When my husband called to inquire about the price to smog check our RV, we were told the price was double the price of a car. When we called other companies within the area, we were told the price was the same no matter what the size of the vehicle is. We feel that this company is trying to rip off customers and could not give a good valid reason for the added charges.
Consumer Complaints & Reviews
On 06/27/2008 I took my 1994 Ford Ranger to this business because it had failed smog. I was told that the original fuel filler neck that goes to the gas tank was cracked and needed to be replaced. I ok'd the work and later paid $630.00 ($450 for the gas filler neck and $180 labor) for the service. I don't use this truck often as I have another car that is used. Two years later my truck came up for smog again. I take it to a Smog Only Station and it fails again. I took my car to a place to see what is the problem. The mechanic replaces the catalytic converter and informs me that the gas filler neck on my truck is the wrong one and is becoming twisted and cracking.
I return back to to Quality Tune Up and speak to a person there names Arthur. He indicates that the he purchased the Quality Tune Up franchise business from a different man whom I originally paid for the gas filler neck. He indicates that although he understands my position in being sold a part that was wrong, he cannot take full responsibility for it and that the best he can do is I pay for the a new gas filler neck ($350) and he will pay for the labor. I said that this offer didn't seem right and that I would take him to small claims court. He said that he would ignore the court order and that I can go ahead and sue him as there is a warranty that applies here of 3 months or 3,000 miles and this has expired. I told him that were talking about the wrong part being installed and not a warranty issue having to do with a failed part. He said that his offer was the best he would do.
I drove my car to the shop for an estimate on vehicle repair due to a jerking filling with heat during operation. After waiting awhile I was advised to leave my car and I would be called with the estimate at a later time. I was never cantacted with an esitmate. I called later that day to check the status and was told they would call me when diagnostic test had been done. I called daily to check the status of the test. I was given a few different diagnosis, which I purchased/provided the shop with parts for repair.
After having the car for about 3 weeks without a confirmed diagnosis or without a complete repair, I decided to pick up my vehicle. The vehicle would not start and was now inoperable. I tried several times to move the vehicle from the shop. I arranged six o'clock meeting times to pick up my vehicle with Jose on several occasions, however every time I went he was unavilable to assist me in taking my vehicle. On June 27th, 2009 I attempted to take my vehicle and once again was unable to do so.
On june 28th, 2009 I returned to the shop and my vehicle was missing. I spoke to 3 different employees and no one could provide me with an explanation of where my vehicle was located. I have repeatedly called the shop to locate my vehicle and have been given the run around for about 3 weeks. Icalled the SJPD Impound to confirm that my vehicle had not been picked up; they have no record of my vehicle.
My husband and I dropped off our 1993 Saturn to be tuned-up and then smogged. They were instructed to call us if there were any problems, BEFORE the smog.
When we returned seven hours later, we expected to have no problems since we received no call. To our surprise, we were informed it was failed because the check engine light was on (which is an automatic fail). They informed my husband that if we paid them $75 to "diagnose" the problem and then pay whatever the cost to repair the problem, we would not be charged the $30 again to re-smog the vehicle.
I called and spoke to a woman that evening. I asked how it is ethical to see the check engine light during the tune-up, know it is automatically failed, and still charge the $30 for the smog. She explained that it was an automatic fail but that they continued the smog anyway. I have no idea how legal this is but ethically, this is not good business!!!
They NEVER even called to see if we wanted them to smog the vehicle after seeing the check engine light during the tune-up. They continued the smog so that we would be obligated to pay the smog fee even though they had done no work when they knew it would fail. I don't have $60 to smog and re-smog my vehicle. I am not going to pay them $75 to just see what is wrong and then overpay to have it repaired. I can't even believe this is allowed. How can they expect repeat business if they continue these practices? Is there anything you can do to keep this from happening again?
Wouldn't it be ethical to call the customer after the tune-up and give them the option of cancelling the smog, or maybe even allowing the diagnosis, repairs, and then smog?
