Ripped off by Wheelfix

[ToniCipriani]

Well what happened is one of my wheel was bent and my car started wobbling. So I went to look for places to fix it, and stumbled upon Wheelfix. Some other forums said the guys were OK, so I mailed them for a quote.

The lady came in, I took my wheel off and showed it to her, she said it was minor and should only cost around 80 something bucks to fix it. And she somewhat promised me over a weekend and a day-ish to get it fixed. OK, fine, so I gave her the wheel.

Two weeks passed, nothing from her, till this morning. Called me and said the wheel's fixed. But then she added, the wheel was cracked, and now it costs 220 instead of the 80 quoted. I was like I can get another wheel for that price. Then she said something about she can work a bit on the price, but it's doesn't seem much. And it seems they already did work to the wheel, and she's bringing the wheel back to me this afternoon, so it doesn't look like I can back out of this.

Just be careful with these guys...

[bigjonsrt]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

I would be pissed if I were you, they should have called to tell you that it would need more work. So demaned that you only pay $80 bucks or you will not pay at all. If they say that they will just keep your wheel then spend the $220 on a new. what do you have to lose.

[RareFaction]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Pretty sure they can't charge you for work you didn't approve, at least that's how it works in the states

[Wicked]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Dude, don't give in. Tell them they didn't ask you for my consent after they found out the repair was going to be more, but they chose to do it anyway, for whatever reason, so you won't be paying they extra cost they're tacking on because you didn't give them permission.

[matt07]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

with all the above.

Dont pay them! There is no way in hell i would pay for work i didnt approve. either pay 80 or nothing at all.

[Swampassjr]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Exactly what these guys are saying, i'm pretty sure you do not have to pay for work you didn't approve of, they can't do that.

they'll try and get you to pay blah blah blah but just keep reminding them that they never informed you of extra work.

dont pay it!!

[BigV11]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Exactly what these guys are saying, i'm pretty sure you do not have to pay for work you didn't approve of, they can't do that.

they'll try and get you to pay blah blah blah but just keep reminding them that they never informed you of extra work.

dont pay it!!

[TLS2000]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

In Ontario, if you had a written estimate, they are not allowed to go over that estimate by more than 10% without your prior approval.

So if the original quote was in writing and you have a copy, pay them $88 plus tax and tell them that they are not allowed to charge more than that.

Here's some linkage for you: http://www.gov.on.ca/MGS/en/ConsProt/STEL02_045947.html

[ToniCipriani]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Ah, see that's the thing, I didn't know that. The quote was verbal, didn't really record it either.

I negotiated it down to 130, and got my wheel back.

Lesson learned.

[07gtcgy]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

I know if it was me i would be sending her back with the wheel. I bet they cracked the wheel just so they could weld it and charge you that crazy price.

[TLS2000]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Also in the link:

All shops are required to give a written estimate unless you specifically say otherwise to them.

[Ringo64]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

Yeah man thats illegal, next time get written estimate so if you get taken to court or something you got your back. Happened to me with Capital One and a "fixed rate" credit card and I brought them down.

[CoPed]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

........

[Vandie]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

A quote is a quote, don't really matter if it is verbal, just harder to prove.

if they are trying to make you pay the 220, tell them they can fudge off and you'll pay 80 and if they won't give it back to you tell them you're going to contact the BBB and go from there. It's their own fault for misquoting you and misrepresenting their price on the job, not yours, you don't pay for it. Plain and simple.

nicely said...in court verbal and written agreements are worth the exact same, so people believe verbal dont hold any water but as said harder to prove, so if the other party lies that there was no verbal agreement its judges pick who to side with

[ToniCipriani]

Re: Ripped off by Wheelfix

So by means, maybe I should file with the CCBBB?