CA's BAR Seeks Action Against Lube Shops
ENFORCEMENTCA's BAR Seeks Action Against
Lube Shops
SACRAMENTO, CA (Sept. 20, 2006) - The California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is taking disciplinary action that may result in the suspension or revocation of the Automotive Repair Dealer registrations of 76 Southern California EZ Lube auto repair shops. EZ Lube Inc. is an independently owned corporation that offers oil and lubrication services at more than 70 locations in California, primarily in the southern part of the state. BAR says this action is its largest investigation in recent history against an independently owned automotive repair corporation. In a 176-page filing, BAR charges EZ Lube shops with numerous violations of California's Automotive Repair Act, including charging for parts and services that were not needed and in some cases not provided; making false or misleading statements; and departure from accepted trade standards. The legal action follows a number of consumer complaints, including information from a local news report and a two-year investigation in which the agency used 51 undercover vehicles to gather evidence of 640 alleged violations. "With the technological advances in the design of today's automobile, maintenance services have become an increasingly important market for the automotive repair industry," says Wayne Ramos, head of BAR's Automotive Repair Investigative Branch. "Unfortunately, it has also become an area in which consumers can easily fall prey to deceptive business practices. To protect themselves, consumers should know their vehicle manufacturers' recommended maintenance services and mileage intervals. That information is in the owner's manual." EZ Lube has the right to an administrative hearing, where the corporation can contest the charges.(Source: California DCA/BAR)
Lube Shops
SACRAMENTO, CA (Sept. 20, 2006) - The California Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is taking disciplinary action that may result in the suspension or revocation of the Automotive Repair Dealer registrations of 76 Southern California EZ Lube auto repair shops. EZ Lube Inc. is an independently owned corporation that offers oil and lubrication services at more than 70 locations in California, primarily in the southern part of the state. BAR says this action is its largest investigation in recent history against an independently owned automotive repair corporation. In a 176-page filing, BAR charges EZ Lube shops with numerous violations of California's Automotive Repair Act, including charging for parts and services that were not needed and in some cases not provided; making false or misleading statements; and departure from accepted trade standards. The legal action follows a number of consumer complaints, including information from a local news report and a two-year investigation in which the agency used 51 undercover vehicles to gather evidence of 640 alleged violations. "With the technological advances in the design of today's automobile, maintenance services have become an increasingly important market for the automotive repair industry," says Wayne Ramos, head of BAR's Automotive Repair Investigative Branch. "Unfortunately, it has also become an area in which consumers can easily fall prey to deceptive business practices. To protect themselves, consumers should know their vehicle manufacturers' recommended maintenance services and mileage intervals. That information is in the owner's manual." EZ Lube has the right to an administrative hearing, where the corporation can contest the charges.(Source: California DCA/BAR)