Precision Tune Claymont, North Wilmington Delaware Attempted Rip-Off

Every week we receive a flyer that often has Precision Tune coupons. These coupons advertised brake services at the following prices:
$14.90--Brake Inspection--Includes: 34 point brake inspection
$99.90--Premium Service (12 months/12,000 miles)--Includes: Brake Inspection Plus: Replace Disc Pads and/or Brake Shoes, Turn Rotors and/or Drums, Friction Material Warranty for 12 months/12,000 miles
$159.90--Premium Plus (Lifetime Friction Warranty)--Includes: Premium Service Plus: Clean and adjust rear brakes, Lifetime Friction Material Warranty.
The fine print at the bottom of the coupon reads: MOST CARS. SOME TRUCKS AND VANS ADDITIONAL. HAZMAT FEE AND SHOP SUPPLIES ADDITIONAL. Most cars with coupon at participation locations. Cannot be combined with any other offer for same service. No cash value. Not valid for prior purhases. SEE MANAGER FOR DETAILS.

Having worked in retail for years, I am well aware of the importance of checking out the fine print, so I called the number of the closest service center (in Claymont, DE) I told the man who answered the phone the year, make and model of my car and told him that I had a coupon for a brake service for $99.90. After being put on hold so that he could ask the manager/owner if the coupon was valid, I asked specifically about any additional charges that would be applied over the stated $99.90. I was told that there would be a 5% fee for shop supplies (misc items such as towels and such) that is applied to all tickets but that was all.

The next morning I went to this Precision Tune and told them that I had this coupon and wanted to get my front brakes done. This man again went to the back to verify that they would accept the coupon, then came back and started to write up the work order. After he put the information into the computer he informed me that it would cost me $129.90!! I told him that it would NOT be $129.90, that I had called yesterday and specifically asked about additional charges and was told that there would only be a 5% shop fee. He said that my car has 'pressed on pads' that would be an additional $10 and that my car also required 'shims' that would be an additional $15 for a total of $129.90. I said that was NOT what I was told on the phone and asked to speak to the manager. The manager (I later found out he was the owner of this and other local franchises) told me basically that it was too bad, that I could take it for $129.90 or leave it. I told him in no uncertain terms that I would LEAVE IT!!

Furious at having been lied to, but badly in need of brakes I went home and called another nearby Precision Tune center that was listed on the flyer. I questioned this man in the same manner and was told that the $99.90 + 5% for shop fees was all that I would be charged for my particular car. When I dropped my car off I also asked if I could also use a similar coupon for the $23.90 oil change which includes tire rotation. He said yes, that would be fine and that he would only charge me for the $17.90 oil change since my tires would be off for the brake job anyway. Feeling much better about Precision Tune in general my husband and I set off to do some shopping and get some lunch. We were told that we could check back in a couple of hours to see how the car was coming and when we could pick it up. At the prearranged time, I called Precision Tune to check on my car. At this time, I was told that not only did I need front brakes, but rear brakes as well. The total cost including my oil change was going to be $500.60!!!! I told the man, 'Thank you, but I can only afford to have the front brakes done today'. He then informed me that for 'safety reasons' he could not do the front brakes without also doing the rear brakes. I told him to FORGET THE WHOLE THING!! and went to pick up my car.

I was furious at this point and came home and called Precision Tune's home office (1-800-332-8863). My complaint was taken and my call was returned by the secretary to a Mr John Wiegand (some vice president of something in this company). She was very sympathetic and promised to have Mr. Wiegand call me back. When he called me, basically I was told that there was nothing that he could do. That the franchise owner has free reign and that my complaint would be lodged in his folder and that he would be spoken to. I was also told that both of these centers that I went to were owned by the same person.

A few days later, I took my car to a small local garage to do my front brakes and to check my rear brakes. After he took off the rear wheels I was called into the garage to speak to the mechanic. He showed me that there was NOTHING WRONG with my REAR BRAKES!!! Then he asked me who had last looked at my car. I asked why and he showed me that the spindle nut and stud on my right rear wheel had been stripped and told me that could have caused my wheel to fall off!!

I again came home and phoned Mr. Wiegand's office. I told them that there had been NOTHING wrong with my rear brakes and that the spindle nut and stud had been stripped by them. He never called me back.

I will never go back to any Precision Tune. I can't believe that they can be allowed to run these coupons and then add all sorts of additional costs. Is there nothing we can do to stop these abuses?

Cindy

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