I have taken cars into many mechanics in my 30+ of driving used and new vehicles, and never insulted like this.
Firstly, when I brought my car in to get an estimate on the check engine light and a tuneup, I was told in a very condescending tone by Raoul that "it depends what the code means, and what your car actually needs for the tuneup." He refused to say. (Should have been a red flag). Then Raoul proceeded to say that it usually takes an hour to find out what it is, but it could take up to five hours and in rare cases it only takes a half hour." Hmmm.. that seemed a bit excessive since I know that code readers don't usually take that long to plug in, and that will often give you a general idea. So I asked, "It could take as much as five hours just to find out what it is?" That is when Raoul snapped at me and said "That is NOT what I said," then stood there staring at me. "Okay," I said, what did you mean? Then he went through the entire scenario again, which left me a bit befuddled. So I repeated "Then it could be a half hour to five hours?" Thinking for sure he would say something else but then he just said "Yes."
Raoul then told me then he would go through the whole car for $59 and the check engine inspection would probably be included. This is looking better - seemed good in fact. I made an appointment for 9am on a Saturday and told it would take 2-3 hours. Later Saturday (I'm still okay with it taking longer at this point) I get a call from Doug telling me that they are just starting to get to my car and they don't have the parts for the tuneup anyway, so did I mind waiting until Monday? That was fine. We spoke about the tuneup and what it might need, and spoke about inspecting the bearings and the tail lights. I said wait on the tail lights, but the bearings should probably be inspected, and but I wanted to do a tuneup. The only price that was mentioned at this point was the tail lights being $9, the inspection that would be $118/hr and take a couple hours. I said I could do the tail lights myself but when I got off the phone I thought that maybe it was a good idea to do the taillights since they were only $9, and definitely have the bearings looked at. Doug told me he would give me a call and let me know if it was going to be "significantly more" than what we had discussed.
Monday at about five I get a call from Raoul. He went down a list of things that the car needs. Then he tells me that they did the tuneup, and that I owe $652 for the tuneup and the tail lights. Whoah, what? I said that is significantly more than we spoke about. I was told that I would get a call if the cost would be "significantly more." The only price we discussed was the hourly rate $118, and the $9 taillight, and that was IT. So Raoul "surprisingly" asked me if Doug discussed the price, and I said no. That was when Raoul said he was going to call Doug and have Doug call me. Fine. Doug calls, and that is where it got ugly. Doug is clearly uncomfortable when he calls. Then he starts to tell me he DEFINITELY told me an EXACT cost that the tuneup was going to be, and said did I not remember speaking with him? Are you serious? Yes, I said, I spoke to you, I said. Doug kept saying things like "you even called me back to okay the bearing inspection - do you remember THAT?" and about five times Doug said "I definitely TOLD you it was going to be exactly $395 for the tuneup. I have NEVER had ANYTHING like THIS happen before." Sorry - just because you keep saying it doesn't make it true, and this is NOT how you treat customers, or anyone. Then Doug suggested keeping the car and reversing all the work they did, and then I could come pick it up. Really? That's worse than sending back soup to an angry and bitter chef.
I just wanted to pay to get my car back and leave, and never come back. When I went to pick up my car ( had to wait because apparently he was on the phone with Doug who was backing his own story), Raoul tried to "explain" that Doug said he told me how much it was going to be, but when I said I just wanted to get my car and go, in his condescending tone Raoul said "I KNOW. But I was going to EXPLAIN some things." Then he said "How much do YOU think you should pay us for doing all the work?"
$652 for changing the spark plugs and one tail light, and looking at the bearings and looking at the headlights (to inform me those will be $300 to change). Nothing else was authorized. It might be worth noting that I was charged $69 for "Fuel System Treatment," and there was never any mention anything like this being done. In fact, I personally think the stuff is snake oil, or could possibly do more harm than good.
Edited to say: I just called them and left a message that they need to refund the Fuel System Treatment" because I did not authorize or want it.
Update: I found the unopened 6oz bottle on the car that they charged me $70 for, in my cupholder. I KID YOU NOT. read more