I took my TP sedan to the local auto electrician after I'd been having charging issues with the battery.
I asked the bloke to investigate the issue, find out whether the problem was the battery or the alternator, then call me with a diagnosis.

Instead of calling me after he identified the issue, he ordered a brand new alternator and battery and charged me for them and the labour to fit.

I am currently livid over this because:
1) I didn't consent to the repairs
2) The old battery was under warranty
3) I had a spare new alternator in the shed
4) I could've easily fitted both of these items

Has anyone else experienced issues like this with auto electricians. I don't normally go to them because I've heard bad stories and can usually fix the problem myself anyway.

[rant over]

What a moron!
Make sure everyone boycotts him.

Knowing me I would have caved and paid, but I'm sure a majority of people would have told them to take it out!

Same thing happened to me getting my 380 drivers window looked out! You're not alone

Definately say you arent paying him

Pretty sure that's illegal,call the motor trade authority in your state.

Should have avoided the "diagnosis" bit and just swapped the alternators. Or bought a multimeter to help work out for yourself what was going on.Not rocket science, working out if it's the battery or alternator at fault.

Should have avoided the "diagnosis" bit and just swapped the alternators. Or bought a multimeter to help work out for yourself what was going on.Not rocket science, working out if it's the battery or alternator at fault.

I know. I was in a hurry to get to work at the time.

It would've been easier to just jump start the car, then disconnect the positive lead while it was running. would've answered it in 10 seconds.I did the same test previously with my brother's car but unfortunately, i was in a hurry this time and got caught out in this situation

just quietly, the bloke has breached your oral contract. legally i think you could actually sue for damages. so there shouldn't be an issue getting him to take the new battery and alternator out...

I know. I was in a hurry to get to work at the time.

It would've been easier to just jump start the car, then disconnect the positive lead while it was running. would've answered it in 10 seconds.I did the same test previously with my brother's car but unfortunately, i was in a hurry this time and got caught out in this situation

Not the way I do it:
Battery: Charge it up if it is flat. Then leave lights on high beam for 10 minutes, with multimeter set to volts across the battery, then try to start car with lights still on. If the car doesn't start, or the volts dip rapidly while the lights are on, the battery is poorly.

Alternator: If the car starts after the above, volts should rise rapidly to 14.4 volts or higher. If it sits at or below 12V for a while, the alternator is not putting out enough juice.

Disconnecting the battery lead while engine is running can cause voltage runaway, as the alternator uses battery voltage to regulate its voltage output.

EDIT: corroded connections at the battery and alternator can also cause problems.
I've had this problem too, was caused by a failed diode in the alternator. Battery would go flat all by itself overnight, only spotted it because the alternator was quite warm to the touch after sitting around during a cold night.

have you paid? if not do not pay you have a contract verbal is more than enough and you can keep the items too. you pay what the standard fee for "investigating or diagnosis" two method are,
1 ring another auto electrician and ask what it would cost to look at your alternator and battery and let you know how they are functioning. 2, ask the auto electrician that worked on your car? roughly how long did it take you to work out they were both goosed? he'll say hr or so and pay him a standard rate for an auto electrician 80/hr.
I have had this happen I put my car in to get a clutch I purchased "performance clutch fitted" as i didn't have the time to do it. got a verbal quote of 550 said yeh sure ok.
After work i get back and he had done the clutch replaced all my fluids serviced my brakes and replaced a rocker cover seal "apparently" there was no leak no idea why he did anywho got a bill for 1700 said thats nice here 550 grabbed my keys and left.

Never went to that mechanic again than mitsubishi elizabeth gave me a quote 180 dollars to look at cruise control and redo the seals under the ralliart spoiler on the boot lid.
Same thing got there after work that will be 850 dollars too me ages to peal the glues off stiff shit mate you quoted me a price here's 180 good day.

Yeah, it's all sorted now. I'm currently studying law at uni, so I understood a little about verbal contracts and thought this was iffy. Went back there, gave them $75 for the diagnosis and $85 for 1hr labour. So all good

definitely not on and gives the rest of us a bad name (glad he's not in WA). If a customer comes in asking for a diagnosis then you give them a diagnosis. then if they dont want to proceed you hit them up for the diagnosis... 1hr min charge is usually the accepted rate.

good job mate I'm glad to hear I'm not a big unit 6"1 so they often try to intimidate me I don't let them I tell them what's what and if they have a problem they can go.... themselves =)

"If you let people walk on you they will keep doing it" (so stand up for yourself it goes along way)
"If your going to do something do it right and do it once" (spend a little more $$ take a little more time and you'll reward yourself)