Petty Automotive will repair vehicle and wont give you cost until complete even if twice the quote Spartanburg, South Carolina

I own a $500 work truck that for the last year, it smells like gasoline.  It was not a “leak” per say, but the fumes were an annoyance. I took the vehicle to Petty’s Automotive in Spartanburg months ago for another problem, and it was diagnosed and fixed for one issue, and the secondary smell issue was addressed and quoted as not necessary.  In the diagnosis for the smell issue, I was quoted $86 for a used part, and less than $100 in labor.  I did not have the time to leave the vehicle, so months later I brought it back to have this annoyance fixed.  I specifically asked for a price before work was to proceed remembering that the last time I took the vehicle to Pettys Automotive I was not given a quote before work proceeded.  Expecting a bill of less than $200 for a $500 vehicle that didn’t actually NEED to have this performed, I dropped it off and followed up a week and a half later when I had not heard back from them.  The receptionist informed me that they had proceeded with the work (without being given a quote) even though I asked for one prior to beginning.  I injected that I was not happy that they had proceeded without my approval of the cost, asked for one at that point, and she said that they could not give me a cost yet until they were finished with the work. 

My bill is $484, close to the cost of the vehicle to begin with, because the owner decided to use a new gas tank, instead of a used one.  Why, I don’t know?  Why I wasn’t informed of this increase is a mystery to me.

As I argued with the owner, had I known that the price was to be close to $500 I would not have gone thru the process of repairing something that was not imperative to the vehicles operation.  I also persisted that to fix a vehicle, or increase the price to the consumer, and not notify them prior to the work is unethical and not good business practice.  He would not waiver.

I feel as if a man would of gone to this establishment he would of received the courtesy of a phone call or some sort of communication instead of using a part that was not discussed on a bill more than twice the suggested amount. I should of been given the option to not fix an annoyance if the price was larger than the annoyance.  It should be a consumer right to know the price of a service prior to obtaining that service.

I would not recommend consumers visit this establishment to receive honest and fair service.