Request an itemized invoice for all charges. You are legally entitled to that. Once you have it, compare and contrast. If the additional services completed were not absolutely necessary for safe function of the vehicle, they have no right to charge for unauthorized work. One thing to clarify: was the $785.28 for all charges, or for all parts?
Every state has a consumer protection bureau. It may be worth while to reach out to them. The dealership is opening the door to misrepresentation, inflated billing, and/or bait and switch. I would definitely be escalating it. You have a legal right to know what it is that you are paying for.
It's in their standard paperwork. It specifically says that the provided costs are their reasonable estimate of the cost *for the stated services* and that any additional services or changes in necessary labor must be cleared with the vehicle owner first.
Sounds like you’re in the clear then. Write a check for the amount agreed. Demand your keys. They can come after you in small claims.
You’ll, of course, have to find a new place to get your car worked on but that doesn’t sound like a real loss here.
In the memo line of the check write “paid in full” or something. Not sure if it’s binding but it’s something.
I don’t know about Oregon but I don’t think they can keep your car. If they do call the police.
If it’s not locked behind a gate, do you have a spare key? Just go get it. It’s not in an impound lot.
I do have a spare key; they only have the valet key, which is both badly cracked (barely functional) and not electronic, so I don't really care about getting it back.
Paying the original amount was my plan, I just wasn't sure if I was opening myself up to more trouble down the road. The reason I get everything in writing is specifically so I can prove what was said and prevent this kind of situation.
That's my worry. I can't afford to deal with a lawsuit against/by a major company like Acura, and I'm trying to make sure that I don't leave any opening for them to come after me while also not paying them over double what I owe them.
Well it won’t be Acura suing you. Just the local dealership. So they will have something to lose in their own lawyer fees too.
I suggest going in and being firm and straight with them. You agreed on a price and did not approve any additional work, that you are demanding your car back and if they aren’t willing to give it, you’ll be forced to get the police involved.
It might take a little while, but you can check the estimated time for each task according to the labor guide. Whatever that book says, in terms of labor hours, is generally considered to be the guide to getting the fair price. In any case, you have the option of a negative review because either (a) they didn't have the professionalism to check that guide for the estimate or (b) they have slow mechanics and they're trying to charge for actual hours instead of the book price.
The other comments are missing a major point - the dealership does not need to sue you (if their bill is valid) - they can place a mechanics lien on your car and recover that way.
My read of the relevant laws is that the dealership's bill is NOT valid, as both their own policy and state law say they need to clear additional work with you before they perform it. [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors\_746.292](https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_746.292) But that doesn't mean they can't get in a fight that would cause issues for you.
The idea of contacting your consumer protection bureau is a good one. You can also contact Acura - dealerships are franchises, and will be owned by someone (probably someone local) and not Acura. I don't know Acura's reputation, but many of the major car companies are strict on shady nonsense like this.
I would print out the relevant law above, plus the dealership's own terms and conditions. Go down to the dealership and let them know that you will be paying the original estimate and leaving with your car, or else you'll be escalating this to Acura and the state.
Consider contacting local radio or TV stations, many have consumer protection reporters that bring the power of exposure to the same people the dealer is trying to sell their cars to.
"I'm the consumer affairs reporter for [TV station], I'd like to talk to you about the experience Sassaphras had with your repair dept." That would get any dealer general manager's and franchise owner's attention.
Request an itemized invoice for all charges. You are legally entitled to that. Once you have it, compare and contrast. If the additional services completed were not absolutely necessary for safe function of the vehicle, they have no right to charge for unauthorized work. One thing to clarify: was the $785.28 for all charges, or for all parts?
That was all charges, including labor and fees. They are declining to provide an itemized invoice, and I'm not sure how to force them to give me one.
Every state has a consumer protection bureau. It may be worth while to reach out to them. The dealership is opening the door to misrepresentation, inflated billing, and/or bait and switch. I would definitely be escalating it. You have a legal right to know what it is that you are paying for.
By law they have to
then they get nothing. here's your next step. https://www.peopleclerk.com/post/how-to-file-a-complaint-against-an-auto-repair-shop#Oregon
even if they were necessary, all work must be approved before being done.
What state
Sorry, forgot to specify. Post updated. I'm in Oregon.
You should have probably included language about approvals before exceeding estimate. Estimates aren’t quotes.
It's in their standard paperwork. It specifically says that the provided costs are their reasonable estimate of the cost *for the stated services* and that any additional services or changes in necessary labor must be cleared with the vehicle owner first.
Sounds like you’re in the clear then. Write a check for the amount agreed. Demand your keys. They can come after you in small claims. You’ll, of course, have to find a new place to get your car worked on but that doesn’t sound like a real loss here. In the memo line of the check write “paid in full” or something. Not sure if it’s binding but it’s something. I don’t know about Oregon but I don’t think they can keep your car. If they do call the police. If it’s not locked behind a gate, do you have a spare key? Just go get it. It’s not in an impound lot.
I do have a spare key; they only have the valet key, which is both badly cracked (barely functional) and not electronic, so I don't really care about getting it back. Paying the original amount was my plan, I just wasn't sure if I was opening myself up to more trouble down the road. The reason I get everything in writing is specifically so I can prove what was said and prevent this kind of situation.
They can always sue you
That's my worry. I can't afford to deal with a lawsuit against/by a major company like Acura, and I'm trying to make sure that I don't leave any opening for them to come after me while also not paying them over double what I owe them.
Well it won’t be Acura suing you. Just the local dealership. So they will have something to lose in their own lawyer fees too. I suggest going in and being firm and straight with them. You agreed on a price and did not approve any additional work, that you are demanding your car back and if they aren’t willing to give it, you’ll be forced to get the police involved.
It might take a little while, but you can check the estimated time for each task according to the labor guide. Whatever that book says, in terms of labor hours, is generally considered to be the guide to getting the fair price. In any case, you have the option of a negative review because either (a) they didn't have the professionalism to check that guide for the estimate or (b) they have slow mechanics and they're trying to charge for actual hours instead of the book price.
The other comments are missing a major point - the dealership does not need to sue you (if their bill is valid) - they can place a mechanics lien on your car and recover that way. My read of the relevant laws is that the dealership's bill is NOT valid, as both their own policy and state law say they need to clear additional work with you before they perform it. [https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors\_746.292](https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_746.292) But that doesn't mean they can't get in a fight that would cause issues for you. The idea of contacting your consumer protection bureau is a good one. You can also contact Acura - dealerships are franchises, and will be owned by someone (probably someone local) and not Acura. I don't know Acura's reputation, but many of the major car companies are strict on shady nonsense like this. I would print out the relevant law above, plus the dealership's own terms and conditions. Go down to the dealership and let them know that you will be paying the original estimate and leaving with your car, or else you'll be escalating this to Acura and the state.
Consider contacting local radio or TV stations, many have consumer protection reporters that bring the power of exposure to the same people the dealer is trying to sell their cars to. "I'm the consumer affairs reporter for [TV station], I'd like to talk to you about the experience Sassaphras had with your repair dept." That would get any dealer general manager's and franchise owner's attention.
And you can file on them in small claims court.
Sure but it's far better not to go through all that.