Shops Cited in Central Florida for Violating Estimating, Invoicing Requirements

SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL (August 23, 2005) - A sweep by regulators of 440 automotive repair shops in Seminole County, FL, has resulted in fines being issued to 53 shops for violations related to improper invoicing and estimating procedures. And the sweep is not over, as officials from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services planned to visit roughly 60 more shops by the end of the week.

Terri McElroy, a spokesperson for the department, could not say whether the shops cited were general automotive repair locations or collision repair shops because his office does not differentiate between the two. "We'll know more once the guys report back from the field," said McElroy, in a phone interview.

The 53 "administrative complaints" initially issued totaled $16,000. The citations are primarily the result of shops failing to properly provide "written estimates on repair work that needs to be done, or not properly doing invoices after the customer comes to pick up their car," McElroy said.

Under Florida law, motor vehicle repair shops are required to be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and those that are not registered face initial fines of up to $300. The law also requires that customers, at their request, be provided a written estimate for any repair that exceeds $100 and a complete invoice listing all charges after a repair has been performed.

Approximately 22,000 auto repair shops statewide are registered with the department. Four other Florida counties - Duval, Palm Beach, Orange and Hillsborough - have been subjected to similar sweeps in the past and more counties will be covered in the future, added McElroy.

We will continue tracking this story for developments.