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European Auto Repair ripoff Boca Raton Florida
I came to the European auto mechanic for two reasons:
1) to check my headlights
2) to replace my wiper blades.
They told me that there was no problems with the headlights. Howevers, they replaced the wiper blades within 2 minutes. Fine. I went inside to pay. Frank told me the total was $15.01. I signed the receipt and left the shop. I did not realized that he had charged me $51.05 on my credit card until I got home that afternoon. I contacted my VW dealership service dept and asked to speak to a service advisor. The dealership's service advisor told me that the cost to change the wiper blades is $12.00 (parts) & he would change it for me with no labor charge. I contacted European auto mechanic shop, spoke with Frank, explained to him that I feel this is a mistake and I don't want to pay for $51.05 (two Bosch Micro Edge at $23.95 each + tax) to replace my wiper blades when it should only cost $12. Frank gave me some story that the wiper blades that I got is a Bosch which are high quality blades and it like buying a blouse from Bealls vs Bloomingdales. I told him I don't need high quality wiper blade just ones that would does the job. I told Frank that I would take my car back in to get them taken off and get a refund. He told me that they won't take them off because I sign & paid for them. I explained to him that I understood the price to be $15 which is reasonable. I told him that it's only been 5 hours since I was at their shop and I don't want overcharged wiper blades on my vehicle - it is unnecessary. There is a big difference between $15 vs $51. He refused to take them back & is uncooperative. Furthermore, I think that this is price gouging because I am a woman. I informed him that I would be contacting the BBB on this issue and dispute with my credit card. He said to go ahead and that I should just accept it.
At the very least they should either refund me the difference of $39 or take the wiper blades back and give me my full refund. I attempted to get this issue resolved as a misunderstanding but they are not cooperating. It appears that they have do not believe in customer service, warranty, or guarantee of the service / parts they are selling to consumers.
FRANK is the type scum that give auto mechanics a bad rep. Afterwards, I checked with Advance Auto Parts regarding the Bosch Micro Edge wiper blades which FRANK claims to be "high quality wiper blades" and it only cost $12.94. NOW THAT is dispicable...
Chi
Boca Raton, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Okay... Here's what you need to do
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sun, July 17, 2005
Here's what you need to do. First, contact the store in question and request the owner. If they won't present that person, write down the name of the owner from the business license. It MUST be in plain view along with the shop's MVR Certificate. That paper will be attached to a large blue poster, also in plain view.
If neither of these are visible to the public, they are not in compliance with Florida law. Write down EVERYTHING you find on both papers. I did a quick check for either of AAMCO or European Auto Repair in Boca Raton with sunbiz.org and could not find either listed in the Fictitious Name listings.
This may or may not indicate the company is fraudulent and illegal. Businesses that have been around for decades don't always show up. If the owner will not cooperate, and he probably won't, report the business to the Dept of Agriculture at www.800helpfla.com and file your complaint under the consumer affairs listing. Keep in mind, you DID sign the reciept.
All the business has to do is show that to the investigator and you lose. Your only real hope is that the guy would try to keep a customer happy and do you right. If he does not have a legal business however, the ball's in your court. Good luck.
Chi
Boca Raton,Florida,
U.S.A.
RE: What does AAMCO have to do with this?
#4Author of original report
Sun, July 17, 2005
What does AAMCO have to do with this?
Here is your answer... If you been to this shop before, you would see the AAMCO sign on the store; however, they also listed as European Auto Repair on their invoice. Maybe you don't know that some businesses can incorporate themselve under different names.
As for why you I didn't look at the receipt when I signed it, that was my mistake and I admit to trusting merchants to be honest. While in a rush to get to other things in life, I am sure that many of us humans are have purchase things. While at the cashier gotten rung up and told that $15.01 is being charged to the credit card, get the receipt, signed it and walked away. And no this is not a normal habit.
Robert
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
What does AAMCO have to do with this?
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, July 16, 2005
You have this report under AAMCO Transmissions. I guess you don't know the difference between one shop and another. Also, parts houses like Advance sell stuff cheap because they buy the stuff in trainloads, unlike a repair shop that installs the parts they sell. No big deal except you don't understand capitalism at all. As for the refund, you should get something for the trouble. If the guy told you $15 for parts and labor, then it should be $15, not $51. My biggest question is why did you not look at the reciept when you signed it? Do you make a habit of signing things without reading them? That will cost you, as you have found out.