ComplaintsforYost Auto Service, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I called about a starter replacement on November 6, 2023. Told them my starter went out, described what was happening and the gentleman agreed it sounded like the starter. I asked for a quote and he said $400.00 after taxes and that it would take around a couple hours. I agreed and had my car towed there later that day. Upon arrival I was told that if they didn't do a diagnostic test and that was not the problem I would still have to pay for the repair. I agreed to the diagnostic testing at $127.00 per hour. So now I have agreed to roughly $500.00 another gentleman called me and told me they were having trouble finding the correct starter. Eventually they got one the next day, and said it would now be $631.00 for the repair. I expressed my unhappiness at the cost but agreed as I need my car in order to work, and since I was already so far into the cost that I couldn't afford to tow it somewhere else and pay them to do what Yost had already done. I had previously got a quote from a dealership for $778.30 with original equipment part but couldn't afford that so went to Yost after getting their quote. So by this time they have had my car an entire day as it is now 5:00 pm on Tuesday. I go to pick up car on Wednesday, and total bill is $743.55 I spoke to manager several times and they say they gave me a $100.00 discount but bill is still $743.55 The manager said he spoke with owner and there is nothing more they can do and that I could have told them no and taken my car elsewhere and they would only have charged me the diagnostic fee but they didn't tell me that till after I had the work done and asked to speak to manager or owner. My printed invoice has the wrong car listed on it though they say it just didn't update the information in their system till after was printed. So my original quote of $400.00 after taxes went up to $743.55 that is an increase of $344.00. I feel they cheated me and took advantage of a single working woman.

  

  Business response

  11/27/2023

  Yost Auto Service Shop Manager : ***** ******

  I was the person that quoted the starter repair (over the phone).  Customer could not give me engine size at time of over the phone Quote, and I had told her that the quote could change pending specifics on her vehicles engine size.  She had he vehicle towed to us expecting to pay $400.00 bottom line.  When our customer came in she authorized us to do electrical diagnostics to verify that the starter was the problem and that we did not have any other electrical issues. My technician started out by testing the battery , Battery was low on charge and required Charing before a accurate test could be performed , after charging battery we were able to go ahead and test starter and alternator , after testing starter it did fail .  Next step was to check for correct voltage at starter when starter energized we did have 12 volts at Starter ,We then built a quote for the correct engine transmission (by the vin#) . 

  We did call the customer 2 different times to let her know there was a fitment problem with 2 starters we had received in both time she told us to proceed with repair with new totals that were given , she was informed by our service writer that she did have the option to have it towed to another repair facility if she deiced to not continue with the repair , she said since it was here, to go on with the repairs , she was given options , we have been more than up front with her in all of our conversation.  When I talked with her (3 different times ) When i asked the customer what we could have different through our whole process? "She responded honor your 1st quote and give me the rest of my money back ".  

  I do believe we have communicated to the best of our ability to this customer i find no faults in our processes. 

  ***** ****** Yost Auto Service Shop Manager 

  We then summited the quote to our customer By phone
  11/7/2023 
  + Starter Motor R&R $685.66
  Authorization  by customer over the phone 
  11/6/2023 at 5:05 PM CST
  + Electrical Test $140.62

   

  Technicians Notes : Test battery, shows good 68% capacity, says charge and retest. starter only clicked, turned engine over with wrench, engine is free, starter would free wheel when engaged, removed inspection cover to inspect ring gear, it is all good.  Then will finish the Electrical Test

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