After having what seemed like a small accident, I drove my car to nearby Norhtside Collision in Cicero, NY for repair. They estimated the damages at $5,000 and got the green light to fix it from my insurance company.
I warned them I had driven it after the accident and I wanted them to be sure the engine was sound before repairing the body damage. I asked them if they were able to decide that or if I should have the dealer look at the engine. They assured me they had mechanics qualified to decide if the engine was okay or not. They noted on the front of my file that the engine had to be checked out before proceeding with the body repairs.
They did the body repairs but charged $8,000 for the repairs, not the $5,000 they estimated. Since they are already in cohoots with the insurance company the work was just done without any fuss over the bill for a car whose book value was slightly over $11,000.
Two weeks later they called me to get my car because it was ready and assured me all was well with the engine. When I went to pick up my car I couldn't drive out of the parking lot with it. The engine stalled and the check engine light came on. They said it was fine when they drove it in and out of the shop to do repairs over the last several days. They said something must have happened to it while it was in the parking lot and it was my fault for taking two days to come and get it after it was done.
I had it towed to the dealer where I found out it had no oil or engine coolant in it. The engine had to be replaced at a cost of $4,000 to me, not covered by the insurance company of course. The Northside Collision shop had been driving the car around without engine fluids in it to pull it in and out of the shop and on test drives, and their qualified mechanic didn't seem to notice it had oil and coolant running out of it.
Northside Collision refused to do anything to compensate and just blames me for the engine replacement for taking two days to pick up my car after they had it for two weeks. Now I can only get revenge by letting everyone I ever get to talk to that they are rip-offs.
0 comments