re: Auto mechanic giving me the run around (long)

I've filed complaints with BBB twice, once with Garcia Roofing and once with Vistas parent company. Both times were after lots of back and forth with no resolve.

Both times my issues were taken care of within a week.

The BBB doesn't have any real power, but it can be an effective tool for consumers. It only takes a few minutes to make a complaint and it's free. It's worth a shot if you can't come to a happy medium with this guy.

I know coil packs are not cheap, but if they are original and over eight years old, all should be changed. If he is going to do them one at a time, he should let you know that the other coils could fail at any time because of age. The mechanic should always give as much info on the job as possible. (example) Hey we are changing your timing belt because the car 120,000 miles on it and it has never been done. We are three quarters of the way to the water pump and even though your pump is not leaking we suggest you have it changed. now he has given you valuable info and if you pass on the pump and a week or two later it leaks,he is covered. My two cents.

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Here is a misconception that most people don't know about. The Better Business Bureau will not write a BAD report just because you call and complain to them about what happened at said business. You have to win in small claims court in order to LOG and file a complaint with the BBB.

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That's not really true. The BBB will assign a bad grade to a company based on reports, but they will then offer to remove the bad reports if said company pains their $700/year fee.
The BBB does mediate in issues. I had one guy cancel a job on me and ask for a refund on his service fee. I told him the service fee was non-refundable (he used a discount I had, plus it was a lot of work diagnosing his issue. He had the BBB and the Secretary of State write me demanding I refund his $49.99. Of course at this point I did. That's all the BBB can do.

Yet the fricking Pita Pit on St. Charles can owe me $300 and they won't do anything. (they don't get into business to business disputes)

Check engine light has to be on for that. That would make it easy. The computers sometimes allow misfires and they won't turn on the CEL. In that case, you need a scan tool with live data recording to see what cylinder is misfiring and how often it is

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The BBB does mediate in issues.

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IIRC they actually will.

You and the other party can agree to have the BBB have a hearing and you sign contracts stating that you agree to abide by whatever the BBB decides. So basically, they are asking you to put your faith in someone with zero legal experience to hear your "case" and decide the outcome. Then that gives the other party a legal contract you signed if you change your mind after.

This is what was told to me years ago by the BBB. I asked the woman to show me her law degree and where she was appointed as a judge. She got pissed off and we exchanged some words. That was the final straw of them harassing me before I paid my attorney to make them go away.

FWIW, this same issue was referred to the state AG by the unhappy client and the person that called me from the AG office laughed at how ridiculous it was.

Someone had bought a spec house from me and decided they wanted me to repaint the house 6 months after they had lived in it because they didn't like the color anymore. They swear that was covered under the one-year cosmetic clause in the standard state new home warranty. Only the BBB was idiotic enough to use it to try to extort money out of me.

My negative review on BBB was quickly removed when libel was thrown out there by my attorney. The issue is no one challenges them on their bullshite and that's why they have some leverage to extort people that don't take them on. They will never get a dime out of me.

I read your post and I thought "did I say they didn't mediate". Yeah they do mediate, they asked me to refund an nonrefundable charge. It was a small one though.

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Someone had bought a spec house from me and decided they wanted me to repaint the house 6 months after they had lived in it because they didn't like the color anymore. They swear that was covered under the one-year cosmetic clause in the standard state new home warranty. Only the BBB was idiotic enough to use it to try to extort money out of me.

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I would be so pissed. And they sided with them too.

Yeah, I would have to involve a lawyer there as well.

My current disputes are so small the counsel I asked just said to let it go. Not worth small claims or collections. Just let it go and claim the amount on taxes as a loss.

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I read your post and I thought "did I say they didn't mediate".

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No I was adding to your point. They suck. Glad some people here say they have gotten resolutions using them but just know that they are extortion artists. Nothing more than a legal mafia.

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No I was adding to your point. They suck. Glad some people here say they have gotten resolutions using them but just know that they are extortion artists. Nothing more than a legal mafia.

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Oh I agree. They and Yelp are beggers to me. Each will alter reviews and business status in return for payments.

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Seriously, you need to bring it to someone else. If you're around Baton Rouge I'd take it to AGCO. (225) 291-6900

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AGCO will require an appointment... Usually at least 2-3 weeks before you can bring a car in. Also, their slogan being that they fix cars instead of working on them is true.. Reason for that, whatever is wrong with your car, they will recommend replacing all components of that system. Brought a car in for AC work.. Was told my compressor was shot as well as everything else that makes your car blow cold air. Was told it would be $2200. Did not do it right then. Brought car to L&S auto on Jefferson, guy diagnosed the AC problem as something electrical in the dash..$150 dollars later and it works great. Easy to "fix" cars when you replace every part related to the issue.