Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:29:55 EDT
From: Greg Jones
Subject: merchant warning
I encountered a problem I think should be shared with our fellow readers.
I recently needed to purchase some tires for my car. I went to Chapel Hill Tire at cole park plaza. After discussing options, I selected a set and agreed to have them installed next day. After installation and payment which included alignment, I drove the car home…in driving I noticed a rather pronounced steering problem, I called the store, they said bring it in , which I did.
After having the mechanic test drive the car, they put it back on the lift and then told me there was nothing wrong with the job. I drove the car home, problem still there and arranged to have another shop inspect the car the following morning. At the second shop I discovered, with the help of that shop, that a left front ball joint was defective and needed to be replaced. As they explained to me, the alignment I was charged for couldn’t have been done properly or at all actually, with this bad component.
I then asked them to order the part and scheduled a second alignment after replacement. Contacting the first vendor I explained I wanted my money for the first poor job (alignment) back. The manager agreed citing human error and said he’d refund my cost $94. that same day. This was last week. Today I discovered they re-ran my original invoice charging me the original full amount. I intend to pursue this matter vigorously. As the second shop explained to me, “catastrophic failure” was a possibility as a result of this situation, Happily, the auto has been repaired at addition cost to me, but, the negligence, and the outright poor business practices remain unchecked.
As a warning to our readers, I feel this needs to be published. thanks and I’ll update you as the situation evolves.
Greg Jones
Pittsboro
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