Mazda tried to arrest me

[Sushi-Monster]

Actually, in many cases, alot of these dealerships try not to install aftermarket parts in your cars. Reason? Because they don't want to warrenty the work if anything goes wrong. Many times, the aftermarket parts that they attempt to install are unfamilar to them and they don't want that kind of risk. Sad really, since they make alot of money on labor alone!

 

[geomatics_tech]

He attempted to install a aftermarket part and it didn't fit. So he put the stock stuff back on. And now your mad because they wanted to charge you the labor time to do that?? The tech. should work for free because your aftermarket part didn't fit?? You should get a clue. Ignorant people like you should be taught a lesson.

Im igornant, try my dealership.

I understand that the mechanics work on a per job rate, but I think the dealerships should have some sort of guarantee, especially if they know its an after market part. They should have contacted me regarding the issue, cause now Im left with nothing. And that nothing cost the same amont as the install I was quoted. Yes, its not a hard install, I could have done it myself, so I dont see why they thought it was so hard. I called another local shop, told them the issue and they said it was not a big deal and they could do it no problem.

As chuyler1 said, the moment the estimate changed they should have contacted me.

Shadow102, I agree 100%

whatever happened to "the customer is always right?" he agreed to pay to get a downpipe installed... was it installed? no.

exactly.

Shaun

 

[BeNegative]

there's something about aftermarket parts being installed in your car and voiding warranty in 1 of those import car magazines on the shelves this month. there's some sort of law that helps out the consumer and dealing w/ the dealer. if i find the article, i'll post it and/or give the website on the info. peace out.

 

[Lord_Zath]

If the aftermarket part was installed by a mazda professional, they have to honor a warranty claim for a problem caused by the aftermarket part.

If the aftermarket part was not responsible for causing a problem, the dealer has to honor a warranty claim.

But many dealers don't play by those rules.

 

[Cellerator]

something moss act, sorry since I can't think of it off the top of my head.

 

[BeNegative]

yes, dealers do not play by those rules. the article also tells you this and gives advice on what action(s) can be taken. of course, the article goes on to say it may be a frustrating battle that is too time consuming for most. again, if i find the article, i'll post it. peace out.

 

[vodapas77]

The mid-pipe is four bolts, two exhaust hangars, and an O2 sensor. I'm not sure why you had the dealer do it, but I am surprised he tried to charge you after not being able to install it. A mechanic should be able to see that an o2 sensor is in the wrong position before even trying to install it. Attention to detail.

lol. Can tell you're Navy.

 

[M_3]

whoa men that really sucks but im with most of the ppl when i got my breaks done at the dealer they call me and told me that the price change from 360 to like 180 and they ask me if i still wanted to do it, the price went down and they call me and ask me for permission, i was like yeah sure go right ahead.

they should allways informed you.



also is he really in the navy or you just guessing

 

[vodapas77]

also is he really in the navy or you just guessing

It runs in my mind that he has mentioned being in the navy. It's just the "attention to detail" thing. From nearly day one in boot camp "attention to detail shipmate" is drilled into us.

Sorry for the thread jack.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

If you were a mechanic and this is how you earned your money you would understand. But since your not it means nothing to you.

i was a mechanic, i understand it. i wouldnt have payed either. he was quoted for an install, they got in there and couldnt do the work as stated that they could. so **** em. dont bite off more than you can chew.

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

You guys are incredible. This is why I do not, and will not install anything aftermarket on any car at work. Nor will I work on any car that has aftermarket parts on the system that the problem is related too. Thats what the jiffy lube guys are for. If we install it, it magically becomes our problem if it breaks or doesn't work properly.

I showed this thread to a couple of other techs. at work, I cannot write what their responses were....

 

[anarchistchiken]

Yeah this is really ridiculous. If the tech didn't actually do any work and is lying about it, then that's messed up, but more than likely, he took out the stock midpipe, put the new one in, trie to finagle it into position, and took it out. They should have called you and kept you informed, but it was also well within their right to get you arrested. You walked out on a bill, and they react to that the same as any other business. Wether the charge was moral or whatever is not up to you to decide.

You signed a work release for them to perform labor on your car with the intention of installing a midpipe. They didn't get it installed because it didn't fit, but they still performed the labor that you agreed to pay for. I wouldn't have wanted to pay for it either, but you signed a contract saying you would pay for it, then you walked out on the bill, which is illegal, any way you look at it.

 

[cbcbd]

I'm sure a dealership would get a lot of return customers if everytime they came in to pick up their car they got a surprise bump in the bill. It doesn't matter what the hell they were doing to your car - doesn't have to be an aftermarket part! s*** happens, maybe taking things apart you find something new that might cost the customer more. Midas freakin calls me if they think the quoted price will change, I think a dealership should too.

I'm sorry, but in the world of business it's all about keeping the customer, not pissing him off. Don't give this crap of "if you were a tech you'd understand", because you'd also be pretty pissed if you came in expecting to pay X and instead they tell you only after the fact that you owe them X+100.


My landlords do handyman jobs around the area. For one job one of the guys underquoted the client and only realized into the project. They just ate up the loss for the day and did a good job - they have had tons of other jobs with this client because of their quality work.

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

They didnt charge him over the 45mins they quoted him. I garuntee the tech. had more than 45mins into it trying to figure out how to make it work, then gave up and put the old stuff back on.

 

[Kooldino]

This is why I do all of my own work (with help from my friends).

 

[cbcbd]

They didnt charge him over the 45mins they quoted him. I garuntee the tech. had more than 45mins into it trying to figure out how to make it work, then gave up and put the old stuff back on.

I misunderstood the thread. After re-reading I see what's going on. I'll have to agree with the tech then.

 

[jurgs01]

I would have personally paid the tech, because the $$ are not worth the hassle. I still don't see what the tech couldn't see that the O2 sensor was in the wrong position before pulling everything apart. I can see if the pipe was a 1/2" too long or if the flanges were welded in at the wrong angle, but not being able to see that the O2 sensor was in the wrong position? A good tech should not have tunnel vision on the bolt he is taking off. He should be able to evaluate a project to see if it is feasible before even starting. Especially one so simple. I would have paid, but I definately would never have come back to the dealership and would have recommended others against going there.

To answer a previous question, I am in the Navy. Attention to detail might have been the only valuable thing I learned in boot camp besides being able to take s*** and folding your clothes so they fit very well in your drawers.

 

[jurgs01]

This is why I do all of my own work (with help from my friends).

(werd)

 

[Notorious]

Fine, then don't install aftermarket parts. That's your prerogative, and I believe it to be a wise one especially for someone working at a dealership.

The issue is that he paid for a service to get a part installed. Unless it is expressed in writing that the amount paid is for the time the tech spends on the vehicle and not the job itself he shouldn't have to pay. The service was obviously not complete so he should not pay for it. Anyone can look at a part, say it doesn't fit, then want to charge the labor amount.

You guys are incredible. This is why I do not, and will not install anything aftermarket on any car at work. Nor will I work on any car that has aftermarket parts on the system that the problem is related too. Thats what the jiffy lube guys are for. If we install it, it magically becomes our problem if it breaks or doesn't work properly.

I showed this thread to a couple of other techs. at work, I cannot write what their responses were....

 

[PhreakV]

I think the issue is that he was given a price quote over the phone before a tech had the chance to look at the part (correct me if this is incorrect). If the tech had looked at the part it should've been evident that there could be an issue and the quote should have then become an "estimate" instead of an installed price...

if the price quoted was an installed price then no, he shouldn't have to pay for anything, that'd be the dealership's fuckup. but if they actually wanted to get paid then it should've been an "estimated installed price" then they should've contacted you to let you know the status of the 'install' and confirm you wanted to continue with the service.

I know how mechanics get paid and its a crappy situation for everyone involved but the dealership/service department could just as easily be at fault for retarded business practices (making guarantees they cannot always deliver) than geomatics would be at fault for walking away. glad to see the owner of the dealership had the sense to realize that 45 minutes of tech work wasn't worth getting ridiculous bad publicity...