Here is a story for you Scotti.

Couple of years back I brought my 2008 Veracruz to Atlantic Hyundai of Islip NY for inspection with no error codes or lights. They told me it needed brakes for $800.00. That seemed reasonable since the car had 67K on it so I said go ahead. I waited two hours and they said it was ready. The bill was $1800. When I questioned this they said they quoted me for one side and I should have deduced that both sides were being done. I can't remember ever being quoted for any brake job by the side. I don't remember the word side even being used when I was quoted. The gal at the register went on to say the car had the check engine light on and the check engine light guy was out on Saturday. I would have to pay for the repairs done so far and bring it back next week for the check engine light. Meanwhile the inspection was not complete because of the check engine light. I paid for the repair and left the place fuming. On the way home the car ran ruff and vibrated and sure enough the check engine light was on. On the receipt it mentioned error code. When I got home I my research revealed it was a cam sensor where the cam sensor was , under the engine cover. Took the cover off and what do you think I found? The connector for the cam sensor had been pulled out. This was a locking type connector so it did not just fall out. I plugged back in and drove the car for about a half hour and the check engine light went out and the engine ran smooth again. I brought it to another Hyundai dealer for an inspection and it passed and got the green sticker on the windshield.

It's a funny thing. When I raised my voice everybody scattered. All the sudden there were no mechanics , no  service manager and no salesmen. It's like they all have secret places to hide.

I complained to Hyundai consumer affairs department in Irvine California. All they could say was the pricing was in line with the typical brake job of a Veracruz. They had never heard of a brake job quoted by the side. Typically front , back or both. They also said they were happy for me to have successfully diagnosed  a check engine light problem on my own. They refused to speculate on Atlantic having tampered with the connectors. The car still had a couple of years left on the warranty so I could bring it to any Hyundai dealer for service. They sent me a coupon for $200 of free service.

I put together a report and sent it with a complaint form to New York State DMV. A month later two gentlemen showed up at my work asking for me. That sent chills down my spine!. Turns out they were from DMV and wanted to see my car. I showed them the car in the parking lot where I work and showed them pictures of all the receipts. A crowd of people had gathered in the cafeteria window over looking the parking lot. Every body thought it was a drug bust when I opened the hood and DMV guys started taking pictures. Then one of the gentlemen said "You did not need brakes". On the receipt the mechanic stated the brakes failed because the pads were down to 2mm. Seems the state requirement is 1mm. They should not have failed the car by state standards. The disconnected cam sensor did not seem to concern them. They left and I was a celebrity at work for the rest of the day.

A couple of days later I got a call from Atlantic's service manager. The state had paid him a visit and he wanted to get things straightened out. He claimed the sensor had been disconnected inadvertently and since I had fixed it "No harm done right?". He asked what would satisfy things. I agreed the car was probably due for a brake job with 67K miles on it and I verified the work was actually done. I was quoted $800 plus the inspection and tax. I was overcharged $900 which I wanted refunded. He said no problem, stop by and pick up a check.

I then got a call from the DMV. They told me under no circumstances are you to try to get the check yourself. We will collect the check for you. There are to many instances where the customer shows up and the manager can't be found and there is no check. And that's what they did. The DMV representative showed up at work and handed me a check from Atlantic Hyundai for $900 a couple of days later. I also received a copy of the warning letter they sent the dealership.

I love telling that story.

So here is my question. Have you ever heard of quoting a brake job by the side? 

And whatever you do don't tell my wife {black}:smile: