My car was running completely perfect before I brought my vehicle to this shop, but since it had high mileage on it and I was moving to LA and wanted the necessary maintenance for "better performance" done before I moved the car to this new location. I went to the shop on Wednesday, 6/18. I took my car to the store and informed them of my plans to move to LA and told them that I wanted to get the timing belt, water pump and the regular maintenance done. I was given an estimate of $700. After thorough check of my vehicle, I was adviced to get spark plugs done, which I accepted and I was given as estimate of $1000. When I got my car back, I was handed a bill for $1300 for parts which were installed without my knowledge for the so-called "better performance" of the car. And the ridiculous part is, it was not even test driven once and I could hardly take my car 15 feet when it broke.
I had already paid the money and I was really frustrated because they were not willing to credit the amount back. On checkup, the technician at the Midas San Antonio told that the ignition system was replaced but has not been installed correctly because of which the car broke. I had to leave the car and I got my car back after a couple of days on 06/21, and I hardly took it for 25 miles when the service engine soon lighted turned on. I took the car back to the store and the technician told that the since the ignition system/timing belt was not installed properly at first place, the unburnt fuel that went into the catalytic converter blocked it and this is the reason it needs to be replaced. They turned the light off and asked me to drive for some time.
The next day, I went and talked to the store manager, and he was so rude that he was not even willing to listen. He even mis-treated my friend who went with me.
I called the General Manager at San Antonio and left more than 5 or 6 voice messages to her. I left my contact number and asked her to call me. Since I was moving to LA, I did not had time to follow up with her and the store manager. And I never received a call back. Finally, I had to get my car shipped to LA in the available condition. I have hardly driven the car 200 miles, and now I am seeing that the Engine is heating up quickly. I am facing all these problems after taking recommendations from the technicians at this shop. My car was running perfectly fine before I brought my car in. I am facing the following issues with the car right now after getting the services at Midas:
1. The car has started bumping since I got my car back from Midas. It never had this problem before and now it is very uncomfortable to drive and sit in. My friends say that this is because the timing belt has not been installed correctly.
2. The "Service Engine Soon" light is turned on. Midas says it would take another $1000 or so to get it fixed. It was never there before.
3. The engine is getting heated soon.
4. The engine fire is missing. It takes me a couple of times before the engine actually starts.
I called the General Manager at San Antonio, but she is not ready to accept that the problem with my car, especially with the Catalytic Converter, is due to the problems that occurred during installation of the ignition system and the timing belt. And every time I tell her this, she says I do not have any way to prove it.
Now, I am in CA and it is coming out to be that I am not able to register and use my car in CA until I get this problem resolved. And for getting this fixed at Midas, I will have to pay $1000 plus. The San Antonio GM has accepted to get the labor for me, but the part itself is so costly and she is not ready to pay for that.
I want to get this issue resolved. Can someone help me on this? Can I dispute the charge on my credit card?
Thanks for your help!
Sandeep
Playa Del Rey, California
U.S.A.
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