What to do...shoddy work from a shop

[Lolvoguy]

Hello fellow Bitogers

Recently I've been tinkering on my old euro coupe. I've had this particular coupe since 2003 and I've become rather attached to it. I've rented garage space from someone who's pretty cool with me doing random repairs on my cars (my daily as well as the euro coupe).

As I've been examining some of the work that was done, I've realized that there were several fasteners missing from the belly pan (splash guard). I also noticed corners cut by using cheap zip-tie fasteners as well as other fasteners missing.

I also noticed some parts didn't seem the same as they were when I dropped the car (i.e. engine oil dip stick wasn't the same...actually an older one). I brought this up to the mechanic's attention and he said that he'd look around the shop. Not surprisingly the dip stick was never found but it's kinda funny that the owners son has the exact same car as mine.

This particular shop has a great rating online but recently I gave them an honest rating (on google and Yelp) stating that yes, they are very reasonably priced, turn around time is decent, but mentioned the above issues.

Within a few hours I had an email from them wanting to fix the issues.

Since I've already tried to get them to address one of the issues, I doubt that I'll get much help from them considering I've tried in the past. Should I let them try to address the issues of the missing fasteners or just find a new shop?

thanks in advance

 

[camrydriver111]

I don't want to jump to conclusions but it sounds like his son might have took your parts.

I've had a d-bag with the identical car as mine steal parts from mine in the parking lot.

If they want to fix the issues and replace your missing fasteners I'd probably give them a chance, but if not and you have to fight them I'd find a new shop.

 

[expat]

I would talk to them an see what they propose.

They may have had a change of heart.

 

[AandPDan]

Your local police might start an investigation if you discuss this with them.

They could mark certain parts or use other methods to determine if parts from your car are being "traded" with those of the owners son.

Might be worth discussing it with them.

 

[KrisZ]

I would take the offer and while at it, I would ask to take a look at sonnies’ ride. He might’ve swapped the parts without his dad's knowledge.

 

[SilverC6]

Whether theft or incompetence, that's still inexcusable.

Let them fix the car but with your supervision.

After you get square, find a new shop.

 

[NMBurb02]

You gave them a private chance to fix their mistakes and they did not come through until you made your complaints public, which shows that they are more interested in getting new customers than keeping those they have. That indicates to me that they are not the kind of shop I would want to deal with and I would use someone else going forward.

 

[zzyzzx]

Obligatory:

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
Not surprisingly the dip stick was never found but it's kinda funny that the owners son has the exact same car as mine.


The owner's son was using your car as a parts car. He assumed you'd never notice the different dipstick or the missing bolts.

 

[Plumber]

Put it this way, if they cooked your burger wrong, would you send it back then eat it when returned?

Do you trust them?

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
I would take the offer and while at it, I would ask to take a look at sonnies’ ride. He might’ve swapped the parts without his dad's knowledge.


Sadly I cannot take their offer as I don't have the time with my job to babysit them while they fix my car. Considering they know I left them a bad mark on their reputation, makes me even more weary of dealing with them.

Originally Posted By: Plumber
Put it this way, if they cooked your burger wrong, would you send it back then eat it when returned?

Do you trust them?


exactly...this is precisely the reason why I don't want to bother with them again.

Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
You gave them a private chance to fix their mistakes and they did not come through until you made your complaints public, which shows that they are more interested in getting new customers than keeping those they have. That indicates to me that they are not the kind of shop I would want to deal with and I would use someone else going forward.


and this too

thanks again for the replies guys, I'll make sure it update the review I did indicating that I was contacted to make things ok but I just don't feel comfortable with them working on my car, regardless of the $ I'm saving.

I did the review not to bash their company, but to give a review that was as unbiased as possible for those looking for a good shop. Considering this shop is widely used in my area, I'm sure it'll get people talking

 

[Merkava_4]

When writing that review, make sure you mention the missing parts and the shop owner's son having the same car as yours.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
When writing that review, make sure you mention the missing parts and the shop owner's son having the same car as yours.


Thanks, I did that actually. I know it's really gonna raise some attention with this bit of info as my car and the owners son's car are kinda rare given the age and demand for them

 

[DBMaster]

I would not go back. The pure unadulterated sloppiness is inexcusable and they should not be given another chance. I would tell them to provide you with the fasteners and a new (or your original) dipstick and pick the items up - assuming they are amenable.

After that, I would file complaints with the local BBB, chamber of commerce, and any other relevant agency. I wouldn't spend a a lot of time on it, but I would make some effort to raise public awareness of what a dump the place is. That place would never see me or my car again, that's for sure.

 

[The_Jeff]

If you went into a hospital for surgery and you needed "a thing", they'd put that thing in and charge you handsomely for it.

It's harder for mechanics to be perfect, to keep a car out of commission over one little screw that finally snapped after removing a splash shield 25 times for an oil change.

But stealing your dipstick is inexcusable.

 

[DBMaster]

The OP stated that "several" fasteners were missing. My gut tells me that, in most cases, it's probably OK to leave off a few splash pans screws without fear of the pan falling off. And, i do understand the focus on production numbers. It's the same focus that results in lousy quality in a variety of industries.

A body shop in Corpus Christi - A Honda dealership body shop, mind you - stole a small flashlight from my glove compartment back in 1993. That one still irks me.

 

[Donald]

While not exactly the same, I bought a Dodge pickup from a guy who sold cars but also was a machinist. This had been his own pickup. He had bought an identical one that was one year older as it had much less miles.

He swapped out the auto-down window switch between trucks. Who knows what else. The tailgate faintly said 4x4 but it was a 2WD.

I was not aware of any parts swapping.

As it turns out swapping the window switches made neither truck work correctly. He sent me the proper one for my truck and I paid someone $20 to swap them and mailed him back the real one for his truck.

While I know you are buying the truck "as is" how much of the truck needs to be part of the truck when it was made?

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

I would stay away from them at all costs.

As far as you are concerned, you seem to have proof of their dishonesty, or at least their priority of getting new customers over maintaining the ones they have.

If you know I've raped your wife, can I now be alone in a room with your daughter?

FYI, I travel frequently for my job. A few years ago, while 600+ miles from home, my wife called me and told me she had a tail light not working on her car. I told her to take it to the dealer less than 2 miles from our house where we had spent about $6000.00 in service the previous year. They replaced the bulb and charged her $45.00. I paid the credit card bill when I got it and told her never to return to that dealer.

We haven't; and your situation is a classic example of why I change my own oil. It isn't a matter of money. I make more money than the local high school dropouts with mechanical aptitude who are generally "dealer mechanics." It's a matter of trust and competence and peace of mind.

 

[Dave Hess]

I would go back a speak to the owner face to face.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I would go back a speak to the owner face to face.


I thought of this, but don't see what it would accomplish.

In attempts to start off on a good foot with this shop (as well as the one I tried before) when i went to pick up the car after one of its' bigger repairs, I decided to show a bit of gratitude by giving the mechanic (the son) a chocolate bunt cake and a large bottle of my favorite craft beer. I didn't have to do this, but I felt that it would show that I appreciate what they are doing, and the job they did for me.

This was before I noticed the missing fasteners and swapped dip stick

Maybe they didn't like the cake?

You would think the son would do a little more to make things better when i called to question the missing dip stick...but he didn't. That's what made me upset.

It was only recently (yesterday) when I noticed the missing fasteners too

After this whole ordeal, I can see the reason why people give up on older cars. It's so frustrating trying to work with someone who's not on the same page as you when it come's to an old car you enjoy and want to keep in good shape