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Repair Options  Rip Offs

Latest Rip Off, Billy Mays Awesome Auger - Biggest Rip Off Yet!!!

Folks, have you seen Billy Mays ads on TV?  I have, and I thought just this time I'd try it.  It advertised this  long auger that went into a really nice looking cordless drill. I called and listen to this recording stating what was shown on TV, the cordless 18volt drill.  I thought okay, gave them my credit card number, after being quoted a $19.95 As soon as I was done, the recording kept asking me if I wanted these other things, I kept pressing the buttons I believed mean no, which forwarded me other recordings asking if I wanted more stuff.  At no time during this recording was I informed there would be a $30 processing fee!!!. When I finally ran out of minutes on my cell phone, I was disconnected, truly believing I had cancelled the order, or at worst had bought the advertised product for $19.95.

Then, about 2 weeks later, I got a box in the mail. When I opened it, I found this:

(click on pic.)

A corded drill and 2 identical pieces a foot long Far thing from this:   and nothing else.  I then decided to check my bank account and found they had not taken $19.95 out of my account, but $50.00!  And that's not all!! I called the number to return it, spend literally hours listening to computers, continuously telling me to do this, leading me no where. Could never get a return authorization # they required on returns.  Called my bank, they said they would do it but I had to return it first. So after spending another $15.00 or so to send it certified mail back, I'd better get my money back.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm dealing with terrorist, ripping people off to fund terrorist, because it the amount of money this company has stolen from me and others has to be in the millions by now. See:  http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/awesome_auger_complaintshttp://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/awesome_auger_complaints/start/20

http://www.infomercialscams.com/scams/awesome_auger_complaints/start/20

Just to list 2 among 1,000.  So, because they are such outright crooks, I will be contacting Homeland Security to voice my belief. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll find some terrorists hiding there!  Do not believe Billy Mays - I've lost all respect for this man and if I ever see him in public, I'll voice my complaints and beliefs.  And If I do not get my money back, I will be closing all of my accounts with KEY Bank and finding another.

Latest Factory Defect  1999 Pontiac Grand Prix:

The 3.8L in the 1997-1999 Pontiacs and Buicks (Grand Prix, LaSabre) non-turbocharged, have a serious defect - the plastic plenum for the air intake and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve conflict.  The E G R valve hits much higher temps than the plenum can withstand, causing it to creating a "hydro lock"  cylinder, thus locking up the engine.  Big problem to figure out... More on this later.

How many people out there have taken their car to a repair shop for what seems to be a simple fix only to get slapped with some astronomical bill or estimate?  Most of my most valued customers are a result of that exact situation.

Example:

Kathy, a good friend came to me in tears, a while back, because her engine was knocking.  A little '98 Saturn.  She had taken it to the Saturn dealership, who told her $5000.00 would be the cost for repair - replace the engine.  True, it did need the engine replaced, that's the result of not doing regular vehicle maintenance, i.e., oil changes.  In short, I found a low mileage engine from wrecked car for $750.00.  Her total cost was $1600.00. 

Chris, another A. A. friend, took his '91 GMC truck to JUST BRAKES for their supposed $99.00 brake job.  They gave him a$2500 estimate.  Chris had connections with an auto parts chain and bought all the parts JUST BRAKES listed needed to be replaced, and brought them to me to install.  They had listed every brake component on the truck.  After inspecting the brake system, I found the only thing in need of replacement was the front pads - part price $19.00, my inspection and labor charge $45.00 - his total cost $65.00.  JUST BRAKES has brought me more business than all other auto repair shop combined.  Chris returned all the other parts.

ALL DEALERSHIPS

The worst of them all are the dealerships.  People naturally assume that the place that made the car is the best place to take the car.  Wrong choice.  Consider this: the most expensive parts are made by the manufacturer. For instance, a Chevy water pump from Chevy, $100.00.  Same part from Advance Auto Parts, $19.00.  It has the same lifetime warranty as the dealer part.  Consider this: If the factory part was better, why did the one being replaced fail?  Most dealerships charge $100 plus, just to open your hood!!!

GRAND KIA in Thornton, CO. has brought me business this way.  $2000.00 to replace a fuel regulator in a 2001 Blazer.  I charged the man $300.00 and $200.00 of that was for the part.

As far as I'm concerned, dealerships are the biggest criminal of all in the auto repair industry.  I've been with friends who's taken their car to dealerships because something was suppose to be covered under warranty.  I stand there and listen to them tell the person outrageous tales of what they find and what it will cost.  And I suppose it's my knowledge of cars that makes it so hard to believe these explanations, but it still floors me!  But to watch them charge someone $400.00 to replace a $15.00 part that only take 15 minutes to install is unbelievable.

Whenever I get upset about a shops business practices, I'll post them here. Or if you have a RIP OFF story from a shop, send it here & I'll post it.   

Always get a second opinion