Is there anyplace besides the BBB to file a consumer complaint in Georgia?

[Donnachaidh]

We almost were taken for a thorough fleecing, and I'm still pissed off about it.

Sunday, our car breaks down. The *only* place open was Pep Boys (I know, but we were desperate) and they tow the car there, plug it into the computer, and decide a timing belt has slipped off. They then went on to detail that we'd have to have new heads, valves, etc., etc., - to the tune of $2200 bucks! My husband flipped, and had the car towed home. He then found another retired mechanic who still works on the side, and HE took the car in, and inspected it. Yes, the timing belt needed to be replaced, and a sensor - and he did it ALL in a day and charged us UNDER $500 to do so.

He said he didn't think Pep Boys had even bothered to check the heads, etc. He thought that it was possible for the sensor to display something that might say the heads were damaged, but a visual inspection proved otherwise.

HOW can these companies get away with this BS? Charging almost 5 TIMES what this guy charged us? This should be a crime. The car is running fine, and the mechanic thinks we'll go another 165K miles with the new belt.

WHO do I contact about this? This was obscene. :grr:

[Raine1967]

1. You could see if something here will help:

http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,4802_5041,00.html

Or maybe a link from the GA Ag site here:

http://law.ga.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,87670814_88011435,00.html

Any reason you don't want BBB?


Where in Georgia are you? Any Chance you have a decent Rep?

[Donnachaidh]

2. nope -- Phil Gingrey is the rep

I'm not sure who is the local local rep. I'm just stunned about how they literally pulled this figure out of the air, and expected us just to get on with it. Without even looking under the car!

I was thinking about calling the I-Team at wsb-tv, to talk to them about it. In this day and age this sort of rip off should be outed. Too many people are hurting as it is.

Thanks for the links -- I'll check them out!

[Laelth]

3. Local Chamber of Commerce, perhaps?

Ultimately, it sounds like you were not injured. If I offer to do work for you for $1 million, and another person offers to do the same work for $1,000.00, neither of us has done anything wrong. People are free to contract. You wisely chose to get a second opinion and chose the cheaper option. That's your choice, and it's not the fault of the person who quoted you the higher price that you did not like the price they quoted. They did nothing wrong (as far as I know) in quoting you a higher price, though they might be liable to you in fraud if they used their expertise to fleece you. Because you were not fleeced, however, no fraud was committed.

Now, I have no love for Pep Boys, and I'm an attorney and not a mechanic, but I have had a timing belt replaced on a car once by a mechanic I trusted, and that mechanic advised replacing a lot of parts (even though they were not broken) while the engine was ripped apart replacing the timing belt. It's the labor, and not the parts, that are truly expensive, and it might make sense to replace worn (but not-yet-broken) parts while the engine is torn apart. I remember I replaced my water pump, for example. It's a cheap part, but it's very had to access. Might as well replace it while replacing the timing belt. You've got to rip the engine apart, regardless.

In any event, I hear that you're upset, but legally, "almost being fleeced" doesn't count. You actually have to be fleeced before I would be willing to take your case.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Donnachaidh]

4. that's not my point

How many others *are* being fleeced by chopshops like PepBoys? THAT is the point of filing a complaint. Consumers should be protected from this sort of robbery.

[Laelth]

5. I understand. I respect your desire to advocate for the common good. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth