Scam alert! Interstate 10 in Florida!

[RellingTwin]

Do not stop at the VALERO GAS Station in North Lake City! I stopped there for gas this weekend on my way from SC to Panama City Beach, FL and was almost the victim of a roadside scam. I was told my car needed air in the tire, and when I pulled up to the air pump the attendent said "what's that noise??? He then had me open the hood and told me the A/C unit was about to freeze up and when it did, it would throw off the belt and I would loose all brakes and steering! Also I would destroy the engine of my car. He would be happy to make repairs for $800-$900 !!!!! I got out of there fast and found a Ford dealership a few exits away. They made a tempory repair (unplugged the A/C unit) and told me I did well to get away from the guy. He had pulled scams of others, and once they get your car apart, the repair bills REALLY start to climb!
Once at my destination a friend replaced the belt on my car ($30.00) and I made it home fine (with no a/c!). The a/c unit IS shot, but DH can replace it for about $200.00!
I am sending a letter to Florida Tourist Commision, as well as to the States Attourney's office.

 

[Doctor P]

Hmmmm---seems like there is two sides to this story, though. Sounds like the person DID point out a serious problem with the car that did exist and was not noticed on your own. Glad you did not get ripped off, but they should be given credit for pointing out the problem I would think.

 

[RellingTwin]

DoctorP...YES, he DID point out a problem, BUT...when I asked if there was anyway to bypass the A/C he said no...NO WAY. But the guy at the Ford place just unplugged the A/C compresser! It took him about 5 seconds!
The scam guy also told me I would lose all steering AND braking! Talk about intimadating!! I was scared to death!THAT part was a out and out lie! I would lose the "power assist" but would still be able to control the car.
Somehow I feel like if I was traveling with my DH or if I didn't have out of state tags, his story would have been different. Then when the service manager at the Ford place told me I did well to get away from there, I realized how I was almost taken to the cleaners.
This place gives all ligitamite machanics a bad name

 

[rae519]

Since it is generally assumed that women don't understand vehicles, we are pretty fair game for the con artists.

Mary, you did the smartest thing by going elsewhere - if a surgeon said you needed IMMEDIATE surgery or would die, but wanted cash up front - you'd get that second opinion!!!

Over the years I've noticed that when it comes to cars, we women are getting a whole lot more involved and leary of the "fast repair talker"!

Bravo Mary!

Rae

 

[Doctor P]

I truly do understand the issue and don't deny an effort to possibly take advantage of you. However, for most people, losing the power assist would make a vehicle almost impossible to control or stop since few people nowadays have ever driven (or recently driven) a car without power steering and power brakes--it is a very, very different feeling and one that is very difficult to respond to in an emergency. You were very smart to go to the dealer.

Something that is very helpful and relatively new is that AAA now has certified repair facilities. This was a godsend when we had a problem with our car on our recent DCL trip. AAA referred us to them when I called AAA, and they fixed the car for us in five minutes and didn't charge us anything, due to the simplicity of the repair, except my time to fill out a good satisfaction survey to be provided to AAA.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Doctor P
Ithe repair, except my time to fill out a good satisfaction survey to be provided to AAA.

Always good to hear that someone will take the time to put in a good word for a program or individual - too often we hear just the negative things and only take the time to complain about them.

Good for you and good for them!!!!


Rae