Got my car back..., along with a bendover bill Options

[ArtechnikA]

If Kali had this law, this thread wouldn't happen.

How do you figure, since the OP and the shop are in Maryland... ?

[scotty b]

If Kali had this law, this thread wouldn't happen.

How do you figure, since the OP and the shop are in Maryland... ?

Stop trying to confuse us with your " logic "

[william1764]

Unfortunate development gents. As you may recall I was supposed to drop my car back off to the shop today so that they could address the continued popping/backfire as well as the brake squeal. If you remember, they said last week to bring it in and that they'd "get it right". In speaking with the owner today however, he informed that that any work not directly related to the work they recently performed will be at my cost. I shared with him my disappointment with his position but he didn’t seem to care. Below is a recap of events and facts:

1. I dropped my recently purchased (1 week earlier) car off on July 26th because it was popping on decel with occasional backfire and the brakes squealed.

2. I provided rear 914 rotors and calipers to be installed by the shop.

3. I provided a new distributor to be installed by the shop.

4. Shop owner said he couldn’t provide me a written estimate because of the nature of the work but provided a verbal description of the scope involved and a verbal price quote of -“it won’t be in the thousands of dollars Bill”.

5. Scope of work agreed to:

• Rebuild carbs (suggested by shop owner)
• Install fuel regulator (suggested by shop owner)
• Replace fuel filter (suggested by shop owner)
• Replace all fuel lines (suggested by shop owner)
• Alignment (suggested by shop owner)
• Turn front rotors and replace pads (suggested by shop owner)
• Replace plug wires (suggested by shop owner)
• Replace distributor (at my request – parts supplied by customer)
• Replace rear rotors and calipers (at my request – parts supplied by customer)

6. After almost 4 weeks the car was ready for pick-up on August 20th. The shop DID NOT perform the below work even though it was agreed it would. More importantly the bill was for $2,950…well beyond “it won’t be in the thousands of dollars”.

• Alignment
• Turn front rotors and replace pads


So I tell the shop owner that I’m not please with the fact that I still have the exact same issues (in my inexperienced opinion I admit) that I did when I dropped it off. I shared with him the opinion of many in this group that the popping/backfire is likely related to an exhaust leak (gasket). I told him I had the gaskets in hand and simply felt it was reasonable to expect that they perform labor without charge in an effort to “get it right”. I also expressed concern that the brakes still squealed and that this too should be their issue to resolve given that I was told upfront both the frt and rr brakes would be addressed as part of the original quote.

I’ve never experienced such arrogance and excuses in my life. The shop owner said that the popping is to be expected with my set-up (carbs and aftermarket exhaust) and that the quality of the brake design was poor on 914’s and that I’ll never rid this problem. He said that the opinions of my forum didn’t impress him and that they can’t diagnose my issues from a computer screen. I again brought up the fact that I didn’t complain about the bill being more than twice what I was verbally quoted and that I was willing to pay (even overpay) if the car was RIGHT. He said he has customers that don’t blink at bills in the tens’ of thousands and that “in the thousands” to him means not 10-12k or more (exact quote). He further insulted me by suggesting 914 owners don’t like to pay market prices for repair work…implying that 914 owners are cheapskates. The only responsibility he assumed was for poor communication with respect to the verbal estimate…that was it. He smugly wished me well and said if I changed my mind he’d more than happy to fix my issues – for charge.

Now I’m pissed. This guy could have simply agreed to replace the damn gaskets on his dime. The rotors and pads were supposed to be done initially and I feel I’ve already paid for this work. I don’t know how much we’re talking but I can’t imagine we’re looking at more than a half a days work for all of the above and he would have kept me as a happy, albeit cautious customer. What are my options? I guess I can report him to BBB or similar but that doesn’t strike me as a strong enough action. I paid for the work on my AX – I wonder if it is advisable to contact AX and withhold payment until this is resolved? A day ago I would have taken my lumps and chalked it up to a learning experience but after his arrogant, smug and condescending reply I’m inclined to fight this. Thoughts? Don’t hold back – tell me if I’m fighting a lost cause. Thanks guys. Bill

[championgt1]

OK...... that really sucks ass! First of all the brake squeal "all 914s do" statement is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) My cars brakes have never made a sound.

Take about not really caring that you are a customer. I would call AX and see about a stop payment. Maybe small claims court? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[messix]

wash your hands of this and find a good bug and bus shop in your area.

[william1764]

OK...... that really sucks ass! First of all the brake squeal "all 914s do" statement is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) My cars brakes have never made a sound.

Take about not really caring that you are a customer. I would call AX and see about a stop payment. Maybe small claims court? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Thanks - good to know

[rick 918-S]

Small claims court. It will cost him too much to show up and you will likely win by default. I think if you stop payment you may end up in court yourself or have your credit messed up.

[Eric_Shea]

First of all the brake squeal "all 914s do" statement is My cars brakes have never made a sound.

They did not bed the pads properly.

http://www.pmbperformance.com/page/page/1492423.htm

[messix]

oh !!
and don't forget to be that dissatisfied customer that tells 100x more people about the poor service and lack of such than you you have told about a good experience.

the old saying that a happy customer will tell 10 people about a good experience and a dissatisfied one will tell 100.

i still will never order from dominos, or have anything to do with roy robinson chevorlet in marysville wa.

[Eric_Shea]

Small claims court.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 110% Do it... it's not that much of a hassle. I've done it twice and won both times.

Edit: Forgot - ABSOLUTELY call AX and stop payment. Get another independent shop to look at the car and write what is still wrong with it. I'll be happy to send something to the fact that the shop did not bed your brakes properly. I'm sure others in the area can point you to a good shop that can explain (to AX or a Judge) what it takes to replace the exhaust gaskets etc.

[william1764]

oh !!
and don't forget to be that dissatisfied customer that tells 100x more people about the poor service and lack of such than you you have told about a good experience.

the old saying that a happy customer will tell 10 people about a good experience and a dissatisfied one will tell 100.

i still will never order from dominos, or have anything to do with roy robinson chevorlet in marysville wa.

that is so true. i should have walked when during my first meeting with him he trashed a significant customer (someone I know) of his in the first 5 minutes of our conversation. This customer has a stable of at least a dozen collector cars including several porsches from a 356 to 911 turbo. Said that customer was a pain in the ass because he always bitched about his bill...go figure. I intend to share his comments with this customer.

[william1764]

Small claims court.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 110% Do it... it's not that much of a hassle. I've done it twice and won both times.

Edit: Forgot - ABSOLUTELY call AX and stop payment. Get another independent shop to look at the car and write what is still wrong with it. I'll be happy to send something to the fact that the shop did not bed your brakes properly. I'm sure others in the area can point you to a good shop that can explain (to AX or a Judge) what it takes to replace the exhaust gaskets etc.

good advice...i'll look into this in the am. regarding an independent shop inspection - makes sense...I'll need to find someone

[messix]

oh !!
and don't forget to be that dissatisfied customer that tells 100x more people about the poor service and lack of such than you you have told about a good experience.

the old saying that a happy customer will tell 10 people about a good experience and a dissatisfied one will tell 100.

i still will never order from dominos, or have anything to do with roy robinson chevorlet in marysville wa.

that is so true. i should have walked when during my first meeting with him he trashed a significant customer (someone I know) of his in the first 5 minutes of our conversation. This customer has a stable of at least a dozen collector cars including several porsches from a 356 to 911 turbo. Said that customer was a pain in the ass because he always bitched about his bill...go figure. I intend to share his comments with this customer.

not to be flippant or smug but.... there's yer sign!

the guy is a jack ass and thinks that he can pick his customers to treat right. he's gonna be on his way down.

[Eric_Shea]

I intend to share his comments with this customer.

I'd be all over that...

[realred914]

oh well, I am still waiting for jerry McCarthy (at Gerald McCarthy) of rennsport Vintage Werks in Pleasanton Calif to pay me for the damages to both my 914 (he bashed in the rear fender while moving it, didn't find out till I discovered it) and he droppped something heavey on the front fender. On my 356 he cut the front trunk out with a plasma cutter, with no permission, said he thought it looked wrong, (it was dead right) He was likely stoned when he did it, them two mistakes are in excess of $4000 right there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

he is still claiming to be broke, and awaiting payment for a check from the state, this has been going on for a couple months, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

gets old these dead beat shops. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

legal action is needed me thinks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[PeeGreen 914]

Wow, sounds like he called out the thunder (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) I would fight this full force. There aer some of the most tallented Porsche mechanics on this board and many that he wishes he had half of their knowledge. Some of these guys have been working on 914s since they came out and know perfectly well what your issues are.

Fight this guy tooth and nail. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I think if you cancel AX he can turn you into collection and trash your credit. The if you cancel AX what action should the court take on your behalf? I'm not an attorney but I would do some reasearch outside this forum before just doing the AX thing. Also He may be able to lean your car.

[Jeffs9146]

i still will never order from dominos

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I ordered one 2 years ago on New Years day and ended up throwing it in the trash it was so bad!!!!

They are now advertising that they have changed everything???? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[crash914]

Hey, don't forget to check out the local board for Porsches'...

www.dorkiphus.net

Tell them of what happened and I am sure they will have recommendations on where to take it next...

If you want, we can do the exhaust gaskets here...can't turn rotors though....hb

[ArtechnikA]

I guess I can report him to BBB or similar but that doesn’t strike me as a strong enough action.

Donno about MD specifically but most states have some kind of "Bureau of Automotive Repair" - a state consumer-protection agency. So that's Step One, although BBB should be on your list. As they can't really compel action and are paid by their members, this probably won't get you anywhere except a place near the top of his stack of such complaints...

If the brake work was inadequate and he holds an ASE brake certification, I'd complain there.

He's already got his money from Amex so there's really no 'withholding' available. You might be able to get them to get some back, but I'd discuss this with Amex is GREAT detail and establish an agreed course of action with them (and get it in writing). You are not in a strong position to simply not pay them because of a beef with one of their customers.

If you really feel you were defrauded, talk to your district attorney. You can go the small claims route but you must be prepared to show the extent of your 'actual damages.' In the absense of a written contract (estimate/work order) this will be a challenge. The guy sounds like a big enough jerk that he'd consider defending a small claims action as an afternoon of fun, so I wouldn't bet my bottom shekel on a default judgment (which you still get to collect, which means you'll have to deal with him for an unspecified future time...). If he does show, you have to expect that he'll simply lie and told you exactly what it'd cost. Guys really good at the game will go further and claim you told him you'd try to get out of paying somehow, and darned if you didn't do just that. (Him - longstanding member of community, works on the cars of the DA, the mayor, the city council... Versus you. You're who ?)

Other than that - move on...