Trevor Posted July 28, 2002 Share Posted July 28, 2002 Warning = vent follows!! I get really annoyed by the state inspection process here in Virginia. Maybe it's not as strict as other places but i moved here from Arizona and never saw such a fiasco. I always took my cars to small independent mechanics for this "service". $15 for a 1 year windshield sticker and a pink ticket with 18 checked off points. Once my '77 Spitfire failed because they couldn't find the catalytic converter and I was told by the talking head at the service counter that "someone has removed it and replaced it with a straight pipe". "We can fix it for $400." I played ignorant and walked back into the shop so he could "show" me the completely stock exhaust system. "What's that?" I innocently ask, pointing at the catalytic converter.....I guess that made him mad and he still failed my car because the horn "isn't loud enough". Again the stock original parts - there are 2 horns- pitched a high and a low. Both were working but I replaced the high pitch with a second low from a parts car - twice the decibels at low freq. Whilst in the shop I noted that these guys listen to a looping 8-track of "Freebird" cranked up loud so their hearing is probably shot. You have no recourse, other than to use another Saturday and take the car to another shop. I paid the $5 re-inspect fee after my no$ repairs, then exacted my revenge. Word-of-mouth advertising works both ways. I work for the area's largest employer over 13,000 people. I made sure that everyone who would listen knew about my experience at this particular garage and the name of the manager. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 I don`t think that repair shops or anyone affiliated with them should be allowed to perform these inspections. regardless of whether they are "honest" or not. It is too easy for them to do the things that you`ve described. Inspection stations should be only that, and should not even be allowed to refer you to a shop for supposed needed repairs. There are way too many dishonest people out there looking to bend you over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 Did they give you an estimate on fixing the horn too? A lot of this government crap is for revenue only and a legal way to extract bribes from the citizens. Pay this and we will allow you to do that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 Trevor, you do have recourse, and ALL of you here in VA should know this. If you ever have aproblem with a shop denying you a pssing in spection for bogus reasons, stay at the shop and call the VA State Police. They will come and file a report,which leads to a very costly fine for the shop, and also can revoke the shops right to do inspections forever. A friend of mine had a shop do the same thing to him a few years ago and needless to say he got his inspection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the_dj Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 Originally posted by Les Heath:Trevor, you do have recourse, and ALL of you here in VA should know this. If you ever have aproblem with a shop denying you a pssing in spection for bogus reasons, stay at the shop and call the VA State Police. They will come and file a report,which leads to a very costly fine for the shop, and also can revoke the shops right to do inspections forever. A friend of mine had a shop do the same thing to him a few years ago and needless to say he got his inspection. That's sweet! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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