Rocket 442

Is it normal of garages to just work on cars nowadays without first contacting the owner and letting them know what they plan on doing

A few months ago the Camaro had some problems idling, I knew it was the EGR Valve but that was not why the car was in the shop. The place calls me that night and says the total. I flip and ask them why it's soo much and they explain what they did, WITHOUT even asking me. I could have done that myself easily, and it wasn't a necessity. I was pissed but shrugged it off eventually.


Fast Forward to yesterday:
I drop the Camaro off at a place in North Tonawanda and tell them to look at the brakes and let me know what is wrong, I couldn't tell if it was the master cylinder, a line, or what it could have been but it was really soft and acting weird. I SPECIFICALLY tell them to call after they look at it to give me a price and tell me what they want to do. Well I just called the place and they're currently replacing a brake line. This does not bother me, but WHAT THE FUCK, is it that hard to call the owner of the car when they tell the owner of the shop to...
I'm not sure what I should do, and I'm not sure if its illegal to work on a car without giving permission. All I asked for was an estimate on fixing the brakes. I wish I wasn't in the dorms so I could use a garage myself.

Anyone know the law behind this sorta stuff. I'm just in that sorta mood where people have pissed me off enough to start to be a asshole back.

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Andy
▌1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 Deluxe
455cid F2 Block | Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads & ARP Bolt Kit | Mondello JM 22-25-10 Cam - 274/280 .512/.523 | Harland Sharp 1.6 Ratio Full Roller Rockers | Edelbrock Modified Performer Intake
▌1995 Chevy Camaro - Slow
My Cars are USDM, it's like JDM in Japan; Crazy Eh?

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FirebirdPhil

I don't know if it is illegal or not, but my dad basically scares mechanics into calling him and telling him what they're going to do before they even start on it. I know it's an unethical practice.

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"What if I told you insane was working fifty hours a week in some office for fifty years at the end of which they tell you to piss off; ending up in some retirement village hoping to die before suffering the indignity of trying to make it to the toilet on time? Wouldn't you consider that to be insane?"
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Ar0ck

The shop that did the work on my car wouldn't touch it without first consulting me. Thats strange that a shop wouldn't bother calling. I'm going to go out on a limb and say these days smaller shops are getting a little shady with business to make more money.

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Slowass

That is just off somehow.

Call a dealership and ask them about the same problem.
Include a question about doing the work without the owners okay and if it is legal. Might take a couple shops, but someone may know something.
Worth a shot.

I would assume that not paying for work NOT authorized could be something here.

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1999 Pontiac Firebird
Stock'ish'

SpecialK

Been there. Man that was a fun week.

Yea they should call you first, if they just work on it last I knew you didn't have to bay for the work done because it was not authorized. But, you'd need to go to court to tell them to /self

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Scary Guy

I took my wife's truck to get it inspected yesterday.She had a blown 3rd brake light bulb and 1 missing lug nut.(both of which i could've done myself for $3.They charged $10 for the bulb installed and $9 for the lug nut installed.

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Slowass

Lucky it wasn't more.
I am sure the book calls for 30 minutes of labor to install said lugnut.

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1999 Pontiac Firebird
Stock'ish'

Phate

It is completely legal. You can argue it in court, but good luck.

I ALWAYS call my customers first and find out what they want to do. Its common courtesy. I would have a stern talking to with the manager, and when I mean stern, I mean tell him you want some money, or something in return.

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Rocket 442

I just don't understand how it can be legal. Say I open a shop and someone brings their car in for an estimate on a exhaust system. I find that their rear main seal is leaking and I go ahead and fix that then charge them? No way that is legal, and if it is I'd sure as hell get to the Gov't and BBB soon to argue that.

I picked the car up tonight around 7:30. I talked to the owner and he said it was a big mess up and lack of coordination. He gave me 30% off so I accepted that and he seemed sincere in his apology.

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Andy
▌1966 Oldsmobile Cutlass F-85 Deluxe
455cid F2 Block | Edelbrock Performer RPM Heads & ARP Bolt Kit | Mondello JM 22-25-10 Cam - 274/280 .512/.523 | Harland Sharp 1.6 Ratio Full Roller Rockers | Edelbrock Modified Performer Intake
▌1995 Chevy Camaro - Slow
My Cars are USDM, it's like JDM in Japan; Crazy Eh?

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Phate

That sounds like a good deal to me.

Now as per it being legal. You cant prove what you did or didnt say to the tech. Its your word vs his, and he will just claim that whatever it is would be 'unsafe' if it had left like it was.

Trust me on this. I've heard all of the scams in the world when it comes to auto shops. Im just glad I dont work in that kind of shop.

The only advice I can give you, is get to know your technician. Most of my customers im on a first name basis with, and I usually know more about whats going on in their lives than theyre family and friends

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