Got Ripped off by Dodgy Mechanic (Car Service Bought from Groupon)

LKing of oats on 24/06/2018 - 11:17
Last edited 24/06/2018 - 12:30 by 1 other user

Hi all.

I would like some advice on the unfortunate incident happened on Friday. Basically, I used the car service bought from Groupon (This biggest mistake of trying to save some money and end up spending a lot more).

I was informed that the spark plugs had to be replaced and it was quoted $110. It was absolutely beyond the market rate dramatically but I was in a rush so I let them change it.

After the spark plugs had been replaced, the car started misfiring when I was driving home. I took the car straight back to the shop. In the end, we came to the realization that the new spark plugs they put in my car were causing the misfiring. So they ended up putting my old spark plugs back and forced me to buy those faulty sparks plugs as I have already paid.

I told them they had to refund me at least a partial amount of money as they literally didn't fix anything but making my car worse. They just wouldn't refund.

I was wondering what can I possibly do with this? As a side note, they didn't even give me a receipt for the service. They merely stamped on my service book and wrote: "spark plugs have been replaced".

Any input is appreciated greatly!

Automotive

Comments

  • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 11:22
    +3

    How should you pay for the spark plugs if they were the cause? You shouldn't have paid and used your consumer rights. Agree that you shouldn't have thought of making a saving using a groupon. Assume you hadn't used or heard of these mechanics before.

    • King of oats on 24/06/2018 - 11:28

      It was a really idiotic decision I have made for using groupon car service. How do I enforce my customer right when they just refused to refund? It was really outrageous that I needed to pay 110 for these problematic spark plugs supplied by them. I even checked the price and the genuine ones are only 22 dollars. How can they even charge me 110 for harming my car?

      • PissLUR on 24/06/2018 - 21:28

        $110 for how many?

        • pegaxs on 25/06/2018 - 08:19

          Between 4 and 8 and you can add labour and tax into that.

          Let’s say $10 each plug, 4cyl car, $40 for plugs, $60 labour, $10 gst. Sounds about ball park price to me. Even better price if it’s a V8.

          was quoted $110. It was absolutely beyond the market rate dramatically

          Drama much? Please, tell us how much the going market rate is for replacing spark plugs.

      • Roll Eyes on 25/06/2018 - 10:18

        How many spark plugs was it? (How many cylinders is your car?). The price sounds right, it just seems you didn’t need the new plugs at all.

    • HeWhoKnows on 25/06/2018 - 19:31
      +1

      Nothing wrong with the Groupon offer.
      But considering most mechanics are very busy you gotta ask why they had to go through Groupon to build thier business.
      Immediate suspicion

  • SnoozeAndLose on 24/06/2018 - 11:29
    +7

    Demand a Tax invoice, it is required by law

    if they refused then you need to talk to Fair trading.

    They supply you with a faulty spark plug and ask you to pay for it?

  • JIMB0 on 24/06/2018 - 11:32
    +7

    If you paid by credit card a charge-back may be an option.

  • King of oats on 24/06/2018 - 11:34

    Hi guys. really appreciate the replies!

    As I mentioned in the post, I got the proof of payment (paid with the debit card) and their stamp on my service book(They wrote spark plugs have been replaced).

    How could I use these two pieces of evidence to request a refund by getting authority involved?

    Thanks a lot!!

    • Cartman2530 on 24/06/2018 - 12:21
      +4

      When they originally told you the spark plugs need replacing did they give a reason?

      Depending on the car, most have platinum/iridium tipped plugs in them that should last for 100,000ks, so they shouldn't be changed for a routine service. Unless it was misfiring of course.
      Sounds like something a stealership would do…

      Since you paid via credit you can request a charge back if they refuse to refund you.

      Also, name and shame.

      • HeWhoKnows on 25/06/2018 - 19:32

        Since unleaded fuel standard plugs last much longer and only require the occassional remove, clean and replace.
        It was the lead in the petrol that was causing plugs to burn out strangely enough

  • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 11:47
    +10

    In a calm manor call them up and ask to speak to the manager (get name) regarding your dissatisfaction. That you were advised that you needed new spark plugs that you they did install and then subsequently you found the car to not working properly. They were the ones that then re-instated the old spark plugs. A good mechanic would not have charged you for the spark plugs that didn't work. You wish a refund. Wait for response. If they still refuse to refund you or delay. Ie will call you back.

    If he is the manager then he would have the authority to approve a refund or not. So if he still refuses then drop the line that it is your consumer right to request a refund as the spark plugs were not installed that made you car worse as it was their advise for the spark plugs needed replacing. They are the mechanics and experts and should have put in the correct plugs. Wait for response.

    If still no refund drop that you will take this to fair trading as you have a legitimate case to bring this to the fair trading. What is your ABN number and correct business name. Ask calmly. See what they respond with. Say you are only asking for a fair refund and say to them if he was in the same position why would he have to pay for something that didn't work they he was advised needed to be done in the first place.

    If still negative. Then hit facebook and google review, product review and name and shame.

    This is all IMO. Up to you what to do and how you approach it. As usual lessoned learned.

    Next time please check out reviews of the workshop if you hadn't previously as they may also give you an idea of if its reputable or not.

    • montorola on 24/06/2018 - 15:09
      +2

      I love how calmly you wrote that. I'd be spewing

      • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 16:03
        +1

        I think being in a passive aggressive nature works better to get results you want when you are hard done by. Being aggressive from the start already puts you in an unfavourable position with the other person. However the passive aggressive technique should be dropped for a more aggressive method if you aren't getting your way in the conversation. No point in getting stepped on and not listened to. I'm sure this dodgy workshop is use to disgruntled customers. Hence why they should be outed if they don't come to the party. Give them the chance then make them pay if they don't abide by consumer law. I'm fed up with retail and services that don't deliver what they promise.

        I would also put in a review if the workshop comes to the party to rectify to show that they are willing to listen and make good an issue.

        The problem I have with this situation is that they took advantage of the OP as we always do with mechanics. Oh your brakes are looking thin on, probably time to get them change. Its not like you are going to say no as its your safety. So you just say yes. The price you are given cant really be checked as you generally have to agree once they have looked at it and diagnosed there is an issue if there is one at all. Best actually to say no so you can get other opinions or quotes. All ok if you have the time to be without car again.

        That's why it is important to find a good mechanic or workshop that you know will do a good job and fair in price. Sure you may get charged high because you cant check it, but at least you know the work will be done or fixed properly. The car should leave better then it went in there for. If its a service the car should feel like its almost new again. Generally speaking.

        I had been to a mechanic and said my car seemed to be leaking oil. They put it on a hoist took the underbody cover off and inspected. Say 10-15min of a mechanics time. Looked like it was just the AC condenser water overflow. Had used them before with partners car, but not mine. They didn't charge for that even though they could have. I did take my car in for a service and they hit me with the Cam belt and front brakes needed replacing. I decided to go with just the cam belts. Was high, but knew that they would do a good job. Which they did. They test drove the car and re-did the coolant levels which takes a drive after to let the coolant settle. This is to avoid me coming back later once I took it home and re-jigged the coolant level to ensure not topped up enough.

        • mauricem on 24/06/2018 - 16:31
          +2

          wait, so the "mechanic" couldn't tell the difference between coolant and oil? Something doesnt make sense here

        • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 17:44
          +2

          @mauricem:
          No stupid me didn't realize it. Looking under the car on the bitumen I automatically thought it was oil the previous day. Hence why I was saying they didn't charge me even though they could have for my stupidity. Honest mechanics was my point. They tried to look for an oil leak. I said Id pay something and they just said its fine. I couldn't accept that so say a bakery on way out and just brought a tray of treats and dropped them off as a thanks to the guys. It was a Sat and they would have been busy, but still took the time to look at it. I called them that morning and they said come in for them to look at it no issues.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 24/06/2018 - 12:11
    +1

    Request invoice in writing. Request refund in writing. If/when they decline to either or both of those requests escalate to Fair Trading.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2018 - 12:18
    +1

    CC chargeback.

    End thread.

  • Ss-ss on 24/06/2018 - 12:34
    +1

    Ring & ask them when will they be getting the correct spark plugs. Advise them you have already paid.Take it in and let them do what you actually paid for.. Probably the easiest way.

    • pegaxs on 25/06/2018 - 08:24

      I was thinking that this part of the story was missing. It seems unlikely that they just removed the new spark plugs, refitted the old one and said “on your way…”

      Did they offer to replace them when new stock came in? I want to know what the initial solution offered was.

  • reno on 24/06/2018 - 12:56

    Fair Trading is always the option… just takes time to resolve etc but get things in writing so you can state your case

  • lost in transit on 24/06/2018 - 13:10

    Hi mate
    You shouldn't pay a cent. In future ask family and friends what mechanic they use. Try and get 2-3 great reviews from one mechanic and use them..
    Goodluck

  • mbck on 24/06/2018 - 13:44

    Agree write email. Document everything.

    Once you are not getting result from them, then accc their ass. Once everything has gone in your favour, name and shame.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/06/2018 - 16:22

      ACCC is an ass.

  • King of oats on 24/06/2018 - 18:42

    Thanks so much for you guy's comments. Absolutely appreciated it. I will try chargeback tomorrow and if it doesn't work. I will send them an email and see what further actions need to be taken. Again, I appreciate all the helpful advice you gave me!

    • Melb69 on 24/06/2018 - 20:44

      If they have done other work that has been done satisfactorily I don't think you should be disputing that and claim back the whole service.

      • King of oats on 24/06/2018 - 21:31
        +1

        Yes, 110 is only for changing spark plugs. In the end, my old spark plugs were put back in my car as the ones they replaced with caused the car to misfire for some reasons. So I think it's reasonable to claim 110 back under this circumstance. Would you agree?

        • Melb69 on 25/06/2018 - 11:00

          Agree. They shouldn't charge you for the labour related to that either. Good luck.

  • lplau on 25/06/2018 - 08:08

    Isn't it under ACL that the customer has a choice of repair or refund if the item sold to them isn't fit for purpose.

    In this case they sold you spark plugs and they didn't work, hence you ask for a refund.

    It isn't the retailers choice to refund or repair.

  • theguru1 on 25/06/2018 - 08:30

    Dupe.

  • theguru1 on 25/06/2018 - 08:31

    There is no way putting in the correct plugs would make it misfire. Something else is wrong or they put in the wrong plugs or faulty.

    If you have the new ones check if they are the correct ones for your engine.

    Btw. Platinum plugs can cost up to $30 per plug plus fitting but will last 100 000k.

    Either way, you should not have to pay.

    • HeWhoKnows on 25/06/2018 - 19:39

      At $110 including labor they would only be standard plugs - and thats very cheap anyway

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 25/06/2018 - 22:09
      +1

      Maybe they were the wrong gapped plugs?

  • Out24q on 25/06/2018 - 14:43

    If you have the plugs that they made you buy with you, what is the part number on the plug, and what car is it for?

  • Sammich on 25/06/2018 - 17:19

    It could be something as simple as a spark plug gap that's out of adjustment which is common on universal plugs which fit many

    vehicles that require different gaps. It could also be the wrong terminal on the spark plug which doesn't match the lead/coil.

    Regardless of the issue, the mechanic should never have forced you to pay for them and you should have refused to pay for them

  • Fier2 on 25/06/2018 - 17:29

    You should also get groupon know about your issues. In the past i purchased a service with themand didn t fit the description. Not only did i get a refund but also the company was taken off from their website as i supposed i wasn t the only one who report it. Good luck on retrieving your money!

  • HeWhoKnows on 25/06/2018 - 19:28

    A full refund of the cost is justified in this case.
    Approach them first demanding the refund or you will report them.
    Failing that contact Dept of Fair Trading.
    If they refund you make sure you given them back the plugs.

    Also contact Groupon, explain and ask for a refund from them.

    If you paid by credit card ask your provider to reverse the charge as the service wasnt provided.

  • TheOneWhoKnocks on 25/06/2018 - 22:14
    +1

    Keep us updated OP.

    • King of oats on 05/07/2018 - 22:57
      +1

      Great news. Got full refund today. I ended up having the bank involved and lodging a dispute. Seems like the bank contacted the merchant and solved the issue without any hassle. Thanks for you guys help.

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