I run a shop and I've done that to a customer stub axle. I sourced and replaced the stub axle and told the customer what I did after the job was done. No extra charge or hourly billing. I screwed up, I fixed it.

I also pulled a stub axle on a different car and found a crack at the base of the splines. Showed it to the customer and he claimed I cracked it. Demanded a new one (not used). I said I would replace it with a used one at no cost to him and I got call from his lawyer the next day. Spent 5 minutes talking to the lawyer and he said he would suggest the customer take my offer.

Got a call from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair saying someone had filed a fraud complaint on my shop. Explained the situation and gave the BAR rep the phone number of the customer's lawyer. BAR rep called back and said case was closed in my favor.

Customer showed up with a flat bed tow truck and demanded his car. I presented him with the bill and he refused to pay. I called the police and they told the customer to pay or leave. He paid with a credit card, took his car, and then disputed the charges. I gave up.

Remember, there are two sides to every dispute.

Edited March 24, 201114 yr by John Coffey

Wow John, what a pain. I can't imagine running a business and putting up with that type of customer.

Good luck Tomohawk. I hope they step up to the plate and somehow make it right.

Yes there fult. Ive worked at meny shops and all the same if i messed up (never have that bad but ive messed up) the work and the parts came out of my pay and i had to fix my fu** up or we had to take it to another shop of there choice and pay for them to fix it that is good busness. For them to ask you to buy the parts they messed up no i would take it to like these guys have said the BBB and have a little legal justace.

For what it is worth, I recently had to source new stub axles and got them from Z-barn for about $50 each plus shipping. However, I later got lots of replies to my WTB ad and some people had them for free lying around, especially over at hybrid Z. Might be an option if you need it. I have used the 280zx nut and have not had any problems with it since then.