I have a 2004 Maxima SL with 16.5K miles. I brought the car in to the dealership for warranty repairs and a realignment. I left them my cellphone and home numbers and explicit instructions that they should perform only warranty service and the re-alignment. That's the only piece of paper that I signed.

I called the dealership and they said that they will call me back when the work was done. Two hours later, my mom called and said that they called her at home and told her about some work and she agreed because the dealer said it was dangerous.

They charged me $350. The front struts had to be replaced under warranty. Then they charged me $100 for the realignment, $100 for a radiator flush, $100 for a throttle cleaning, and $50 for an oil change and new air filter.

First, the car is under my name and only I signed the papers. Second, the struts were under warranty. The replacement of the struts would require a realignment anyway, so why am I getting billed? Lastly, Nissan suggests a radiator flush at 30K, and throttle is not due at 16.5K mi.

I need the car, so I probably have to pay them tomorrow after I try to bargain it down. Then I'll sue them in small claims just for the hell of it.

But what would you guys suggest that I should do?

The dealership is the Star Nissan in Bayside Queens near Utopia Parkway. It's a bad one.

Thanks.
Will

 

Ask to talk to the service manager and tell him what you told us. I agree 100%

 

Maybe you can pay with a credit card and then refute the charges later.

 

You signed the papers for the initial agreed upon work, but you did not approve the additional work so don't pay for it.

Ask them for the prof that YOU, not your mom who has nothing to do with YOUR car DID NOT approve the work they performed. If they don't agree, simply tell the manager that your going to sue them. Your case is cut and dry.

Soppose your mom lived in California? What right does she have approving work on a car that is yours, not hers? She doesn't, the only person they can go after is your mom, but she isnt' the owner, so again, they can't go anywhere with it. It's the same as the dealer calling your neighbor and asking them to approve the additional work. It means nothings and wount hold it's ground in court.

Bottom line, the dealer made a huge mistake not getting your approval with some sort of prof that is was you they spoke to. Usually they ask you for your SS number or some other personal identification to cover the approval. In your case, if you didn't give them anything, they have nothing.

Don't pay for the work!

 

Steve is the service manager. Talk to him he's a nice guy. I can't prommise you that they will refund but give it a try.

 

Just out of curiosity, who was the service rep that helped, that way i'll know never to go to him!!!

 

I agree with this. American express will fight it to the end. What's on paper is the only evidence they have. american express has attorneys, they know what can be proved in court.
Furthermore, I thought it was only the Jamaica Nissan that was bullshlt. I am not going to any nissan dealer in queens. Bad reps, ya heard. See my thread in this forum