Allen
Saint Cloud,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, February 18, 2005
Under FLA law you have a right to ask for a written estimate and they must give you one, also you can ask for them to return all old parts that were taken off your vehicle and replaced. If the shop does not want to go along with this show them your backside--walk. Sounds like you had big time problems if they hade to tow your vehicle to the shop. The $400.00+ charge may sound like a lot of $ to you but if this was for both axles it was not much at all, in fact it could be considered "cheep", depending on what was done. Yes, they can hold your vehicle "hostage" if you balk at paying. This is called a mechanics lean, also after a certian period of time they can have the vehicle titled in their name and then they can sell it. Hope this information helps -- So the next time you need repair work done- - remember a. Have the shop give you a written estimate on what has to be done, the cost of both parts and labor (they must inspect the vehicle, but dont let them take it apart, if they do you will have problems), they can do this because certian parts are required with certian kinds of work. The finished work price should be close to the estimate it can be more or even less. Just make sure you authorize any work to be done. b. Ask them to return any and all parts that they replace (this must be done before any work is started), you may not know what the parts are but if you have a question of what work was actually done at a later time you will have a lot of leverage if you have the old parts. Sometimes if you appear to know what is going on you put yourself in a position to be less likely to get ripped off. Your Choice