On Saturday 11/13/10 I started to shop around for a rebuilt transmission to be installed into my truck. I found 951 Automotive Inc's advertisement in the Penny Saver and called and got a quote of $1,200.00 for a installed rebuilt transmission with a One year 3600 mile warranty. So I drove the truck there and asked again how much! And he said $1,200.00. Then I asked how much more to upgrade to a heavy duty trailer tow rebuilt torque converter, he said an extra $150.00. I said fine so the total estimate was $1,350.00 plus tax. He was to also give me my old parts back.
He wanted me to sign a blank work order, I told him I wouldn't sign a blank work order. So he wrote "rebuilt trans, torque converter" then I signed. The job was to be complete on Tuesday the 16th. I needed a ride home so he had one of his employees drive me home.
So Wednesday comes and still haven't heard from him. After work Thursday I looked at my receipt and noticed my phone number was not listed in the information, so I called him and asked what was going on with my truck? He says "it's finished, but the bill is higher because the torque converter cost him $400.00 more, the oil was $8.00 a quart and it needed 24 quarts and the warning lights for the transmission wouldn't turn off so he had to put a new solenoid switch and that he was charged more to have the transmission rebuilt. He said he was only making $200.00 on this job and that he would show me the receipts.
I told him "it's not my fault that you underestimated the job and why didn't he get my approval before he did the work"? And he said he tried to get my phone number from the phone book and he said I knew you wanted it fixed. (he could have driven to my house where I was dropped off from one of his employees, he has the address.)
He said "well it's done", and I said "how much is the total again, $2,100.00" and he says yeah that's good. I told him I'll be there to pick it up.
I then called the Automotive repair Bureau (800-952-5210) and told them my story. That was around 4:15pm. They suggested that I go to the shop and only pay the setimate price and if I had any problems to call the police. Being that it was late and the shop was closed by now, I thought OK I'll do this tomorrow but I'll call the police to let them know whats going on. The police told me they would not get involved because it's a civil matter.
So the next day (Friday the 19th) after work I called the Bureau again to let them know the police wouldn't get involved. I spoke to Marvin and he told me to pay it in full, but to sign "Under Duress" and if I had a problem to call him. Marvin then said he would help me fill out a form to file a complaint to get my money back that I was over charged on the estimate. I went to the shop, paid in cash, he asked me to sign in an area that he said was for the warranty. When I read that area it was actually for the approving the increase of the original estimate price. But that's where I signed "Under Duress" got my truck and left.
I called back to the BAR (Bureau Automotive Repair) and they said they would investigate and they did and got no where. So they told me I had to take them to Small Claims Court. I did, and I won by default due to 951 Auto not showing up at the court. I waited for the appeal from 951, they didn't, so I went to go collect and they told me that they don't owe me anything and that they would just file for Bankruptcy. So I filed a Writ of Execution for the Sheriff to do a Till Tap. The morning of when the officer was going to go to the shop he called to verify the business, they answered as " 951 Automotive" so he went down to do the Till Tap. When he presented them with the paper work, the manager informed the officer that they are no longer 951 that they have changed to a new business name and licence number. So the officer could not collect anything because of the changes. But they are still Operating and Advertising to this day as 951 Automotive Inc. Researching this we have found that this shop has 3 different Names and licence numbers. They are 951 Automotive Inc. Lic#C2922504,951 Automotive Repairshop, Lic#C3245026 and Riverside Auto Care Inc. Lic.#C3373916. I was told to file with the DA for Fraud, they could not help me. I went to a lawyer, she told me it would cost me to much to pursue it. The Secretary of State told me that they couldn't help me because they are just a filing agency. That I should file a complaint with the Attorney General Office. 951 knows all the loopholes of the system and they take advantage of the consumer. Small Claims is a waste of time for the honest guy. Please help me.
0 comments