I just moved to Virginia Beach, and need to find place to bring my Saab for maintenance, for an oil change. My car is in mint condition, and has low mileage. I tried to explain that if I keep up on preventive maintenance, as I always have, I won't need any major repairs. The guy was unfriendly, and when I asked if they worked on Saabs, he said they do, but would rather not! I'm new to the area, and AAA people are jerks. I've had AAA for a long time, and this was awful. Sorry I have a Saab, but it's well cared for, and I need someone to continue the preventive side, so I won't need repairs.
Consumer Complaints & Reviews
On November 25, 2011, my car over heated on my way home to Brooklyn, NY. My car was towed, to the above station. I by accident did not leave my car keys with the station attendant, to tell me what was wrong with my car. On November 29, 2011, went back to Lake Service Station, with car keys and paid the $180.00 storage fee, no problem. Service attendant stated the problem with my car was a head gasket problem, not worth fixing. I agreed along with brother that the car should be junked. The station attendant indicated he need the title to the car before he can junk it. I said I would mail it to him, but after thinking about the situation, I felt I wanted my mechanic in Brooklyn, to look at it and let me know if it was worth fixing and how expensive it would be.
Called on December 4, 2011, spoke to someone at the station. I informed him that my name is Shirley **, owner of the Blue Dodge Intrepid, and I wanted to come get it. He told me that they don't release cars on Sunday, and the person I originally dealt with is not there. On December 6, 2011, he, a friend drove me to the Lake Service Station, to pay the storage fee and get AAA to take my car back to Brooklyn. The station attendant I originally dealt with was there. Informed him I'm here to get my car, he told me about the storage fee, and so forth. Then he informed me after looking on the computer and calling a employee of his that my car was junked.
I asked him how could that be, because he does not have the title to the car. He and I then went over the entire situation, that lead up to my car ending up there in the first place. But I asked him how can you junk someones car without the title. As I understand, I assume this was illegal to do. My friend, who drove me 80 miles, to get to this place, when did he junk it, he said last week, so that means anytime after November 29th, the day I came to pay the $180 storage fee. The means to me, he did not waste anytime getting rid of my vehicle. Also, this gentlemen had my name and telephone on paper work that I filled out on November 25th, he could given me a curiosity call and ask me what I wanted to do with my car. This man never call me, he took it upon himself to junk my car if that is what he did with it.
My car was in good condition inside and out. I also had a lot of work done on this car and I had new headlights installed this past summer. I greatly feel this person did an unjustifiable to me and I want to pursue this matter. Please contact me, by then I will have the name of the gentlemen I dealt with regarding this awful situation. I know this is a long letter, but I needed to give you all the details. Thanking you in advance.
I had my car repaired at AAA center in Durham, NC. After that repair, they suggested that my car brakes need replacement as it had worn out and it would cost me $350. Then, I decided to get my brake rotors and pads replaced and took it to the same AAA, who charged me $450. After a few days later, I moved from Durham to Towson, MD. I had to get my car inspected and registered in Maryland state. During inspection, they found out that the wrong rotors were installed and it was unsafe to drive the car.
Finally, I got it replaced at AAA Towson, who charged me an additional $500. They assured me that they had spoken with AAA Durham and the whole charge would be reimbursed. I contacted AAA Durham regarding this and after many days of argument, they finally decided to reimburse only $350 out of $500. It has been two weeks since they decided on reimbursing and I still have not received any check from them.
While on vacation at Walt Disney World, my car battery indicator lit up and my car shut off. I called AAA and they sent someone to check my vehicle, and if necessary, replace the battery. When the gentleman checked the car, he informed me that it was not the battery but the alternator. We called AAA again and "Tim" informed us that the AAA Car Care Center was closed (it was Sunday), but that they could tow my car Monday morning and have it repaired. I questioned him regarding prices and although he did not tell me the cost directly, he reassured me that they do not gauge prices.
Because they were AAA, I believed them and agreed to have my car towed on Monday morning. When the service representative called me on Monday morning, he informed me that they had checked my car. The problem was the alternator and it would cost me $579 to replace it. I told them that it was too much money. They said that to have my car picked up, I would have to pay $79 for the diagnostic. To pay the diagnostic or to tow the car to another shop, along with a two-year old kid--I figured I didn't have much choice in the matter and agreed to have them fix the car.
I trusted AAA not to ** me over but they did. It is true that I could have had my car towed elsewhere, but they made sure it wasn't convenient to do so. We did call shops around the area for comparison and the highest was $370. We even called the closest Mazda dealership who would sell us a brand new alternator for $317. The one we got from AAA Car Care Center is a rebuilt one. Its truly disheartening to know that AAA cares so little for their clients. And I can imagine how many people are being taken advantage of in there.
My truck stopped running while on the road and I needed to get it towed. I called AAA and the representative called me back at 3:37 pm and told me that the tow was set and the average time in my area was 45 minutes. One hour later, the AAA representative called back to say that they had not been able to find a tow service yet. Around 5 pm, AAA called to let me know they had found a tow service but he would be around for another 90 minutes. At around 9 pm, I cancelled the tow because the driver called and said he would be around for at least another hour.
The next day, I called again to try to get my truck towed. The AAA representative asked if I would like to have it towed to the AAA Car Care Center in Winston Salem, NC (the closest one). Even though my first experience with a AAA Car Care Center in Greensboro, NC had been negative, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt because I have been very pleased (up to now) with the service I have gotten from AAA. The Car Care Center called me and told me that the mechanic had "tested" both fuel pumps and could not tell which one was bad (?). They wanted to replace both pumps for $1000+-. I told them that I could not afford this and they called back with an offer to replace the in-tank pump for $650 +-. I knew that this was a high price for the work, but I knew that I could not replace the in-tank pump myself and since the truck had already been towed to their shop, I felt that I was "over-a-barrel" and agreed to have them replace the in-tank pump only. They said they would call me and let me know if that fixed the problem.
They called the next day and said the truck was fixed. When I went to pick it up, they told me that the mechanic had removed the gas tank and found that the in-tank pump was not the problem and so they reinstalled the gas tank (no charge). Then they replaced the front pump, which I had not authorized them to do and which was much easier to do (less than half the labor) and charged me $630+- for the work. When I protested, they reduced the bill by one hour labor. In order to get my truck, I had to pay the charge. When I inspected the gas tank, I could clearly see that no one had tried to loosen any of the bolts. The front fuel pump average part cost is +-$125. It's a fairly simple job, which I have done several times in the past to my vehicles. Had they been honest and told me it was the front pump, I would have replaced it myself rather than pay their overblown price.
It was a clear case of bait-and-switch. It was clearly stated on the paperwork that I only authorized the in-tank pump to be replaced. This was clearly a violation of ethics and may be actionable under the law. I hope that we can resolve this incident and that you will take actions to ensure the continued good reputation of AAA.
On 06-28-11, I went to the AAA auto care facility in Gastonia to have my car inspected. I saw no customers but 4 employees. One was in the bay playing with his cell phone; one was standing in a corner; and two were at a desk. Neither of them looked up until I walked up to one of them. I asked if they could inspect my car and he said, "Yeah!" I left my car at the bar door. I cannot remember an inspection taking more than 20 minutes and this one took 45 minutes. I went to check on my car twice and it was up on a lift and no one was around it. I was not sure where everyone was or what they were doing. Finally, they finished. I paid and left. I did not get a copy of my signed receipt, only the inspection form.
Today (06-29), I had to get my tag and found out that the wrong VIN number was entered into the system so I could not get my tag. The representative at the Lincolnton DMV said that the inspection facility just needed to re-enter the VIN number (they entered a W instead of a 3) and it would override the error. I called AAA Auto Care (I had to look up the number since I didn't have a receipt) and after going through the options and the music while on hold, a guy answered and I explained the situation. He said he was the manager, but he didn't know how to fix the problem. I told him what the DMV representative said, and he said he would check and get back to me. When I did not hear back from him in 10 minutes, I called again and he said for me to bring the car back and they would re-inspect it.
I explained that I did not have time to drive 20 miles back to Gastonia and wait another 45 minutes -- I had to get back to work. I again told him about re-entering the number and asked if he wanted to speak to the representative with the DMV. He said he would call the DMV and get back to me. Again, I called and he said he was trying to call the Lincolnton DMV, I had already offered him the opportunity to talk to them before. Finally, he called me back about 40 minutes after my first call and said he talked to the DMV and they said he had to re-inspect my car. I told him that was absurd, that I just left the DMV and that was not what they told me. I told him I was not driving back to Gastonia.
After he hung up (or got disconnected) twice, he said he would just reimburse me for the inspection. I wasted 45 minutes of my time getting it inspected, then going to the DMV and waiting another 40 minutes for him to tell me he would give me my money back. This is totally unprofessional and poor management. There were 4 employees. No one was doing anything, and then they still make a mistake. And then they don't care that I have to get off of work again and get my car inspected and go back to the DMV. I can understand why they did not have any customers and I will make sure and tell everyone I know to never use them. What a waste.
I am a AAA member and periodically receive email automotive maintenance coupons. I utilized a $16.95 oil change coupon on November 20, 2009. However, when I produced the coupon and was given an oil type recommendation, with a supposed 30 point maintenance check; the total came to $49.95, with only $11.00 deducted from the coupon.
Further, from the 30 point check, I was told about certain problems (i.e., transmission pan leak) yet no annotations were made on the receipt. Consequently, I believe that AAA AutoMark Car Care Center engaged in "Bait and Switch," in that the coupon indicated dollar amount was not redeemed.
Antoine of Columbia SC (06/13/08)Took my truck for an oil change. After paying for my services, I got into it and started it up. When I started to drive the truck, it started to sputter and jerk. i turned the truck back around and took it right back. I spoke with the managers on duty to tell them about the problem.
The manager stated that my truck was doing that before I brought it to them. This was untrue. He was very rude.I ended up having my truck towed from the AAA to my home and then towed to the shop. After servicing the truck on the following day, my mechanic told me that the person who operated on the truck left the mass air flow part unattached, resulting in the poor performance of my truck. I then contacted the District Manager Carl and told him about the problem. He got in touch with Nathan, who called me and basically said that he could not refund me for the damage that incurred to my vehicle. These types of dealings are bad, especially when I have the the written report om the mechanic, and a AAA Plus member. Please help me.
