Mechanic Did unauthorized repairs- What next?

[Rebel]

In my latest Turo adventure... October, I turned over managing my cars to a 3rd party service. Been Super busy with work & managing 5 cars is tough on my own. For whatever reason(I can't remember), I decided to get the oil changed on my WRX myself instead of having them do it. As I drove the 2 miles to the dealer, I noticed a very audible squealing coming from the car. Turns out, the steering rack went out. Got a quote from the dealership (where I normally get all my service done), Turo manager said, let's take it to my guy. Their shop came back with a laundry list of fix its, oil change, replace cabin filter, spark plugs, tires, coolant, etc.. I said no, send me an estimate on the power steering. He sent me two quotes, one for new tires & recommended services & the other for just the power steering. I approved the power steering estimate. Get a call that car is done and needs to be paid for. Total comes out to almost $3K (double what my estimate was). Turns out, they did all the extra services. I refused to pay and told them to take it all back. They said they'll have to get back to me on that.

Curious what my next step would be. I'm not one to ignore services, but the oil change was done earlier this month, probably has less than 100 miles on that oil, K&N filter just needed a wash, (they replaced both with the subaru OEM throwaway filters), tires had a little uneven wear on the edges but I got an alignment last month and was told that it'll even out after some driving, spark plugs were replaced by me when I did the head gaskets last summer. (12K miles ago). Anything extra over the steering rack replacement was not needed. This conversation was over the phone but I intend to stop in tomorrow morning to have an in person. Just curious, what to expect.

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[VenomousDSG]

Tell them you're only paying for what was approved to be repaired or you're filing a police report for extortion. If they give you shit, do it.

 

[Jon01]

Tell them you're only paying for what was approved to be repaired or you're filing a police report for extortion. If they give you shit, do it.

This.

Do you have the car back in your possession?
If not, get it on public property with keys in your hand before you tell them to get bent or they could make it difficult.

 

[DEEZUZ]

Yea someone just made a mistake and pushed both estimates through.

You'll walk away just paying the quote you approved.

 

[Blownbyyou]

Yea someone just made a mistake and pushed both estimates through.

You'll walk away just paying the quote you approved.

Depending on the size of the shop, and how shitty they want to be…but I agree

 

[Rebel]

This.

Do you have the car back in your possession?
If not, get it on public property with keys in your hand before you tell them to get bent or they could make it difficult.

Not yet. Someone was going to pick it up today but I refused to pay for anything over the phone. Any recourse if they don't have my original parts to put back? I feel like that's the next objection that might come up.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Sounds like someone was sloppy or decided to be shady and see if you are a pussy. Don't be.

 

[Pro Stock John]

Sorry that really aggravates me. I'd march in and talk to the most senior person and say make this right ASAP. If they give u shit tell them that you'll take it legal.

 

[Jon01]

Not yet. Someone was going to pick it up today but I refused to pay for anything over the phone. Any recourse if they don't have my original parts to put back? I feel like that's the next objection that might come up.

Get the car on public property/in your possession then get into the details. That's critical.
Them tossing the stock parts is immaterial. I wouldn't want them reinstalling old stuff, you know zero fucks are gonna be given.

 

[bimmer4life]

Get the car on public property/in your possession then get into the details. That's critical.
Them tossing the stock parts is immaterial. I wouldn't want them reinstalling old stuff, you know zero fucks are gonna be given.

hrmmm how is that possible? Dealers typically don't hand over keys until bill is settled. I had this happened once. I told them take all unapproved parts off. They ended up settling with me . I only paid for the parts not labor and the cost was about the same as original quote.

 

[Jon01]

hrmmm how is that possible? Dealers typically don't hand over keys until bill is settled. I had this happened once. I told them take all unapproved parts off. They ended up settling with me . I only paid for the parts not labor and the cost was about the same as original quote.

I have 2-3 sets of keys for all of my vehicles.
Not saying leave, just get the car off of their property. Street out front works fine.
Hard to place a mechanics lien on a car that you don't have possession of thus they're more likely to want to figure it out.

 

[Thirdgen89GTA]

I wouldnt take that shit either.

you could also contact a lawyer and have them draft a letter of demand. Prob cost $50-$100.

unauthorized repair is shady. Especially if a quote for just the work you wanted was created. Do you have a copy of the quotes?

Police won’t get involved unless you can file criminal charges. In most cases it will be considered a civil matter for the court. Which could take a long fucking time.

Illinois Attorney General - Automotive Repair Act

 

[Pro Stock John]

And your Turo Manager... well "take it to my guy."

You talked to him yet? Tell him this is unbelievable but make him fix it and then you'll forgive his shady referral. If he plays dumb fuck that guy.

 

[Euro]

I have had great luck finding a top dog name at the dealership, sending them an email/voicemail on the shady shit his dealer tried to pull, and letting them trickle down and make things right. What is the dealer?

Side note, what is this "Turo Manager" you're talking about?

 

[Jon01]

And your Turo Manager... well "take it to my guy."

You talked to him yet? Tell him this is unbelievable but make him fix it and then you'll forgive his shady referral. If he plays dumb fuck that guy.

No shit. I'd bury it all the way in this guy if he fucks around.
Lots of Turo owners are in it for the $ not for the cars, they would just pay it and move on not realizing they'd been taken.

 

[Rebel]

And your Turo Manager... well "take it to my guy."

You talked to him yet? Tell him this is unbelievable but make him fix it and then you'll forgive his shady referral. If he plays dumb fuck that guy.

He just said oops. I've been looking for a new one for a little bit & also have been considering hiring my own staff, the past month has just been hit or miss so I haven't been interested in changing it up yet.

I have had great luck finding a top dog name at the dealership, sending them an email/voicemail on the shady shit his dealer tried to pull, and letting them trickle down and make things right. What is the dealer?

Side note, what is this "Turo Manager" you're talking about?

Turo is a car sharing rental app. (AirBNB for cars). My Turo Manager is my car manager

 

[Pro Stock John]

Yeah it's not acceptable for me.

 

[v6buicks]

update?

 

[Gamble]

I'd write a check for what I was quoted, drop it on the desk grab the keys and leave

I brought my truck in to the dealer for an oil change and said my low tire pressure light came on can you see if there is a nail in it? They did the oil change and patched it and tried to charge me for for the plug. I looked at the guy and said I never authorized that and not paying for it. Boy was he PISSED, walked away came back with a new invoice and made me sign it, ripped the paper away as soon as I signed it and stormed off.

 

[Rebel]

update?

I went in. They told me that they did the work that was authorized by the Turo Manager. Didn't realize it wasn't his car. They won't take the tires off because they're "used" now. I told them that any wear on the tires was due to them driving it not me. It's sitting in the parking lot unattended w/ no gate or anything. Told them I'm not paying. Car is paid off so even though it's not being rented, it's not costing me any money either & I've been busy with my regular job to find a solution. I told them I never would have bought tires from them because I have a wholesale account w/ discount tire (half true), they said if I bought the same tires at a lower price point, they'd refund me the tires if they could return the new unmounted pair.
I just came back from Vegas this morning. I have a spare key. If I just came and took my car, what would be the repercussions? I'm also still pissed about my K&N filters also that they threw away. I know they're only $100 but between that and the tires it comes out to almost $1000.

 

[Blownbyyou]

Personally I would call the cops and explain the situation, they would be able to better assist

 

[Pro Stock John]

So you need to talk to your Turo guy, I assume he gets paid something decent by you? I'd just ask point blank how he's going to fix this.

 

[Marko]

That sucks man. You might have to hire an attorney too.

 

[Jon01]

I'd find out if the Turo guy approved the repairs. If he did, I'd expect him to kick in or be ready to defend it in small claims court.
Is there anything in the management agreement that gives him power to essentially spend your money at will?

 

[Flyn]

Who signed the work authorization? Anybody?

Most shops make sure they get a signature before they do any repairs because of situations like this.

Talking to Turo guy sounds like the next step.