Freedom Truck Centers, Inc.

Review: In August 2013, our 2003 [redacted] truck was taken to Freedom Truck Center in Spokane, Washington for repairs. After inspection of the truck, Freedom gave my son a written estimate of $22,842.46. When the truck was finished the bill was $28,911.55, a difference of $6069.09.We received no written estimate concerning this difference. They contend that the estimate was given over the phone. We disagree. I have all the emails and written estimates that we received.Desired Settlement: Because there was no written estimate for the additional $6069.09, I would like that amount returned to us. I paid the bill because we need the truck to ship wheat and lentils.

Business

Response:

The customer is correct that the total invoice is $28,911.55. No payments have been recieved as of this date. Their attorney sent us a letter (attached). I called him upon receipt and he did not return my call for approximately a week. I explained our position and their attorney indicated he would get with his clients and let us know. Another week or two passed and I called the attorney to get an update. He was not available, but I was told he may had not got with his clients, and that my message would be forwarded. Again another week or so, and I called last week and left a third message with their attorney and have not received a response.

As indicated in their attorney letter, they have agreed to pay $24342.45, so the dispute is $4569.10

This amount is for additional parts and labor to complete the repair, basically turbos and exhaust manifolds. As can be seen in our notes the customer approved a $1500.00 cylinder block repair and "Hello, I have gotten an ok to rebuild the motor and anything that goes along with it. I appreciated it the estimate. Thanks, [redacted] Sent from my Iphone 9-16-2013". The repair had been going on for a long time, the customer and Freedom Truck Centers, Inc. wanted to finish the job, so the customer could use his truck again in his business. We called the cusstomer to advise him verbally of the turbo and exhaust additional repair and he gave us a verbal to go ahead in addition to the email approving " anything that goes along with it". At that point we felt further written estimates were being waived by the customer, and completed the repair.

The turbos and exhaust repairs are needed so that the customer could recieve the warranty on the engine overhaul. If these repairs are not made, and a turbo fails, the entire warranty could be in jeaporday. We offered the customer the option of taking the turbos and exhaust manifolds off the truck and replacing them with his old worn out parts. In this case, we would deduct all labor and parts to install and remove the turbos and exhaust associated with the $4569.10 repair. The customer would pay $24342.45. The turbos and exhaust manifolds have added value and performance, that the customer approved. Even if the customer took our offer to remove the turbos and exhaust, he would need another shop to replace them in the very near future in order to insure warranty coverage, and performance of the truck.

We have made several attempts to explain this and offer solutions, and have yet to get a response, other than provide $4569.10 in free parts and labor. We have not been paid for anything.

General Manager

Freedom Truck Centers, Inc

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

The business did not give us a written estimate for repairs. It was an irresponsible assumption to add this large amount of cost without a written estimate. The law requires an estimate for any job over $100.00. There is no documentation of these repairs....only hearsay.