CarMax ripoff Deceived me into buying a warranty that is worthless Kennesaw Georgia

Congrats for researching the prices yourself. If they won't fix this under the warranty then don't let them fix it at all. Buy the right parts and have an independent shop do it for you. You are correct (as far as I am qualified to say) on the repairs (dryer, condensor, etc.)

If it was damaged it would most likely show some crushing or bending. If it isn't bent or crushed you prob can claim it was a defect. Why didn't you fix it before the first wreck?

FWIW you are in a small economy car (I drive a small VW Cabrio or a CR-V) and it just isn't going to protect it's parts very well in a crash. Slow down and drive safe.

I'd save up the money and fix it out of pocket. You're a little smarter now. Warranties get your money up front and then decide later if they are going to fix anything for you... I personally would not buy a warranty from anyone but my bank or insurance company (not agent).

Too late now but I would have pursued the leak ASAP before the first wreck or told them the wreck caused the leak...

My condensor showed no visible sign of damage, besides the freon leaking. There was no visible hole from the outside of the part.

I did realize that the warranty did not covered damage to a vehicle. I did not realize that the company could say that there was damage just because a leak was occuring from the middle of a part instead of around a seal.

I am in the automotive service industry at a competing repair facility. I deal with extended warranties on a daily basis including the one Carmax sells. There is NO extended warranty, factory warranty or any other warranty for that matter that covers DAMAGE to an A/C condensor. They only cover defects. Outside DAMAGE is the financial responsibility of the owner and their insurance to have repaired. Before you paid $1500.00 for anything you should have read every word of the contract (including the small print).

Also, just a piece of advice, do not let your insruance company dictate to you how much a repair should cost. Get at least 3 estimates now that you know what is wrong and present them to the insurance company. If they refuse to pay at least the lowest estimate, it is time for a new insurance company. Amy, I hope this is helpful, and I hope you have better luck in the future.

Carmax gave me an estimate of $945 to repair my a/c condensor. Below is a summary of charges:

Condensor $422
Accumulator $81

Labor $419

They wanted to charge me two times for charging my system with freon. Am I mistaken, or doesn't that only need to be done once?

Also, the accumulator does not neccesarily have to be replaced. It is there to remove moisture from the system and other contaminants. During the charging process, a vacuum is pulled on the system and that will remove any moisture that has built up in the accumulator. Unless the accumulator is not functioning, it is not neccessary to replace it. It may be 'recommended', but it is not neccessary.

An aftermarket condensor sells at Autozone for $160. That is a markup of 163%. Granted, Carmax is probably trying to sell me a condensor that is 'original factory.' But shouldn't I have the option of getting a cheaper part? Don't we have that option with prescription drugs...generic versus brand name? They never even mentioned this option to me.

Minus the labor and part charge for the accumulator, the overpriced condensor, and the extra charging cost, total cost comes out to be $438. That is a $507 price difference.

My insurance is not covering this. I am not angry with them, because they should not have to. Carmax not only refused to fix this problem under warranty, but they also tried to overcharge me for the repair.