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rob's garage

I recently took in my 1998 Toyota Camry LE for a oil change at my local Toyota dealership.

When the technician was removing the oil plug he stripped the threads on the oil pan's drain plug. They said I would need a new oil pan. I asked if they could tap in new threads, they said yes but it would only last a few oil changes then I would need a new oil pan. I ended up having a oil pan replaced, at a considerable expense.

My question: Is it possible to strip the threads, and how could the threads be stripped? I am wondering if I got scammed by my dealership. The car has 346,105 kilometres.

I feel they know they did something wrong as they gave me 10 per cent off all parts and gave me a free oil change for my son's 2001 Toyota Echo.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you, Richard

I hate it when shops make a mistake and then ask the customer to pay for it. This is a sign of an unscrupulous facility and (if nothing changes), a place to stay away from.

Richard, go back to this shop and ask to speak to the owner or the principal. Explain the situation and ask this person what they are prepared to do for you to make you happy. The outcome should be a full refund of your out of pocket expenses.

When I was on the tools, the same thing happened in the shop I was working at. An apprentice or new worker is the typical person performing this function. Because they are learning, they can make mistakes – it's now up to the shop to step up and admit these mistakes. It's simply a cost of doing business.

So, back to your situation. If you don't get the answer you're looking for, you have some options, but they will cost you some money and time. The first (and cheapest) is to take your case to the Better Business Bureau – and tell the owner that you are prepared to do so. The second is to take the business to small claims court, but you will have to sue for damages as well as out of pocket expenses.

Here is where a business can earn huge points and trust:

By doing the right thing.

By righting this wrong, the business should learn a lesson and (depending on your feelings) could create a loyal customer that will spread the "good word."

If not, and you don't want to put yourself through the options, cut bait and move on.

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