Lone Star Engine Intallation Center owned by Rafael (Ralph) Lopez Sanchez is a well marketed underworld operation. Their Yellow Pages ad is prominent in the Dallas metroplex and states lengthy experience, qualified technicians, 12 month warranty, takes credit cards, free towing. None of which are true. This shop is in the worst part of Dallas and operates as the most filthy mechanic shop I have ever seen. The play here is they suck you in with free towing and competitive prices on your broken down vehicle. You never see the place because they tow it "for free". Once they have your vehicle the proposed price for a new/rebuilt engine escalates dramatically. Water pumps, timing belts, cam shafts, fuel pumps, etc. Will add 20-30%. Of course you have to agree... They have your vehicle in dozens of pieces laying on the filthy floor mixed with other vehicle parts.
I agreed to pay the increased price. When I went to pick up the vehicle they demanded cash. I paid and inspected the vehicle. It had missing parts in the engine compartment, ran roughly and leaked oil. I was assured this was all covered under the "warranty". After several unsuccessful attempts to get the vehicle fixed through them I took it to a dealership. The dealer was amazed what I had paid for. This was not a rebuilt engine, but a monstrosity of frankenstein parts.
I sued Lone Star Engine Installation Center and Rafael L. Sanchez and won in a court of law. He refused to pay the judgement and all efforts to collect have been unsuccessful. He has no bank accounts and all his property is under lien. As a sidenote, he has 36 Better Business Bureau complaints in 34 months, he is rated "F" at the BBB, his TX corporate charter has been revoked, he has been sued dozens of times related to the engine business and his slum landlord enterprise (he owns dilapidated tenements).
This has been the most exaggerated thumbing of the nose at the law I can recall in recent history. Yet this guy runs free. There are dozens of reports like mine on the web. There undoubtedly are many more. Doesn't this qualify for a class action lawsuit?
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