FOX 13 Investigates: Repair shop rip-offs targeted older, out-of-state drivers

[@jamesamann9745]

So the judge fines the service station owner $20,000 that goes to the government and gives no restitution to the actual victims. Did I miss something here?

[@mrtee3477]

Yes sir! The owner made money and the government made money, YOU LOSE!

[@matthewlmo3873]

yep that’s the fuckn usa ahhahaha

[@drumtwo4seven]

Need a class action lawsuit for that Id guess / Id imagine

[@Riverrockphotos]

Nope that is how our judicial system works. Beside I thought the free market worked its self out i guess that's another lie.

[@punker4Real]

@@Riverrockphotos he charged 1.1k instead of the quoted 600$

[@StrokerDiesel]

And this is why people don't trust a honest shops 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@alanbower9296]

YES DIFENLY AGREE

[@gverhoeff39]

Yep absolutely, What few are left around are really shady ..

[@mikesmith-po8nd]

As a retired pro mechanic I can tell you that these guys make us look bad. And on top of that, there is so much legitimate work out there that there is no reason to rip people off.

[@gverhoeff39]

@@mikesmith-po8nd I know that is what gets me about all this , but I know guys that will install say new timing chains etc on say a BMW but never do the gears and reuse the old components yet bill it out as if they did by the book . Now this is why we end up with so many regulations that keep us down , these clowns that do this ruin it for everyone then they just complain about it but they caused it to begin with .. that's my opinion anyways .

[@tcwaterdrill]

30 some years ago, my sister, our mother and her little 3 year old boy was coming home from California to Alabama. She stopped for gas in New Mexico and the man at the gas station told her she was about to have a tire go bad. She asked how much and he told her. She said they had a long way to go and asked how long would it take. He said because of the tires being radial he would have to replace both front tires. She said there was a gas station right across the road so she told the man she would have to check elsewhere. She pulled across the road and as she was pulling over to the other gas station the man over there open the shop rollup door and waved her in. She smelt a rat and left. She stopped in Mississippi to have me check out her front tire. Nothing wrong with it and she drove it another 8 to 9 months concerned about it.Sad to say that we have people in this world that will do this.Sad, Sad

[@alanbower9296]

What a story and yes sad 💯👍 pity you have to be on your guard all the time but there is good people too probly ruines it for them too been stung my self few times with mechanics doing work paid it a nd work not done 😭 be on your guard all the time 💯👍🚘

[@caseman1967]

THAT, ladies and gents is JOURNALISM. Investigate, find facts, and then report. Thank you FOX 13 of Utah.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Me: “Now that’s what I call highway robbery!” Mechanic: “ No, no, make that check out to highway rubbery.”

[@eXKeRv]

Highway Rubber Bandit: hey you got cracks in your tires! Me: i dont sell crack! Rolls up window gives death look while gripping my .45 caliber safety off and aligning set up of possible headshot ill have to take 🙃

[@CarolynsRVLife]

Wow, this just happened to me in Las Vegas. They charged me over $4000 for work I didn't need. This is shameful.

[@RandomRandomnessKCMO]

Sounds like your own fault for not having a basic understanding of your vehicle

[@bakedzachnotifsoff604]

@@RandomRandomnessKCMO the guy who spends his time trespassing is gonna talk about basic understanding. i think interior tire damage is a bit harder to spot than a sign that says "DO NOT ENTER" lol

[@one.2622]

@@RandomRandomnessKCMO lol ok guy

[@themonkeyhand]

@@RandomRandomnessKCMO Where are you employed so I know where to avoid? Only a scammer would defend a scammer.

[@indigoblue4791]

I think there needs to be a National Register for bad business. Name and shame them and warn others not to support that business. Maybe then some of these crooks would work harder at being honest in their business dealing. I wonder how these kind of people sleep at night!! @Carolyn's RV Life So sorry you met another of criminal operators, they are crooked and deserve no success in life. Close them down!

[@johnnewton1051]

this doesnt just happen out in the middle of nowhere. it happens right down the road from the place you work or live.

[@jamram9924]

That garage could accidentally go up in flames.....they need to be careful.

[@elizabethharttley4073]

Heard a screw in my tire a couple years ago. Went to a nearby wal-mart, the guy said it had to be replaced. Called a sears cause i bought from sears. They got me in a 4:45 and plugged it for free. Know your warranty.

[@naui_diver9290]

After tire dealers,how about medical overcharging or big pharma?

[@angelo_giachetti]

Pharma holds ppl hostage for meds.

[@davemitchell6281]

There used to be signs on the highways in this state warning people that needed construction work done to check if they had a license before you let them on your property.

[@Riverrockphotos]

Haha they anti license lobby did away with that.

[@TripleXess]

How Mormon of him. Ripping people off.

[@S42069]

When your entire client base is comprised of tourists, you have no incentive to provide a service worth coming back for.

[@SteveinSanFrancisco]

I've travel a lot and I've learned the hard way that you always want to pretend you're "local"

[@Mike_Oxhuge]

Same thing going on in Beaver, Fillmore, and Scipio

[@kpdvw]

It is the customers responsibility do NOT fall for these scams, check your equipment prior and during the trip. do not fall for these highway shysters/crooks!

[@juliaweber212]

True but they don’t tell the full price

[@mgreg8134]

Time to apply civil forefieture laws to crooks like this.

[@satin227]

Actually were pushing to do away with civil asset forfeiture because it's already highly abused by most local governments and the feds because it's too easy for them to possess your property without charging you for a related crime and making you pay heavy lawyer fees to sue to get your stuff back however Criminal asset forfeiture would do nicely in this case.

[@mgreg8134]

@@satin227 The law in itself is not a bad idea, just the way it was implemented. Just reverse the process, once convicted of the crime, then seize any assets they gained in the comission or resilt of it. The problem with the current law was it running afoul of the innocent until proven guilty premise in our legal system. Not to mention the right to due process. This case is a prime example that the right kind of crime actually pays. That is why we see so many stories like this every year.

[@henrygalusha1388]

The tire Buster's in Payson, formally known as big-O. They also have been doing the same thing. Telling people they have a heavy tire.

[@jkirk7811]

The big O in my town here Indiana is the same.

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Manti tells them cad converter needs taken out

[@mr.robinson1982]

800% mark up on repairs....maybe a 800% markup on his 20,000 fine is appropriate...

[@TruckerGemini]

You guys should do one on truck drivers road service calls if you wanna see ridiculous receipts. I had a blow out last week where I had my own tire already on a rim they just needed to swap it. 15 minutes for him to swap and 400$ later I was on my way. That’s highway robbery.

[@СтепанБандера-ы8у]

If you don’t know how to dismount your wheel or swap your rubbers then you are true Super Trucker 🤣🤣🤣

[@rustedratchetgarage6788]

@@СтепанБандера-ы8у piss off maybe they are not of able body enough to break loose a lug with with 200+ lbs ft of torque and not every driver has tools and a giant jack on their rigs so who knows more about being a supertrucker you or me a 40+ yr experience otr truckers son/ 15yr+ experience shop owner and moble mechanic?

[@СтепанБандера-ы8у]

A Giant jack? Lol I can definitely see you have zero clue,, a small 20 ton jack and milwauke half inch cordless it’s all it takes... I’m 28 years old so I’m to little to be a super trucker

[@brandoncaldwell95]

@@СтепанБандера-ы8у last person i saw that trusted an impact end up loosing a tire. Get a damn torque wrench and set it right..

[@brandoncaldwell95]

That roadside or shop? Roadside you pay just for their truck to leave the lot and per mile. If at a shop, i would have disputed the claim. An hr of labor at say $150 max. If you ever get a blowout on the roadside. Cut the remaining off and make it to the nearest truck stop. Saves $$$$

[@borismedved835]

This reminds me of a Firestone Store that I almost bought tires from. I went in and told the kid (salesman) I needed to buy a new spare. He said, "Come on, let's go look at your tires." He headed out the door, still yapping and thinking I followed. I turned around and asked another guy about the one tire I was interested in. The little shit that thought he'd sell me new tires was pissed! Later somebody told me to stay away from that store.

[@anthonythorp7291]

Bricknerss in wausau wi had "a sale" buy 3 tires get one free. I thought it was high so stopped at Firestone just down the road. 4 tires not on sale for couple bucks less.

[@Stonehopper1067HMG]

As a mechanic I don’t trust other mechanics. Even if they got a high tech shop then that means they need to pay off the high rent somehow.

[@JJ-vt3cq]

As a retired mechanic I'll let you all in on a industry secret all shops including dealerships do this. This became the main reason why I became a fleet mechanic then I discovered the other side of money where the shop said who cares if its bad leave it be until it hurts or kills someone

[@brandoncaldwell95]

I actually love messing with dealer for this reason. Just to waste time i asked for brakes to which they tried selling an entire brake system flush along with other BS to just gain a sale and pocket a little commission. Trucks not that old or is the fluid bad. I just drive a lot. Same goes for another repair. 1 dealer was $350, the next was $600. My local mechanic just said call him so he can get his cummins guy to program the piece in the computer fir me at a cost of maybe $100.

[@StudioDaVeed]

When traveling whether by car or motor home - I have taken to stopping only at large known branded truck stops. Yes, fuel can be a bit more pricey but you're less likely to have any major issues such as this. You're in and out quickly and these truck stops are mini malls now - food courts etc. One stop shopping. Watching this I can't help but think of the Griswold's getting taken similarly in "Vacation".

[@mickaelwilliams6129]

MORMANS think its ok to rip off non mormans .

[@Riverrockphotos]

Places like this give a bad name to mechanics. I'm so glad I can do anything on a car other than rebuild an automatic transmission. Although my wife new RAV4 looks a little overwhelming.

[@gverhoeff39]

Automatic Transmission scares me lol . Took apart a old TH350 decades ago and I never got it back together , I have rebuilt a lot of engine's and even rebuilt T18 top loader the shaft bearings was fun . But the automatic transmission I kinda always stayed away from .

[@anthonythorp7291]

Fred Mueller Ford Dodge in Phillips wi told me I needed new ball joints when I had new ones put on 6 months earlier.

[@boostnhoe]

This tire shop must of watched Willy's Wonderland......

[@happyraccoon4791]

Harmony was founded by John D Lee, convicted mass murderer of The Mountain Meadows Massacre. Ft Harmony had to be moved after Severe rains ruined the first town site.

[@jimrosesadventureinmanilap715]

This was Done to me 50 years ago... In Southern Utah....

[@bamsdizzle]

The gas station workers there are awesome. Sad the man that owns it is a crook

[@donmunro144]

20000 is a slap on the wrist. Should have been 10 times that as well as jail time.

[@silverscout2643]

Should give that to the person not the government

[@donmunro144]

@@silverscout2643 agreed

[@Tx.1987]

I went to a place for wheel alignment set there for 30 mins guy comes back tells me I have bad ball joints also needed upper arms quoted me $1,200 got out of there took it somewhere else to get alignment they told me my ball joints were good its been 2 years haven't had a problem with the ball joints or upper arms

[@mikehilbert9349]

If a mechanic is conveniently flagging you down near his shop, just say thanks and drive on. There is no such accepted practice of upselling at the island. If you cant see the damage, there isnt damage. If the mechanic who flagged you down, insists you follow him to your shop, call your motor club or roadside service and request a tow to a different and reputable shop.

[@neooverby3750]

I’m a diesel tech Like doctor diagnosis always get a second opinion if it’s a big repair.

[@Mr.XJ.96]

As a Processional Auto Tech This shit makes me HEATED!!! Honesty and Professionalism is a MUST. I Dont Mark my parts up.....I dont Sell things that arent needed. If its NOT Broke dont fix it. Your WORD and your Reputation is EVERY THING in this Business. Ive worked commission before....You dont have to or need to lie to make good money. I see this garbage all the time....Thats how I get Business. Customers get ripped off then I treat them right. Thats how You get CLIENTS.....HONESTY PROFESSIONALISM!!! Happy Wrenchin Grease Monkeys from Pears Auto

[@tombob4002]

As a mechanic this happens ohh to often usually by the dealer......the toyota dealer in daytona beach is the worst

[@jedidiahsojourner1917]

We ain't all that proud of the one we have in houlton, maine either.

[@chrisminblkdiamond]

I can't even get the landscaper to finish the job I paid for and he thinks he went way above and beyond the call of duty to charge me more...

[@dennishough3709]

These days there’s bandits everywhere. Horrible.

[@aj402]

Was told a certain shop here in Waco was good. Spent several hundred for new valve cover gasket and spark plug seals. Looks like they didn’t do the work and told me I needed a new timing chain and mine was about to break and ruin engine. I said “really? This model of car almost never needs that before 200k miles and they rarely break just stretch. The check engine light was for a dirty sensor and air intake which I fixed. If I had the proper tools I can do any repair on my car yet most mechanics treat female or older people like we’re too dumb to breathe. The owner is a personal friend and he was not happy with the two guys scamming in his shop.

[@alexrev13]

Utah government should be Ashamed of themselves for letting this go on a long as it did. Remember, stay away from these shops. Tell everyone that you can. Thanks FOX.

[@Ken-wv2wg]

Know your vehicle. A motorist should educate themselves on their vehicles maintenance, how everything works and pay attention to the condition of the vehicle. If you have a favorite shop ask a lot of questions when your vehicle is serviced so you know the condition of your vehicle before a long road trip.

[@chrism1966]

So why doesn’t the judge go after the dealerships? They have those same mark ups or even higher. If you provide a service you can say how much you charge. The only consequence should be your reputation not some judge saying what you can and can’t charge.

[@cattigereyes1]

Government failure, the owner should be jailed.

[@GGdevelopment]

Can we get an address? Leave a 1 ⭐ review?

[@charlieaviles7245]

3802 UT-144, New Harmony, UT 84757

[@ahoorakia]

simple question when you every where, WHAT IS THE DETAILED PRICE INCLUDING TAX OUT THE DOOR?!

[@VitoVeccia]

I remember a few years ago, I was working at a gas station. We started taking pictures and videos, so that they could get emailed to the customers. It saves a lot of headaches for everyone. So when someone said my tires look fine, I would zoom in on the dry rot and date code. I'm not saying this guy didn't get ripped off, but, there is Alot of information missing from the story that I find fishy.

[@alanbower9296]

People doing this should be massive fines HANDED to them and banned from that trade

[@arturohernandez2313]

This is just disgusting and sickening. How can those employees and owner sleep at night ripping people off. I hope they cut it out before they rip off someone who doesn’t care about life.

[@shawnnewman7512]

Those freeway shops know they are the only ones out there and nobody can shop them so they can name their price. Horrible

[@kellyriley-duckworth4738]

That place in Beaver, Utah they were talking about tried to rip me off BIG TIME a few years ago. Went in to pay for gas, and immediately came back out to the sound of air coming out of my tire on my F350. Air was NOT coming out prior as I stood there by the pump trying to figure out how to pay outside. Looked down and saw my tire had been slashed at the stem - clean cut. Lo and behold 2 workers from the tire shop (10 ft away) standing there leaning up against their building - smiling and watching me - 5’02” female by herself. I was so damn angry. What they didn’t know is I had dropped off my husband and friend prior to pulling up for gas, so when they came out of the store after using the bathroom - I told my husband, then I confronted the two. They denied any wrongdoing but offered to fix or replace the tire. Haha, ya right. We aren’t that stupid. We patched ourselves I think with fix a flat and filled up enough air we hobbled to another location and was able to get a replacement. Made me so mad, because I knew they had done it - was also confirmed by the new tire shop mechanic that it appeared to be slashed. He also told us that particular station was known for sabotaging people’s tires. Good to hear some slight amount of justice being served. Ripoffs.

[@gladegoodrich2297]

We have a prison in Cedar City and it's only 20 miles up the road.

[@samsung5181]

Same place my grandpa's buick was fitted with "premium muffler bearings".

[@hellsscoutact5379]

Im not surprised highway pirates. Just the only thing missing is the Speedtrap cops

[@1ofhis518]

What does it take? A man and his 5 yr. old daughter were at the park in March 2021 . The dad noticed his little girl sitting in the swing slumped over , head down and barely moving her feet. He hurried over and said what's wrong! She replied I miss mommy! The dad swallowed as if he was choking on a baseball and said ; I know baby I do as well. With tears in her eyes she looked up and said Daddy are doctors bad people? He said all people can be bad at times. The little girl asked: is it ok for grownups to lie? He said: no its not ok. She looked down at the ground and said those people said my mommy died with the crown virus but she was ok until she took that vicksoon. The dad replied yeah it took her from us . The doctors fooled us that's for sure . As the daughter looked up at her dad with tears streaming down his face she said :daddy are you still gonna take it? He said no baby I'm not. She said why because you dont want to die like mommy did and leave me ? He said thats right baby and it took your mommy dying for me to realise that JESUS comes first and me and you have to count on HIM for everything. She leaned in to her daddy's chest and said I love you daddy and we love JESUS huh? He said: thats right baby I love JESUS and you and HE surely loves us both.

[@kevindragonbringer8292]

you need to investigate Aamco employees, stealing parts off of customers cars

[@randy5336]

The guys in Cove Fort are honest. I'll stand by them.

[@jamesmay5394]

Utah is seriously a state everyone should avoid..what a one sided state..i refuse to support the state in any way. I avoid doing business with any Utah based company.

[@charlesyates6687]

Here's a thing to investigate crooked storage facilities . I've had 2 in the last 2 months that ripped me off took my money and my stuff and rerented the unit in 2 days .

[@kevincoleman9761]

I stopped there and got gas about a year ago. It was like a dollar higher then any other store. Owners and employees who do this should be turned into the church when they have the threat of getting kicked out and all there neighbors know what they are they may stop.

[@LuisRuiz-sv2mz]

Fines go to the Fed's. Not consumers.

[@justinthyme7275]

Light up their phone by hitting redial so they can't do business.

[@michaelh5055]

How much is the repair fellas? How much ya got? No really, how much fellas? All of it boy! 😂😂😂

[@kas7344]

So pay the government instead of the victims? Interesting

[@getchasome6230]

This is why you work on your own vehicle.

[@69A12SuperBee]

It's been OVER 6 years. You'll never see a penny. Sorry for your troubles but that is how the system works. Next time drive around Utah.

[@indigoblue4791]

If they found 3 or 4 people who were conned here you can guarantee there's been many more. The question is how many? Hundreds I'd say because this was a normal everyday practice for them. I would have charged the owner at least 10 times more. He hasn't paid back what he owes 6 years later. What a crook, I don't wish him any success.

[@Tewthpaste]

*if you dont know your car then you shouldn't own a car. Crack tire looks like dry crack rubber and you can see the crack.*

[@Dgafsranger]

Umm those services are at gas stations are at full service not self service pumps

[@aaf6133]

Guessing this respectable, law abiding, honest business isn't doing great business these days...One word: Karma

[@paulforester6996]

When has this been a new thing? The towing company that worked for the police, was closed down where I used to live. They charged more than the car was worth, to steal a friend's car, while I witnessed. The police targeted people they knew were poor. I am glad I moved out! I make more money now.

[@gregwoodhouse5423]

And that guy should be charged with elder abuse and him Ve got to go after shell oil for this I am a family member worked for shell make sure shell knows about this garage in New Harmony

[@truckinfam2207]

Freeway Tire needs to hit the road.

[@juliaweber212]

I have seen a lot of places try to rip off women too

[@renesantana5731]

Your tires are cracking Me: ok I will get them checked by my local tire company. Who the hell says...ok change them and what's the cost! Get some sense people.

[@tooge47]

I dare this TV station to get with me, make a 3 way call to AT&T's office of the president, try to get a written quote on what an old fashioned land line would cost

[@tacomatrd510]

Someone needs to blow up that shop teach that guy a lesson..

[@PD-eh5dd]

They literally ripped that man off that's wrong.

[@dontdoit6403]

Jail...? And please pay the victims

[@davidwest2917]

It is standard procedure for most shops to rip you off....not many are honest weather its an oil change, mechanic shop or tire shop....nobody will admit it but they all rip you off if you let them!!! Most never get caught!! There are so many ways for them to rip you off!!👎

[@jchavez53]

$20000 fine...that's about a weeks worth of profit from these guys. Yep, that showed them.

[@lazytymez]

LITERALLY A HIGHWAY ROBERY

[@gverhoeff39]

This stuff happens all to often , I had a mechanic bill and charge me 1,400 dollars for replacement of battery cables and other items when the vehicle went in for coolant leak . He said the cable looked broken so he just replaced it without my knowledge or consent threaten to hold my vehicle for non payment of repairs so I ended up paying the thug almust 4,000 dollars just so he would release my vehicle back to me .. I know this happens how ever I always try to be aware but this one I missed and it has costed me thousands of dollars ..

[@coyotescactus1448]

He got ripped off because of his own ignorance.

[@thomascorrea3937]

Shameful.

[@tedbonedog]

That owner thinks people are as dumb as he is lmfao.

[@1951rlc]

Government and corporate greed, welcome to America!

[@andyleo8418]

You have to be stupid to buy shocks and tires for those amounts. The internet in your pocket these days gives no excuses. Why didn't the elderly gentleman dispute the charges through his credit card? They would have likely ruled in his favor.

[@oldcrone]

This is everywhere. I don't trust mechanics. Dealerships are also crooked.

[@goodmorning8172]

0:06 Road Trup

[@SILSAL67]

......"Chevron encouraged this"....ahhhh this isn't the same thing at all!!!

[@willysnowman]

Fleecing gulible old people? They may as well call it "Trump Tire".

[@usmcmustang2972]

Who is the least bit surprised? 😒

[@ahoorakia]

so the state fined the shop for 20K and making them to pay back the customer, isn't that also RIP OFF?!😁😁

[@charlesvlcek2550]

This is why I do my own work and when I go get tires I make sure and tell them I'm an ase certified mechanic

[@robertkoos1844]

Not just another road pirate just as bad as the cops

[@danielmorgan4899]

Step into my parlor said the SPIDER to the FLY

[@anthonygrau2506]

I call that a rip-off repair shop

[@unforeseencircumstances]

This is why I've been researching online and DIY.

[@deedeewinfrey3181]

Thieves

[@mysticalvisions4448]

Isn't Utah just friendly Mormon families who make homemade cookies and bread? I'm shocked.