i got riped-off by a mechanic

[89tracerman]

this is what happened, I was leaving work about a month ago on saturday when i got in my car i noticed my clutch was all the way down. So i took it to a mechanic he said it was the clutch, and he said he would change it for $400 parts and labor. me not knowing about hydraulic clutches said OK. Monday it was working he said he installed a new clutch so i payed him $400. i got pissed off cuz it rained and he didnt bother to close the windows so it was all wet. i drove the car and the speedometer didnt work. when i got home i oppened my hood and i remembered the clutch resevoir being dirty and it was like new. So i was like WTF!!! so i asked him if he changed it and he said "no just the clutch" i knew he lied cuz it also needed fluid and he added some and he said he didnt touch it. so i payed him another $50 to fix the speedometer. so yesterday i was looking in different forums what fluid to use in the clutch cuz it was running low and some guy told me if the liquid keeps going down you will need a new clutch soon. So thats when i got Mad. Today i went with the stupid mechanic and it turned out he didnt know shit about hydraulic clutches and he didnt give me a recipt so im screwed now i need to buy another clutch and have another mechanic install it so a simple $100 clutch will now cost me $800. i had though about going and breaking some of his windows but then i realized how will this help me it wont give me my money back. what do you recomend i do?

NOTES:
*needed new clutch
*mechanic cleaned reservoir and added fluid
*charged me $400 + $50
*Still need new clutch
*Dont know what to do to get my anger out

[aloharocky]

Sounds like your slave cylinder is bad. No harm done, as long as he really changed your clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing. It was probrably worn out anyways, but I'd be suspicious of his work at this point. Otherwise you'll be needing to re-do it soon. If all that is done, just have the cylinder changed now. I always give the customer their old parts. Is this guyt legit? $50 to re-connect the speedometer is crazy. He took it off when he pulled the transmission and forget to put it back on..

[89tracerman]

well at least he said he would give me a 30 day waranty and what i thought sucked is that i asked him for the old clutch and he said he took it back for his core charge. and i asked for the recipt and he said the other mechanic had it and told me to come back the next day when i returned the next day he said he looked for it but didnt find it so then i was sure he was lieing

[MBTN]

A few things...
-ALWAYS get a receipt and give them hell if need be in order to get one.
-This is a large automotive forum. Ask around here first about a problem. Somebody here is bound to be knowledgable!
-Always get more than one opinion (go visit different mechanics).
Finally...
-Live and learn

[Neutrino]

If you payed with a credit card dispute the charges. if you payed with a check or debit card you might be quick enough to stop the transaction, or at least have a record of the payments.

[Rbraczyk]

Bad mouth his business. It works. Trust me.

[aloharocky]

I was thinking about this last night, and more red flags came up. I wouldn't go back to him, he's what we call a "pirate." Tell everyone you know to avoid him, there is definitely something wrong. He HAS to give receipts. if he doesn't he's in violation, for one thing. Find a good mechanic and stick with him, even if he seems more expensive at first. They are out there. Just don't buy your parts and bring them to him, that's an insult.

[-Josh-]

That's why you take your car to trusted ASE professionals at the dealers....like me.....well....not yet, i'm only non ASE certified in Engine overhaul at the moment, but by the end of the semester i'll be well certified!!! But seriously, take it somewhere where you know it will get done right next time, it may cost a little more but you know it will get done right.

[89tracerman]

is there any "test" i can do? like tell him to change another part and if he doesnt do it right i could take him to court.

[aloharocky]

Check with your Better Business Bureau, they should be able to tell you if he has other complaints under that business name. Maybe call your state auditor and ask why he didn't give you a receipt? This is if course assuming you are ready to do battle.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Well, one thing is for sure; never go to this mechanic again.

I agree with aloharocky, check with BBB. Defently report him. Who knows who else he has done this to. Seems like this guy is all to comfortable when it comes to ripping people off.

[dugie6551]

I got ripped off by a mechanic who "changed" my bad starter and (2) days later it broke again. I come to find out he replaced the bad starter with a "used" starter and charged my warranty company for (2) new ones. I called the warranty company and they charged him and he went out of business within a year. So I guess he was doing this to everyone !!!

[WickedNYCowboy]

Well I guess you learned your lesson. But good mechanics are hard to come by. Just go by word of mouth. Luckily I have a good mechanic who fixes the car properly and also tries to give me some more performance each time he does a repair.

[Fully_Sick]

I think you should go up to him and piss on his leg, if he wants to be a dog to you and rip you off, be a dog back and piss on him...

[Trail Blazin96]

Originally Posted by 89tracerman

well at least he said he would give me a 30 day waranty and what i thought sucked is that i asked him for the old clutch and he said he took it back for his core charge. and i asked for the recipt and he said the other mechanic had it and told me to come back the next day when i returned the next day he said he looked for it but didnt find it so then i was sure he was lieing

Tell him to give you another recipt! If he doesn't take his azz to court for faliure to render service, but first take it to someone and have them reasure you that nothing has been done to the clutch or anything else he has replaced. I did that and got my money back and 1000, dollars extra!