Getting Price Gauged Really Stinks!

Ruthanne

Ruthanne

Caregiver
Location
Midwest
I've had to get my brakes fixed, the pedal went to the floor while I was parking it. Meaning the pedal was up and normal and then plummeted to the floor. Had to get it towed to the nearest garage and could not take it anywhere else. They quoted me an absolutely ridiculous price which I knew was totally unreasonable. I told them to let the car sit there while I think about the price. They gave me a website that handles small loans for certain types of bills. So, they wanted me to go in debt for a car repair that I absolutely had to have done pretty quick.

I guess they knew when someone comes in with totally bad brakes they can put them through the wringer! They only have one person working there a day now so less cars are in and out and they have to make it up somehow...so why not price gauge the customers during these had times?!..............:cry::whistle:I understand they have bills to pay, too, and the pandemic may be ruining them and they are trying to stay afloat but I am angry!:(:mad:I have to get the brakes fixed, and don't know if I have the car towed elsewhere another place will do the same thing because of the circumstances they find themselves in during these strapped times...but I am strapped, too!🥴

They did call me back the next day and said everything did not need replacing on the brakes and they could just do the hydraulics for $500.00 less than they originally quoted me. But the price is still very unreasonable and I know this for a fact...I was married to a mechanic and he taught me a thing or two.

So, I am thinking the next time they call I may tell them I will write a bad review of "price gauging" about their business if they don't lower the price substantially! They have me over a barrel!
 

Aunt Bea said:
Ruthanne,

Can you top up the master cylinder with brake fluid and drive it home until you find a shop to repair it?
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There is nothing wrong with the master cylinder it has all the fluid in it and I can't drive the car because of the brake situation and how do I know that another repair shop won't be just as ridiculous? The brake lines are bad and have to be replaced. I cannot risk driving it..may harm something or someone.
 

911 said:
How far do you live from Hershey, PA? I’ll come to your house and do the work just for the price of the parts, which I can get in 2 days from Rock Auto.

How much was the full quote?
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I am just a tad west of Cleveland. I do appreciate it so much your concern and offer but the car is at the shop and not drivable and has to go on a lift for the repairs to the brake system. The most important parts needing replacing are all the brake lines. I am embarrassed at how much they originally quoted me and can't post it right now. If you pm me I will tell you, though.
 
Ruthanne said:
I am just a tad west of Cleveland. I do appreciate it so much your concern and offer but the car is at the shop and not drivable and has to go on a lift for the repairs to the brake system. The most important parts needing replacing are all the brake lines. I am embarrassed at how much they originally quoted me and can't post it right now. If you pm me I will tell you, though.
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OMG Ruthanne, why are YOU embarassed,?.. you didn't ask for those chancers to try and scam you ..it's they who should be embarrassed..not you.. . Thank goodness you've got your head screwed on but it's a rotten predicament
 
hollydolly said:
OMG Ruthanne, why are YOU embarassed,?.. you didn't ask for those chancers to try and scam you ..it's they who should be embarrassed..not you.. . Thank goodness you've got your head screwed on but it's a rotten predicament
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Thank you. You are right--they should be embarrassed! It is a hard spot to be in right now, yes.
 
So I have an opposite story. Hubby and I went to visit friends in another state. We were driving a Grand Marquis, an older model. Never a problem. We were almost there on a Friday afternoon, when suddenly the car just stopped. No noise, no nothing, just stopped like it was out of gas. Nice policeman stopped and he called us a tow truck. As it was a Friday late afternoon, the shop was closing up and would not have anyone available to look at it till Monday. At the time I was still working and to be back to work on Tues. Thought we were going to have to rent a car to get us back home on time. They called Sunday afternoon and told us the problem was with the "emergency gas cutoff switch". Come to find out, these cars had this switch installed in the trunk under the mat. It's suppose to shut off the gas incase of an accident. Well, it malfunctioned and it switched off. The solution? Lift up the mat and push the button!! Sheeeeeshh! Now we were out of towners and they could have gotten us for a fuel pump, lines, etc... but they didn't. They told us to come down and we could pick up the car and they would just charge us for the tow! Now THAT is some good people!! A few years later we sold the car, but was sure to tell the new owners about that crazy switch!
 
Ruth - Isn't there anyone that can steer you to a trustworthy mechanic? Is there a local village website that lists reliable businesses in your area?
 
Ruthanne said:
I am just a tad west of Cleveland. I do appreciate it so much your concern and offer but the car is at the shop and not drivable and has to go on a lift for the repairs to the brake system. The most important parts needing replacing are all the brake lines. I am embarrassed at how much they originally quoted me and can't post it right now. If you pm me I will tell you, though.
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This is horrible but how sweet is it that 911 offered to fix it for you at cost. That’s worth more than any amount of money and RARE! You are blessed.
I hope this works out for you.
Yeah! Don’t you know anyone who can help you with this?
 
Towed in car on a Sunday right before Labor day weekend by a female Senior. A shifty
Mechanics perfect pray.
I'm just going to ramble a little. Brake lines rarely need replacing, flexible rubber or stainless/rubber
Lines at the ends sometimes but sort of rare. (if so), there will be brake fluid leaking. If you pump
The brakes and they get better? No leak. Did any brake light warning come on? Guessing its something else other than the lines. Luck
 
jimbowho said:
Towed in car on a Sunday right before Labor day weekend by a female Senior. A shifty
Mechanics perfect pray.
I'm just going to ramble a little. Brake lines rarely need replacing, flexible rubber or stainless/rubber
Lines at the ends sometimes but sort of rare. (if so), there will be brake fluid leaking. If you pump
The brakes and they get better? No leak. Did any brake light warning come on? Guessing its something else other than the lines. Luck
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I think she is in need of the metal brake lines. The reason she needs them replaced is in Ohio and especially living up by the lake, they get a lot of snow, which means the highway department uses a lot of salt. You know what salt does to metal, right?

When I lived out there, I was on I-90 following another car when the guy’s gas tank fell off the car and onto the highway. Back then, they used metal straps to hold the gas tank in, but with all the salt used, it deteriorated the straps allowing the tank to drop out from under the car.
 
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