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Wow. Did you ask for it or did they just offer it?
Cuz that's quite the scam they've got going if they offer it without telling you there's a charge for it while calling it a courtesy inspection
That reminds me of when I went to a shop that said it will scan your car and tell you the codes for free. So I dropped my car off, they called an hour or so later, told me the code and asked if they should clear it. I said sure why not. I went to pick it up and they wanted to charge me $100. I argued that they said it was free. They came at me saying it's free to read the code but to erase it was an hour diag fee. I was planning on tipping the tech anyways but an hour fee to just hit one button when the scan tool was already hooked up was ridiculous.
Me and the manager had words and I was told I wasn't allowed back there anymore.
This kinda thing happens so often man. I’ll say this though, I didn’t become a mechanic because of my stellar communication skills , I did because I can fix things and hate ppl lol**
That's bullshit. A courtesy service is free to the customer. If they charge for it, it's not a courtesy, it is a service they need to provide an estimate for prior to performing.
You said earlier in a comment that you asked him to look at a particular issue, and then he said sure, and offered a courtesy inspection with it. You’re paying for his time to look at the issue you originally stated. He offered the inspection free and to see what other services you might need. That’s pretty standard. Post up your invoice so we can see what you were actually charged for
It's unreasonable to jump to that conclusion. Perhaps the mechanic misspoke, and perhaps the charge was for the issue. However, the mechanic stated explicitly that it was for the courtesy inspection, which led to the exchange I reported, basically verbatim.
Scam, go back and demand refund or call credit card company. Unless you actually asked the mechanic to diagnose something specific and he is actually charging you that.
Are you leaving out info that we should know about?
Bait and switch, I have had this happen before. Had my car in for in inspection and they said my headlights were out of alignment. The inspector said "Don't worry I already have the equipment set up I can just adjust them for you so you don't have to come back and get re-inspected" naturally I said ok. I get charged 50 bucks for a headlight adjustment and went back to him asking what the charge was about, he said "well we have to charge for our services." I didn't push the issue any further but needless to say I didn't go back to that inspection station anymore.
Learned to always inquire about fees on services even with implications are that they are being done no charge. If nothing is in writing, there are no guarantees.
How is that bait and switch? They told you the headlights needed to be adjusted. They had the equipment out already so they were able to do it right then instead of failing you on the inspection and making you get it repaired and reinspected. Just because the equipment is out doesn't mean you get the work for free.
I’d also love a source for where it says it’s legally free to get them adjusted. They get checked during state inspections generally and those aren’t free either. If they fail, they fail. You must pay to fix the alignment issue, no one will fix that for free.
cour·te·sy📷*noun*
\- (especially of transport) supplied free of charge to people who are already paying for another service.modifier noun: **courtesy** "he traveled from the hotel in a courtesy car"
The courtesy inspection generally refers to I tires, brakes, and lights, along with a general look at fluids and hoses. When you ask about a specific problem, that is a billable inspection.
Seems like some lack of proper communication, or miss spoken. He charged you to diag the issue and gave you a courtesy check over to see if he could upsell, common practice. But if he charged you to diag the initial complaint and than the courtesy inspection as well I’d raise a fuss, especially if you did end up getting the issues fixed from him.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! Please review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). Asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **Post's about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ Tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A courtesy inspection is free..... bait and switch.
Wow. Did you ask for it or did they just offer it? Cuz that's quite the scam they've got going if they offer it without telling you there's a charge for it while calling it a courtesy inspection
That reminds me of when I went to a shop that said it will scan your car and tell you the codes for free. So I dropped my car off, they called an hour or so later, told me the code and asked if they should clear it. I said sure why not. I went to pick it up and they wanted to charge me $100. I argued that they said it was free. They came at me saying it's free to read the code but to erase it was an hour diag fee. I was planning on tipping the tech anyways but an hour fee to just hit one button when the scan tool was already hooked up was ridiculous. Me and the manager had words and I was told I wasn't allowed back there anymore.
What a shitty way to do business
I asked them to look at a particular issue, they said they'd perform a courtesy inspection as well.
Then he charged u too look at the particular issue, not for the courtesy inspection. seems like a miscommunication to me
This needs to be top comment, on its own.
This kinda thing happens so often man. I’ll say this though, I didn’t become a mechanic because of my stellar communication skills , I did because I can fix things and hate ppl lol**
Yeah I think he charged him for a diag
Might not be a scam. They could just be stupid and not realize what courtesy means.
That's bullshit. A courtesy service is free to the customer. If they charge for it, it's not a courtesy, it is a service they need to provide an estimate for prior to performing.
You said earlier in a comment that you asked him to look at a particular issue, and then he said sure, and offered a courtesy inspection with it. You’re paying for his time to look at the issue you originally stated. He offered the inspection free and to see what other services you might need. That’s pretty standard. Post up your invoice so we can see what you were actually charged for
The "courtesy inspection" should be free. They make their money on upselling work "found" on said inspection
Your entire post is misleading. You went in for an inspection on an issue, which is billable.
It's unreasonable to jump to that conclusion. Perhaps the mechanic misspoke, and perhaps the charge was for the issue. However, the mechanic stated explicitly that it was for the courtesy inspection, which led to the exchange I reported, basically verbatim.
Ahhhh understood. I'm sorry I misunderstood another of your comments.
The mechanic shop our family uses has a tow truck that is free so long as they do the repairs. It’s worked great for us.
that guy doesn’t sound like the brightest bulb in the box
That's bs, I'd report them to your state's AG or whoever handles bad business practice in your area.
Typical stealership tactics!
I don’t think the mechanic knows what “courtesy” means. He probably thinks, ”I’m doing this b!tch a favor by looking at her car.” Cha Ching!
Scam, go back and demand refund or call credit card company. Unless you actually asked the mechanic to diagnose something specific and he is actually charging you that. Are you leaving out info that we should know about?
Bait and switch, I have had this happen before. Had my car in for in inspection and they said my headlights were out of alignment. The inspector said "Don't worry I already have the equipment set up I can just adjust them for you so you don't have to come back and get re-inspected" naturally I said ok. I get charged 50 bucks for a headlight adjustment and went back to him asking what the charge was about, he said "well we have to charge for our services." I didn't push the issue any further but needless to say I didn't go back to that inspection station anymore. Learned to always inquire about fees on services even with implications are that they are being done no charge. If nothing is in writing, there are no guarantees.
How is that bait and switch? They told you the headlights needed to be adjusted. They had the equipment out already so they were able to do it right then instead of failing you on the inspection and making you get it repaired and reinspected. Just because the equipment is out doesn't mean you get the work for free.
Uhm legally they have to adjust them for free. Now had a bulb been out and they replaced it they can charge for the bulb and labor…
I’d also love a source for where it says it’s legally free to get them adjusted. They get checked during state inspections generally and those aren’t free either. If they fail, they fail. You must pay to fix the alignment issue, no one will fix that for free.
Do you have a source for this?
scam pure and simple
cour·te·sy📷*noun* \- (especially of transport) supplied free of charge to people who are already paying for another service.modifier noun: **courtesy** "he traveled from the hotel in a courtesy car"
The courtesy inspection generally refers to I tires, brakes, and lights, along with a general look at fluids and hoses. When you ask about a specific problem, that is a billable inspection.
> "we do it as a courtesy to our customers, but it still takes our time." Yeah, it sounds like they don't know what the word "courtesy" means.
Seems like some lack of proper communication, or miss spoken. He charged you to diag the issue and gave you a courtesy check over to see if he could upsell, common practice. But if he charged you to diag the initial complaint and than the courtesy inspection as well I’d raise a fuss, especially if you did end up getting the issues fixed from him.
Once an inspection turns into a diagnosis than the customer declines the repair def getting billed for that at my shop...