CC Chargebacks on Services?

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

You have a local garage do service that ends up not satisfactory, even unsafe.
Their service cause other damage to the vehicle.
You pay for it with a CC to be able to get the vehicle off their property.
You try to work it out after the fact, but they are unwilling.

What happens?

 

[Icecold]

As part of paying, the customer would probably have signed something agreeing that they completed the services paid for. I would imagine after they do a chargeback the auto shop would then place a mechanic's lien on the vehicle, and if it's a large enough outstanding debt pay a company to repo it and sell the car, but it probably mostly depends on where the hypothetical person is located. Is this in the US and if so, what state?

 

[deadlyapp]

If the mechanic is smart at all, they would have done the above and would have made you sign off on the services. If you did a charge back the mechanic would simply submit the paperwork and have the charge back reversed.

 

[mindless1]

Agree with both of the above, mechanic would first try to reverse chargeback and then a lien and seizure if not paid, law allowing.

If you are in this situation, you need a 3rd party mechanic of suitable expertise in this area of automotive repair to be a witness, evidence in suit to recover money paid and damages to fix it.

 

[mindless1]

Hmm, it won't let me edit the above post... on two different browsers.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

They covered the towing back to the shop. They did additional work and replaced additional parts, which I paid for since it's an older car and not unexpected that those additional parts were also bad.

They did not offer to cover repair/replacement of the part damaged as a result of their bad initial services (brake job, brakes failed within an hour later, body part damaged -- vehicle, not me). Due to the age of the vehicle, I can't find a replacement part locally, so am having to repair it myself.

Their key fault was not doing a full operational inspection and road test after the initial job, which WOULD have revealed the problem.

Debating on whether to push them further.

 

[mindless1]

If you've been dealing with the service manager, not owner, then I would try that route next, but we may need a lot more info to offer an opinion on whether your argument seems to be compelling, like:

What was replaced the first time?​

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What additional work and parts the 2nd time?​

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What component fault caused the accident?​

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What replacement parts can't be found?​

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Why do the unavailable parts mean they can't fix it but you can, are you refurbishing something from a salvage yard, or they are unwilling to wait for a mail order delivery?​

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Does this mean you're also on the hook to pay to tow it elsewhere?​

I'd expect most shops can fabricate new hard brake lines, can't fab the soft lines, can't (or just won't) rebuild calipers or cylinders. What vehicle?

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Rear Brake shoes ONLY.

Rear Brake wheel cylinders (see below), Front brake pads (added at my request since they had it back in the shop).

Rear Brake wheel cylinders blew out the seals and all fluid on both wheels. Others suggested they didn't get the shoes set and adjusted properly.

Rear bumper assembly. Broke after I hit a post rolling backwards, downhill. Car is mid 90s and no longer available new. Very limited stock in junkyards and none locally. No sheet metal or glass damaged, plastic bumper only.

They could have a bump shop work on it I guess, but I'm doing it at my leisure. Not sure if it will hold up though and I may still need one.

Drove it home after the second fix, tested brakes several time on flat ground. Seems to be OK now, but will test a few more times before trusting it. Might have another shop inspect it.

 

[mindless1]

If the vehicle has been sitting unused, particularly with very old brake fluid, I could see corrosion causing both cylinders to fail like this, except that it drove there fine and they would have seen the leak when doing the shoes, would be hard not to, that stands out like night and day inside a drum where everything is coated in brake dust.

Otherwise I agree that not adjusting them (or misassembly) is the probable cause... probably had some kid doing it that hasn't done many drum brakes.

It does seem like negligence and it is fortunate that the accident wasn't any worse.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Not sitting unused. My normal driver though I only drive 2-3 times/month on average.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

NO leak at all prior. Picture taken that day during service just after drum was removed:



Might have needed adjuster and took the picture to run across the road to an auto parts store to see if they had one. Turned out not to be needed.

Bit of oil seen in penetrating oil Tech used to break a stuck bolt free.