Hole in the wall automechanic shops (West, Mart: houses, purchase, prices)

[Sonny Chiba57]

Recently I took my truck for repairs to a nearby tire shop/auto mechanic shop for part needing replacement. Long story short..$230 later the problem was still there. He explained to me that there was also "Something else" wrong. I asked the person working on my vehicle to produce a receipt for parts purchased from the auto parts store and to see if there was a warranty on parts. He could not produce one because, "The auto parts store does not issue one to them."..I went to the auto parts store where parts were supposedly bought and the clerk told me that he could not give me information on whether or not someone bought the parts by these ppl. I explained to him that I was trying to see if the work I paid for was actually done and that I did not get ripped off by someone who said he bought the part and didn't. He did however come out to look and tell & show me whether or not the part was new or not. Come to find out the part was replaced so I was satisfied with that. I hear too many storied about ppl getting ripped off when nothing was done and mechanics pocketing the customer's hard earned $$. This is especially true with non-English speaking mechanics. Is there such a policy of shops not required to produce proof (receipts) of parts purchased at your expense? I would think I, being the customer, have every right to know what I paid for.

[TXStrat]

Any reputable business would be able to supply proof, if they are unwilling/unable to document, I would definitely look for another shop.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

A reputable shop will provide a warranty on the replaced part for a certain amount of time. During that time, if the part fails, a reputable shop will generally replace it without charging you anything.

I know an honest mechanic if you need one, his garage is near 1604 and 90 so it would depend on your side of town though.

[Sally_Sparrow]

Yep, I know one too. Broadway near the Witte. Awesome guys, only problem is that they are very busy, hard to get in if it isn't an emergency.

[Sonny Chiba57]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

A reputable shop will provide a warranty on the replaced part for a certain amount of time. During that time, if the part fails, a reputable shop will generally replace it without charging you anything.

I know an honest mechanic if you need one, his garage is near 1604 and 90 so it would depend on your side of town though.

I'm on the NE part of town so it's a bit out of my way but thanx anyway.

[Sonny Chiba57]

Originally Posted by Sally_Sparrow

Yep, I know one too. Broadway near the Witte. Awesome guys, only problem is that they are very busy, hard to get in if it isn't an emergency.

I will look in that area and see if I can find it during a weekday and tell them they were recommended. Thanx

[Kin Atoms]

I know one near West and Blanco. Good guy, fair prices, always saved me money b/c I don't have to go back. They get it right the first time.

[JMilner]

I'm a shop owner and can give a little info. Shops receive a variety of discount levels from parts warehouses based on volume and other factors. It's common practice to add a small markup on parts purchased for customers' cars to help with overhead costs. Shops don't provide copies of receipts on parts they purchased, just as Sears or WalMart won't provide copies of receipts showing what they paid for items you purchase from them. The new receipt issued from the shop is the customers' receipt and should be honored by the shop for any warranty issues.

[prim8]

Shouldn't they have provided the old parts upon request as proof they replaced them?
There's no guarantee they came from your car but it's better than nothing.

[ranchodrive]

Originally Posted by JMilner

I'm a shop owner and can give a little info. Shops receive a variety of discount levels from parts warehouses based on volume and other factors. It's common practice to add a small markup on parts purchased for customers' cars to help with overhead costs. Shops don't provide copies of receipts on parts they purchased, just as Sears or WalMart won't provide copies of receipts showing what they paid for items you purchase from them. The new receipt issued from the shop is the customers' receipt and should be honored by the shop for any warranty issues.

An auto shop didn't have the parts to replace on my '46 pickup.
I offered to supply the parts & no warranty was required. Not having
all the equipment at home would've taken me longer to install. The shop
declined. I guess part of the reason was that they couldn't apply the
"common practice" of adding a markup.