Yahoo Answers is shutting down on 4 May 2021 (Eastern Time) and the Yahoo Answers website is now in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Pennsylvania Automotive Mechanic Laws & Consultation Before Repairs Made?
I put my suv in the shop this past weekend and made a specific list of what I wanted done. Basically I wanted the front driver's side inner tie rod replaced, front passenger side ball joint replaced, ac recharged, oil change, front end alignment and estimate for bumper dent removal to be done. I called throughout the week to ask them to run a diagnostic as the check engine light was on so I was curious as to whether it was the catalytic converter or not as someone had told me. Anyway, when I called them throughout the week they made a note to run diagnostic check and then, yesterday (Thursday) they said that they were almost done and had replaced ALL 4 ball joints and that the bill would be from the estimated (via phone) $400 job to $1k. They never confirmed nor even consulted with me about replacing all of the ball joints. When asked if they have a policy to contact owners of vehicles with what they want to fix/replace BEFORE doing the work, the guy said no. When asked if he did receive my itemized list of what I wanted done when I dropped off the vehicle the guy confirmed that he did receive the list. When asked about the replacement of all of the ball joints he just said "Well they needed to be replaced, they were shot" but when I had the tires put on there January 1st of this year they even greased the ball joints for me and didn't say a thing about them being bad... Was what they did illegal (not contacting me for approval of services and replacements) or is this an ok thing to do in the state of PA? I called BBB and consumer affairs and they said to pay and then file a complaint... Any input and reference links would be greatly appreciated as I cannot find anything online of assistance... Thanks
3 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavourite answer
My recommendation would be to leave your car there and contact an atty. They will hold your car hostage till you pay the bill anyway. A call from an atty's office will get the shop owners attention and he will be much more compliant. In most states, though Im not certain about PA, what they did was illegal. I know for a fact that in GA and CA, work cannot be done without a written, itemized estimate that is approved in some way by the owner of the vehicle. Authorization can be given by phone, e-mail, or signed in person. There is some "fudge" area but this example is a bit Extreme. It doesn't matter if the parts needed replacement or not, they should not have been replaced without your written or verbal authorization. You should(not certain about PA) have the legal right to deny payment on the two extra joints and the labor to install them. BBB and consumer affairs are only reporting and rating agencies and have no power to give to your fight. Due to the fact that the repairs have already been completed leaves you only one real option, raise hell and threaten litigation. And don't leave till the issue is resolved or you have no other option but litigation. Stand your ground and be very ugly about it. I own a repair shop and the last thing I want in my office is a irate, loud customer that wont leave. They will probably concede just to get you out of there.
- 5 years ago
1
Source(s): Online Professional Medical Consultation - http://onlinephysician.neatprim.com/?yxyQ - ?Lv 51 decade ago
Anything above the quoted price will need authorization from you whether via phone or in person. That is illegal. I find it very odd that the BBB and consumer affairs told you to pay.
