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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!decwrl!rhea!asylum!simon
From: simon@asylum.DEC
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Rip-Off Shops
Message-ID: <6434@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 22-Mar-84 23:35:02 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.6434
Posted: Thu Mar 22 23:35:02 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Mar-84 07:05:48 EST
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 20

I have seen other complaints about AAMCO and MIDAS.  I was not burned
by them, but I watched a very sleezy operation at the SEARS automotive
center at Burlington Mall in Burlington, Ma.

What they would do is this;

  You would drop your car off for something like a lube and oil change.
The receptionist (or whoever) would ask if there was a place someone could
be reached with questions if you were not around.  Usually, a home number
would be provided and you'd go shop.  SEARS would then immediately call
the number you gave them and say something like "Mr so and so, this is 
SEARS automotive center.  Your wife left her car here and it needs a
brake job and a new engine.  May we have your permission to do the
work?".  Mr so and so gives permission.  You finish your shopping
and wander back to find that $25 of work is now $500.  I may be
exaggerating, but you get the idea.  Fortunately, I live alone and
they never could pull that on me.  If you were careful to limit their
activity, SEARS was average.

Has anyone else had experiences like this?