You had your car repaired but the issue that you had before is still there. This scenario was actually the main reason why Mechanic Advisor was founded, and it happens more frequently than you might think. Here is what you can do to try to remedy the situation:
1) Check the warranty on the work before you even leave the shop. Make sure you have an itemized receipt of all of the work performed. Most warranties are good for at least 90 days, but the longer the better.
2) If you leave the shop and the problem with the car is still there, immediately go back to the shop if possible. Don't wait days or weeks, go right back to the shop. Putting time between the work completed and bringing the vehicle back will work against you.
3) When you go back to the shop, politely and calmly inform them of the problem. Try to avoid taking a confrontational tone as it won't put you in a better position. Ask to speak to the mechanic who performed the work and if not possible, then ask to speak to the shop manager.
4) When speaking with the manager or shop owner, politely ask them to remedy the issue. Let them know that this is very time-sensitive and you need your vehicle in properly working order as soon as possible. Inform them that you appreciate the shop valuing your business and standing behind their work. You will want to give the shop a chance to fix their mistake in good faith before resorting to any negative action.
5) IF the shop is not cooperative or unwilling to fix the problem, inform them that you will be contacting your card company for a stop-payment or cancelling payment for the repairs. Inform them that they have left you no other choice.
6) Post a review of your experience online. You can post about your experience on review sites such as Mechanic Advisor, Yelp and Angie's List. While there is no guarantee that the owner will contact you to remedy the situation, it may prevent the same thing from happening to other customers and potentially forcing the shop to take a closer look at their operations.
7) Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to file a complaint. Again, while there is no guarantee of recourse, the BBB will provide the shop owner with a chance to respond to the complaint with their side of the situation and potentially remedy the problem.
8) Lastly, contact your state's automotive repair regulator to determine how they can assist you. Each state's regulatory body is different. Contact your state Attorney General's office so they can direct you to the proper regulator in your state.
