Guilbicki's Sabotage Lowell Massachusetts

This happened eight years ago and it is the single worst incident I have ever had with a place of business.

I was driving on a Saturday night and my alternator died. I called AAA for a tow truck and a truck from Guilbicki's showed up. I was going to have it towed to my apartment and sort it out Monday but the driver suggested he drop it off at Guilbicki's which was right up the street from my place. I agreed.

On Sunday, wanting to get an idea of how much the repair would cost I walked to Guilbicki's. They were closed (as I expected) but a sign stated that labor rates were $55/hour. I figured one to two hours to replace the alternator.

I walked across the street to a CAP auto parts store. They had a re-built alternator for $100. So, I figure I am looking at about $200 to $250 max for the repair.

I call Guilbicki's on Monday and the owner tells me it will be over $400 to replace the alternator. I said that seemed a bit high and that I had figured two hours max for the repair. He agreed with the time and told me the alternator for a foreign car (Nissan) was over $300. I said great because I knew where I could get a re-built alternator for $100. He reluctantly agreed to just charge me labor if I brought him the new alternator. I told him the parts place would want the old alternator in exchange and to please have it removed from the car.

I called CAP to order the re-built alternator. So sorry, we have one in another store...you can go there or we can ship it here. Surprised, I explain that I had been there yesterday and they had one on the shelf. They tell me that they still have that one but it had been put on hold by Guilbicki's earlier that morning. I tell them I don't think Guilbicki's will need it anymore and they say just have the owner of Guilbicki's call to release the hold.

I walk to Guilbicki's and tell the receptionist who I am. She calls for the boss without a word. He comes in and dumps the old alternator on a chair and starts to walk away. I say excuse me but I need you to call CAP and tell them you no longer need the re-built alternator before they will let me pick it up. He is pissed! He calls CAP and tells them he does not need the re-built alternator anymore.

I get the alternator from CAP for $100 and a few hours later I pay Guilbicki's about $110 for the labor and I have my car back.

A week later the belt for the water pump goes. I have it towed to my old mechanic in my old home town about 25 miles away (go AAA plus!). After looking at the car he asks me if I had work done to it recently. I say yes. He says that it looks like someone "accidentally" bent a bracket so it was rubbing against the belt and that is why the belt broke.

So, I catch Guilbicki's red handed trying to inflate my repair bill and call them on it and then they sabotage my car. And you know if I was paying $100 for that alternator then Guilbicki's was getting it for a lot less.

Robertr4836
Salem, New Hampshire
U.S.A.