I contacted Orlando Aircraft Service about having the annual done on my Cessna 150G. This was the first time I used them and Brad the Director of Maintenance told me it would take approximately 12 hours to perform the annual at $105/hr. ($1260) plus anything else they find.
Brad informed me that they would not be able to start on the plane for 1 month. I agreed to wait. Almost 2 months later, I was called and asked to come in review what they have found and go over the quote. They found 24 line items of repairs needing performed totaling $4302.00. This did not include 3 line items that Brad was not able to find the prices for.
This aircraft was flown less than 50 hours and signed off 1 year ago.
Brad and I went over the quote line by line when I discovered several questionable items.
The labor for the basic inspection went up several hundred dollars.
He claimed there was no STC paperwork for the oil filter adapter even though it was in his possession.
He said the seat belts were not in compliance and they will need replacing.
He showed me a damaged rim and said it was the previous mechanics fault for assembling it wrong. It will need replacing.
This went on for 24 line items.
$4302.00 was far more than I expected to pay, but safety is my top priority so I verbally agreed to have the work done. FYI there is a signature line for every line item on the quote, but I was not asked to sign anything.
Brad asked me for 1/2 down $2500, since this was such a large job. This implied that the total would be roughly $5000 since he didn't know the price of 3 line items. I asked him if he thought the plane would be done in time for me to fly it to a local fly in at the beginning of April? He said he would do his best.
Again there was no paperwork or signatures even for the credit card charge since the girl at the front desk could not figure out how to process the card.
There were no communications from Brad after that. The one time I called to get updates he was on vacation and no one knew what was going on with my plane. I was told Brad would get with me when he got back.
Almost 2 months later, I received an email from Brad. The total was $7244.98. I was expecting about $5000.00.
Here are the emails.
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Chris,
The plane is back at tie down. Attached is the annual invoice.
Brad
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Brad,
I have serious issues with this invoice.
This is significantly higher than the original estimate of $4302.00. No warning of this was given to me prior to this invoice. When I came in you didn't give me any idea that it would be this expensive. $7244.98 is outrageous!!!
Note: I addressed each, but am unable to include due to space limitations.
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Chris,
Honestly I am shocked at your response. We are not a non-profit organization. Splitting hairs on our inventory expenses is ludicrous in my opinion.
Brad
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Brad,
Please provide me with your superiors contact information.
Chris
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No response after 2 emails. 5/17/2018 & 5/21/2018
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The next email I received from Melanie:
Payments are due upon receipt of invoice. Interest will be added on all outstanding invoices at the end of the month.
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Melanie,
I have several unanswered questions about my invoice that he seems to be able or unwilling to address.
Please provide me with Brad's superior/supervisor contact information so I may set an appointment to meet with them to discuss these issues.
Chris
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Chris,
I have you set to review your invoice with Brad and pay the remainder on your account. Brad is the Director of Maintenance, which would also be known as the supervisor. The president of our company will also be there.
Melanie
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Meeting notes:
When the president came to the lobby he denied that he had an appointment with me and said it was with Brad. I reminded him it was with both. Snidely he agreed. In the office I started to go over the summary of all of the emails when Brad stopped me and repeated how much labor he saved me. I thanked him and told him I was not disputing the labor cost only the parts cost. When I asking about specifics, the president angerly said "OK I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS $H!T". Does this mean you are not going to work with me? He said "NO". At that point I left.
The next business day I reluctantly paid the balance.
Clearly this company is accustom to customers that do not review their paperwork or question their actions. I feel like I was treated like a blank check and expected to just accept and pay for whatever they say no matter how outrageous. read more