Shady business practice, very dishonest.
I work in Mt…read more Pleasant, but live 3 hours away. I broke down on my way to working, having a bearing go out. I had my pickup towed here only because it was close to where I worked. A few days later I got a call confirming what I knew, plus a few other problems. I asked for an "out the door quote" and was asked if I wanted cheap, or heavy duty parts. I said I wanted heavy duty and was quoted $900, out the door. I approved the work, (all over the phone, as I was out of town). A few days later I was told the truck was ready and went and picked it up, Mike told me "sorry it was so much", then handed me a bill for $2,100 dollars. I said you quoted me $900. He said that was just for the parts. The bill showed the parts at just under $1,200, $300 above what he just admitted he quoted me!
I was stuck, and needed my truck to get home so I payed the money. Then I researched the prices he charged, as the part numbers are right on the bill. The 2 hub assemblies,(as anyone would tell you, if one goes, you replace both) were found via calling local parts stores, (of which I found 3) had retail prices all under $200 per hub assembly. He charged me $414 per hub. The lowest I found was $162! Now this is for the EXACT part he used. And keep in mind, these are retail prices, he gets his wholesale, which is much cheaper so he can make a profit on the parts. So parts that would costs anyone off the street, $324, he charged me $828. $504 profit on just the hubs! The other 2 parts, although cheaper, he increased their price by 400%. 1 part was $38, he charged $168, the other was $63 he charged $188.
I do not dispute his labor rates, as this is where he's supposed to make money, and so far, the work done has held up.
He knew where I worked, and it's known we make pretty good money, so he decided he'd cash in I guess. I called the next day questioning the prices he charged me once I had researched the local stores, and thinking there may have been a mistake. My calls go unanswered and just to a voicemail. Obviously, if I knew this would be the results, I would've just towed it home and had it done by my trusted mechanic. I have pictures of everything, including the bill to back this up, just not the quote, as it was over the phone.
But the price gouging and absurd mark up is sad to see, but all to common this day and age. Take advantage of anyone you can I guess.
The money is minor to me, but to others it could be major. It showed my the character of this place, and him as a person. I posted my story at work, and online to make others aware this shady business. I'm sure he treats locals just fine, and prices at a different, more honest rate, but I doubt he cares when it comes to out of town people whom he'll never see again.
I also have filed a report with the better business bureau, which I doubt will amount to much, but it'll be on file at least. Stay away, find another shop in town, I can't recommend one, but can definitely warn about this one.
