Vin-J's Oil & Lube

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On Saturday July 7th, 2012, I brought my 1996 Nissan Maxima into Vin-J’s Oil & Lube INC (President Vincent W. Januska / address 60 Brookside Ave, Chester NY 10918), to have the EGR, Knock Sensor and the valve gasket covers installed. As I always do when getting my car serviced, I provided the parts being replaced. At that time, the young man at the front desk (Steve) gave me an estimated price for installing these parts and informed me that my car would be ready on Tuesday evening, July 10th. Steve gave me a receipt with the estimate which stated labor for the items installed at $90.00 per hour for 6 hours of work totaling $540.00.

On Tuesday at 2:27pm, I spoke with Steve who told me “we have a bit of a problem.” Steve informed me that the EGR valve broke, but they ordered me a new one which should arrive Thursday July 12th. Steve informed me that as his “brother tried to put the EGR in he broke the EGR valve; but you know the car is really old and we ordered the piece from the dealer.” I asked how much is this piece? Steve says oh it’s a part that is only sold at the dealer and it’s going to be an additional $100.00. Admittedly, to myself I questioned them charging me for a part that THEY broke, but to be fair I would have the part in my car so I didn’t see it as a big deal and thought my estimate would go from $540 to $640. They were told at that time to go ahead and put in the new part but, “we are not putting anymore money into this car.” This was clearly stated since they went ahead and ordered the part (they broke). The car worked fine when we drove it in and we expected to drive it back out so do what needed to be done, but we would not be paying for more than the estimate and the ordered part.

Thursday came and I was informed that the part they ordered was not in and my car was not ready. Not a big deal, since this is not my main vehicle and I could use another until the car was fixed. On Friday I was told that my car was ready; I was also informed that $923.38 was expected for the services provided, when I picked up my car Saturday.

I informed Vinny that it was made clear to me I was to pay $540 , $90 dollars per hour for 6 hours of labor and an additional $100 for the ordered part. I provided him with the receipt from the original estimate provided by Steve and Vinny stated the job took 14 hours and he only charged me for 9 hours (wow how generous of you Vinny). I told him at no time had anyone said anything to me about a $923 dollar charge. When I asked about the sudden inflated charge Vincent (very rude and condescending), says “you gonna pay my money.” I won’t go into all the words that were exchanged, but the owner of this shop lacks professionalism, and the basic social skills needed to run a (successful) business. He even informed me that he charges “more,” when customers provide parts because he has to make his “money somehow,” and compared bringing in your own parts to bringing in your own food to a restaurant for them to cook it. I have the recorded conversation, in which he displays his wonderful customer service skills, but you may want to cover your children’s ears because his language is quite colorful. Anyway, after much discussion, $800 later, and his demand that I sign a waiver agreeing not to take him to court, I drove my car out of his lot and obviously will NEVER go there again.