Date:         Thu, 9 Feb 2006 20:52:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Meineke Brakes
In-Reply-To:  <1e3.4c33c51a.311d551e@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

However...

If this didn't occur in the People's Republic of Kalifornia, the
options may be much more limited.

Having moved from CA to Oregon a few years back, and continuing in the
trade for a while, I was shocked at the lack of consumer protection in
the Beaver State. Here, you basically have no recourse.  In CA you have
the Bureau of Automotive Repair. When they first started up back in the
early seventies I despised them. Later on, I respected them. They made
sure that the wrenches knew what the rules were and made sure that said
rules were the same for everyone. Now it's automatic.

Written estimate.
Not to exceed w/o prior authorization.
Save the removed parts for return to customer should they ask.
There's more, but that's the gist of it.

Simple and following the rules makes for better customer relations.

Sorry for your rip-off. It is jobs like that that give automotive
technicians a bad name.

Jim


On Feb 9, 2006, at 6:31 PM, Jeff Oxroad 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
>