Son and the mechanic.......

Shame it gets to this but it quite often gets back to the He said she said syndrome.

If he took it in and said fix it well maybe thats what got done.

I take mine in and define very clearly what is to be done and stipulate in writing that anything else needed?? I am to be contacted prior to it being done.

Eg got my cruiser serviced today Told them exactly what I wanted like no tyre rotation Oil and filters in the back, thought the tappets were loose.

Anything else ring me first.
They did and replaced cracked belts.

Surprise They did it for $150 less than the last equivilent service done in Qld

One pleased customer of Anthony Smith Toyota Coburg

Good luck.

Comments:

1. When your son paid 50% by cheque it should have been accompanyied by a signed letter stating words to the effect ... your accpetance and banking of this cheque will be acceptance of this amount as full and final payment for the work rendered on my Landcrusier.

2. Only a Court can allocate costs - to threaten that your son already owes $500 (presumably from Agency costs) is incorrect.

3. Be aware that if the matter is not resolved satisfactorily your son may incur a credit impairment that will impact on his ability to get finance years down the track.

4. One option might be to register an action in the Small Claims Court. This will prohibit the mechanic from taking your son to a civil court (cant go to a civil court if its registered with SCC). The SCC is person to person - no solicitors involved. So its a lot cheaper and the mechanic would have to go to the trouble of preparing his response, taking time off work to attend hearing etc. He may not bother - and withdraw his interest.

5. Either way your son needs to sit down and document everything that was said from the very time he went to the mechanic. Was there any witnesses to what was said. At the end of the day its one persons work against anothers so any witnesses will be crucial.


Hope it works out for your son. A lesson learnt no doubt.

Cheers
GPM

G'day Royce, is this the same mechanic I know of? aussiedingo

This happened to me couple of years ago, mechanic wanted to charge me for alot of labour and parts that were never used. He wrecked my starter motor, replaced parts that nothing was wrong with and treated me like dirt. Plus they flogged the crap out of my car daily while trying to find fault. Car was a nice hotted up V8 Commodore. It never was the same after they played with it. Anyway he charged me $2500 to find and fix a $110 part. I said no way, i didnt ask for or wasnt asked if i wanted new leads, plugs, starter motor, dizzy and cap, plus othet bits and pieces. All parts were top quality parts and nearly new anyway so nothing was wrong with them. Problem was the vehicle was 100kms away as our local mechanic didnt have the computer diagnosing machine. I had to trailer vehicle over and back as i didnt have anyone to drive it for me. He dropped the price to $1700 but cash only and with no receipt or guarantee on work, being 20 i didnt have any money so had to take that option as i had been without a car for 6 weeks and friendships were wearing thin. He threatened to start charging me holding fees if i didnt pick car up that day. That was my first experience with mechanics and it has stuck with me for life. Now i do all the work i can myself or get a mate who is a Diesel machanic to do it for me. I can watch and make sure job is done properly and learn for next time too. I also hate Auto sparkies too, but thats another story.

I would probably just pay the money as it isnt worth the stress and effort of fighting it. Just give him the left over thats owing and tell him thats all he is getting. Threaten to write to the local rag and ring the Consumer affairs. There are plenty of dodgy mechanics here in Broome who are exactly the same. If you are onto a good one then always stick with them.

Hello Royce.

My sympathies to your son.

Just recently my daughters car started faultering in revs greater than 2000rpm. Took it to the dealer.

Long story short:
2 months without the car. (no courtesy car)
Another catalytic converter fitted (without improvement)
2 separate Auto Ellrctrician visits resulting in a new battery (without improvement).
Phone hook-ups.
Internet hook-ups.
Second dealership finds blown fuse to crank shaft position sensor and faulty sensor. Problem fixed.
$970 out of pocket after negotiating $200 transport cost off.
All confidence lost!
Regards: Grant

G'day Royce,

Yes I have a gripe with auto electricians.
I had an alarm fitted to the tool boxes on my work vehicle ( new boxes built by a well known professional outfit ). That night the tool box was broken into and my compressor was stolen. $450 worth.
I went to the tool box manufacturer to get the box fixed and lock replaced and told them the alarm did not go off!! and my compressor was stolen. The box manufacturer was paid to fit alarm but they contracted it out to an auto electrician who did a dodgy job. The box manufacturer claims no responsibility and charged me for the fix job on damaged box.
I went to the auto electrician to get the alarm fixed, no problems. They claim no responsibility as they are not the main contractor!
In the end I was down $450 for compressor, $77 lock and box patch and a day driving around when I should have been at work.

Sometimes there is no justice.

Marco

find an auto sparky that actually listens and has your interest at heart , hard to find , but do exist.
regards
auto sparky