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Date:         Thu, 9 Feb 2006 19:25:48 -0800
Reply-To:     Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Meineke Brakes
Comments: To: Oxroad@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <1e3.4c33c51a.311d551e@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Bravo, Mr Oxroad, bravo!

On 2/9/06, Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@aol.com> wrote: > > 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 >

-- Jake 1984 Vanagon GL 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" www.crescentbeachguitar.com


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