Complaint Review: Complete Car Care Center - Boca Raton Florida

I brought my car in as the 'check engine' went on and the anti-freeze overflow was empty. The radiator, however, was full, and the car was not overheating, but I wanted to be safe than sorry. I left my car with them for them to check if there was a leak in the cooling system, or the thermostat was faulty, etc. Later that day, I stopped by again to see if they had diagnosed the problem and I was asked to sign an agreement stating that the diagnosis would cost $99.50, but that amount would be applied to the cost of the repair. Before all was over they tried to sell me work in excess of $1,800.00! They had my engine apart, and I was told that all of the cooling system gaskets needed replacement, such as the lower intake, upper intake, and throttle body gaskets, along with new hoses and new clamps along with a coolant flush. These hoses and belts were replaced less that 3,000 miles before along with the 'flush'! They also dropped my transmission and said that I needed a new transmission filter kit, a new transmission gasket, and transmission fluid kit. This work was also performed less than 3,000 miles before. I always performed the scheduled maintainence of my car. My vehicle only has 51,000 miles on it, but was also told that I had a massive oil leak and that I needed an oil pan gasket as well as a valve cover gasket. I was also told that my rear brakes were leaking as you were told and that the rear brakes alone would cost over $300.00 to repair. I had the brakes checked, again, less than 3,000 miles before. These people has my car hostage for more than one week, and there wasn't a day that went by that they didn't call me with another 'must fix' very inflated repairs that were considered mandatory and if not I go along with their suggested repairs, I would be in eminant danger driving my vehicle. The shop steward, Tom, became very irate with me, as well, and becoming verbally abusive. This company promotes a 'Car Care' credit card, which they receive commission for, and once they are aware of the credit limit, they push to max out that limit. When I refused to have any more 'repairs' performed by them, Tom became extremely angry, saying that he will no longer 'sell' jobs, and customers like me were the reason, and he was looking for other employment. (This affects me how?) When I said I was picking up my car, I was quoted a final figure including the original $99.50 diagnostic fee, which was intended to go towards any repair work. He denied telling me that, and said begrudginly that he would credit this amount, however, he would have to cover it out of his own pocket. I escaped with spending only $650.00, after this company had me sign many, many waivers, after the fact, and work orders that should have been signed before the work began. I have since taken my car to not one but two other mechanics showing them the invoice after I had the 'must have' issues looked at. They both debunked thier claims and let me know that I was totally overcharged for the work that they allegedly performed. I am driving my car to this day without incident. My question is, if it appeared to be a cooling system issue repair, what gave them the right to pull my rear wheels, drop my transmission, and dissect my vehicle? This company and their employees are so dishonest and smarmy that I am surprised that they can still be in business. I intend to file this 'rebuttal' as an individual Ripoff Report and reporting Complete Car Care to any and all consumer agencies. I have documentation of every claim that is made in this rebuttal.

I hope you took the car somewhere to have the brakes looked at before giving the keys back to your son.

I understand you're frustrated, but they didn't rip you off. They did the oil change and warned you about your brake fluid. If I was driving down the road and you hit me because your brakes malfunctioned, I would probably b***h at them for not forcing you to fix it because YOU put ME in danger. Then I would sue you, obviously. You are not the only person on the road and you are not the only person you need to think about when you drive.