Ken's Smog Test Only

He posted an ad on craigslist for a $29.75 smog check with the mention of the ad. I called ahead and confirmed the price and when I showed up, he acknowledged that we spoke on the phone. But RIGHT before he did the smog he said "what price did I give you over the phone? I don't remember" (making me think he gives everyone different prices, which is shady) also keep in mind that he currently has several ads on craigslist advertising the same price and I doubt he really forgot. So I repeated the $29.75 price and he proceeded to tell me it was actually $10 more for a charge from the dmv totaling $40. (my reaction: wth? why didn't you say that during one of the several different times over the phone and in person that I made sure about the price?)



This would have been okay because I understand the DMV has a separate charge but the way he went about it seemed underhanded and I told him he should have put that in the ad as well just so people know in the future. I got the smog anyway since I was already there thinking next time I'll ask specifically if that's the total with the certificate. After I paid $40 and left I looked at my paperwork seeing that the certificate was actually only $8.25 and he charged me 31.75 for the smog. Realizing he did this I almost went back just to confront his dishonesty but asking for $2 seemed petty to me, so I let it go. But hink about how many people he must do this to and how much that little extra is getting him by lying?



Now look, I know this is a cheap price even with the certificate charge.. and I'm not complaining about that!... however, I don't like the way he went about it and I won't be back. I'll tell anyone getting a smog/oil change to be sure to avoid this guy because there's nothing worst than a dishonest business - let's just say it's my pet peeve and I really do value an honest mechanic. I feel like you never know what you're gonna get or what you're going to be charged from someone who conducts business this way.