Uribe's Auto Repair

Review: Received repairs and was informed car was fixed. Returned car 4 times before being informed of new repairs that were needed.

On 4/30/13 at approx 9 a.m., I brought my car, a 2004 Acura MDX, to Uribe's Auto Repair in West Sacramento, CA to have a diagnostic check conducted on my car. My father & I spoke with the manager, [redacted] During our discussion I explained that my check engine light was on & I recently had a smog test completed on my car but it failed due to the light. Mr. [redacted] ran a code test on my car & came back to inform us that there were several codes & a diagnostic check would be needed, which would cost $60 to complete. I left my car at Uribe's to have the diagnostic check completed. At approx. 11:30 a.m. Mr. [redacted] contacted my father to inform him that the car needed a valve adjustment and spark plugs replaced. The total verbal estimate was $590 and the initial $60 diagnostic fee would be waived. In addition, the repairs would require my car be left at the shop over-night. I verbally agreed to have these repairs completed. On 5/1/13 in the afternoon my father received a call informing him that the car was ready to be picked up. I picked the car up from Uribe's at approx. 1:30 p.m. Once again, I spoke with Mr. [redacted] and he informed me that the car was running a lot smoother. I asked him if the codes were cleared and if the check engine light was now off. He stated that yes, all was clear & no more lights. I paid Mr. [redacted] $590 using my Visa Debit card and received a copy of invoice [redacted] Upon my arrival to Elk Grove, CA, my check engine light came back on. Uribe's was immediately contacted and I returned the car at approx. 4 p.m. Approx. 30 minutes after I returned my car to Uribe's they found the problem and stated that one of the hoses was not attached properly which triggered the new codes. They adjusted the hose and once again I left Uribe's. However, upon my arrival to Elk Grove, once again the check engine light came back on. Uribe's was notified, however they were closed so I had to wait until the morning to return the car. On 5/2/13 at approx. 9 a.m., I returned my car to Uribe's. That afternoon, Uribe's contacted my father to inform him that they would need to call in a Specialist to find out what was triggering the check engine light to come back on. The Specialist would not be available until 5/7/13 so I picked up my car with the intent of returning on May 7th. On 5/7/13, I returned my car to Uribe's & this time I spoke with the owner, [redacted]. I specifically asked him whether or not I would get a refund for the repairs if he was not able to fix the problem & Mr. Uribe agreed to provide me with a refund if this occurred. At approx. 11 a.m. I received a call from my father informing me that the shop was now saying that one of my valves was burned out & it now needed to be replaced which would cost me an additional $1,450. I contacted Uribe's Auto Repair & inquired about my car & what they found. I was told by Mr. [redacted] that the "bottom valve connected to the block" was burned out & needed to be replaced which would normally cost $1,450, however they were willing to do the repairs for $725. I asked why it took four times for them to determine that a valve was burned out and Mr. Gonzales stated that they were human & that is why they called in a Specialist. I asked him if they were not able to fix Japanese cars then why not say this before doing the repairs & Mr. [redacted] stated that they do repair Japanese cars all the time. I explained to him that I brought my car in to their shop to determine why the check engine light was on & was told it was due to a valve adjustment, which I paid for. Then upon me leaving the shopping new codes appear which did not register before & felt it was the shop's responsibility to repair the car without any further charge. Mr. [redacted] stated that they were compensating me by lowering the cost to have the valve replacement completed. I asked Mr. [redacted] for a refund for valve adjustment but he refused. I told him to no longer work on my car & picked it up.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive a refund for the costs associated with the valve adjustment repair ($502.11). I received an invoice (invoice #3037) totaling $590 for these repairs. The invoice detail lists the following costs: Labor - $380; Parts - $250 (Valve Cover Gasket Set - $62; Intake Gasket Set - $107; NGK-Laser Iridium Spark Plugs - $81); Discount - $60 (diagnostic fee waived); Tax - $20. I am requesting a refund of $502.11. This refund amount does not include the cost associated with the spark plugs ($81) or sales tax associated with spark plugs (8.5% or 6.89).

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

We have refunded the consumer in full as of 05/24/13. A copy of that check was also provided to a Bureau of Automotive Repair.