Was quoted for 2 hours of work replacing lower control arms and without warning was charged for 3,…read morejustification was the book said it takes 8 hours because Toyota says to remove engine, true, but you can just lift the engine up a bit to get at the bolt that Toyota says requires the removal. I was charged for 3 at the last minute, no warning. Requested replacement of door hinges and it wasn't done. Scheduled a week in advance and left vehicle overnight and still had to wait after hours to 5:30 for vehicle. Was told at that time that my driver's side passenger tire was making a grinding noise and is likely a bearing or axel issue and my lower motor mounts were shot. I didn't think of asking for another appointment at that time (nor was I offered), I wanted to get home, and no follow up appointment was offered, and I was not shown the used part.
I was aware of the grinding and figured it was something with the lower control arms. So, after he told me this, I went over to Erie County Farms parking lot and indeed they were grinding, so bad at this point that I drove her home and parked her.
I called up Independent Muffler and explained the situation. I told Dave what happened, how I was not kept informed of what was going on (just had to show up), the last-minute price change, the requested work not being done and nothing done about the grinding (follow up appointment or just being done that day).
Dave explained to me that the book says 8 hours (Toyota wants the engine removed) and that he doesn't know why the previous tech quoted me at 2. He used the book time of 8 to justify adding another hour and they were on it all day. Okay, I call BS, I have replaced these before and it doesn't require you to remove the engine, you just lift the motor enough to remove the mount and get at the bolt. With air tools, a lift and the right tools you can get this done in 2 hours. Seriously look up lower control arm/ball joint replacement for a 2006 Camry, it can be done, a TON of people on YouTube and Reddit have.
I understood him to say this whole job took 8 hours and 3 was fair. If it did take 8 hours, did you remove the engine? If so, why? Honor your original estimate, 5 sec it took for the tech to be like "oh, I am adding 100+ dollars to your bill at the last second!" Unacceptable! Keep the customer informed of what you are doing and if you cannot do the agreed upon work then tell me! I didn't raise a stink at that time because I figured the extra hour was for the door hinges and the tech misspoke, I am too trusting of people.
Why didn't I look at the bill? I trusted them, I have had good work done in the past and they have taken care of me, and they fumbled the ball hard this time. When I called and informed them of this, there was no reason given for why the door wasn't fixed. There was no attempt to make anything right, like "hey bring in your car we will look at the wheel bearing and knock off half the labor rate for not doing your door hinges the first time." He did offer to get me in today, but I am unable to due to obligations and that is the reason why they get 2 stars.
We work hard for our money and tacking on an extra +$100 at the end, without warning is slimy. Not telling the customer what is going on with the work, not showing them the part (in fairness I did not ask, again because I trusted them, though it should be a standard operating procedure), not doing the work and sending them off without an immediate follow up to a known issue (grinding), had they started the vehicle (which I left overnight) 1st thing, we could have had that wheel bearing fixed, same day and had my door hinges in.
I am glad this happened though, if I had a larger job and they put down 4 hours of labor then added 8, 10, or 12? Glad it was just 1 with no door work being done and them not touching my wheel bearing issue. This experience has been a lesson for me on how they run business.
I gave them the opportunity to make it right and they did not. I will not give them the opportunity to do that again and will be taking my business elsewhere.
PS: The woman they have working the counter is very nice!
