My Complaint: Work incompetently done (or not done at all) at $145.00 hr.
The Scenario (Posted on Yelp 4/14/2015)
I'm from out of town. I broke down in Santa Rosa in March and was towed to the nearest mechanic.....McLea's. My backyard mechanicing had finally caught up with me as I had tried to repair a leaking valve cover and spark plug seals approximately 11 months earlier. Those spark plug seals were a challenge for me to put in and I was hoping the "small tears" would not be a major issue until I could get in into the shop. Unfortunately, I waited to long
Well, McLea's discovered my handiwork, recommended a tune up, valve adjustment, and repair or of the gasket and spark plug seals.........at $950 (145.00 per hour). It was three times what my local mechanic would have charged.....but I needed my car and I didn't have the luxury to check other shops......my error.
Unfortunately, when I made it back to my hometown, the cover was still leaking in the same area. I called the warranty number who advised me to take it to my mechanic, verify the problem, and they would pay to fix it......easy enough......things happen, so I understood until.....
My mechanic said the plug seals were either never replaced, or incompetently replaced as ALL FOUR plug seals were torn (in addition to the leaky valve cover.) The response from the McLea's manager was basically the warranty covered it and that they are honest people so no refund....partial or otherwise.
So some of my questions are:
1. How much of the work that I was charged for was never done?
2. Why did the manager come to a decision without even doing a thorough investigation by calling my mechanic?
3. Are we dealing with a major competency issue?
4. After successful litigation, what is the compensation for a consumer who is charged for work that is never done?
5. Does the "warranty" remove liability for charging for work that was not done?
6. What steps has McLea's put in place to prevent this type of problem from occurring to other consumers?
7. What impact will contacting the Better Business Bureau and the Bureau of Automotive Repair have on this type of issue?
Lastly
How does one determine the integrity of a business? Quality of work and quality of problem resolution........both a negative in my experience. Businesses tend to protect what they value; their name or their pocketbook...........I believe McLea's has demonstrated which one matters
Thank you for contacting me early this week. This letter is a result of our conversation today.
I checked with R&R Auto Truck repair today to see if they still had those damaged parts. Unfortunately, they do not. They did provide me with the attached letter verifying what they witnessed.
Thanks for your help and looking forward to an amenable solution.
McLea's Tire & Automotive Reviews
My Complaint: Work incompetently done (or not done at all) at $145.00 hr.
The Scenario (Posted on Yelp 4/14/2015)
I'm from out of town. I broke down in Santa Rosa in March and was towed to the nearest mechanic.....McLea's. My backyard mechanicing had finally caught up with me as I had tried to repair a leaking valve cover and spark plug seals approximately 11 months earlier. Those spark plug seals were a challenge for me to put in and I was hoping the "small tears" would not be a major issue until I could get in into the shop. Unfortunately, I waited to long
Well, McLea's discovered my handiwork, recommended a tune up, valve adjustment, and repair or of the gasket and spark plug seals.........at $950 (145.00 per hour). It was three times what my local mechanic would have charged.....but I needed my car and I didn't have the luxury to check other shops......my error.
Unfortunately, when I made it back to my hometown, the cover was still leaking in the same area. I called the warranty number who advised me to take it to my mechanic, verify the problem, and they would pay to fix it......easy enough......things happen, so I understood until.....
My mechanic said the plug seals were either never replaced, or incompetently replaced as ALL FOUR plug seals were torn (in addition to the leaky valve cover.) The response from the McLea's manager was basically the warranty covered it and that they are honest people so no refund....partial or otherwise.
So some of my questions are:
1. How much of the work that I was charged for was never done?
2. Why did the manager come to a decision without even doing a thorough investigation by calling my mechanic?
3. Are we dealing with a major competency issue?
4. After successful litigation, what is the compensation for a consumer who is charged for work that is never done?
5. Does the "warranty" remove liability for charging for work that was not done?
6. What steps has McLea's put in place to prevent this type of problem from occurring to other consumers?
7. What impact will contacting the Better Business Bureau and the Bureau of Automotive Repair have on this type of issue?
Lastly
How does one determine the integrity of a business? Quality of work and quality of problem resolution........both a negative in my experience. Businesses tend to protect what they value; their name or their pocketbook...........I believe McLea's has demonstrated which one matters
Update 4/17/15****************************************************
Mr. Sosa,
Thank you for contacting me early this week. This letter is a result of our conversation today.
I checked with R&R Auto Truck repair today to see if they still had those damaged parts. Unfortunately, they do not. They did provide me with the attached letter verifying what they witnessed.
Thanks for your help and looking forward to an amenable solution.