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Galpin Ford lying ripoff artists North Hills California
Just moved to North Hills and don't know any mechanics, so I brought my Ford Ranger truck to Galpin Ford Service and Parts department to replace my brake pads.
At 8:00am, I was assigned to a Ford Assistant Service Manager named Angel M. Lopez and he tells me it'll be $90 and should be done in a couple of hours and scribbled a receipt.
Went to work and came back at 5:30pm and was told they didn't do anything but look at it and that the $90 was just for diagnosis.
(flag1: i came for pads, given only diagnosis).
Then Angel Lopez proceeds to tell me more and more "discontinued" parts that need replacements totalling to $780.
(flag2: Lopez then says that the discs are too small for my truck and needs replacements. those discs are original parts! that's like saying my original doors are too small for my truck. liars.)
I say I'm taking my truck and going somewhere else to fix it and pay for the "diagnostics" while he emphasize using one of their prefered towing service companies.
While waiting in line for my truck to be brought up, I noticed other customers with multiple sheets like I was given.
Curiously, i asked what they came in for. One customer says "I came for Oil change." But also given a free diagnosis that requires his brake system done (a $350-some charge).
(flag3: How does one go in for a standard $24 oil change to be told to do a $350-some service. When was the last time a Jiffylube taken out your wheels to check your breaks when you come in for an oil change?.)
Found out from talking to other customers that day, that this type of scam is routine for this company sector.
Beware of these lying scammers. I say ask around and find a competent local mechanic that has a least a drop of integrity.
Patrick
North Hills, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Frank
Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
This is a normal fee...
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, September 30, 2008
I don't know of this dealership. But having worked at one this is not out of the norm.
Ace Desone
Van Nuys,California,
U.S.A.
Same thing happened to me.
#3Consumer Comment
Mon, September 15, 2008
I, too, took my Ford Ranger to Galpin, becasue of a leaky fuel pipe. I was surpised at the $90 appraisal fee, but went along with it, because, well, a leaky fuel pipe is kind of serious.
They had my vehicle for HOURS -- while I waited -- then they finally took my truck in the back, but it up on a lift (I watched from afar), then took it back down and told me it would cost $600+ to repair the fuel pipe.
I declined, and took it to a neighborhood mechanic who did the job for just about the SAME amount of $ as Galpin's estimate!
Won't go back. Ever.