A gay college student in Virginia says that his car has been the target of four separate attacks of vandalism in just the last few months, as some people find it hilarious to use their keys to etch homophobic slurs — and randomly, the word “dye,” which we assume is either a spelling error or some kind of meta-comment on the prominence of gay men in the fashion and hairstyling worlds — into his vehicle. Unable to pay for the repairs, a local body shop in Roanoke and other businesses pitched in to fix the car up. [More]
auto repair
Massachusetts Voters To Decide If Car Dealerships Have Exclusive Rights To Necessary Repair Info
By 7.3.12
Earlier this year, the Massachusetts state Senate passed a “Right to Repair” bill that would allow your local mechanic to have access to info that is now only available to car dealerships. But the legislation has stalled in the state House. Sick of inaction, 16,000 Bay State residents petitioned the state, and everyone will have a chance to vote on it come November. [More]
How A $20 Oil Change Coupon Turned Into A $54 Oil Change
By 3.9.12
It seems that whenever a tipster writes in complaining of a “bait-and-switch,” the issue they’re writing about is a genuine problem, but it’s not actually a bait-and-switch scheme. True bait-and-switch is when a company advertises something really great but nonexistent to get you in the door, and then will only sell you something else. That’s what Adam encountered when he printed out a coupon for a $19.99 oil change and tire rotation at a local Meineke shop somewhere in New York State. They refused to take his coupon, and charged him a total of $54 because the posted price conveniently didn’t include the cost of the oil filter. [More]
Pep Boys Loses Your Keys, Doesn't Fix Your Car
By 11.25.09
Mike took his car to his local Pep Boys for some simple service. In the end, he might have been better off leaving the car in his driveway. He claims that the shop’s employees lost his only car key, then made excuses to leave his car without being repaired for days on end. He’s asking Consumerist for help. [More]
Woman: Jiffy Lube Didn't Inspect My Car
By 10.21.09
Cristin says she went to a Los Angeles Jiffy Lube and kept an eye on her vehicle to make sure the mechanics performed the services she paid for. She says Jiffy Lube didn’t check her fluid levels, battery or tire pressure but told her it did. She writes:
Shop Owner Caught Driving Customer's Jaguar Home
By 7.10.09
Darryl Taylor received a traffic ticket in the mail for running a toll booth in his 2000 Jaguar S-series. The only problem was, the Jaguar was at a repair shop on the day of the violation.
Watered-Down Gasoline Damages Cars Near Baltimore
By 6.18.09
Rain water, not fraud or sabotage, is behind the bad gasoline sold at stations near Baltimore early this week. Hess, the supplier, is covering any damage to customers’ cars caused by the diluted fuel. So, how does this happen?
Caliber Collision Center Damages Car Brought In For Repair
By 4.19.08
Sean’s car had a blowout over the Easter weekend, and he had it towed to Caliber Collision Center for repair.
Built-In Gypping: Auto Mechanics Paid On Commission
By 11.6.06
Auto mechanics are always finding extra things wrong with your car is because they work on commission.
