Driver's Auto Repair #604 Ripped-Off Conroe, Texas

01/02/10

1. Let me begin by saying that I have never felt so taken advantage of by a business as I have been by Drivers Auto Repair #604, in Conroe, Texas. I am a young woman, a college student; every penny that I spend is important. I am not a professional mechanic, but I know good customer service and I know when something is still wrong with my car. However, my complaint is not with the customer service of the store; that was fine. My complaint is with the fact that I have spent nearly $500 to date, and my car problem is not fixed. This is unacceptable.

2. My 2001 Ford Focus had been making, what I assumed to be, an alternator belt squeal for about 3 weeks before I decided to take it in to the repair center. I usually take my car to a trusted small-town mechanic in Huntsville, TX, where I go to school, who doesnt over-charge me and gets the job done but, Drivers is really close to my house so, I thought, why not? I should have done my research and asked around because; I have since heard and read numerous horrible things about the company. Anyway, I took my car in on December 2, 2010 and I was told that the sound I was hearing was my serpentine belt, which travels through my car. My belt supposedly was slipping, causing the noise, and my tensioner also needed to be replaced. The job, I was told, would be about $320. I came in at approximately 5:45pm and was told by someone, I think he may have been the manager, that the job would take about an hour and that they had to go get the parts from the parts store down the street. I never saw anyone leave to go to the parts store. However, about an hour later, I was told that my car was ready and, as quiet as a mouse. I was then told by the same gentleman that, Luckily we found the parts we needed; we didnt have to go get them. Which, I thought was cause for concern. It was also explained to me that the parts that were used during my service were under a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty and to, bring my car back if it the sound starts back up, I am sure it wont but, bring it back if it does, he said.

3. For about 3-4 days and $312.65 later (because of my $25 off coupon) my car was indeed, as quiet as a mouse. I got in the car the morning of December 7, 2010 and noticed a small squeaking, as high as the squeal but, not as loud or annoying. I drive the car for about a mile the squeak goes away. Next morning, squeak is a little louderdrive it, gets quieter, and goes away. Next morning louder, lasts longer. Next morning louder, last a bit longer. Next morning the squeak is the same high-pitched squeal except EVEN LOUDER than it was when I took it in the initial time. I deal with it for a couple of weeks (because of semester finals) and finally cant stand the noise and took it into Drivers Auto Repair, same location, to have them uphold their warranty.

4. I took it for the second time on December 18, 2010. The gentleman that told me to bring it back was not there that day. They took a look at my car and it was explained to me that, We tried to avoid changing your idler pulley when you brought it in last time but, that needs to be replaced too. Its going to be about $175. We are going to take off the serpentine belt and warranty that. We will put on a brand new one on for you. That automatically gave me cause to believe that they never put a new serpentine belt on in the first place. Meanwhile, they did whatever they did, and my total came to $183.63. I have now spent a total of $496.28.

5. Fast forward and repeat the beginning of paragraph #3. Today is January 2, 2010 and the sound has started again, not as loud, yet. But, for $496.28, I shouldnt be hearing it at all. I am floored and incredibly pissed. So, instead of bringing it back into Drivers Auto Repair #604, where I am going to be told that I need to spend more money, I am writing and posting/sending my complaint to every company email I can find, and every website that allows you to post reviews .I know I wont have this car for another three years, upon graduation I will have a new car but, the principle of the situation is I would appreciate not getting ripped-off and put out of $500. Thats 2 semesters worth of books.

6. I would like my money back.