Peckster

All you can do is tell him why you are unhappy, and what he can do to make you happy. You have to be specific. Then he can meet that demand or make a counteroffer, or ignore you. The only power you have is that you represent at least two future customers, yourself and the guy who reccommended you.

Just be calm and businesslike about it. If he refuses to listen, than you can really dis him.

Finding a mechanic you can trust is reallt really hard, especially when you own a Porsche. Whenever I have to get a price on something else, I make sure to drive my Taurus, because there are a lot of people who think Porshe owners are all rich.

If only they knew...

G951

Update:

I just got back. He's going to try and find out what he can do.

The message is clear. He knows I want the Porsche rotors. And he knows that none of this is coming out of my pocket.

I understand that I may have paid too much. It is my mistake. I went by another 951 owner's recommendation. Maybe this owner is being taken for a ride too as his car is still there.

My attorney (friend) has been informed. He suggested that I go after the total amount rather than just the brakes. I told him that I will wait for the shop's call and their solution. If they will not remedy the solution then I have no choice other than to proceed with my counsel's recommendation. I will not be pushed around. He's already been informed of the disclaimers at the bottom of the repair bill.

And for all those who believe that this may be unjustified due to caveat emptor. I agree that I should have been the one who should have known better. But, under no circumstance, do I have the expertise and knowledge of a licensed professional. Therefore, the buyer, also needs to have protection against fraud. I hold no responsibility for putting on parts that were not asked to be put on nor was I advised of such action. He did this w/o my consent. To the best of my knowledge, all parts were to be factory genuine parts. Under the law, there needs to be no written documentaton for that. I was charged prices that made OE "made in germany" parts seem like the genuine parts prices. He actually admitted to inflating the prices on these parts so he can make some more money. What a mistake.

Anyway, I just want what I paid for. The work was done and I'm not really interested in going after the whole bill. However, if this can't be resolved, then my attorney just wants to go after the whole thing. If that happens, things will get alot more complicated for the shop owner. He will have to show documentation of every part's origin and price. I'm giving him a chance now. If he is smart, he should take some of that nice pocket money he made off me and make me happy.

BTW, he claimed that the first water pump he put on was defective and b/c of that, he had to lose $500 to put on another one. And as if, I'm responsible for paying for defective parts. What's the point in telling me that?

mumzer

He s liar and a thief... I despise frivolous law suits and deem them to be the utmost waste of time and money, but the THREAT of one in this case for fraud (bait and switch) or material misrepresentation of facts might be very persuasive to him.

I also suggest if your state has a state licensing board for auto repari shops (and most do) that you casually mention involving them to settle the dispute. IF this guy is screwing you, he is screwing others, and he wont want the BAR sniffing around.

If he really used non-factory parts after you requested OEM only then he is a crook. Id look carefully for other signs of chicanery...like parts that didnt really get replaced at all....

For your sake, and the sake of the next little old lady he was going to rob I hope you and your lawyer use this guy like a ***** dyno, and put a few solid dents in his colon.

Larry Weinstein

I suggest you purchase an impact driver for about $30 and replace the rotors yourself. (PCNA has just distributed a $100 off certificate for a minimum $200 purchase to all of its members so you can save some more money there!)Install some new pads and you've saved all the hasstle and labor costs. <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Clem

G951-
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
There is clearly a problem with your shop. The markup on factory parts is horrific - as is the # of hours you're being billed.

Do you mind telling us who exactly this is? I live in NYC (but spend a lot of time in NJ) and have no garage - so I am particularly dependent on mechanics.

On the plus side, being in NJ you have a number of places you can use instead. And, with the large NJ Rennlist community, I'm sure you can get many references to reputable shops.

Hope things work out,
Clem


ON EDIT: You may want to cross-post this on the 924/944/951/968 list if you're interested more exposure.

TonyG

FYI

I've never needed an impact wrench to change rotors (and I've changed many a set).

TonyG

Robby

I just have to chime in- the guy's an ***- I got reamed a long time ago by a Knoxville guy- Ron Torte- owner of RPM- he charged me some $1500 for ~$750 worth of stuff- major issues- timing belt & water pump- he screwed me several different ways- I didn't find out the whole extent of it until MUCH later...

BTW- I bought 4 Zimmerman cast drilled rotors, for a Turbo S, from Vertex several months ago for a hair over $100ea...

Clem

Just curious - any update on this?
Hope things are getting better.

Clem

Stefan

As has already been pointed out ... major rip off on hours and obviously parts.

I'd even be guessing he snuck a rebuilt water pump in.

I just had a complete engine rebuild with new pistons, clutch, pk brake cables, shoes, water pump, belts, wastegate, all fluids, control arms
.... and ALL that was only around 50 hours.!!

I suggest he show you a break down of how many hours were spent on each item in writing, and how much each part cost. Then you can see what's what.
Then get an estimate from 2 other shops for the same work and compare.

And you really should publisize this guy's name if he really did rip you off this badly ... at least save some other folks.