE WAS A MINIMUM CHARGED to even LOOK at your car --A BASE FEE.
You took your Mercedes in and there was a fee in the shop where she worked and it was $200 and THAT was back in the 1970s! You were charged that before she even opened the hood up. She did not fool around, She knew what she was doing and she worked fast and she worked accurately and she did not believe in cheating anybody.
BUT THAT $200 FEE WAS TRUE FOR EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD NO MATTER WHO YOU WERE, WHAT YOUR PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE OR EVEN IF YOU HAD A PROBLEM.AND IF YOU GOT MAD AND HAD YOUR CAR TOWED OFF, YOU STILL OWED $200 TO THEM.
THE PRICE MIGHT VARY FROM SHOP TO SHOP BUT EVERYBODUY WAS ASSESSED THAT BASE PRICE.
Wilson
Walnut Creek,California,
U.S.A.
You're not covered by warranty and you wanted a free diagnosis?
#7Consumer Comment
Wed, January 21, 2009
The $250 is for the examination and labor.
You car made a scratching noise when you turn the wheel left? While driving?
What did the written estimate and receipt breakdown for the $250?
John
Memphis,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
This Is Just The Beginning
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 21, 2009
With the steady decay in car sales you will find dealerships scrambling to make up the income shortfall in other areas, especially service. They will charge you for virtually anything now and the diagnostic charge is a favorite. Some dealers will actually use a lot boy to drive the car and check for problems. Charge the customer about $90/hr and the lot boy gets about $8/hr. The gravy train has arrived.
This is why I recommend establishing a good relationship with an independent garage, one that you can really trust. They tend to take care of their steady customers.