My experience with Tech Way auto repair of St Francis, WI,…read more
On Monday, August 24, I requested in writing, a typed-out paper copy, stating therein, specifically, that; "Need to have both front struts replaced on my 2014 Nissan Sentra and an oil change if you have time", no other work nor inspection was requested or authorized. At this time, I received a verbal quote from the counter person that the cost for the strut replacement would be about $1,350.00. He stated that they could not work on the vehicle until at least Friday, however, he convinced me to leave the car there and they would notify me when they would begin the work. That very same day, @ 8:27am, Tech Way messaged me stating, "All set Ron, your appointment with Tech Way for your 2014 Nissan Sentra is confirmed for Friday, Aug. 28 at 8am". On August 25, @ 11am, I called Tech Way and then requested they also install a new serpentine belt: (I added this item because the retail cost of the belt is approximately $20.00 and takes about 5 minutes to install: On Tech Way's invoice #14198, created on August 25, they listed the cost for this service at $277.99. Tech Way failed to provide a written repair order as required by Wisconsin State Statute ATCP 132.03 that clearly and legibly describes the repairs authorized by the customer.
On Friday, August 28, at 9:50 am, Tech Way telephoned me with a new quote for over $4,000.00. His explanation for the increased estimate was the vehicle also needed new sway bars in order to do the alignment, and, also stating the car also needed a new exhaust system starting from the resonator all the way to the muffler, a new oil pan gasket, a new motor mount, and new windshield wipers. He gave no reason on why the exhaust system needed to be replaced but stated that the oil pan gasket had a bad leak, that it was significant. On this I informed him that it had only been about 1,000 miles since my last oil change and I checked the oil regularly and have never had to add any oil to the engine since then. He also stated the reason for needing a new motor mount was that the mount was funky and looked worn. And, that the windshield wipers left streaks on the windshield. I had NEVER requested any type of vehicle inspection to begin with, but was charged $79.43 for this service, and at this time he would not give me any idea when they would begin the repairs, nor when my requested car repairs would be completed as required by Wisconsin State Statute ATCP 132.05.
I declined all the additional repair requests except for the oil pan gasket, which made the new estimate quote for the struts, sway bars, alignment, oil change, and serpentine belt to a total of $2,528.08. I immediately cancelled the oil pan gasket which made the new quote $2,240.43. On the next morning, on Saturday, I walked over to the Tech Way auto lot which was closed, and discovered that my vehicle was parked in their lot, and it appeared apparently no repair work had yet begun. I then went back home and sent an instant message to Tech Way at 07:03am canceling the request for an oil change and serpentine belt replacement, and also again requested to know when my vehicle will be ready for me to retrieve, which was never answered.
I purchased this car in July of 2025, and this was the add that made me decide to purchase the vehicle; "This is a really nice and reliable vehicle that gets over 30MPG. It runs, drives and shifts flawlessly without any issues whatsoever. You are welcome to have any mechanic of your choice inspect the vehicle for you." I had only put under 2 K miles on it and made me wonder what happened in a year's time to cause all these allegedly additional needed parts and service?
Also, at 7:56pm, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, I sent the following instant message to Tech Way, which they did not respond to, I discovered that they had added the stabilizer/sway bars to the original price quote when they were NOT necessary;
"Please explain why you want to replace the stabilizer/strut bar on my vehicle. Do not start any work on my vehicle what so ever, Do not start any work on my vehicle what so ever I will plan on being at your shop at 8am to discuss this further".
On Monday morning at 8am, on August 31, after paying in full, I retrieved my vehicle back from Tech Way after being in their possession for 7 days, and then discovered that only the oil change and un-authorized inspection had been accomplished. I was also provided with two invoices both duplicated numbers designated as, # 14198, one dated August 31, 2026, indicating a total of $165.72 for the undesired inspection and oil change, paid in full; and a separate invoice dated August 25, 2026, indicating a balance due of $2,243.33, along with a total of $1,765.13 in declined jobs. The invoice dated August 25 also contained a Note; "30 Day Warranty on Alignments." This also was not mentioned in any previous communications.
I have since reported this to the BBB & WI Consumer Protection Agency
