Many people distrust auto mechanics. As Consumer Affairs noted in July, “more than 3 in 4 (78%) of the drivers we surveyed said they don’t always trust their mechanics” and “only 17% of respondents felt they were always charged a fair price for auto repairs.”
Some of this distrust seems to be justified. Numerous Internet users have shared their experiences of being ripped off or “ripped off” when getting their car repaired. For example, one mechanic said a woman was charged around $1,000 for a repair that only required a cleaning. Others simply shared their observations of women being ripped off when visiting the shop.
Now a user on TikTok has sparked a debate by claiming that Tirecraft charged her aunt for services she did not need.
Was this woman quoted an unnecessarily high price?
In a video with over 1.9 million views, TikTok user @thattoolgirl says a Tirecraft location in Blackfalds, Canada, lied to her aunt about the condition of her car.
“Tirecraft in Blackfalds tried to tell my aunt that her brakes were metal to metal, even though 70 percent of the brake pads were still left,” she says, holding up the brake pads to demonstrate that they are still intact.
That was not all.
“They also told her that she needed four new tires because her tires were too low on tread,” she continues, then shows the tires in question, which appear to still have a considerable amount of tread.
“Those Firestones with 7/32nds left?” she asks. This is generally considered a safe tread depth.
In total, her aunt was charged around $3,100 in repair costs, according to the TikToker, although the TikToker claimed that many of these repairs were unnecessary.
The TikToker eventually confronted a store employee about the offer, to which the employee reportedly responded: “‘Yes, we made an offer and said it was necessary. We told them this work was necessary, but we wouldn’t actually do the work that wasn’t necessary.'”
As evidence, the TikToker presents a secretly recorded conversation between herself and the person who works in the store. This conversation contains several questionable moments that thematically match the previous statement.
“Problem not solved,” the TikToker explains at the end of the video.
@thattoolgirl I can’t wait for all the men to jump on this and tell me I’m wrong. #blackfalds #reddeer #tirecraft #mechanic #alberta #tools ♬ Original sound – ThatToolGirl
Things are getting weirder
Since posting the video, the TikToker has given several updates on the situation.
In one video, for example, she claims to have called the police from this location, although the reason for the call is unclear.
In another case, she says she received a call from another owner and vague threats of possible legal action. When the TikToker responded that she was a law student, the owner stopped talking and claimed he would call her back.
Most recently, the TikToker posted another video in which she explained that she would reveal more information about the interaction if she did not receive a response from the company within 24 hours.
@thattoolgirl reply to @Ohreallllyyyyyyyy I’m a savage. Noble. Snob. Ratchet. #thetea #tirecraft #greenscreen #uofc #fafo #blackfalds #law ♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89
@thattoolgirl What kind of grown man does something like that? #tirecraft #blackfalds #mechanic #bully #forthegirls #ihavereceipts ♬ Original sound – ThatToolGirl
In the comments section, users shared their opinions on this strange series of experiences.
“The Reifenhandwerk employee is completely wrong. When someone comes to me as a welder to have something repaired, I give them advice as a professional and give them a cost estimate and they hope that I am honest,” writes one user.
“After watching (your) video, I decided to take my car in for a second opinion. Tirecraft quoted me $12,000 for a new turbo and engine. Second opinion: just the turbo, $2,000,” said another. “Thanks!”
“They should stop doing this and put their efforts into training and corrections,” a third commented on the company’s alleged reactions.
The Daily Dot contacted Tirecraft Blackfalds via the contact form on the website and the TikToker via TikTok DM and comment.
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