My car needed a new belt and track tensioner. I called on a Saturday to get quotes from several repair shops. Westland Car Cares estimate was within the range of other estimates and I decided to have my car towed there (35 miles away) because my family and I have used them for oil changes in the past so I trusted their work.
During the call, I was asked for the Make/Model/Year and engine size of my car and was quoted the cost of labor and parts around $205. When I asked him if this estimate included everything for the repair he said 'yes'. Since this was on a Saturday, I asked if I should make an appointment for Monday and he said that wasn't necessary.
Monday came; my car was towed with me following (the towing company's policy). I dropped off the keys and returned home (2 hours round trip). Later, I received a call from the manager, he said that I needed a new belt and track tensioner - which I already knew - and said that the total for this repair was $320. What?! I questioned why it was over $100 more than what I was quoted on Saturday, he responded with "Are you sure you called us?". Yes, I called them, and I kept notes on every repair facility I called. In fact, my call history showed that I called on Saturday at 1:56. He went back and forth saying that he was the only one there, but maybe someone else gave me the quote, but he was the only one there...of course he didn't have a record of the quote in his computer system. Then I brought up the fact that every other repair shop estimate was $190-220, so if I would of known they were going to charge me 50% more after my car actually got there and I was at their mercy, I would of taken it to a chain store. There are plenty of them within 5 miles of my house and I wouldn't of wasted 2 hours driving and $10 in gas. In the end, he dropped the estimate to $250. But I don't think the customer should have to argue with the manager to get a similar price to what was quoted before.
The only good news is that the mechanics provide quality work. Unfortunately, poor customer service will overshadow that every time.
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