If you’re not comfortable with basic auto maintenance, DON’T go to ASAP Automotive in Fremont, CA. ASAP Automotive over-charged a woman $35.08 to replace and change a $5 brake light bulb, and refused to give her an advertised service for the advertised price. On Thursday, a female friend of mine went to ASAP Automotive for a regular $39.99 oil change, which was to include the rotation of the car’s tires. I referred this friend to ASAP, and therefore feel some responsibility for what happened to her. I was shocked to learn they also charged her an additional $35.08 to change a bulb in her brake light. When she asked about the tire rotation, they told her it was NOT included and would cost an additional $30. The sign in the office states clearly the oil change includes the tire rotation service. I had my oil change at ASAP less than a month earlier and it did include the tire rotation. I went to the ASAP shop on the following Saturday to complain about: 1) the overcharge of $13 for one brake light bulb when a package of two bulbs cost $5 in any automotive store; 2) $22 for less than 3 minutes labor for unscrewing two screws, removing and changing the brake light cover and bulb, and replacing the cover; 3) refusing to provide her with the advertised tire rotation. The manager was not there. However, both mechanics admitted the $13 for the bulb was an over-charge and agreed to refund $9.09 in cash. However, they stated the policy at the garage was to charge $22 anytime and for anything they do that involves removing any parts, no matter how little labor time was involved. They had no explanation for why the tire rotation I had just received was refused as part of the oil change price. I left a note for the owner and was told he would call me on Monday. The owner did call on Monday and reiterated their policy for the $22 labor charge to change the brake light bulb. He stated they no longer include the tire rotation service as part of the oil change, even though the sign stating this was still on their office board on the Sat I went there. He also said the $13 charge for the bulb “was just a clerical error”. I said the car owner was not told the price of the brake light charge in advance, because she never would have approved it. The car owner is a Permanent U.S. Resident, unfamiliar with and intimidated by auto repairs. She only makes $12.50/hr. as a home healthcare worker. So, there is no way she would have approved this additional $35.08. It is almost 3 times her hourly wage! When given the bill, she told the mechanic, “I came in here for a $30 oil change and ended up paying almost $75.” The owner continued to argue his charges were justified and eventually, hung up saying “Do whatever you want to do.” To Resolve This Complaint I think… 1) Clearly ASAP Automotive’s owner overcharged for the brake light service labor and should refund the amount over paid for 5 minutes of a standard labor charge. 2) The cost of a tire rotation service should be reimbursed to the car owner, since ASAP Automotive refused to provide the service as part of their advertised oil change service. What do you think? Signed, Not A-SAP