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Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?
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Scams & Fraud
Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?
<font face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><div>Learn what are the lastest list of scams and how you can prevent your identity from being stolen. Protect yourself from scams, whether they be phone scams, online scams or in-person.&nbsp;</div></font>
I was charged for parts &amp; labor (approx. $150-200) &amp; the work was&nbsp;NOT&nbsp;done. I suspected that the trouble with my vehicle not starting was&nbsp;the Fuel Pump, so I got one from the a
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Cat:827966ee-6d39-4ef7-98a5-0157a43092f8Forum:b90a5c24-5453-42fa-b1f5-851b8a98e4aa
Cat:827966ee-6d39-4ef7-98a5-0157a43092f8Forum:b90a5c24-5453-42fa-b1f5-851b8a98e4aaDiscussion:abc7d74b-350a-4a19-847d-9cdb0f1473af

Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?

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Forums  »  Money  »  Scams & Fraud  »  Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?

Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?

posted at December 20, 2011 1:26 PM EST
Posts: 1
First: December 20, 2011
Last: December 20, 2011



I was charged for parts & labor (approx. $150-200) & the work was NOT done. I suspected that the trouble with my vehicle not starting was the Fuel Pump, so I got one from the auto parts store & asked my brother to change it. The job was too much for him so I took it to my mechanic of the last 10 yrs. (Glenn Hughes (owner)at Salt Springs Auto in Silver Springs, Fla.) I was told the fuel pump was not the right one, even tho my brother checked that it matched exactly. The mechanic ordered another from the same parts store. After paying the bill I left. I don't use my vehicle much, most times it's in my garage. After approx.a month I was experiencing the same problem as before the repair. After returning to Salt Springs Auto 2 times w/ no solution & getting stuck at the grocery more than a few times, I went to another shop & was told the problem was that the Fuel Pump was bad. I said that was impossible since I'd just had it changed. I paid the 2nd. shop (approx. $300) for the repair & was handed the Fuel Pump w/ 2000 stamped on it. The 2nd. shop owner wrote on the receipt  that the original part w/ wire assembly was still on the vehicle when he made the repair. Since I had bought the vehicle new I knew I'd been scammed. I went back to Salt Springs Auto today & was told by Glenn Hughes (owner) that "At your age, you're a Senior Citizen & you are confused. I told you that your problem is solved as far as I'm concerned." I was scammed.

Re: Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?

posted at December 24, 2011 12:43 PM EST
Posts: 40
First: December 21, 2010
Last: December 24, 2011
Sorry to hear that you were scammed. You do have Rights! You can call the 1st mechanic and tell him that your auto was behaving like it did before. So you took it to another mechanic and he showed you that the fuel pump that was suppose of been changed by him was not and that you would like your money back. In my state Gleen Hughes would have given me the fuel pump! Did he give it to you? If not make sure it is written on the work order with his initials that it was the old fuel pump taken out of your auto. When you speak to the 1st mechanic and he refuses to send you back your money tell him that you are going to take the next legal actions you have and hang up. Then send him a certified letter telling him about your additional work to your auto and your conversation with him and him refusing to refund your money back to you! In that letter tell him you want a payment by (2weeks) date. If he does not pay you can take him to small claims court to collect that money and/or you can contact the BBB in your area. If there is an online website available of companies’ ratings in your area I would definitely let the people know what type of company he is. But first give him a chance to pay up first!  Also, make sure the mechanic that told you that your part was never changed has written that down on your work order. You must have some type of proof.  Not to speak bad about all mechanics but I was told by one that there are some mechanics that will say there is work that needs to be done that really doesn’t need to be. Also, when taking vehicles to dealerships not all dealerships charge the same amount for each service. On my last warranty service the dealership I was going to told me that I needed work done that was unnecessary until another 50,000 miles according to the manufactures. I am sure glad I shop around to save some money. There are dishonest people everywhere; I do not care where you live! You have to be on guard at all times!  

Re: Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?

posted at March 5, 2013 6:26 PM EST
Posts: 330
First: March 1, 2013
Last: April 23, 2013
Yes, it sounds like a scam to me.  I saw a major news outlet covered a story about mechanics charging for work they never did and they even did an undercover sting where they filmed it all with special cameras under the hood of the vehicle and filmig and watching from across the street.

So you can try talking to your local Better Business Bureau to see if they can work a deal for you with the mechanic shop that lied to you.  You can also lodge a complaint with the BBB and with your state attorney general office to see if there was a pattern they are aware of.  This may get you some satisfaction in dealing with others who can assist you.

Good luck.

R

Forums » Money » Scams & Fraud » Auto Repair. Paid for Work Not Done. Is that Fraud? Was I Scammed?