My 1989 van was running fine, but it was time for a new water pump. I brought the van to Automotive Tire and Service center and they put a new pump in for $450. Not a great deal, but not terrible.
12 miles down the road, the engine blows up!
I called the company immediatly and they towed it back to their establishment. After checking it out for 3 days, they said it was their fault and would replace the engine. Fine. I said, I'll have to live with that. Two weeks later, it still wasnot finished. I asked them to split the cost of my rental van, they agreed in writing.
The third week, the van was done, and I drove it, this time 14 miles down the road, and the engine blew up again!
They towed it back again, and five days later informed me that would only work on it at their regular rate. To add insult to injury, they felt that they now shouldn't have paid for half of the rental van, and wanted their half back before they would release the van!
I told them I would have the van fixed somewhere else, and they proceeded to run into their parking lot, push the van into the stall, and lock the doors!!!
I called the police, they came and forced the owner to let me have my vehicle back and filed a report on them.
Now, I am out a $8,500 van and the $2,200 I paid in van rentals and water pump costs.
Lawyers say the most I can ever get is the book value of the van, which was 6 or 7 grand, but now worthless.
Rick
Bernardsville, New Jersey
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