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SirJoab t1_j8wtudb wrote

VIP tires did the same kind of thing to my wife, only every time we fixed something (ourselves) they "found" something new they could "fix" for her to pass inspection. I am also interested in finding an honest mechanic.... I just had to post to rant about VIP tires.. lol

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AbrasiveDad t1_j8x3vdn wrote

When I was dating my wife they tried the same thing to her.

Had windham location perform an inspection. They gave us a list. We had everything repaired on the list and brought it back within the month asking for a sticker. They said everything looked good....BUT there is this flex line going to a rear drum brake and that loop could be dangerous they proclaimed. This loop was about 3" in diameter. This was no where near kinked and it was exactly in this condition the first time they inspected it.

So now they want remove the line from where it connects to the drum so they can untwist the line and remove the loop. I said absolutely not. They insisted that it was a safety issue. I asked if it was a safety issue then why was it missed initially? I was then told different techs may catch different things. I asked who was preforming this inspection and they pointed the guy out. I said thats the same guy that did the first inspection.

Now a manager is involved and says its not safe but they will fix it and sticker the car at no charge for the day. I said as long as I don't pay for it and its stickered and fixed then fine. So I wait for an hour in their store before they come out with news. They now tell me that the casting where the flex line was threaded into broke when they tried to disassemble it. They said it was a $50 part to replace. I told the manager I wasn't paying. I told them before they tried taking it apart that I wasn't going to pay.

They tried to reason with me and say "it is an old part and it was going to break on whoever tried to take it apart next." I told them I understood that but they were the ones who insisted on fixing this "safety" issue that they "missed" in their initial inspection. I heavily insinuated that they were being predatory and another manager got involved and said they will take care of it no cost. He also apologized and offered me a free oil change next time.

After 4 hours at vip for them to re-inspect the car I finally left with a sticker and a bill of $0. Did I win? Fuck no but neither did they.

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lipsticknic3 OP t1_j8x1l55 wrote

I wish I had recorded the conversation. It just went round and round because he wouldn't be straight with me about whether I passed or failed and I left thinking I failed haha. He looked so uneasy with my questioning, but he just wouldn't give any straight answers and kept upsetting $800 tires and pushing hard that he could get them there in 4 days if he placed an order now. Crazy!

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AbrasiveDad t1_j8x4nqk wrote

If they won't show you why or how it failed then never stop pushing. If they seem shady keep asking questions. Especially if they won't say whether it passed or failed. Also remember that if you pay for an inspection in Maine and it fails they have to give you a list of the items that failed. You have 30 days to fix those items and you can bring it back to the same place and they have to waive the inspection fee to check the work was completed.

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lipsticknic3 OP t1_j8yzgks wrote

That is good to know! My driver's education was another state and some things I have sadly, had to learn as I go. First lesson- 6 or 7 years ago when I first got the car, it was my first vehicle in Maine. I had not had a vehicle for about 8 years by that point. So hurray! The day after I got it, some kid rear ended me. I got out and got the insurance. He asks if we should call the police and I was like nah, I don't see any reason to. He looks bewildered but all right. Haha Old Town police contacted me just to let me know I should be happy they didn't arrest me for leaving the scene of an accident? I was like, um, thank you Officer? It was weird. So I learned that in Maine, call the police every time! Glad the police did not arrest me for that. Phew. I have no idea how they even found out, maybe the kid's parents called them? Where I grew up it is very populated and unless you're also calling the ambulance, you don't call the police. Only if someone got hurt. They have better things to do there I guess.

Live and learn. Now have learned to hate VIP.

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Longjumping_West_907 t1_j8zjtqu wrote

VIP is the worst but plenty of other places will do the same thing. Sullivan Tire has a similar reputation. Some places pay a commission to the inspector for work generated by the inspection. So they get a bonus for finding problems with your car. Rowell's in Dover Foxcroft is a great place but a little far from Newport. You want to bring your car to a small independent shop, not a chain.

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eljefino t1_j94bobn wrote

They don't have to waive the fee, it's just standard practice.

FWIW "The sticker station", another scam, charges for re-tests. It's legal but they have a sign (with the seal of the State of Maine) insinuating all shops charge for re-test.

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JamesBrownIT t1_j90m01a wrote

There aren’t any honest mechanics. The Honda dealer tells me I may need to fix some thing then the next year my car magically passes inspection. Every other time I go there it is something different.

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