Have I been ripped off?

[Slavvy 0]

Some time ago I bought a single mass flywheel for an m30 (it looks like an m10 fw but with a larger front area). Recently I picked up a clutch kit to match it from BnT, and since the flywheel was old and abused I took it to AutoClutch to get surfaced; I gave them the clutch kit as well just in case. I was quoted around $45 to surface the flywheel.

Today I got a call back from them, and the guy told me that 'it never would've worked if you had just fitted it because you had a south african pressure plate and a UK friction plate etc etc', which means I now owe them about $230, because they not only machined the flywheel but took apart the pressure plate and fooled around with it. They never asked me beforehand if they could do this.

Do I just suck it up, fork out and learn my lesson the hard way, or is there something else I can do? It doesn't seem right that I have to pay over $200 after expecting to pay 45 without being told beforehand. Plus, if I fit the clutch now and it malfunctions, I have the feeling they'll tell me it was my fault if I try to blame it on them. The clutch kit was very expensive and I hate the thought that it's been ruined. Does anyone have any prior experience with this company or these parts?

[Tristan 338]

They should have asked you before performing any work on your items, unless you signed any sort of agreement before you handed it over.

[Guest Simon*]

It really shits me when people operate outside a quote without consent. Short answer is yes, they have at least dicked you around considering you only asked for resurfacing, and they felt the need to "upsize your order" without consulting you.

On the other hand - I have had good service from autoclutch personally. It wasn't cheap but it was very good nonetheless. But had they done this to me, I would have been just as angry.

[Forrest 35]

Had a similar thing happen to me when I got a wheel alignment, guy decided I had worn rack ends so replaced them all then gave me a wheel alignment, kind of hard to not pay for it once its bolted to the car, ended up being 3x the price

Should have mentioned it was for an E30 so I could have easily replaced them myself then go back.

Edited September 14, 2010 by Brams

[Driftit 2078]

Where is this extra charge coming from? Have they replaced parts with others?

[*Glenn* 854]

I would say they have fitted a heavier diaphram to give it good clamping pressure because the original one won't take the power of the M30 engine... I still feel they should have advised you first though. Still cheap if it all works though.

I, like many on here have used this company over the years and have had excellent service and reasonable pricing. Are you sure it's not a missunderstanding over what was said ? ie: your instructions to them. Interpretation of what is said by both parties could have been misinterpreted by either of you. There will always be two sides to a story.

Edited September 14, 2010 by *Glenn*

[Slavvy 0]

I would say they have fitted a heavier diaphram to give it good clamping pressure because the original one won't take the power of the M30 engine... I still feel they should have advised you first though. Still cheap if it all works though.

Why wouldn't it take the power of the m30 when it is a clutch for an m30? It's what I was sold when I asked for a 87 635csi clutch...I don't want it to end up not working at all because they've messed it up somehow.

[*Glenn* 854]

Why wouldn't it take the power of the m30 when it is a clutch for an m30? It's what I was sold when I asked for a 87 635csi clutch...I don't want it to end up not working at all because they've messed it up somehow.

The clamping pressure may have been wrong on the new pressure plate... it does happen... I've had faulty pressure plates and clutch plates supplied to me.

[Slavvy 0]

The clamping pressure may have been wrong on the new pressure plate... it does happen... I've had faulty pressure plates and clutch plates supplied to me.

I'll keep that in mind. Seems vaguely illegal that they did the work without asking me first though. What if I had wanted to take the clutch back to BnT because it was wrong? I can't anymore since they've fooled around with it.

[*Glenn* 854]

I'll keep that in mind. Seems vaguely illegal that they did the work without asking me first though. What if I had wanted to take the clutch back to BnT because it was wrong? I can't anymore since they've fooled around with it.

Fooled is the wrong word to use and I'm sure they will stand by their workmanship with a warranty. They are a very professional company

[Slavvy 0]

I just called them asking why they did the work without telling me about it first; in response the guy repeatedly told me to quit whining and eventually hung up on me. Don't really know what to do at this stage :/

[deeveus 81]

I have a rough idea of what a clutch does

On the other side - YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY - they will have to remove the work they have done if you request this.

The instructed work differs from what was originally quoted. They should have consulted you first PRIOR to going ahead with the work. Verbal and written quotes can differ from memory 15% on the actual work quoted, however if they've gone ahead and done other things then they are at fault legally. This is no different than asking your builder to build a deck and then him noticing other work need doing and going ahead without consultation.

Stick up for yourself & don't take any BS - Simply they need to have rung or contacted you first. If they don't play ball contact the Ministry of Consumer Affairs or your local Community Law office.

Edited September 15, 2010 by Clinton

[hybrid 1043]

You can write them letter or email asking them to explain it to you in writing. And that you are looking for an explaination so you can itemize the bill.

Its strange because I dealt with them for my clutch/pressure plate build up for the s50 and they were nothing but helpful. Even helping me with the clutch pressures and compounds when I had really no clue at the time.

I will say one thing, it worked out sooo much cheaper using them than trying to buy soemthing from the states.

Saved around $1000 doing it my way! and a better result!

I learnt heaps too!

[Driftit 2078]

I delt with them many years ago with a custom built 180sx clutch. They were great to deal with. Until you question something. No idea what the guys name was but he was a cock. Knew his sh*t and made sure you knew he knew his sh*t. The guy from Exedy is the same.

It would be best to go in and talk to them face to face and find out what they have done and why they have done it. You need to understand why they did it. But it still does not change the fact they did work without informing you. You may be better off with the work they did.

[Slavvy 0]

The most vital issue here is this: if I fit the clutch and it malfunctions somehow, who gets the blame? BnT will claim that since the parts were modified, any guarantee on their part is void. I'm certain Autoclutch would insist that it was installed incorrectly and no fault of theirs. I don't want to get stung if it doesn't work, as then I'd be down a 600 dollar clutch kit and 200 dollars of labour, and still not have a car that drives.

I can't visit them in person because I work during the week and they aren't open Saturdays.

[pjay 8]

Take half a day off work and sort it out.

[1rotty 40]

^^^^^ This & make sure you only talk to the boss.

Not that it helps you now but i insist on having a price in writing after getting stung the same way

[richard 384]

The most vital issue here is this: if I fit the clutch and it malfunctions somehow, who gets the blame? BnT will claim that since the parts were modified, any guarantee on their part is void. I'm certain Autoclutch would insist that it was installed incorrectly and no fault of theirs. I don't want to get stung if it doesn't work, as then I'd be down a 600 dollar clutch kit and 200 dollars of labour, and still not have a car that drives.

I can't visit them in person because I work during the week and they aren't open Saturdays.

I don't think it matters if it malfunctions , you fitted it .... and for 45 buck what were you expecting.

If you want warrantees and guarantees pay the bucks and get a workshop to do it .

[Slavvy 0]

I don't think it matters if it malfunctions , you fitted it .... and for 45 buck what were you expecting.

If you want warrantees and guarantees pay the bucks and get a workshop to do it .

This is a specialised clutch workshop that gets oursourced to by all sorts of places. And it's costing me 200, not 45.

[Dr. M 10]

@rich did you read the thread? Thats not the issue being discussed.....he wanted a standard $45 re-surface and got billed for extra unquoted work.

Clinton's answer is on the money. At the very least get an itemized list, and at this point I'd only deal with the Manager, not the first guy to answer the phone. Good luck & keep posting.

[OLLIE 26]

This topic is closed.

Slavvy you need to sort your issue out with Autoclutch. They're not in the business of ripping people off, and in my experience and the experience of many other happy customers they provide a quality & professional service at reasonable costs.

There is always 2 sides to the story and I have heard both, I'm not taking any sides but try to sort your issues out off the forum because it's not the place for sh*t slinging & personal disputes.