[HMBeaty]

Ok, this shop has my vehicle and is pretty much trying to screw me however they think they can, but I know better . SO, I've been keeping tabs on who does and says what and have pretty much writing up a report (which you will see below). Now, my question is, if you were in my situation, what would you do?

Gary's Transmission - ****
Hillard Auto & Truck - ****
GMC Dealership - ****

18 AUG 2009 - Had to be towed from NC to VA due to what I thought was a transmission malfunction since my vehicle (2001 GMC Jimmy) got to around 60mph - 70mph and started shimmying and slowing down and eventually wouldn't go over a few miles an hour.

19 AUG 2009 - Towed to "Gary's Transmission" on thoughts of a transmission problem.

20 AUG 2009 - Called "Gary's Transmission" for a follow-up and they informed me that it was not a transmission problem and they said it was the "Mass Air Flow Sensor and a couple other parts" but did not specify what the others were. They recommended my vehicle be towed to "Hillard Auto & Truck". I then called my warranty company "Tri-Star" to see if I could have my vehicle towed from "Gary's Transmission" to "Hillard Auto & Truck" under my Roadside Assistance, which was approved. I then called "Hillard Auto & Truck" to inform them what was going on with my vehicle and that I was having my vehicle towed from "Gary's Transmission", to their shop so they could look at it and see what needs to be fixed.

24 AUG 2009 - Called "Hillard Auto & Truck" for a follow-up to see if they found what was wrong with my vehicle, and they stated that "We replaced the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and the ignition coil is being replaced", which I never authorized nor signed any paperwork authorizing them to replace those parts. I then stated "so it was mis-firing?" and they said "yes, very badly".

25 AUG 2009 - Called "Hillard Auto & Truck" for another follow-up and they stated "they're doing a major tune-up on it now to clear the codes from the engine", which again, I never authorized nor signed any paperwork authorizing them to perform this work.

26 AUG 2009 - Called "Hillard Auto & Truck" for another follow-up and they stated "both converters are bad and need to be replaced which your warranty won't cover and is around $800 - $900 so you can call your warranty company and ask them about why they won't approve it". I asked "is it driveable?". They then stated "no, it won't go more than a few miles an hour", which it was originally brought in there for. I then asked "is it was the torque converter or catalytic converter?" and they said "the catalytic converter". I then stated "you said BOTH?", they then stated "yes, both". I then called the GMC dealership and asked "is there were one or two catalytic converters for my vehicle" and they stated "there's only one for your vehicle"

[lasto]

scrap it and get a decent vehicle

Failing that just hope your warranty company helps pay towards the garage fees.
Its gonna cost you no matter what you do so start saving them pennies.

[HMBeaty]

Well, honestly, I'm not going to be paying anything but for parts. Because, the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and ignition coil, I could've done myself. I NEVER gave them authorization to start working on it.

--------------- Added 26 Aug 2009 at 22:03 ---------------

What I was working on the other day was looking at trading it in for a 2009 YZF-R6S after it gets going again and a state inspection

[tipoboy]

if you havent authorised the new parts ask them to put the old parts back on and give you your car back in the codition they recieved it in, its more than likely they have binned the old parts and will therefor have to give you replacement parts free of charge, this is what i did a few years ago in a similar situation and got the new parts for free

[lasto]

nice bike deffo worth getting

And do as tipoboy says - dont pay for something you have not told them to do.

[Caddyman]

i agree, don't pay if it wasn't authorized, some cars have a cat and a pre-cat. that may have been the "both" but that still wouldn't do that to a vehicle all of a sudden like that.

[Wayne Luke]

Your state should have an automotive board that certifies these companies, file a complaint. Deny new services, pay them for the services authorized and rendered and remove your car. If they won't release the car, than call law enforcement. Have the car fixed at a reputable repairshop and than you can try to recover your money in small claims court.

In the future always put "All repairs require signature for authorization" on the top of your submittal form and have each and everything you authorized listed by line item and sign each individual line.

[HMBeaty]

I actually JUST got back from trying to pick my truck up. I talked with an attorney before I went and he said, "If you didn't authorize the work to be done, you have all the right to go pick it up with no cost to you. If they refuse, call the police.". So, I went there asking to take my vehicle back, and they refused, so I called the police and they informed me I need to file a civil suit. So, off to the courthouse tomorrow.

[KW802]

Originally Posted by Redlinemotorsports

I actually JUST got back from trying to pick my truck up. I talked with an attorney before I went and he said, "If you didn't authorize the work to be done, you have all the right to go pick it up with no cost to you. If they refuse, call the police.". So, I went there asking to take my vehicle back, and they refused, so I called the police and they informed me I need to file a civil suit. So, off to the courthouse tomorrow.

How could it be a civil matter if they have possession of your property, you did not authorize them to make any changes to it, and they now refuse to return your property?

[Caddyman]

call you attorney back and tell him you are getting jerked around...

[HMBeaty]

Well, I went to the courthouse today and started the paperwork process for suing them, and I now have a court date set for 28 SEP 2009.

[Gio~Logist]

Get 'em!

[Brad]

You should have left your car in NC...that commonwealth to the north of us is full of people just looking to rip you off. How much is a speeding ticket up there again? Last I heard it was around $900...and god forbid you cross in to VA carrying anything they deem illegal (radar jammer/detector). I used to have to drive to Danville every week on the Berryhill road, the "Speed limit enforced by aircraft" signs used to always make me laugh.

If I were you I'd let the courts deal with it and fix it myself (if possible, personally I'm lost without the damn manual ).

Hope you get your car back soon...at least the cops don't have it though, right?

[HMBeaty]

Because VA is home and I've lived here for 16 years before the military.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Redlinemotorsports

Because VA is home and I've lived here for 16 years before the military.

I didn't say ya'll weren't good people. I've had plenty of fun up there on the old Mount Cross Road. Just poking a little fun is all, you know how us NC drivers love talking shit about how you guys up there can't drive.

BTW I love the back roads up there in VA (keep in mind that I'm in the foothills). There is nothing like rounding a hairpin/blind corner in a 45mph zone only to be greeted by a one-lane bridge on the other side.