Monday night we featured Budget Transmission in Stillwater and its owner Tony Straughn. Straughn recently shut down his shop without telling customers and that has customers hot...like the two couples who contacted us. We were able to reunite one of those families with their car...although Straughn or someone else stripped the transmission, starter, and other parts. They still can't drive the car...but at least they have it back in their possession...first step toward finding closure right?
The other couple we talked to says Straughn did shoddy work on their pickup. It belongs to their son and is literally sitting in the middle of their pasture still broke down. They want a refund, but lets be real...it's highly unlikely they'll ever see a dime...especially since Straughn is facing lewd molestation and sexual battery charges in Pawnee County and drug possession and driving with a suspended license in Payne County (check out his rap sheet at oscn.net; click docket search; then type in his name....it's a great resource for checking out someones criminal history)...
Anyway, we tracked Straughn down at the Payne County Courthouse last Thursday...as you can imagine, he didn't want to have anything to do with us. He avoided our camera offering absolutely zero response of substance. Well, now he did provide a bit of feedback...repeatedly telling us no comment...I don't know...Leave me alone...You're an idiot....and up yours! Nice, I know. Straughn's case in Pawnee County is supposed to go to a jury sometime in December.
http://www.fraudguides.com/auto-repair-scam.asp is a great resource that highlights some of the most prevalent car repair crimes...here's a brief description of those scams taken directly from the website.
Highway Bandits is one of the oldest auto repair scams. These "Highway bandits" own, or work for service stations. They prey on motorists who stop for gasoline or air or water. There are numerous ploys they attempt to separate the unsuspecting motorist from their money. They've been known to spray oil or drip it under a vehicle then claim that it leaked from the traveler's car. They've punctured tires, cut water hoses, and fan belts so that the motorist will have to buy new ones. These bandits focus on the danger the traveler faces if they drive off without making the repairs and often charge inflated prices.
Repair Estimate Scams...consumers who don't get written repair estimates can suffer the consequences when they pick up their cars. This problem occurs when a shop provides a very reasonable quote when the car is dropped off, but at the end of the day, the consumer finds that the shop has raised the final bill considerably from the verbal quote. This may seem to be perfectly legal; since many mechanics find additional problems with a vehicle once work begins. Shop owners and mechanics have been known to leave the estimated amounts blank when they ask customers to sign repair authorizations. Later on they fill in an inflated amount or descriptions of problems after the consumer leaves the premises.
Maintenance Hook Schemes...repair shops will advertise check-ups or preventive maintenance service at very reasonable rates. Unethical shops will use these maintenance specials to "hook" and deceive their customers. A simple oil change and lubrication process can turn into expensive and unneeded repairs. Some mechanics will even cause damage during an inspection to enhance their income by "discovering" new car repair needs.
Intentional misrepresentation of repair needs...modern automobiles are complex, highly technical machines. The average person has no idea how to repair or maintain their own vehicle. It's very easy for an unethical auto shop or mechanic to deceive the average consumer.
This makes it very hard for the vehicle owner to make decisions on whether the repair is needed. Beware the mechanic who seems a little too pat at explaining the particular problem with your car and always consider a second opinion and definitely get an estimate of costs before authorizing the repairs.
Part replacement problems...a lot dishonest mechanics have charged customers for parts that weren't used. In addition, the mechanic will charge you for the labor required to install the non-existent replacement. It's a double rip-off! The old used part switcheroo is another common cart part related scam. Used parts are a viable option for many repairs, however, some mechanics charge customers for new, premium parts after installing sub-standard or used car parts. Always ask for your old, damaged part back after it's been replaced. It helps keep your mechanic honest.
Counterfeit Car Parts...to save money, some unscrupulous repair shop owners cut costs by using counterfeit car parts instead of high-quality replacement parts. The difference in price can be significant but you won't see any of the savings. You'll be billed the full price for the parts and won't be told. This practice can actually put you in danger because counterfeit auto parts are often of inferior quality. This can put you and your family at risk and you may never even know it. Besides being potentially unsafe, counterfeit parts generally wear out sooner than genuine parts. Detecting counterfeit auto parts is difficult because the counterfeiters often duplicate trademarks or alter them so slightly that it takes an experienced eye to notice the difference. If you suspect that counterfeit car parts have been used in place of quality materials don't hesitate to file a report with your state's attorney general or local Better Business Bureau.
Bait and Switch Repair Scams...many auto scams begin with an advertised price on a specific repair job that seems almost too good to be true. Once they have your car in the shop, they find other items that need repair as a way to expand the work order and inflate your invoice. For instance, imagine you might see an advertisement for a great deal on a tune-up. So you take your car to the repair shop to take advantage of the special. Once there you're told, "You need this, this and this." This is very similar to a bait and switch scam. The only difference here is that you'll probably receive the great deal on the tune-up. You could also pay $500 for repairs you hadn't anticipated or thought you needed. A $699 car repair job can mushroom to almost $2,000 so fast it isn't funny. Your mechanic will find so many things wrong with your vehicle that you'd think it's beyond repair. This would be a great time to get a second opinion before authorizing repairs. A few repair businesses charge customers for parts that don't even end up in your car. Other repair businesses complete the work but it's so shoddy, the customer has to bring the car back two or three times. To add to the insult you'll be asked to pay each time you bring your car back due to the repair shop's negligence.
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