C-T garage tried to rob my mother

So this is the story:

My mother had car problems where her jeep would overheat. Once she realised that it was happening with her car, she stoped and found a way to bring it over to C-T to get it checked.

A mechanic looked over it, did a "Hydro Carbon test" and from that, he said that the rad was cracked and she needed a new engine. Estimate of approx. 5000.00$
With that information, she called me. I'm no mechanic but I am familiar with the automotive world, thus having many mechanic friends, to which I've asked opinions about the situation and couldn't believe this actually happened.

After she told me their diagnostic, I found it hard to believe that the mechanic said she needed a new engine based on a simple H-C test which doesn't tell you very much. I asked to make sure if a compression test was done...no...no compression test.
I also asked: Did they say anything about the head gasket?
Nothing about the head gasket.

With that, I told her to get a second opinion because I'm sure they have it all wrong.
Anyway, got it towed to a garage where the mechanic looked at everything and said that the rad and engine was just fine. THe only thing broken was a 2$ clamp. Put a new clamp on, attached the hose, new coolant and boom, she's running like new. My mother also decided to put new plugs in, so her entire bill was 400$...big change from 5000.00$

So, what would be the next best step? Is there a way to make a complaint to get the store owner to apolgise or at least know that the mechanic is being delt with?

Unfortunately in today's day, It seems there are SO many dishonest mechanics out there :-( Unfortuntely there really is no way to prove your statement without proof. Did they happen to write you out a quote? IF they did, you could take that quote to another mechanic (either Canadian Tire or a more reputable mechanic shop) and ask for their written opinion of the same repair. You may be able to use that but in all honesty, there is really not much that can be done since you weren't charged the amount they quoted you.

I am more wondering if it may have been a misunderstanding on your mothers part. I honestly don't see why the mechanic would claim a new engine was in order because it's not a benefit to them; they don't sell Engines. I could understand perhaps trying to upsell a radiator but an engine? That would only be sending the customer elsewhere since Canadian Tire does not sell, rebuild, nor install engines. Perhaps they told your mother that because the engine overheated that there may be engine damage and may need rebuilding (depending on how long the engine was overheating for). But even then, engines are replaced as much as they are rebuilt.

In any event, this is why we need more of the Hidden Camera investigations that you see (RARELY) on the news. Only then do you realize that it's very hard to find HONEST mechanics :-(

You'd be surprised how there are such dishonest mechanics out there that there are those who will loosen a simple bolt, or splash some oil on the top of the engine, or loosen a coolant clamp knowing you likely would discover it and come back.

Actually, the Mechanic did write a quote suggesting a new rad and engine for approx. 5000.00$ and I do know that C-tire does replace engines, may not rebuild them, but they do replace them like any other garage would.
There was no misunderstanding, just in my opinion, lazyness from the mechanic to investigate further and make sure that it was needed.
After speaking to a few of my mechanic buddies, they all told me that, the "Hydro carbon" test doesn't tell you much and that a compression test is needed...which makes a lot more sens! If the mechanic would have said: "I did the H-C test and this is the result and may need a new engine, but I need to do an other test to make sure of my claim" that would be more understandable, but they didn't.
What would C-T do, if they did the work and I wanted the engine back? Then I find out afterwards that the engine is fine! what happens then? Would they reimburse me for the money spent and the time?

I know that mechanics everywhere can be dishonest, but when you're a big name like canadian Tire, you would definitly make sure that the people who you hired and are representing you do a good job.

I'm going in to see the shop manager and see what he does. If he basically tells me off, I will proceed further and make sure everyone hears about it.
If he actually helps, I'll be happy with that.

I'll keep you guys posted.

If you have a written quote, I would get a second opinion, and even a third in writing. But like I said, unless you were actually charged that, there really is not much that can be done. A complaint won't do much as there was nothing actually done in terms of replacing the radiator/engine.

If you were charged it, I would have taken it to the media. A quote is just that, a quote. It can be anything really. Until you have an actual contract with transaction done, it's nothing more than a complaint that anything else in term of compensation.

Annoyed-of-C-Tire said:

Actually, the Mechanic did write a quote suggesting a new rad and engine for approx. 5000.00$ and I do know that C-tire does replace engines, may not rebuild them, but they do replace them like any other garage would.
There was no misunderstanding, just in my opinion, lazyness from the mechanic to investigate further and make sure that it was needed.
After speaking to a few of my mechanic buddies, they all told me that, the "Hydro carbon" test doesn't tell you much and that a compression test is needed...which makes a lot more sens! If the mechanic would have said: "I did the H-C test and this is the result and may need a new engine, but I need to do an other test to make sure of my claim" that would be more understandable, but they didn't.
What would C-T do, if they did the work and I wanted the engine back? Then I find out afterwards that the engine is fine! what happens then? Would they reimburse me for the money spent and the time?

I know that mechanics everywhere can be dishonest, but when you're a big name like canadian Tire, you would definitly make sure that the people who you hired and are representing you do a good job.

I'm going in to see the shop manager and see what he does. If he basically tells me off, I will proceed further and make sure everyone hears about it.
If he actually helps, I'll be happy with that.

I'll keep you guys posted.

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Take it to the media! The fact that you took your time to investigate CT's claims is a testament to your consumer savy. But how many old people and women are being taken advantage of by bogus mechanic claims and quotes? Is it any wonder that Crappy Tire is a name that everybody associates with crap service and products. Don't listen to CT manager. He's just pointing the blame away from his store. Look at it this way. Even if your mother did go through with it, what would CT manager say? He'll do the same and point blame away from the store again.


CT has earned the crappy tire name and has done nothing to turn things around.

Yes there are bad mechanics and bad service stories. It's just that there's more of them in the crappy tire garage.

Unregistered said:

Take it to the media! The fact that you took your time to investigate CT's claims is a testament to your consumer savy. But how many old people and women are being taken advantage of by bogus mechanic claims and quotes? Is it any wonder that Crappy Tire is a name that everybody associates with crap service and products. Don't listen to CT manager. He's just pointing the blame away from his store. Look at it this way. Even if your mother did go through with it, what would CT manager say? He'll do the same and point blame away from the store again.


CT has earned the crappy tire name and has done nothing to turn things around.

Yes there are bad mechanics and bad service stories. It's just that there's more of them in the crappy tire garage.

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Once again, why is the blame is pointed at me? From my store? Who is to say this was from the store I work? I was the one to say to take it to the media, why am I being shot down at? All that I said was that I wouldn't expect any compensation because the amount was only quoted and not charged.

If you had work done on your car that you did not authorized, in a number of countries you are not obligated to pay for the work and can seek legal assistance.

But as I said before, I would get more written quotes and see what "damage" you can do to that shops reputation. I would not be proud to work in a store thru retail nor service if that is what they are airing out to their customers.

One may not realize but Retail is completely separate from service. A customer complaint with service has nothing to do with the retail store as the Retail store manager does not have any authorization with the service side and vise-versa. I am in the Retail side so trying to claim that I would point blame elsewhere is a false accusation.

CT_MANAGER said:

Once again, why is the blame is pointed at me? From my store? Who is to say this was from the store I work? I was the one to say to take it to the media, why am I being shot down at? All that I said was that I wouldn't expect any compensation because the amount was only quoted and not charged.

If you had work done on your car that you did not authorized, in a number of countries you are not obligated to pay for the work and can seek legal assistance.

But as I said before, I would get more written quotes and see what "damage" you can do to that shops reputation. I would not be proud to work in a store thru retail nor service if that is what they are airing out to their customers.

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Hello Mr. CT Manager. Been reading some of yourr posts and you deflect criticism of CT's bad service experience mostly back on to customers. And with things like bad car repairs etc, you're quick to defend and minimize the garage mybad and shoot the customer for pointing it out. What's up with that? But you crawl backwards when you can't defend their con by saying your in retail. You did the same when you talked about the return policy and your admiration for it and shot down all customers. Customers who don't deserve a return and you gave a long list of why they don't deserve it. So all in all you and your store are different from the other stores as you give good people a hard time on returns, have bad auto that con people and think that people who have questions are dumb.

THey charged my mother 50 some dollars for the inspection, I just want that reimbursed for the fact that in my opinion and due to what was said and written down, they didn't do much.
How do you mistaken a cracked rad from a broken clamp? That seems to easy and the mechanic should be held liable for his lies.
Doing a basic test to say the enigne is no longer any good, also very poor mechanic morals.
I'll go in and tell them what I want, (reimbursement of the 50$ and an explanation from the mechanic as to how he came to that conclusion) which I find very reasonable. I'll even be happy with the reimbursement alone. If C-T isn't willing to do that, to me it showes bad customer service since they have proof that they are in the wrong but don't want to do anything.

If they do give me what I want, which again is reasonable, It will show me that C-T do care.
We shall see.

Annoyed-of-C-Tire said:

THey charged my mother 50 some dollars for the inspection, I just want that reimbursed for the fact that in my opinion and due to what was said and written down, they didn't do much.
How do you mistaken a cracked rad from a broken clamp? That seems to easy and the mechanic should be held liable for his lies.
Doing a basic test to say the enigne is no longer any good, also very poor mechanic morals.
I'll go in and tell them what I want, (reimbursement of the 50$ and an explanation from the mechanic as to how he came to that conclusion) which I find very reasonable. I'll even be happy with the reimbursement alone. If C-T isn't willing to do that, to me it showes bad customer service since they have proof that they are in the wrong but don't want to do anything.

If they do give me what I want, which again is reasonable, It will show me that C-T do care.
We shall see.

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Well annoyed, they tried to rip off your mum and you want something reasonable?
That's nice of you. Where I'm from we settle it with that and compound interest. Canadian tire by the way is also conning their customers with a huge eco fee before the HST tax. Check out Ellen Roseman

Happened to me before too.
I was at CT and decided to get my brakes check while I was shopping. $1200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was in shock. Got a paid quote. Paid their 'almost-screwed-you' bill and left.
I stopped at my local garage and asked them to check my brakes.
The said everything was fine except I needed the brake lines bled. Cost $200.

Lesson learned. How many others must learn the hard way? A big chain like CT should be more honorable. They must be trained to falsify and up-sell, in order to have this consistency across the nation.
I just mentioned it to a co-worker and many other's joined in about CT horror stories about the auto shop.
Boils down to one word - EVIL.

Ronatola said:

Happened to me before too.
I was at CT and decided to get my brakes check while I was shopping. $1200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was in shock. Got a paid quote. Paid their 'almost-screwed-you' bill and left.
I stopped at my local garage and asked them to check my brakes.
The said everything was fine except I needed the brake lines bled. Cost $200.

Lesson learned. How many others must learn the hard way? A big chain like CT should be more honorable. They must be trained to falsify and up-sell, in order to have this consistency across the nation.
I just mentioned it to a co-worker and many other's joined in about CT horror stories about the auto shop.
Boils down to one word - EVIL.

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Hello,

Perhaps you could please explain a little more because I think you missed something on your posting. A brake check is usually free so it seems you are referring to parts being installed and not just a free brake exam for $1,200. ?

Yup, lots of CT horror stores, check out the CBC reports.

Most provinces have laws about charging too much above the estimate - something to consider for next time, when you take your vehicle to some place other than Crappy Tire (always a good idea).

Goes to show that Crappy Tire mechanics cannot be trusted! Perfect example!