Camarillo Car Care

Review: I went in to get my girlfriends oil changed and tires rotated. I called to make an appointment on September 3, 2013 and get a quote. The guy on the phone told me that it would be around $30 for her 2007 Volkwagen Jetta. We knew that synthetic oil had to be put in there and that it is the more expensive type. When I got there the guy told me that it would need synthetic oil and I was fine with that. The problem came when I got the bill. It was almost $190. When I looked at the receipt, they charged me for the top of the line stuff. I never asked or was told that this stuff was being put into her car. She didnt need the top of the line stuff. Then, her father called the next day and the guy was completely rude. I am very upset with how they handled my visit there, and I will never be returning. They charged us for the most expenisive stuff without our knowledge and without our consent and that is just not right.Desired Settlement: I would at least like some money back. I am a college student and cant afford $200 everytime I need an oil change. I looked around and other places are charging $80 at most. The price I paid was more than double that. That is obsurd and not right.

Business

Response:

Customer is incorrect to suggest he was not aware of the charges estimated to him prior to us performing any services. Customer was verbally told and signed a written estimate, dated and time stamped, clearly stating the fees he would be charged. Customer also signed a final invoice one hour and seventeen minutes later (after the services were performed) for the exact same total in which his signature acknowledges the services were performed, and total sum of his bill. Documents are included with this email.

Customer also states in his complaint the charges were too high for the oil change service. After reviewing his invoice totals, we are in agreement that the total was in excess in comparison to competitive services at different local facilities for the same services.

The customer has a vehicle that is equipped with an engine that requires a very specific manufactured approved oil to be used when performing an oil change service. Most special or “synthetic” oils in this case do not meet the required manufactured specifications. We are rarely called upon to need such oil, and the oil we stock for that vehicle was purchased long ago at very inflated pricing compared to today’s pricing. Prices have significantly dropped for this type of oil and we have not adjusted our price structure to match “market pricing”.

After calling numerous like quality service centers, we have determined the average market price for this service to be $105 using the same quality of parts and labor charges. Total would be $111.82 after taxes and hazardous fees. The customer paid us $172.14 for this service. Customer also requested a tire rotation for an addition $15 which we performed. We would be happy to adjust our service pricing to refund the customer a sum total of ($172.14 - $111.82) = $60.32

We have adjusted our price structure for future visits of customers with the same types of vehicles and other similar vehicles requiring the same type of oil.

We apologize to the customer for not being more diligent in our market pricing structure for this particular vehicle. Our goal is to price our services at the very lowest prices we can without compromising quality and warranty.

[redacted] – Owner

Camarillo Car Care Center

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 9697411, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Regards,