7 months ago brought in my wifes truck from service. It needed front and rear shocks. The repair was done, and we paid. I have the receipt. Since then we brought it back no less that 3 times complaining of rear noise, and the truck feels like it still needs shocks. This last time we argued with the mechanic.
2 weeks ago, we bring it to a Volvo specialist and he tells us the rear shocks are shock. We take it to the dealership and they confirm this.
What can we do now? It was a 1600.00 repair, and I’m not sure how to proceed.
If this is true…you may need to get a lawyer…or file in small claims court.
And obviously avoid this place in the future.
oops - I meant to say ‘the rear shocks are STOCK (oem) parts’ - when I looked at them myself they have rust on them and its obvious they are not new. One shock boot is twisted around the shaft, and the other is leaking.
thanks Mike for the fast reply. - Thats what everyone has been saying - small claims court. I just dont know how to ‘prove’ that the shocks that are in the truck now are OEM. I have statements from the new mechanic and the dealership - and pictures - but i wonder if it will be enough. - I dont want to lose in court, because im in the right here. Im not making this up (wish i was)
It is going to be tough. Get the Dealer to write a statement saying the shocks are OEM and also write something about the condition.
Take pictures. I’d take pictures of your OLD shocks…and possibly shocks on other vehicles that are 7 months old. Use these as a comparison to show the judge/arbitrator.
On the receipt does it state the make of shocks they supposedly put on??
That is all you have, so use it and hope for the best. You can’t use DNA evidence if they never touched the car.
While you may be right, how can you prove that they didn’t put OEM shocks on it?
I would also look into the warranty aspect of this. See if you receipt specifies a specific brand or warranty condition for the shocks. Before pursuing small claims court, I would go back to the original installer first and ask questions about the shock warranty, identify the complaint that the shocks do not appear to be working right, all without divulging what the Volvo specialist said. It is difficult to purchase shocks that don’t come with a less than one year warranty.
If the original installer is in total denial, then I would go the small clsims route, with as much proof as I could muster, to include retaining the old shocks when replaced as physical evidence, along with the mechanics statement that they appear to be OEM, not having been replaced recently, and in a worn condition far more than seven months of use would indicate. Back that up with the number of miles driven since the “installation”.
If you get the shocks replaced, make sure you get quality, lifetime warranted shocks. I have found that they are worth it, even if they last the life of the vehicle. I have also gotten new shocks from this type warranty when they failed. I was out labor, but that’s better than parts plus labor again.
If it was seven months ago the shocks are covered under warranty. The labor is not. So take two positions on the issue. Get the free shock replacements by getting a letter saying the shocks replaced 7 months ago are shot and rusted. The manufacturer will likely protest the rust since they usually do not rust much for well over a year unless they were never replaced. So the manufacturer will do that leg work or give you free shocks. With a negative manufacturer letter go against the mechanic under a false statement fraud civil complaint and force him to produce the proof of purchase of the shock. Take that production number back to the manufacturer and find out if he is telling the truth. One of these folks are likely to fold if pushed.
If you go to small claims court, after you have your date, go and be a spectator in the courtroom. Try to get the same judge that will be on your case.