I wrote a complaint with the BBB of Greater New Orleans Area (New Orleans, LA) because My wife's 1993 Oldsmobile Cierra S had a bad catalytic converter. Since I am working in Texas and a very knowledge person in automotive mechanics, I handled the transaction by telephone via my wife and my brother in law who lives in Mandeville, La. Our home of residence is in Mississippi. Since the car needed the repair, I was forced to find a local person in Covington, La.The first call came from my brother in law and he was quoted $259 total for Converter, Muffler, hangers and installation. I was called by a man who identified himself as Gary and said, ""It will cost $259 for the catalytic converter and went on to name all the other up-sells of muffler, tail pipe, etc. When I informed him I only wanted the catalytic converter, he recalculated the bill and came up with a price of $279. I asked for my part, the catalytic converter to be returned. He informed me he had to keep it 14 days before I could pick up the used part. He also informed me my used part would cost an additional $59 once I drove back to Covington to get it 14 days later. He finally told me it would be $250 cash. I instructed my wife to pick the car up Friday, August 13, 2011 at 4:30 pm. She sent me these words via email after picking up the car. ""The guy who waited on me was named Gary--do not know last name. He said that the price was $250.00 cash. I paid him, he gave me my keys, and your Dad and I were leaving. Your father then asked if I had gotten my receipt and Gary told us that if I wanted a receipt that it would be $259.00 plus tax. "" I had already done research on this product for this car and the average price is $60 for the part. I can provide a dozen web links that sell quality OEM replacement parts of the same quality; however, since I teach business, is it standard practice in Covington, La. to charge nine dollars for a receipt? I suspect, the cash transaction never arrived in the owner's pocket. His name is George Stroyewski. After the receipt was received, someone called me and cynically said, if I wanted the receipt I could pick it up. I explained that I was in Dallas Texas and that would not be possible, He then said, ""It looks like you want money from this complaint. I explained the situation and he sighed into the telephone. I thanked him for his time and hung up. Ask him about it yourself.
Respectfully feeling fleeced, Paul Stalcup
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