Caveat Emptor is a Latin phrase meaning "let the buyer beware." Be responsible for making sure that it's a good deal before paying.
What ever happened to customer service? In this case, a new City Island auto repair in our neighborhood. Since I like to support local businesses, I decided to check it out. I took a walk in the cold 20-degree temperature to ask the owner if he could repair my ruptured brake line for about 200 dollars.
I explained that I was a college professor in The Bronx who wanted a reasonable rate and said he would pick up the car take a look and let me know how much. If I did not agree, he would return the vehicle for free. Famous last words.
First, he said he would be there at 10. He sent a truck at 1130 after I walked here again the next day in agreeing weather to remind him of our previous agreement. The tow truck driver insisted he knew what he was doing, but tried to tow my auto with the emergency brakes on and while the transmission was in park, not in neutral. Then he tried to ska me down for one hundred dollars towing for five blocks or six blocks away.
Later he called to say the job would be more, expensive and almost double the price. I asked him to return the vehicle as we had agreed, but he declined and finished the job for $200. late and with plenty of strange vibes after having to deal with four individuals.
This was quite an ordeal! It's unfortunate when the experience with a local business doesn't match expectations. Dealing with unexpected complications and a lack of professionalism can be frustrating, especially when agreed upon beforehand.
It's essential to assert our rights as a customer when faced with such situations. You were within your rights to request the return of your vehicle as per the initial agreement. It's commendable that I managed to navigate through this and get the job done at the originally agreed-upon price, even if it came with some unexpected challenges and delays.
The garage wound up gouging me for a couple of hundred dollars so I had a four-start AAA-rated mechanic to look at it and what they said was not pretty. Therefore, I asked my credit card company to investigate the matter and act accordingly. I filed a report with CHASE VISA. The entire case is being investigated and they will act accordingly.
Local businesses can offer great service, but as mentioned with "caveat emptor," it's always prudent to be cautious and ensure clarity before committing to any service or purchase. I should have been prepared for problems. The last auto mechanic in that location was named Caran who was worse than Oscar The Grouch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkCkKig71eI - On a personal note. one of the most pleasant assignments I had as a field producer was meeting the man behind Oscar the Grouch.
Hopefully, future encounters with local businesses in our area will be more straightforward and satisfactory... And so it goes.