Submitted by suburban_mom_jeans t3_z2thgb in newhaven
Update: I got my car back and paid the original estimated price! Thanks for your valuable feedback.
My recent experience with Aamco in Orange:
Last Thursday I contacted Aamco regarding an issue with my car. They sent a technician to my house to diagnose the issue. The tech said to properly diagnose they would need to have my car in their shop. I had my car towed to their shop. Friday, Keenan who I think is the manager called me and stated the estimate is $4200. I told Keenan that I would call him back. I immediately called my father to tell him the estimate. While on the phone with my dad Keenan called me back so I merged all the calls. Keenan stated that he gave me the wrong quote and it was actually $3704. My father asked for the quote in an email.
On Monday, I called Aamco to tell them to proceed with the repairs. I had to put down a $1000 deposit. I asked Keenan if he thought the repairs could cost more than the emailed quote. He said if anything changes he would call me before moving forward. Keenan also said the car would be ready today.
I called about an hour ago to pay my remaining balance and was told I owe $3200 when I was expecting $2700ish. The individual said he was reading the information directly from the ticket. I was told that the quote was based on the wrong part for my car. I asked why nobody called me prior to installing. The response I got was " the price is the price".
I had to borrow $3400 from my aunt to pay for the repairs. They basically said call them back when I had the additional $500. My issue is that I did not get the promised phone call prior to them installing the new part. Had they called me beforehand I would have told them that I would not be able to move forward. So my car will sit there for another week and a half until I have the extra $500. Hopefully they wont charge me storage fees.
I feel like Aamco engaged in shady business practices. I understand that an estimate is not the guaranteed price but, why didn't they call beforehand like they stated. Also, I believe and estimate should be as close to the final price as possible not an additional $500.
That's my experience do with it what you will.
Time_Yam301 t1_ixigc9b wrote
Auto repair places always do this. I'm doing the used car route now, but I leased new cars for years just to avoid those kinds of huge unexpected costs. But today things are different, at least for the moment.
It is shady, but they are all like this. Always have been. What's worse is it's not like they give you a 3-year 36,000 mile warranty.
How much is the car worth? I'd rather put $4,200 towards a used $10,000 car than repair one.