Prime Hyundai South Tom O'brien Hyundai Grossly overcharged by service department Quincy, Massachusetts

My wife took her 2010 Elantra to Prime Hyundai South to have a defective valve stem & sensor replaced. It had already been accurately diagnosed by Sears Automotive.

She was charged $119.31 for the valve stem and sensor and an astonishing $99.00 in labor.

I called the service manager to inquire. His response was "that's what the Chilton's manual says the job should pay".

I told him that we both know that it didn't take an hour to remove a tire and change a valve stem. He said - and I quote him directly. "It doesn't matter how little labor time was used. The book says we can charge an hour, so we do".

I was shocked, but the service manager actually admitted to me that he sees nothing wrong with charging for more labor time than was used.

I responded that it is not only grossly unfair to charge for labor time not used, it is also a clear violation of the Consumer Protection Act (MGL Chapter 93A).

I have to say that the service manager remained polite while he was picking our pockets. I suppose that's about the best thing I can say.

As for Tom O'Brien Hyundai aka Prime Hyundai South, I don't know how ripping a customer off for what was probably $50 excess labor charges helps your reputation.  It sure costs a heck of a lot more than that in advertising to find a new customer.

Fraud doesn't seem like a great way to build customer loyalty.  It seems like a strategy designed to "churn 'em and burn 'em".

We've been burned by Prime Hyundai South.  Once.  You'll never get a chance to do it again.