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Getting My Money Back from a Mechanic
D.T.
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've been taking my Volkswagen to the same mechanic for about six to eight months now. I've had the standard mechanic run-arounds with him (prices discussed over the phone suddenly change when I get in the door, etc).
A few months ago, he replaced my catalytic converter, which rattling whenever the car was on. I had to haggle him down to a price between what he told me over the phone it would cost, and what he expected me to pay once I was standing in the shop -- but whatever. The car got fixed for a fair price, and everything seemed fine. A few weeks later, my engine light comes on. I take it to the Midas around the corner, they plug my car into the engine diagostic computer and tell me it's the brand new catalytic converter.
I take the car and the print-out from Midas to my mechanic, and he agrees to look at it. As soon as he gets into the car, the engine light is magically no longer on and he says that it can't be the converter for certain, but he'll keep it over night and check it out.
I get it back the next day. He says there's nothing wrong with it. Flash forward to a month later: my car is making a grinding noise whenever my car shifts gears/accelerates. I'm thinking the transmission is on it's way out. I take the car to a mechanic my girlfriend's father recommended, and have them do a full check-up.
---TLDR FROM THIS POINT ON---
It's the catalytic converter again. The converter he put in is officially defective.
At this point, I just want my money back. I don't want the guy fucking around with my car anymore, and I just want to sell the thing and get something more reliable (this particular Volkswagen has been nothing but a headache and fucking expensive to maintain). I'd rather have the $600+ I paid him, to either give to a more reputable mechanic to replace it correctly, or to put towards a new car.
So, my question is this: anyone been in this situation? Is the guy within his legal rights to demand that he be allowed to replace the converter again? If I demand my money back, will he want the defective part, leaving me without a car to drive while I shop for a new one? I have no problems haggling and taking care of myself in these sorts of predicaments, but I want to know what he's going to try and throw at me to get his way.
Thanks in advance.
A few months ago, he replaced my catalytic converter, which rattling whenever the car was on. I had to haggle him down to a price between what he told me over the phone it would cost, and what he expected me to pay once I was standing in the shop -- but whatever. The car got fixed for a fair price, and everything seemed fine. A few weeks later, my engine light comes on. I take it to the Midas around the corner, they plug my car into the engine diagostic computer and tell me it's the brand new catalytic converter.
I take the car and the print-out from Midas to my mechanic, and he agrees to look at it. As soon as he gets into the car, the engine light is magically no longer on and he says that it can't be the converter for certain, but he'll keep it over night and check it out.
I get it back the next day. He says there's nothing wrong with it. Flash forward to a month later: my car is making a grinding noise whenever my car shifts gears/accelerates. I'm thinking the transmission is on it's way out. I take the car to a mechanic my girlfriend's father recommended, and have them do a full check-up.
---TLDR FROM THIS POINT ON---
It's the catalytic converter again. The converter he put in is officially defective.
At this point, I just want my money back. I don't want the guy fucking around with my car anymore, and I just want to sell the thing and get something more reliable (this particular Volkswagen has been nothing but a headache and fucking expensive to maintain). I'd rather have the $600+ I paid him, to either give to a more reputable mechanic to replace it correctly, or to put towards a new car.
So, my question is this: anyone been in this situation? Is the guy within his legal rights to demand that he be allowed to replace the converter again? If I demand my money back, will he want the defective part, leaving me without a car to drive while I shop for a new one? I have no problems haggling and taking care of myself in these sorts of predicaments, but I want to know what he's going to try and throw at me to get his way.
Thanks in advance.
D.T. on
0
Posts
Unfortunately, it is not his faut (he could use this excuse), he bought the part, so there must be some kind of guarantee if the part came from a reputable dealer.
I am afraid you will not get your money back, and in case you can convince him, he will charge the labour anyway.
1. Do you have documentation from some other mechanic saying it's the catalytic converter that's bad.
2. Was the part actually bad, or did they just install it wrong? Sometimes you can only get the cost of the labor back if the part was good.
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You're not within your right to a full refund, but he should replace the part for you. You'll likely be charged for labour as well.
The guy sounds shady. Without anything in writing you have no legal recourse meaning I would go back and just explain you'd like to get the part removed and try to recover some of your costs. Find a good private mechanic because they really are invaluable.
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Playing devil's advocate, cars are difficult to fix.
Trial and error is a very common thing in this business. Especially with "some guy" who isn't certified to work on your car.
EDIT: What is your VW anyway?
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Check to see if your guy is in there and use it to find a new one. If you get a good mechanic (they exist!), they can probably give you advise on how to approach this other guy and provide you with documentation to support your claim.
And I have documentation from two separate, certified garages now that the catalytic converter is defective.
My issue at this point is the fact that I've already brought the car back to him when I first started having issues with the new part, and he sent me on my way saying that everything was fine.
Thanks for the quick replies.