engines by benz, east providence

[JB3]

Review and warning, kinda unfortunate actually.

First, these guys generally know their stuff, and double their knowledge of MB with even more knowledge with old VWs.

I've had several jobs done there over the years, and every time, the same story. The bill always has several hundred dollars of labor on unauthorized repairs padded on.

In an emergency, they can fix your car, but word or warning about the bill padding.

I most recently had a VW diesel timing belt done. In the middle of the job, they called about the water pump, and I authorized them to replace it. The next day I called, and was told they were just buttoning up the rear brakes as we spoke. I was confused, as there was no cause to look at them, and no calls had been made to me about it.

The owners son then says they took them apart because of a drag, and then trotted out the whole you shouldn't play with safety line, and the bill just conveniently got increased by 300 dollars in labor and no parts.
The whole thing was BS, as I had just repacked the rear bearings 2 weeks earlier, and looked over the brakes. There was a bent adjuster that would cause an intermittent drag I left in waiting for a good one in the mail.

They made no mention of this, and when I got the car home, I took the brakes apart again, and they had been no apparent work done or any evidence they had been in there.

The conclusion is that they obviously know to call and get authorization on the job, becaue they did so on the engine, and they did a great job on that. But they also obviously make a habit of padding the bill by a few hundred dollars in the name of safety with no authorization. I've met other people with the same experience, and similar stories.

Be careful with these guys, they can do the work, but must be closely watched

[mybenz123]

and you paid the extra $300?

I wouldn't have.
YOU didn't autorise that repair
and shouldn't be held accountable for it.


I always get a written quote first on the work I want
done.
I know it is always possible for the ultimate bill
to be a little higher due to unforseen problems,
like badly rusted bolts, having to remove/make
room to access the part that needs replacing.


Louis

[JB3]

Originally Posted by mybenz123

and you paid the extra $300?

I wouldn't have.
YOU didn't autorise that repair
and shouldn't be held accountable for it.


I always get a written quote first on the work I want
done.
I know it is always possible for the ultimate bill
to be a little higher due to unforseen problems,
like badly rusted bolts, having to remove/make
room to access the part that needs replacing.


Louis

I did not, and i have never been back again.