Store #240059
Invoice 121143
3/12/2016
So I just bought a used SUV (2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor for dirt cheap) and it was making noise. I suspected it was the wheel bearing hub assembly. So I figured, lets take this baby to the shop, get a diagnostic, maybe an oil change, tire rotation. You know, I want to make sure this car doesn't break down on me. Israel takes care of me right away and recommends a complete vehicle inspection along with my standard oil change. Israel claims if they find anything wrong and I accept the quote, the $21.99 for the complete vehicle inspection would count towards the repair. I ask if tire rotation is included. Israel smiles and replies, "sure, we will rotate your tires." While signing the paper work, I give a friendly reminder not to forget the tire rotation and I write it down in pen on the work ticket and circle it after checking the box that says to keep and show me the old parts replaced. Israel, says with a smile "Thanks for reminding me. Don't worry, we will rotate them for you" Great I said, thanks. He takes my keys. Before leaving the shop, I spray paint green dots on both rear tires to make sure they get rotated. Israel calls me back 30 minutes later and recommends both rear bearings be replaced, and (left) inner and outer tie rods as well. An alignment service is also discussed. I ask for a discount, I calculate it would take me about 3-4 hours to do this job (minus alignment) in my driveway. I look up how much the parts cost at the Mitsubishi dealership. Figure I can do the work myself for about $370 cost of OEM parts. And save at least $700 but spend the time. After much thought, I decide to save myself the time and just pay for the work to be done at Tires Plus. About an hour later I get a call, your car is ready for pickup. Very impressed. Convenient and quick service. So I go pickup my SUV. I get approved for the credit card and save 10%. Flynn goes over the receipt with me and I notice wheel bearings are $279 each?? "He says they are not mitsubishi parts. So I ask are they some kind of high performance part? We did a part search and couldn't find any wheel bearing hub assembly for over $150. That mark up on parts is savage. What can I do, I already approved. I also see 4 hours of labor at $115 per hour. Its only been 2 hours tops since I dropped off the SUV. I swallowed hard and said fine. Can you show me what was done to the SUV? Flynn looks annoyed with me at this point and says the technicians that worked on my car are busy. I understand I said. I ask if my tires were rotated. Flynn says "yes." We walk out to the car and I can see the green dots are still on the rear tires. Flynn defends himself and says its checked on the ticket and 99% of the time its done. No hard feelings I said its not your fault. Can I see the parts that you replaced. Flynn shows me both wheel bearing hubs but not the tie rods. He says they must have thrown them out. But I checked the box that said to keep the parts so I could see them once replaced???? I walk to my SUV and crawl under it to look at the new shinny tie rod. Ok good they didn't forget to change the tie rod like they forgot the rotation. I pop my hood for the first time and notice the power steering hose is leaking and the valve cover gasket is also leaking oil. The car starts and makes a clicking noise....maybe a pulley. I ask why were these things overlooked??? Flynn says "Because they don't require immediate attention. You should have said you wanted a vehicle inspection before we started." I look at my invoice and noticed the $21.99 vehicle inspection I just performed, was charged to me. At that point I knew, it was a busy day at Tires plus and they had done the bare minimum to get a job done. No alignment print out either. Took my keys and ran
I am grateful for the quick service Arnold & James provided, but I feel Israel raped me on the cost of parts and I am having trouble justifying $115 per hour (for 4 hours) labor charge when simple things like tire rotation, vehicle inspection, and alignment were rushed or completely overlooked and not performed.
P.S. My car now pulls to the right (by the way). Unfortunately I will have to be back. After replacing the tie rod, perhaps alignment was also overlooked? See you guys soon. read more