[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

I wanted to patronize a local mechanic and did some research. By all accounts, Jason Accurso is a pleasant, honest, excellent mechanic. I believe his parents are Villagers. I made an appointment and took my 14 year-old Toyota in because its A/C wasn't blowing cold enough.

Now, my gripe is not with Jason Accurso or his mechanics. The A/C is blowing cold again.

I don't consider myself a complainer, but the service writer, Gary M. really rubbed me the wrong way. I waited in the waiting room. Gary M. came in and handed me 4 repair orders for my approval.

1. Need new battery because of terminal corrosion, not because it tested bad. $320 - No thanks.

2. Need 4 new tires because of dry rot. The tires are less than 5 years old with 15K miles on them. They were just declared "like new" at DeLuca Toyota. $878 - No thanks.

3. Need 2 new windshield wiper blades. I told him that I had replaced the wipers myself only 2 months prior. He left the room and came back to tell me that they were "smearing." $73 - No thanks.

4. Diagnose and recharge A/C system, including 2 KG of 134a refrigerant at $18 per KG. $263 - go ahead, but the A/C system only holds between 0.41 and 0.47 KG of 134a. I wound up getting charged for 0.28 KG at $25 per KG. $230 - OK.

I was polite and unaggressive. I only questioned the wipers and the amount of refrigerant because I couldn't believe it. Gary M. clearly doesn't like questions. He gets red in the face and borders on being rude. He told me, "Hurry up. I have a technician waiting." Upselling is one thing. This was something more. I worry that Gary M. might be taking advantage of the naive. Be forewarned.

Wow what a bunch of crooks