Section 45.45.170. Authorization to proceed with repairs.

   (a) If the shop has given the customer an estimate and the price for the authorized repairs will exceed the estimate, the shop shall call the customer before continuing with the repairs and shall provide the customer with a new, good faith estimate of the repair price.  The shop may not then continue with the repairs until it receives the customer's written or oral authorization to do so.
   (b) Before undertaking repairs other than those previously authorized by the customer, the shop shall call the customer and provide the customer with a description of the proposed additional repairs, together with a good faith estimate of the price for the repairs.  The shop may not then undertake the additional repairs until it receives the customer's written or oral authorization to do so.
   (c) If the shop does not receive the customer's authorization to proceed with the repairs under (a) or (b) of this section, the shop shall either agree to perform the repairs at the original estimated price or provide for the customer to retake possession of the vehicle in at least as good condition as it was delivered to the shop and notify the customer accordingly.
   (d) A written authorization under (a) or (b) of this section shall be made on the repair order or on the invoice when a repair order is not requested and shall specify newly authorized repairs, as well as the newly authorized repair price estimate.  If authorization under (a) or (b) of this section is received orally, the shop shall specify on the repair order or invoice newly authorized repairs, as well as the newly authorized repair price estimate.  It shall also specify the date and time of authorization, and the person and telephone number called.

Notes

History

(Sec. 1 ch 146 SLA 1976)