'How can they scam someone like that?': Mechanic calls out fellow professionals after customer feels scammed for two repairs
By
Danielle F.
- Replies 15
In a world where trust is a currency as valuable as the dollar, it's disheartening to hear stories of deceit.
A recent issue shed some light on a customer's experience, which ripped her off thousands of dollars for one single problem.
This narrative could resonate with many, where we value honesty and transparency above all.
Alice Bleathman has been encountering the same issue with her ute.
Yet, despite visiting two mechanics to resolve the issue, it simply drained her wallet while still dealing with a still-broken vehicle.
'They do such a s*** job, then I have to go pay another person,' Bleathman shared in a video.
'It's so frustrating because you just feel like a f****** idiot.'
'This is the reality sometimes of being a female and asking for help,' she lamented.
Her story struck a chord with many, who shared their own experiences of being overcharged or misled by tradespeople.
'I'm single, and I have the same problem. Two plumbers came, quoted $3,750 to fix a "major" problem,' one commenter wrote.
'A family friend's mate is a plumber. He checked it out and charged $375 to replace a faulty valve.'
Another commenter spoke about the dread she felt while seeking house renovation quotes.
'I'm in my 40s, and I still get my dad to talk to them even though I go to the same mechanic for years,' a third said.
In another incident, A mechanic with a decade of experience admitted to charging women more for services.
Nathan, who spoke on 101.9 The Fox Melbourne, justified his actions by citing the pressures of running a business.
He added he needed to be careful about repairs, as 'they might have a husband that knows their cars back-to-front.'
These issues reflect the stark reality of price inflation for customers who are not as savvy with cars or home improvement.
Kristen Knock, a mechanic from New South Wales, called her fellow professionals out about this growing concern.
'I don't know how they sleep at night,' she stated, reflecting on their lack of conscience.
'They have parents, mothers, sisters, daughters. How can they scam someone like that and be okay?'
Knock, who co-runs Hilly's Westlake Auto Repairs with her husband, offered advice to avoid scams:
'Your business suffers. Your reputation suffers.'
Watch Alice Bleathman's complaint about mechanics here:
Source: @alicebleathman_/TikTok
We urge everyone to be careful when it comes to approaching costly repairs.
Knowledge is power, and in this case, it gives you the power to protect your wallet and peace of mind.
Have you ever felt taken advantage of by a service provider? How did you handle the situation? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
A recent issue shed some light on a customer's experience, which ripped her off thousands of dollars for one single problem.
This narrative could resonate with many, where we value honesty and transparency above all.
Alice Bleathman has been encountering the same issue with her ute.
Yet, despite visiting two mechanics to resolve the issue, it simply drained her wallet while still dealing with a still-broken vehicle.
'They do such a s*** job, then I have to go pay another person,' Bleathman shared in a video.
'It's so frustrating because you just feel like a f****** idiot.'
'This is the reality sometimes of being a female and asking for help,' she lamented.
Her story struck a chord with many, who shared their own experiences of being overcharged or misled by tradespeople.
'I'm single, and I have the same problem. Two plumbers came, quoted $3,750 to fix a "major" problem,' one commenter wrote.
'A family friend's mate is a plumber. He checked it out and charged $375 to replace a faulty valve.'
Another commenter spoke about the dread she felt while seeking house renovation quotes.
'I'm in my 40s, and I still get my dad to talk to them even though I go to the same mechanic for years,' a third said.
In another incident, A mechanic with a decade of experience admitted to charging women more for services.
Nathan, who spoke on 101.9 The Fox Melbourne, justified his actions by citing the pressures of running a business.
He added he needed to be careful about repairs, as 'they might have a husband that knows their cars back-to-front.'
These issues reflect the stark reality of price inflation for customers who are not as savvy with cars or home improvement.
Kristen Knock, a mechanic from New South Wales, called her fellow professionals out about this growing concern.
'I don't know how they sleep at night,' she stated, reflecting on their lack of conscience.
'They have parents, mothers, sisters, daughters. How can they scam someone like that and be okay?'
Knock, who co-runs Hilly's Westlake Auto Repairs with her husband, offered advice to avoid scams:
- Do your research before committing to a mechanic. Customer reviews on social media could give valuable insights into their practices.
- While it's not required to take your car to different mechanics, calling and comparing quotes could benefit you, especially if you have an idea of the issue at hand.
- Ask the crucial question: 'Will this fix my car?' Understanding the proposed solution is critical to avoiding unnecessary backjobs.
'Your business suffers. Your reputation suffers.'
Watch Alice Bleathman's complaint about mechanics here:
Source: @alicebleathman_/TikTok
We urge everyone to be careful when it comes to approaching costly repairs.
Knowledge is power, and in this case, it gives you the power to protect your wallet and peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- Sydney-based content creator Alice Bleathman shared how she felt scammed by mechanics twice, highlighting the vulnerability of women in dealing with car repairs.
- A mechanic with a decade of experience admitted to charging women and those with little car knowledge more for services.
- Kristen Knock, a mechanic based in NSW, expressed her frustration with mechanics who scam people and noted the negative long-term impact on their businesses and reputation.
- Knock advised on avoiding being scammed by mechanics and emphasised the importance of research, multiple quotes, and asking questions to effectively solve car problems.