That bill for car repair was even worse than I thought...

[thatcrazycajun]

Just got back from having the Songbird's black car repaired at a Firestone Complete Car Care store, the closest automotive repair shop to my apartment. I was already seriously thinking about finding someplace else to get repairs done, after several instance of doing business with them where either the repairs didn't stay repaired or the final cost of the repairs was too steep. (They demand $99.95 for a diagnostic just to find out what's wrong; and unlike other chains, will not apply any of that cost to the charges for parts and labor...at least, not unless you bitch at them about it, which i did tonight.)

But now it turns out this company is running the next worst thing to a slave labor camp at its Liberian plantation, including forced child labor. (See StopFirestone.org for the scoop.)

I'm definitely finding me a new repair shop. And I would ask that the next time your vehicle needs work or new tires, please consider whether you can live with rewarding a company for abusing its poorest, least literate workers and the environment before you decide who you want doing your repairs.

Comments

[robin-june.livejournal.com]

We lucked out and found a non-chain repair place, run by 2 brothers, who came recommended by our friend/their neighbor.

They're very careful about not overspending your money, especially upon the older one of our cars. They've even got an arrangement with one of the local towing companies such that the cost of the tow is rolled into their final bill (not due when the car is towed) AND it costs less than the competitors, especially those that add a surcharge for "towing outside the Outerbelt."

I've recommended Aarrow Radiator to many of my friends, and even given them a big thumbs-up on Click 'n Clack's "Car Talk" website.

Speaking thereof, (Light Dawns on Marblehead, here), I don't know your zipcode, but you can use it to find a recommended mechanic here:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/