Date: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 21:31:58 EST
Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Meineke Brakes
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 2/9/2006 7:58:20 AM Pacific Standard Time,
MrNegNRG@AOL.COM writes:
Like I said, man do I feel stupid!
"Meineke Discount Mufflers Shatters Prices!" Remember those low-budget TV
ads from the 70s with some model with a deep southern accent in a bikini with a
sledge hammer busting a plate glass window out of the front of the store?
Maybe that would be fair recourse. Do you have a bikini?
Much to our demise our culture loves to blame the victim. It culminates in
us putting bars on our windows because otherwise we're shamed as being stupid.
It's not much of a plan in my opinion. The blame is always on the
perpetrator.
The point being there's no reason to feel stupid because you got robbed.
Call the state division of consumer affairs and call the better business
bureau armed with the dealer prices for the parts. There's no reason a discount
shop should be charging you double what the dealer charges. Find out from
these agencies how to proceed and/or file a complaint.
I went through this with my Vanagon when I dealt with the schiesters at Fast
German Auto in Santa Ana, CA. I got the appropriate information form the
consumer agencies and Fast German very reluctantly agreed that I may have had a
point. They were not happy with me and were rude, but I wasn't looking to
become friends with them. I have friends. I treat them well. I also treat
scheisters well, but I wasn't content with them ripping me off.
I called Fast German and told them my problem. I heard their side of the
debate and let them talk and talk and let them dig their own hole. When people
are ripping you off they love to talk on and on about how their not rippin gyou
off. That's a sure sign they are. After they were all talked out--prompted
only by one sentance from me-- I said, "I hear what your saying and I have to
disagree. When I spoke with the Division of Consumer Affairs they advised
me...."
These rip off places take advantage of people because customers come in and
are civilized and polite. Then they hope the customer will feel shamed and
quietly take the criminal activity they're doling out.
You merely trusted a mechanic with your car which is the way it's set up.
For them to rip you off is on them.
So again, my advice call the appropriate consumer agencies, then call the
guy with a polite and civilized list of questions. "I think there must have been
a mistake on my bill. I'm probably wrong, so maybe you can explain how it
works to me. Vw charges half of what you charge for brake pads, brand new drums
from an aftermarket supplier cost $26 each, and I called a couple of shops
which charge X for all the labor you did, yet you charged triple."
Meineke "A lot and I mean a lot of double-speak." If there's on thing
criminals like more than ripping you off, it's explaining to you how they're not
ripping you off.
Then you calmly and professionally drop the, (do your best not to get angry
and not to raise your voice. You are explaining the situation like you are the
teacher.) "I hear your position. But naturally I am not satisfied. I spoke
with the divison of consumer affairs and the BBB and they advised me...." Then
explain WHEN you go to small claims court you will be armed with estimates
from other mechanics in the area and a price list from VW and a local parts
store which will speak to a more reasonable cost for the work and parts
supplied. Tell the guy normally you'd let it go, but as the father of a young
daughter soon to be out on her own I have an obligation to teach her how the world
sometimes works and how this will be an intersting experience for both you
and your daughter since neither of you have ever been inside a courthouse.
The mechanic will be a little angry but my guess is you'll never have to go
to small claims court. He'll probably call you a so-and-so and say he'd rather
give you some money back rather then lose a day going to court. He'll talk
about the problem with "people like you." And he'll never be your friend. But
you don't need friends like him. You need the situation to end in a way
that's satisfying to you.
So, if the guy decides to hold his position on ripping you off, you then can
decide on your own (after you're off the phone) whether to go through with
the small claims court. In the meantime it's just cost you the time of two
phone calls to the consumer agencies and the call to "mechanic." Maybe just
making the call will be enough satisfaction. Maybe you'll wanna go to court. Or
maybe he'll refund some of your hard earned money that he was so determined to
rid you of.
I say do it all as an experiement to see what happens and how you feel after
the task. We all already know what it feels like to get ripped off. This
might feel better.
That's my two cents.
Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA