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| - I have had my Volvo serviced by the same shop for 8 years - they're terrific!!! However, I decided to "try" Euro Cars in Charlotte, NC because it's a lot more convenient to get to.
I needed a simple repair that had been done a few years earlier. The cost of that job was $165 - parts & labor.
I was first quoted $285 by Euro Cars for the same repair. When I politely asked them NOT to do the repair, they told me that I would still owe them $50 for a "diagnostic".
I did not need a diagnostic...I already knew the issue (I have owned the car for 15 years).
We argued over the $50 for about 10 seconds when Jeff, the owner, said he could now do the repair for $185. That's at least more reasonable, but by now I had a really bad feeling about this shop...... Would you want someone working on your car who has handled themselves in this manner?
When Jeff said that he needs to charge for "diagnostics", even if the customer knows what's wrong, my antennae went up even more. Most good shops will take a look at any car and give you a sense of what may need to be addressed - particularly if they've never worked on the car before. BECAUSE THEY MIGHT EARN A NEW CUSTOMER!
But, I did not ask for a diagnostic analysis - Euro Cars may not have known what was wrong, but I did know.
Jeff knew that paying the $50 was the only way for me to get my key and car returned to me. So, I paid the $50 - what else could I do? The charge is now in dispute with the CC/bank and will NOT be paid to Euro Cars.
This is simply bad business.... First Euro Cars tried to greatly overcharge a potential first-time customer, and then they held my vehicle hostage.
This is not the way a good shop operates, or treats the owner of a vehicle that has had multiple repairs over its history.....meaning, the owner knows his vehicle....so if you are the shop owner, you should behave appropriately - just do the proper repair at a fair price - THE FIRST TIME YOU QUOTE IT!
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