OTR WARNING

raceman · Jun 21, 2004

I want to warn everyone out there of a Garage in the Indiana area that is performing rip offs with repairs, pricing practice and standing behind their work. This place must be avoided. I have filed with the BBB and Attorney General and am now informing my lawyer. This shop is on I69 and anyone wanting more info can email me for all details. I do not want to list it on here while all the investigation is going on. I do not want it to possibly hurt my case. I will inform anyone who wants to know more. I will tell you it is near Muncie and has a highway in it's name. If you want to know more, email me at [email protected]
Raceman

davekc · Jun 21, 2004

Once your case is settled, let folks know who it is so they don't have the same misfortune that you experienced. There are quite a few highway ripoff artists out there, and they should be exposed.

RichM · Jun 21, 2004

I remember having an alternator go out going up I 77 in Va. I pulled into a shop at Fancy Gap VA and boy did the eyes light up with "Here comes Christmas Bonus time". There was some ridiculous price quoted,I said "Forget it" waited till daytime and ran on batteries alone back to Winston Salem NC.

X1_SRH · Jun 22, 2004

Just an FYI - some parts available at the TA repair centers have excellent warrantees. keep a good record of all your warranteed parts regardless of which garage did the work. Sometimes this can save you some cash - and every dollar counts.

ATeam · Jun 23, 2004

True Story:

We (wife and I) were I was recently parked in a TA parking lot waiting for a load and our alternator failed. I called a Freightliner dealer about 75 miles away. Price: $275 plus labor. Part not in stock. Could be ordered in next day. I went to TA service counter. Price: $450 plus labor and they'd have to go the the dealer to get the part. I asked about the difference in price. The TA service manager said, and this is an exact quote, "The only people that buy alternators and batteries from us are those that don't know any better."

I got on line and found a local auto electric shop to see if they could rebuild the alternator I had. Turned out they had one in stock. Price: $350 plus labor. I told them about the dealer price. They matched it. We were in and out the same day without loss of in-service time.

Tony · Jun 27, 2004

Doesn't anybody change their own parts any more ?

Stand up for what you believe in, don't do something just because everyone else is!

raceman · Jun 28, 2004

Not sure what Tony was referring to in his last reply. I had no choice in fixing my truck. This is a truck that I have a driver in and it was on the highway. It needed transmission work and my driver, a young lady, had no idea how to pull that out, get a tranny or anything like that. We were not in a position to fix it ourselves. Oh well. Maybe next time it will break down in a place where I can fix it myself.

raceman

RichM · Jun 28, 2004

Maybe it should be a CDL requirement that all Female drivers demonstrate that they can change a transmission.LOL My other half can easily take the transmission to a changeable situation.

Tony · Jul 1, 2004

I was refering to changing an alt., not a tranny. Next time I will clarify. I do not see in the original post that the tranny was being pulled. Obviously that will not be done on the road.

Stand up for what you believe in, don't do something just because everyone else is!

geo · Jul 3, 2004

if you ever in hampton roads area and need help
big charles on 13 north is reasonable
tidewater mack off of battlefield blvd
harris truck and body in newport news
i blew a tire at airport ex 7 miles from his shop and was
tow and tire next at a very reason price for being after 1700
and he always gives a good value for your dollar
also tsi in north jackson bill more gives same and
that were i bought my star

davekc · Jul 3, 2004

Thanks geo. Helpful information for when folks are out in your neck of the woods

RichM · Jul 4, 2004

Reading George's post and Dave's reply started me thinking.Lawrence or Jeff perhaps you could put on the EO site a link to repair shops around the country that we all have had local dealings with and feel that they can be trusted.
If you asked all of us that post on EO who they would reccommend in their home area perhaps a directory could be established. It's a very frustrating feeling to suffer a breakdown far from home and not know where to turn to.

terryandrene · Jul 4, 2004

>Lawrence or Jeff perhaps you could put on the EO
>site a link to repair shops around the country that we all
>have had local dealings with and feel that they can be
>trusted.

Concur with RichM. Name, address, phone, HOS, local directions and vehicle types worked. The inclusion of the BBB phone would be helpful. Many, if not most, provide needed info just by entering the phone# of the garage.

raceman · Jul 5, 2004

Thanks to all who are commenting on my note. I am having a tough time getting much help in getting anything done with these folks but atleast I know folks have been through it or at least want to be sure it happens to no one else. The BBB in Central Indiana is still working on this and I hope they can get some results. I hate to have to put out much more money to have something done about these highway robbers. My Lawyer wants so much to pursue it, I am not sure I will do that. raceman

davekc · Jul 5, 2004

For what it is worth. It will be expensive for a lawyer to represent you, however it is generally inexpensive to have a lawyer write a letter for you. Remember, they don't know to what lengths you might or might not pursue something.