Gill's Motorworks

On Aug 1, 2016 [redacted] brought in her 2002 Subaru Forester. The customer complaint was that she had been hearing a clicking noise for about 3 weeks form her driver side. She said she was sure it was the cv axle that went bad and already had brought the part and wanted it installed. I...

asked [redacted] If I could inspect the issue for free to see if it actually was the cv axle, or something else causing the issue. She agreed and I told [redacted] I would call her when we were finished. I inspected the car under neath to look for any signs of a worn or broken cv axle and did not see any signs that the cv axle had been compromised. I then test drove the car to see if I could hear the clicking noise that [redacted] said she was hearing. I drove the Subaru around a parking lot and down the road for about 20 minutes trying to hear the cv axle clicking when I would turn left or right sharp or when I would come to a stop. What I did hear was more of a clanking noise. To me it sounded like a loose brake caliper on the drivers side. I drove it back to the shop and we pulled the tires off and checked the brakes. The driver side brake caliper had loosened up from the brakes wearing down below normal. There was 2% pad left on the back and about 4% in the front. At this point I contacted the customer and explained that the breaks had been worn below the wear point and the driver side caliper had loosened up. I stated that this was contributing to her original complaint but might not be the full issue but the brakes were a major driving hazard and if we didn't change them it could cost them a lot more in repairs if she kept driving it in this condition ,furthermore I had not been able to hear the cv axle clicking yet, due to the brake caliper being loose while driving. Also I stated that I would reinspect after the brakes were complete for free to see if I could hear anything else. When I had ordered the parts through Oriellys they had stated the back brakes would not be in till the afternoon. When I tried calling [redacted] to update her she did not answer. Then around 4:30 when we were finishing up the job, [redacted] showed up and looked distressed. I told her we were just finishing and I had been trying to call her. I stated that we had not been able to test drive yet to Identify if there were anymore issues. I then asked her if I could test drive one more time, and she said that was ok. When I test drove it a second time the caliper noise was not there anymore and so I took it to another parking lot and started to hear the clicking noise when turning left to right. Also when I was driving down the road I could hear a slight spring noise that sounded like maybe the bearing on that side. When I returned to the shop I told [redacted] that the brakes were way better and the caliper noise was gone, but that I could now hear a slight clicking noise and a maybe the bearing was making noise and that I would need more time with it. She then asked me how do you know if your cv axle is bad and I explained usually the boot will crack releasing the grease in the cv boot and drying out the knuckle in the cv axle and cause it to lossen up. Also it can develop the clicking noise I was now hearing that I had not before. I asked her to please leave it with me and I would need more time with it to look into the issue further for free. At this time [redacted] became upset and started to tell that she knew what the problem was and that she had just wanted the cv axle put on and she knew that was what it was. I explained to her that might be but that the brakes were very bad and it was dangerous to drive around with the brakes being that worn. She then asked me," So having a bad cv axle and bearings isn't dangerous too?" I said it can be but I would need more time with it and if it is the cv axle and bearing I can fix the issue but she would have to leave it with me. She then stated that she did not have the funds to continue working on it and she knew that cv axle was bad and that she could have done the brakes herself. I was shocked at this at tried to explain that it is hard to diagnosis issues like this sometimes. But that the brakes being worn below the wear point is really dangerous too. She still was mad and demanded the bill in a furious tone. This is what I charged her. Labor 2 hours at 80$ an hours for the front and the back brake pads to be replaced. Total $160.00 Brake pads were 66.08 each set from oriellys. Total was $132.16 Parts Disposal $2.00 Tax was $9.91 Complete Total was 304.07 Plus I threw in about a hour and a half for free in labor that would have equaled $120.00 I also offered her her parts back or that I could keep them to finish the job but she stated she was furious and just wanted her cv axle back she had dropped off. I said ok and gave her back her cv axle and apologized for her being upset. She had also brought her boyfriend who confronted me too I felt very uncomfortable and explained to him the situation in which after wards he explained that it was ok and he understood. He said thank you to me and that I had done a good job. So I am really confused and I would like $120.00 back in labor for the inspections that took place. I have never had an issue with any of my clients and go above and beyond for my customers.

I am rejecting this response because: I did not arrange this transaction with this man.  I arranged this transaction with his mechanic the night prior.  I had arranged to fix my CV axel and had a price quote of $150.00.  This price had came from him.  This is what his mechanic had stated. This incompetent mechanic stated I had purchased the wrong CV axel anyway.  Without opening the box.  Upon opening the box it was the right part!!! This incompetent mechanic told me it was safe to drive my car out of his lot with a broken CV axel and wheel bearing.  It was at this time I expressed for him to explain how he would check for a broken CV axel.  He stated well there could be a couple different was?  He never explained those ways.  I was driving out of his shop with the same part broken that I asked him to fix!!!  It was a basic bait and switch!!!  This was a job I could complete at home a much affordable cost.  This transaction was never between him or my husband!!! Heck this transaction was never between him or myself! I had a price quote of $150.00 point blank!!!!  If a mechanic can't get a hold of customer don't do a damn thing!!! The noise if something is broke never quits. The mechanic is full of crap when he said he drove it around for 20 minuets and didn't hear the noise.  The noise was constant!!!! He's never going to get business believe me.  He's not going to get positive reviews believe me. Chico is small.... It took him 20 minuets to bring me my bill also!!!  Super unprofessional.

customer had previously bought a interstate battery through us and 3 months later after us installing it she came back and had car towed to our shop. We told the customer we would test the battery and warranty it out if necessary. customer never stated she wanted a new battery at the time. replaced...

the battery with a warrantied battery. let car run for 30 mins and then let it sit for another hour. car started fine and had no issues. A couple hours after customer picked up car she stated her ac didn't work all of a sudden.  We did not touch or mess with her ac system when it came in. customer was very rude and disrespectful when she came to pick up car. I tried to be nice and apologize but customer kept being irate. At that time I asked the customer to please find anther shop after threatening us. I have signed estimate that is linked with this document of warranty work done Customer is already badgering my company and if it continues I will get a hold of my attorney.