July 15
To: Trish Hortman, Owner
Hortman Machine Shop
5701 Holiday Road
Buford, GA 30518
From: Kennon Sterling
(Personal Info Removed)
Dear Ms. Hortman:
A few months ago I agreed to pay your company $567.00 to rebuild my 140 HP Marine Engine because the Crankshaft needed to be turned. You said you were not busy and my Engine was picked up the next day. Weeks passed and I had to call several times to check on my Engine and was always told that you were very busy working on other jobs. I advised you that my Engine was in your shop before you were busy and my Engine should have been rebuilt before any work you received after that.
Finally I was advised that the motor was ready and I paid you $567.00. When the motor was returned to my home it was not fully assembled as I was expecting it to be however I agreed to pay you an additional $285.97 to assemble the engine at your shop and put it back in the
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Boat. I did not attempt to crank the engine because the trim motor did not work so I could not lower the outdrive. Also the starter switch on the console did not work.
I took the boat and motor the next day to Boating Atlanta to repair the above. Before I picked up the boat I was advised by Boating Atlanta that when they tried to start the engine it was backfiring through the carburetor. They told me that the problem was that the valves were not adjusted. They should have been adjusted because I paid you for 8 new Pushrods that were installed in the Engine. I paid Boating Atlanta on April 30. I was advised to take it back to your shop which I did. Wendell or Michael worked on the valves and the engine seemed alright at low speed. I put it in the lake to take it to my boat dock. I did not exceed 25 MPH because I knew the engine needed to be broke in but within 15 minutes the engine almost stopped. It was running but I could not exceed more than 5 MPH, which took around 45 minutes to finally get my boat to the dock which normally would have taken no more than ten minutes.
The next day my son who is a certified machinist and mechanic took the valve cover off and one of the Lifters was so loose that the Push rod came out and was bent. He replaced the push rod and tried to adjust the valves but the engine continued to run slow and very rough. Also we heard a knocking sound in the lower end.
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After many calls to your company complaining about the problems with the engine to Wendell Hortman and Michael, all I got were insults and excuses but I was told many times that they would come to my home and check the problem but no one ever came over or called. As you know my home is only around 3-4 miles from your shop.
I finally gave up and on July 12, I took the Boat and Engine to Moore Auto & Marine. They removed the engine, put it on a stand and removed the oil pan. I received a call to come to the shop and I could not believe what I saw. The Crankshaft and Connecting Rod Bearings were ruined. All of the Bearings and Crankshaft surfaces were scratched and had deep cuts in them. A thick amount of medal chips from them were in the oil pan and the oil that was left after Moore Auto & Marine pored most of it out was very thick and black. At the present time the engine is on an engine stand back in my garage if you wish to view the severe damage. However a few photos are included in this letter.
In conclusion, I expect the following no later than Thursday, July 19 or I will have no choice but to file a claim in Magistrate Court July 20 for the following: Please note that I already have the Magistrate form.
1. $853.03 (Copies of two paid receipts to rebuild engine enclosed)
2. $250.00 for a replacement Crankshaft and Bearings.
3. $193.00 labor charge paid to Moore Auto & Marine.
4. Filing Fee
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In addition I will also file complaints with the following if a settlement of the above is not made by July 20th:
1. File a claim with Ms Christina Hall, Civil Investigator, Governors Office of Consumer Protection, Atlanta, GA
2. File a complaint with the BBB.
3. File a complaint with Scam Book (located on the internet)
They also investigate complaints on Companies and it is
Read by millions of people.
Ms Hortman, I would prefer that this matter be settled before July 20, however based on my past experience with your Company I expect I will have to proceed with the above.
Sincerely,
Kennon Sterling
Enclosed:
Paid receipt of $567.06 to Hortman Machine dated
9/21 (Note date of Invoice is incorrect) Date should be
On or about April.
Paid receipt of $285.97 to Hortman Machine dated
10/31 (Note date of Invoice is incorrect) Date should
Be on or about April
Paid receipt of $1,237.36 to Boating Atlanta dated May 30,
2012
Receipt of $192.50, Moore Automotive dated July 14
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