Not all Precision Tunes are Alike! ripoff Seattle Washington

I recently had a problem with my cooling system and went to Precision Tune to get it fixed. They advertise that the service is comaparable at all locations etc. So although I typically have work done at the Precision Tune in Lynwood, WA, I chose to have the work done 1.5 miles away from my apartment, 85th & Aurora in Seattle.

I was charge $786.89 plus tax, for a diagnostic, a thermostat gasket, a radiator, a hose and an oil change ($28). One dealer charges, $637.88 plus tax for this job (minus the oil change), another dealer charges 665.88 plus tax for this same job (minus the oil change), Precision Tune Lynwood charges $428 plus tax for the same job, and Greenwood Radiator charges $360.00 plus tax for the same job (minus the oil change), and Buckey's Lynwood charges 389.51 tax included for the same job (minus the oil change). Also, Precision Tune N. Aurora did not itemize the bill and included part and labor together so it is difficult to tell what is what. This I have found out is against the law.

My story goes as follows: I stated my problem to the mechanic and he proceeded to check my story out. He decided to by pass the diagnostic and change the thermostat gasket, because this sounded like the problem. Then, I said I needed an oil change and they said no problem, I said great because most Precision Tunes (Lynwood & Edmonds) have to put the car up to change the oil and they only have one lift blab, blab, blab. Then as they were doing the oil change they filled the radiator and told me there was a crack in the radiator and the car has to stay there over night and that the radiator was a special radiator that could only be purchased from the dealer and it would cost $550. I figured since it was there, they might as well do the work, because if the part could only come from a dealer then nobody else was going to be able to get it from anywhere else. The next day they quoted me the work was going to be approximately $700 (ouch), again since it was there, etc etc. and I told them I could not get there until 4:45pm, they said no problem it would be done. So I show up at 4:45pm, and wait in a room that is 64 degrees F until 6:45pm, when the mechanics finally finish. They charge me $786.89 plus tax.

I have made attempts to clear this matter with the manager and the owner, expecting a justifiable response, with only a brush off. By the way the radiator can be had by just about any discount part store for under 200 dollars. I am now taking this matter to the regional offices and the corporate offices, and the better business bureau and would your firm to also be made aware of this situation, and ask for any advise or help you may be able to provide.

Christine
Seattle, Washington