Benedetto's Neighborhood Auto Repair

Review: My girlfriend and I brought her car (2001 Dodge Stratus) to Benedetto's Neighborhood Auto Repair with a noisy front suspension. The vehicle was diagnosed with bad strut mounts and brakes in need of repair/replacement. We gave Benedetto's authorization to perform the work, and the bill came to more than $700. My girlfriend and I paid for the services and drove away only to find that the noise was still there. It was no better and no worse. We brought the vehicle back and had more work done. That bill came to more than $300. We paid for the services and drove away only to find that the noise was STILL there. We brought it back again, and was told that the car is "mechanically sound" - that there is nothing wrong with it. One month later, the car started making a very obnoxious grinding noise when braking. Brake repair was one of the services performed by Benedetto's. The car still makes the noise, and my girlfriend doe not feel very confident that the vehicle is safe to drive.

A few months later, I brought my car (1996 Chrysler LHS) to Benedetto's for inspection. The vehicle needed front and rear rotors, two sets of rear brake pads, and two front tires to pass inspection. I asked how much that would cost, and was told, "I don't know. I haven't written it up yet." I said, "OK, I'll call you tomorrow to get the estimate." I called the next day and was told that the work was done. I argued with Mr. Benedetto that I did not authorize the work. He said that he was under the impression that I did authorize the work. I certainly would NOT have authorized any work that I was not aware the cost of. I am simply not in a financial position to do such a thing. The bill came to more than $600. I could not afford to pay this bill, but a family member offered to loan me the money to retrieve the car (about $350). I still owe Benedetto's $220. One month later, the rear brakes squeal constantly - whether I'm engaging the brake or not. The rear brake pads and rotors were completely replaced as part of the services performed by Benedetto's.Desired Settlement: My family and I spent nearly $2000 and a lot of valuable time bringing our vehicles to Benedetto's for repair, only to find that neither of the vehicles were any better than they were when we presented them for repair. So, we WASTED nearly $2000 and a lot of valuable time on the most ridiculous excuse for "service" that I've encountered in my life. We are not afforded with the luxury to waste like this. We have three children to take care of, which leaves us heavily reliant on our vehicles. I would like for Mr. Benedetto to acknowledge that these incidents were preventable, that his establishment is responsible, and I would like our vehicles repaired properly. I am very hesitant to take my vehicle back to Benedetto's to have the repairs properly performed, so I feel like I am caught in a "lose-lose" situation.