Get Armed Stories

Never be shy to inquire. You're paying for the service!

We all get ripped off and it isn't only in automotive repair…

Here are some of the experiences I've encountered. It's not only when we repair our autos that we get ripped off. Sometimes I think I have a sign on my forehead that say's "please rip me off!" Always remember to get a few estimates and get advice. Yes, it may take you some extra time but its better than getting ripped off. There are honest companies out there, but its up to you to do your homework and find them.

Finding a bee nest in my chimney… I called a few people and got a referral to a company that will vacuum the bees out of the fireplace. I called this company and the boss came out and looked in the chimney and said that he would have to dismantle it for the amount of $1,350.00. He also had the nerve to say that I'm on my own to put it back together and that should run about an additional $1,000.00. When I asked him if he could spray to kill the bees he said, "The bees would get angry and would start to attack me." Well his tactic told me all I needed. By the way, for the 15 minutes he spent talking he charged me $150.00 for the service call. I called the next company and it took them ˝ hour and the next day I had no bees.
Good Job Chief Stewart's Pest Control

An oak tree that died and needed removing… I found an oak tree in the yard that was dying. I made a few calls only to find out that I needed to remove the tree before the disease it had could spread to anything else. I called a few gardeners to get estimates and they quoted from $400.00 to $1,800.00. Yes, you're right! $400.00 got my business.
Good Job Nacho's Gardening

Buying a new car… A few years ago I started shopping for a new car. I decided on a Chevy Corvette. I visited a local Chevy dealership and the salesperson was a male chauvinist pig. When I attempted to look under the hood, the salesmen asked, "What do you need to know?" As if I couldn't tell by looking. I overlooked the comment. After picking out the car I wanted to purchase I was told, "a credit check must be approved before a road test is authorized."
I took it upon myself to tell the salesman where he could go and how to get there. I strolled up the street to a used Ford dealership and found a used Chevy Corvette. The salesman was so informative. I took the vehicle on a road test that lasted 45 minutes, and then I purchased the car. I drove it to the Chevy dealership and called the salesmen outside so I could show him his commission being driven away.
Good Job Serramonty Ford

Leaking roof… I found a stain on the ceiling in a room in my house. I called a roofing company and was told the roof needed repair. The estimate given was roughly $695.00. I made a few more calls and found this nice roofing company that came out and repaired a tile that had moved out of place and was causing the leak. The repair amount was $50.00.
Good Job S.F. Summit Roofing

Sick dog… My dog was sick and after spending over $5,800.00 the vet was still unsure of what to do. I was in tears because Crystal was a part of our family. I spoke with a few friends and I was told that the S.P.C.A. didn't work on commission on the services they provide. I took a ride to the local S.P.C.A. I'm sorry to say that Crystal was very ill and I was told that she will need to be put down. I was told she had cancer. I gave her primary vet a call and gave them a piece of my mind. The S.P.C.A. found this out in one visit and the cost was $200.00.
Good Job S.F.S.P.C.A.

Getting a body repair… My vehicle was broadside at high speed. I got hurt and the vehicle's body was all over the road. I had the car towed to the Chevy dealership for repair. I was told the frame had been damaged and would need repair along with the bodywork. The insurance and I approved the repairs. A week or two later I was called and told my car was ready for pickup. I arrived at the dealership and signed the release papers and attempted to drive the car out. I was unable to because the frame had not been repaired and the vehicle had not been road tested before I was called. I asked to speak with the body repair manager. I requested the alignment spec.'s for my review. The alignment could not have been performed after the repair was completed. It took him over 45 minutes before he explained that they had overlooked the alignment. No, I explained, they had overlooked the repair also. I asked him to rack the vehicle up on one of their lifts. He looked at me sort of funny. I pulled out my business card and requested to view the repair they had performed. He racked up the vehicle and we both identified the repair had not been done.

Amanda's Get Armed Story...My car was having some serious starting issues. I went to the dealership where I had purchased to car and asked them to do the repairs. They told me that the starter needed to be replaced. Whent he work was finished, i paid a total of about seven hundred dollars for a starter replacement. About two days after the reapir I noticed that it was still having problems starting. I called and inquired about why there were still problems. They told me it was normal for a car with a replaced starter to have continued problems because they could not shim it to the original specs when the car was first assembled. I took that answer well enough, until two weeks later on my way home from work my car died in the middle of the road. I proceeded to attempt to start the car again, and it started....on fire. When I got the falmes out I investigated as to why the fire had started. The main wire from the battery to the starter had shorted and started all the plastic parts around it on fire. I went into the dealership that did the repairs and gave the the recipts for the costs of the fire damage repairs. They proceede to refund, in full, the full amount of the cost of reapirs as they knew thay had improperly grounded the starter cable off the battery. For once, the consumer won!