On 6/9/17, I took my car to VIP for a vehicle inspection. I was told in order to pass inspection I would need rear shocks, my fuel line was leaking and needed replaced and brake hose/lines replaced. Cost - $452. I took my car to two other certified technicians, both agreed my rear shocks needed to be replaced, but found nothing wrong with my brake hose/lines or fuel line. Cost to replace shocks...$180.00. When I brought this to the VIP Managers ( Ben Krauter) attention, he attempted to deny any wrong doing saying "it's a matter of opinion". I quickly responded saying "my brake line is either leaking or it is not, there is no opinion in question".
I have been going to this location for many years and have spent thousands of dollars in repairs, which I now feel may have been unnecessary. Shame on you VIP Tires & Service for scamming a 60 year old woman.
I intend to report to the BBB, and the Maine State Police in hopes of having their Inspection Certification revoked.
I hate writing these reports. and believe me when i tell you it's a last resort. In april 2016 I took my car in for a state inspection, my brother in law paid $4700 in repairs, and when we got in the car the ABS light was on. Joe asked me if this was always on and i told him no, so I did what he said and went back in and told them. the answer was that it had nothing to do with the inspection, and i'll need to pay a few hundred dollars next year to fix this problem. I didn't care as at the time summner was coming and i didn't need ABS, but come fall i did so i went to vip and asked them to diagnose the problem. they "claimed their computers" could not diagnose the problem, so i took it elsewhere and he showed me the problem, it's when they tool the old strut out and put the new one in they ripped the ABS sensor., and i said no wonder it's been on since it's been inspected. It should never have left the garage to the perking lot with the ABS light on, but it did anyway, a clear violation of Maine State Law. They blew me off when i told them about it immediately, and now they say why did you wait till now? i told them i told them back on the day it was inspected and they told me i'd have to pay for it the next year. I fell for it hook line and sinker. It was PROVEN to me what they did to break the sensor (which they REFUSE to fix, because i waitied till october, When i was actually told by the clerk in auburn it's nothing to worry about. I planned on having it fixed for winter, and i didn't need abs in the summer, and i had no idea this was caused by THEIR mistake. Make sure you think twice about having any work done by VIP auto, they will not fix their mistakes, in addition, my mental illness is getting worse, along with my diabetes from the stress of this, I am thinking of litigation, if anyone is interested in representing me please get back to me on here My lesson??? let the buyer beware!
Brought car in for service...left shop with both items fixed however also left with more damage done to car than when arrived.
1. after taking the door apart to fix a window track they managed to brake, short, or disconnect the lock actuator. Now the car will not lock, even manually. When confronted they insisted it was like that. I swear it was not.
2. after wheel bearing was replaced, (I think I was scamed on an up sell--I own that) they actually left a wheel stud rattling loose in the brake shoe--and managed to put the drum over it! Interestingly, it was not from my car! So, not only did my kid have a wheel stud rattling around in his brake shoe/drum assembly for a week, it must have come from another customer! I took a picture for what that is worth--it like leaving a sponge in a hospital patient!
3. I can't attribute this last item to their work or brutality but when I took apart the rear brakes this evening (that was because I heard a rattling sound as my kid was pulling out of the driveway) I also noticed that both shock absorber boots have been ripped completly off.
I will never return.
I will advise every friend, relative, and work associate to never go there!
I brought the car in after lunch so I only have one question...Drunk or Stoned?
I use to be a big fan of the rockland shop VIP.I ALWAYS TOOK ALL OF MY CAR REPAIRS AND NEW TIRE BUSINESS TO THEM.The crew they had were very knowledgable,respectfull and never tried to make me buy something i didnt need and helped me in times of emergencies.I walked in last year on 2 occasions and there were all new younger staff.None of the gentlemen i dealt with before.But i proceeded to give my business to VIP.Once i bought 4 new tires at a price of $575 with the extra money for coverage of tires if something happened.She explained to me if they get a nail,worn out no questions they replace them.The second time i went in for an apointment for a loud noise in my jeep patriot 2014,An oil change and tire rotation.I was there for about an hour.The young man came out and said they would do teh oil change but not rotate the tires due to they were waring on teh inside.I said what?I just bought these tires from you.He looked at teh paper work and said i needed all new brakes and the caliper was the noise.Gave me an estimate of $1100 and said they would order the parts.I was very upset to say the least.
I went to another mechanic teh nest day and he said you only need a new caliper ,you DO NOT NEED NEW BRAKES!He rotated my tires too.The cost was $220.So needless to say i was being scammed by VIP.I shrugged it off until today.I hear a loud noise in my front of my jeep.He looked at my jeep and said "mam these tires are dangerous"My front drivers side tire was worn on the inside to teh point of metal is protruding through and the passenger side is almost at that point.The rear passenger side is cupped.i bopught these tires brand new APRIL LAST YEAR !I called VIP and she said i need proof of alignment and rotation and they wopuld give me a credit of $22.75 per tire!!Now i have never gone through tires like that.I have alwasy gotten 3 years from my tires.The brand they put on my jeep are terribel and i am outraged they would not do as they promised.I have a cleaning business that supports my children and i cannot go to work until i can come up with teh money to pay for 4 new tires again.The girl that sold me the tires mislead me or shoudl say did not state the facts of teh warranty of 40,000 miles.My jeep is part of my way of making a living,i put on 31,000 miles still under that warranty but come on $22 dollars credit for each tire is absurd!!And i was never told anything about the deception of feelingv your covered when your not.I am not happy ,and am stuck and i will be letting people know about both deceptions as well as the better Business Bureau,Angela Rockland maine
VIP Tires & Service Reviews
On 6/9/17, I took my car to VIP for a vehicle inspection. I was told in order to pass inspection I would need rear shocks, my fuel line was leaking and needed replaced and brake hose/lines replaced. Cost - $452. I took my car to two other certified technicians, both agreed my rear shocks needed to be replaced, but found nothing wrong with my brake hose/lines or fuel line. Cost to replace shocks...$180.00. When I brought this to the VIP Managers ( Ben Krauter) attention, he attempted to deny any wrong doing saying "it's a matter of opinion". I quickly responded saying "my brake line is either leaking or it is not, there is no opinion in question".
I have been going to this location for many years and have spent thousands of dollars in repairs, which I now feel may have been unnecessary. Shame on you VIP Tires & Service for scamming a 60 year old woman.
I intend to report to the BBB, and the Maine State Police in hopes of having their Inspection Certification revoked.
I hate writing these reports. and believe me when i tell you it's a last resort. In april 2016 I took my car in for a state inspection, my brother in law paid $4700 in repairs, and when we got in the car the ABS light was on. Joe asked me if this was always on and i told him no, so I did what he said and went back in and told them. the answer was that it had nothing to do with the inspection, and i'll need to pay a few hundred dollars next year to fix this problem. I didn't care as at the time summner was coming and i didn't need ABS, but come fall i did so i went to vip and asked them to diagnose the problem. they "claimed their computers" could not diagnose the problem, so i took it elsewhere and he showed me the problem, it's when they tool the old strut out and put the new one in they ripped the ABS sensor., and i said no wonder it's been on since it's been inspected. It should never have left the garage to the perking lot with the ABS light on, but it did anyway, a clear violation of Maine State Law. They blew me off when i told them about it immediately, and now they say why did you wait till now? i told them i told them back on the day it was inspected and they told me i'd have to pay for it the next year. I fell for it hook line and sinker. It was PROVEN to me what they did to break the sensor (which they REFUSE to fix, because i waitied till october, When i was actually told by the clerk in auburn it's nothing to worry about. I planned on having it fixed for winter, and i didn't need abs in the summer, and i had no idea this was caused by THEIR mistake. Make sure you think twice about having any work done by VIP auto, they will not fix their mistakes, in addition, my mental illness is getting worse, along with my diabetes from the stress of this, I am thinking of litigation, if anyone is interested in representing me please get back to me on here My lesson??? let the buyer beware!
Brought car in for service...left shop with both items fixed however also left with more damage done to car than when arrived.
1. after taking the door apart to fix a window track they managed to brake, short, or disconnect the lock actuator. Now the car will not lock, even manually. When confronted they insisted it was like that. I swear it was not.
2. after wheel bearing was replaced, (I think I was scamed on an up sell--I own that) they actually left a wheel stud rattling loose in the brake shoe--and managed to put the drum over it! Interestingly, it was not from my car! So, not only did my kid have a wheel stud rattling around in his brake shoe/drum assembly for a week, it must have come from another customer! I took a picture for what that is worth--it like leaving a sponge in a hospital patient!
3. I can't attribute this last item to their work or brutality but when I took apart the rear brakes this evening (that was because I heard a rattling sound as my kid was pulling out of the driveway) I also noticed that both shock absorber boots have been ripped completly off.
I will never return.
I will advise every friend, relative, and work associate to never go there!
I brought the car in after lunch so I only have one question...Drunk or Stoned?
I use to be a big fan of the rockland shop VIP.I ALWAYS TOOK ALL OF MY CAR REPAIRS AND NEW TIRE BUSINESS TO THEM.The crew they had were very knowledgable,respectfull and never tried to make me buy something i didnt need and helped me in times of emergencies.I walked in last year on 2 occasions and there were all new younger staff.None of the gentlemen i dealt with before.But i proceeded to give my business to VIP.Once i bought 4 new tires at a price of $575 with the extra money for coverage of tires if something happened.She explained to me if they get a nail,worn out no questions they replace them.The second time i went in for an apointment for a loud noise in my jeep patriot 2014,An oil change and tire rotation.I was there for about an hour.The young man came out and said they would do teh oil change but not rotate the tires due to they were waring on teh inside.I said what?I just bought these tires from you.He looked at teh paper work and said i needed all new brakes and the caliper was the noise.Gave me an estimate of $1100 and said they would order the parts.I was very upset to say the least.
I went to another mechanic teh nest day and he said you only need a new caliper ,you DO NOT NEED NEW BRAKES!He rotated my tires too.The cost was $220.So needless to say i was being scammed by VIP.I shrugged it off until today.I hear a loud noise in my front of my jeep.He looked at my jeep and said "mam these tires are dangerous"My front drivers side tire was worn on the inside to teh point of metal is protruding through and the passenger side is almost at that point.The rear passenger side is cupped.i bopught these tires brand new APRIL LAST YEAR !I called VIP and she said i need proof of alignment and rotation and they wopuld give me a credit of $22.75 per tire!!Now i have never gone through tires like that.I have alwasy gotten 3 years from my tires.The brand they put on my jeep are terribel and i am outraged they would not do as they promised.I have a cleaning business that supports my children and i cannot go to work until i can come up with teh money to pay for 4 new tires again.The girl that sold me the tires mislead me or shoudl say did not state the facts of teh warranty of 40,000 miles.My jeep is part of my way of making a living,i put on 31,000 miles still under that warranty but come on $22 dollars credit for each tire is absurd!!And i was never told anything about the deception of feelingv your covered when your not.I am not happy ,and am stuck and i will be letting people know about both deceptions as well as the better Business Bureau,Angela Rockland maine