So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s..

On 3/14/2011 5:57 PM, jmc wrote:
> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>
> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me
> very close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots
> were and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached.
> There's a pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's
> any grease left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix
> the boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work
> and complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try
> to shaft me.
>
> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
> jmc
>

WTF? It costs $1000 for half-shafts for that vehicle? Hell, my Hummer H1
is cheaper than that...

I'd suggest you start at the ASE web site, maybe they have a complaints
page?

--
I'm never going to grow up.
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

"jmc" wrote in message

> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>
> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me very
> close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots were
> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's a
> pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's any grease
> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix the
> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
> shaft me.
>
> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
>
Small clames court might work.
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

On Mar 15, 2:36 pm, jmc wrote:
> Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
>
>
>
>
>
> > "jmc"  wrote in message
> >
> >> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly.  I wish I'd realized how easy it
> >> was to look at the CV joint/boots.  Stupid me.
>
> >> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> >> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease".  Cost me very
> >> close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> >> Today, I replaced my tires.  The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> >> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
> >> installed correctly in the first place.  My regular mechanic is quite
> >> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots were
> >> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's a
> >> pile of grease sitting below the other one).  Not sure there's any grease
> >> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> >> I'm pissed.  Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> >> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> >> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix the
> >> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
> >> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
> >> shaft me.
>
> >> Lesson learned.  The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
> >> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> >> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience.  I'll stick with
> >> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
> > Small clames court might work.
>
> That's an idea.  If the ASE shop denies responsibility & I have to get
> my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.
>
> jmc- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Jodi, I'd take the truck back and give the guy a chance to make it
right. Everybody screws up at times and the good ones will fix it and
the bad ones will give you a load of bs. If you get the bs treatment,
then I'd go to the better business bureau. The BBB carries some weight
with local small business and my help you out with just one letter.

You're welcome for the advise and that will be one dozen cc
cookies... <BG>

Denny
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

On Mar 15, 2:36 pm, jmc wrote:
> Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
>
>
>
>
>
> > "jmc"  wrote in message
> >
> >> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly.  I wish I'd realized how easy it
> >> was to look at the CV joint/boots.  Stupid me.
>
> >> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> >> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease".  Cost me very
> >> close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> >> Today, I replaced my tires.  The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> >> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
> >> installed correctly in the first place.  My regular mechanic is quite
> >> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots were
> >> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's a
> >> pile of grease sitting below the other one).  Not sure there's any grease
> >> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> >> I'm pissed.  Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> >> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> >> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix the
> >> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
> >> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
> >> shaft me.
>
> >> Lesson learned.  The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
> >> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> >> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience.  I'll stick with
> >> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
> > Small clames court might work.
>
> That's an idea.  If the ASE shop denies responsibility & I have to get
> my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.
>
> jmc- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Jodi, I just looked at the pics. Appears to me they didn't get the
clamps tight enough and they slipped off.

That will be one more dozen cc cookies.

Hope I don't have to look at the pics again......

Denny
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
> "jmc" wrote in message
>
>> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
>> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>>
>> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
>> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me very
>> close to $1,000 for the service.
>>
>> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
>> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
>> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
>> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots were
>> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's a
>> pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's any grease
>> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>>
>> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
>> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
>> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix the
>> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
>> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
>> shaft me.
>>
>> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
>> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
>> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
>> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>>
>>
> Small clames court might work.
>
>

That's an idea. If the ASE shop denies responsibility & I have to get
my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.

jmc
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

"Denny" wrote in message

On Mar 15, 2:36 pm, jmc wrote:
> Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
>
>
>
>
>
> > "jmc" wrote in message
> >
> >> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
> >> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>
> >> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> >> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me
> >> very
> >> close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> >> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> >> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never
> >> been
> >> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
> >> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots
> >> were
> >> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's
> >> a
> >> pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's any
> >> grease
> >> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> >> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> >> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> >> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix
> >> the
> >> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
> >> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
> >> shaft me.
>
> >> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but
> >> if
> >> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> >> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
> >> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
> > Small clames court might work.
>
> That's an idea. If the ASE shop denies responsibility & I have to get
> my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.
>
> jmc- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Jodi, I just looked at the pics. Appears to me they didn't get the
clamps tight enough and they slipped off.

That will be one more dozen cc cookies.

Hope I don't have to look at the pics again......

Denny

Yup! I agree with ol' fuzzy tail... just a dozen cookies will do... not the
three dozen like the last time... and you know the choklit chip ones that I
like best.

Mike
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

Suddenly, without warning, Denny exclaimed (3/15/2011 4:04 PM):
> On Mar 15, 2:36 pm, jmc wrote:
>> Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> "jmc" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
>>>> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>>
>>>> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
>>>> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me very
>>>> close to $1,000 for the service.
>>
>>>> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
>>>> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
>>>> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
>>>> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots were
>>>> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's a
>>>> pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's any grease
>>>> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>>
>>>> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
>>>> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
>>>> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix the
>>>> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
>>>> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
>>>> shaft me.
>>
>>>> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
>>>> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
>>>> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
>>>> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>>
>>> Small clames court might work.
>>
>> That's an idea. If the ASE shop denies responsibility& I have to get
>> my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.
>>
>> jmc- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Jodi, I'd take the truck back and give the guy a chance to make it
> right. Everybody screws up at times and the good ones will fix it and
> the bad ones will give you a load of bs. If you get the bs treatment,
> then I'd go to the better business bureau. The BBB carries some weight
> with local small business and my help you out with just one letter.
>
> You're welcome for the advise and that will be one dozen cc
> cookies...<BG>
>
> Denny

Your cookies are in the mail. Really... what, you don't believe me? humph.

And, yes, that's my plan. Fortunately, my shop says the axles don't
have to be replaced, but that one clamp is utterly missing - no sign of
it - and as the pic shows the other one's kind of there but useless.

I called the ASE shop, kept it short and simple "you did this work and
the clamps have already come off" essentially, and will bring it by
tomorrow. We'll see what they say then.

Yes, if they don't make it right, the BBB is also a good idea. Small
claims court won't be worth the effort, my shop says it'd only be a
couple hundred to fix.

I don't usually get up in arms about things, but I've never been happy
with this shop's work - I'm pretty sure they were the last to touch my
brakes before they seized, and my AC has had a funny smell since they
"fixed" that. A coworker went there twice and his stories mirrored
mine. So much for ASE Blue Seal, I guess. Don't they ever check with
the shop's customers?

Oh, and as a complete non-sequiter: Mike S., remember that blower motor
resistor you sent me all those years ago? They tried to install it
today, first it didn't work, then it started to smoke! Oh, not your
fault, it probably fried in the truck in Australia. I just thought it
was funny - carried that thing all over the world, saving it for this
moment, then it nearly literally goes up in smoke

So they put in a new one. Which is great because I was getting tired of
heat only at hurricane levels.

So we'll see how it goes tomorrow. I'll be civil and polite and
hopefully they'll make it right.

jmc
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

Suddenly, without warning, Mike Simmons exclaimed (3/15/2011 7:29 PM):
> "Denny" wrote in message
>
> On Mar 15, 2:36 pm, jmc wrote:
>> Suddenly, without warning, NotMe exclaimed (3/15/2011 1:31 PM):
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> "jmc" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
>>>> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>>
>>>> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
>>>> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me
>>>> very
>>>> close to $1,000 for the service.
>>
>>>> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
>>>> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never
>>>> been
>>>> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
>>>> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots
>>>> were
>>>> and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached. There's
>>>> a
>>>> pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's any
>>>> grease
>>>> left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>>
>>>> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
>>>> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
>>>> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix
>>>> the
>>>> boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work and
>>>> complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try to
>>>> shaft me.
>>
>>>> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but
>>>> if
>>>> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
>>>> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
>>>> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>>
>>> Small clames court might work.
>>
>> That's an idea. If the ASE shop denies responsibility& I have to get
>> my regular mechanic to fix 'em, might be worth looking into.
>>
>> jmc- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Jodi, I just looked at the pics. Appears to me they didn't get the
> clamps tight enough and they slipped off.
>
> That will be one more dozen cc cookies.
>
> Hope I don't have to look at the pics again......
>
> Denny
>
> Yup! I agree with ol' fuzzy tail... just a dozen cookies will do... not the
> three dozen like the last time... and you know the choklit chip ones that I
> like best.
>
> Mike
>
>

I put yours in the mail at the same time I did Denny's
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s.. 

Suddenly, without warning, jmc exclaimed (3/14/2011 5:57 PM):
> To say I'm livid, is putting it mildly. I wish I'd realized how easy it
> was to look at the CV joint/boots. Stupid me.
>
> Back in June, I had an ASE Blue Seal certified shop replace my CV boots
> and axles, because they told me they were "slinging grease". Cost me
> very close to $1,000 for the service.
>
> Today, I replaced my tires. The mechanic (Sams Club) told me that not
> only were my CV boots slinging grease, it looked like one had never been
> installed correctly in the first place. My regular mechanic is quite
> close, so I took the truck to his place, he showed me where the boots
> were and truly, very messed up (one boot's not even fully attached.
> There's a pile of grease sitting below the other one). Not sure there's
> any grease left in the joints, seems to be pounds of it everywhere else.
>
> I'm pissed. Truck is in to the shop tomorrow anyway to get the heater
> fixed (again), he'll take a closer look at that time and tell me what
> needs to be done (He'll see if he can use an aftermarket clamp to fix
> the boot that's off), so I can call the shop that did the shoddy work
> and complain - and know exactly what needs to be done so they can't try
> to shaft me.
>
> Lesson learned. The supposed ASE shop is very convenient to work, but if
> I have to get $1,000 of work redone because they screwed up (hopefully
> they'll make it right), it's not worth the convenience. I'll stick with
> my small, decent, inconvenient mechanic.
>
> jmc
>

Ok, so I decided not to complain, but not to go back there either.

Dropped the truck off today, although they initially said they'd have to
replace the whole axle, when I made it clear I would not pay for any
repairs on something that they screwed up (I didn't put it that way, I
do know some diplomacy!), suddenly all they needed to do was the same
thing my other shop would have done - re-set the boots, regrease, and
install aftermarket clamps. One manager sort of implied he's seen this
sort of thing before. If so, why'd they use the inferior clamps in the
first place?

Apparently the axle was out of warranty - over 12,000 miles. I haven't
verified that yet.

Later, another manager made an added excuse: the clearance between the
ball joints and the part that secures the clamp is much smaller than a
"normal" vehicle, and so it's likely the part of the clamp that stuck
out got damaged by the ball joint. What do the experts think of that?

I'm not going back there. They weren't very gracious about the whole
thing. The manager was decidedly unhappy when he stated there'd be no
charge, but I asked for that in writing (at the advice of my other
shop). He essentially refused to, and then when I asked when picking up
the truck if there was no charge, he asked "geeze, did you really get
burned somewhere or something?".

Not fond of their attitude. Won't be going back. But they did do as I
ask, and fix it no cost, so, case closed. One other thing I noticed:
My small time, tucked away little shop is always up to their necks in
cars. This shop, on a main road within walking distance of quite a few
large office buildings, which means great convenience for customers, has
an almost empty lot. Does the "look for the restaurant with the most
customers" philosophy apply here?

I'm going to keep a really close eye on those boots for a while!

jmc
 >> Stay informed about: So how does one formally complain about an ASE Certified s..