Feltner's Automotive Service Inc.

Review: My wife took her vehicle to Feltner's Automotive for State Inspection. Feltner's failed the vehicle for State Inspection stating the Upper Left Ball Joint was bad. They then gave an estimate of $250 Labor and $56 for the ball joint, bringing the repair to over $300. My Grandfather owned an Automotive Repair garage and I grew up working as a mechanic. When my wife brought this to me I laughed at the ridiculous price. I replaced the ball joint in question for $18.50 and it took approximately 1 hour to do in my drive way without professional tools. There was nothing wrong with the ball joint I removed, but I replaced it anyway to appease Feltner's Automotive and to receive a State Inspection. My wife took the vehicle back to Feltner's Automotive. The second time, Feltner's Automotive rejected the vehicle and told my wife the CV Boot was gone. This was ridiculous. The CV Boot was on the vehicle, but the clamp was loose. The Boot was fully functional without damage, the clamp was just loose and needed to be tightened. I went to Feltner's Automotive to question his inspection practices and stated that I believed he was taking advantage of my wife. I explained my automotive background and that I had personally replaced the ball joint he claimed was bad and that the CV Boot was not "gone" but that the clamp simply needed to be tightened. I requested a refund of the $22.00 my wife had paid him, $11.00 each visit. Mr. Feltner began cursing me in front of other customers. He used a very long burst of expletive language directed at me to include calling me a Mother F..... He told me to get out of his store. I once again requested a refund of my money because of his unethical business practices and the fact he was trying to take advantage of my wife. He then picked up the phone and called the police asking them to come remove me from his business.

This business takes advantage of un-knowledgeable customers by failing their vehicle for State Inspection and then charging an exorbitant price to complete the repairs. These practices are unethical. Other consumers need to be warned of Feltner Automotive's unethical practices in failing vehicles for items that are not really broken and then charging highly inflated labor and parts prices to complete the repair.

The ball joint repair on my wife's vehicle requires removing the front tire. Removing 1 (one) bolt holding the Ball Joint in place. Removing 2 (screws) that support the brake lines and then pressing the ball joint out with a ball joint press. Any automotive mechanic and garage should be able to easily complete this task in 45 minutes no problem. The high end mechanic labor in this area is $100 per hour. A high end Manufacturer Recommended Part for this vehicle is $34.00, I purchased a high quality one for $18.50. Feltner's Automotive wanted $56.00 for the part.

The owner of this business is very aggressive and does not hesitate to use extremely foul and abusive language towards his customers.Desired Settlement: I would like the $22.00 (two occasions of $11.00) refunded to me for improperly failing my wife's vehicle for State Inspection. I would like for the Revdex.com to warn customers in the [redacted], WV area of this Businesses unethical practices and the treatment of it's customers when questioned.

Business

Response:

We will not refund any Money to [redacted], as West Virginia State law mandates that I charge $11.00 Pass or Fail, His vehicle FAILED both times, No Refunds. Also when I have to call 911 to have him removed from my place of business, I think that says it all.

I am having trespass warrants against him, and his wife, so if they return I will have them arrested. I do not want to hear anymore about this as I am done; responding to this matter.

Review: Feltner's Automotive has zero customer service to offer. We brought our vehicle there to get fixed because they offer a [redacted] discount and it had great reviews. However, they fixed the vehicle and then after the fact told us it was unsafe to drive. Not only that, my husband, a hard working member of the armed forces just lost his 16 year old brother and because he forgot to ask for the [redacted] discount, they refuse to make it right. They will not refund or give us the amount in future services. I have never dealt with such a rude owner who is completely not understanding. I will never take my business there again and will make it my personal agenda to make sure my story is heard and read everywhere unless the owner can make it right. He said it was not in his power to do so. I feel as though because we are military we are being discrimated against.Desired Settlement: I would like the $68.00 refunded and sent to [redacted] WV [redacted]

Business

Response:

November 6, 2013

To Whom it May Concern;

Re* Complaint #[redacted]

We at Feltner's Automotive Service strive on Great Customer Service, After reading our customer’s complaint, we feel it is unnecessary to reimburse the customer of any discount at this time.

We are an [redacted] Approved Auto Repair Facility; therefore, we have guidelines we have to follow with [redacted]. The guideline specifies that the customer MUST tell us upfront that they are [redacted] members along with verification. The customer failed to mention anything about that at the time of their repair or when they were in to pay their bill upon completion of their vehicle. The Mrs calls in 3 days later and then wants the discount.

The Mrs. also complained about the vehicle being unsafe to drive after the repair was done, however, [redacted] already was aware of the problem when my service advisor discussed this with him. Their vehicle was towed in and couldn't be driven, so therefore, we had to repair that problem before we could drive it. While test driving their vehicle after the repair was finished, that's when we determined the rear suspension problem which makes the vehicle unsafe to drive.

Feltner’s Automotive Service feels that everything was handled in good business sense and no refund be honored at this time and our decision is never based on a particular status.

Thank You,

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because before the vehicle was towed to Feltner's automotive I had asked if we could bring the vehicle in and told them of our membership. It was an informal phone call, however, they were aware. It was not asked for upon pickup due to the fact we had assumed it would have been added already. The discriminatory practices of your business are not good business practices and are, therefore, unjust. I have never been treated so unfairly and had an owner so unwilling to work with a customer. [redacted] has no issue with a refund after the fact, therefore, the issue lies with Feltner's automotive. The misogynist feelings of the owner are preventing him from taking appropriate action. I accept what was said about the vehicle being unsafe after being picked up.

Regards,

Business

Response:

November 19, 2013

To Whom It May Concern,

Re. Complaint [redacted]

After reading the additional concerns regarding this case, I still hold true to my word that the customer did not do follow through on their end by presenting us their [redacted] membership card before service was rendered.

We did, however, get in contact with our [redacted] Representative regarding this matter, and he informed us that we did no wrong and abided all regulations with [redacted]. He also mentioned that we should NOT be given a bad review pertaining to this matter and if you have any questions or conccrns to please gel in contact with him by either phone or email.

[redacted]; Approved Auto Repair Field Manager ###-###-#### [redacted] members are given all this information at the time they signed up and it is their responsibility to read up on the facts beforehand.

I am also enclosing o paper that [redacted] sent to me from [redacted] showing the benefits and restrictions Note that it does read 5% discount but wc initially signed a contract to give a 10% discount to all qualifying members.

I am sorry for any hardship this may have caused and stand firm with my decision.

Thank You

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

It is untrue.

Regards,

Business

Response:

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