ComplaintsforDuddie Automotive, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Took vehicle to Duddie Automotive LLC. to be looked at. Owner worked on vehicle without giving me a written authorization that provided an estimate of the maximum cost of parts and labor before performing any work. Then after Joe Duddie informed me that I owned $1,200.00 after the fact.

  Business response

  09/28/2023

  ** ****** has been a long time customer of mine.  I was asked by a friend of ***** and Mine, ****, if I would be willing to take a look at ****** vehicle.  In an attempt to do the repair himself he destroyed several components.  The customer(****) broke the key, then the turn signal switch, wiper switch, and ignition switch.  I said I would do my best to help but needed the vehicle at the shop to inspect. The vehicle was towed in a week later and was not movable upon inspection. I found the ignition harness and wiring were ripped in half as well as other connectors. 

  After a very extensive search I was able to find a steering column. The delivery of the steering column took one week to get because he also needed the key and these columns are hard to find.

  After the used steering column and key was delivered  Al stopped by. It was 5:00 o'clock on wednesday 09/16 when **** came in. At this time I let **** know that I did find a steering column but that he had damaged the security antenna and the main internal harness and connectors. 

  These are impossible to find, even dealers do not carry these parts.

  I had to go to junkyards and search for them myself to find one. I called several yards to no avail. The dealer would not sell connectors alone without the whole internal wiring harness. The harness was very expensive and would have cost an extensive amount of money for me to install. I was trying to keep costs down. **** asked how much, I let him know it would cost around $1200.00 and then we may still require the vehicle to be programmed by the dealer.  **** verbally agreed to this repair on Thursday. 

   ****** mother ***** and boyfriend **** then showed up around 4 pm.  I explained to them that I was having a hard time finding the connector. After this discussion ***** and **** said they wanted to go over this with **** and drop off some money. I let them know it would cost around $1200 and we normally require half the money  down on repairs over $1000.  They said this would be great. I purchased  the steering column and needed to get some more parts. After this verbal agreement they did not return.  The next day, Friday I receive a call from  **** screaming at me on the phone saying he's not paying. **** was completely out of line yelling that he will pay me for my labor but that I would have to eat the cost parts that were already purchased and are non-returnable parts.  The conversation between **** and I continued back and forth.  We then discussed trying to find the connector on Monday and if I was unable to find the connector  the next step would be to put the vehicle back together.  I had already installed the used steering column so this would need to be removed from the vehicle if the job was unable to be completed. **** then agreed to this arrangement. Come Monday morning ****** mother ***** came to the shop around  9:00 am and let  me know they want to tow the vehicle out of the yard incomplete with some parts already installed. I let them know that I would be able to repair this vehicle if I was able to find the connector and if they took the vehicle I would not have time to put it  back together in such a short time frame. I let them know I would need until Wednesday to get it back together and get my part out.

   ****** mother, ***** then said that she worked on Monday and to get my parts (steering column) out of the vehicle.  Tuesday I was assembling his steering column to re-install the broken column. ****** mother ***** showed up and gave me $400 and said the tow truck will be here in an hour.   I was clear that we were still installing the old steering column and that would not be enough time. She left, 15 minutes later the tow truck showed up. I called **** on his phone and told him the tow truck is here but it's not going to have a steering column in it if they take it. He then told me to just put the parts in the back of the van. I reluctantly agreed. **** then continued to harass  me via text Friday afternoon into  night. I still have this text conversation on my phone.  At 10:00 pm that night I let **** know that I would be happy to put the parts in the vehicle and to  have a good night. I would like to also state that though I have been nothing but accommodating, **** never contacted me during any of this other than the one time had called to say he would not  pay for the services I had already completed for him.  I also offered several times to resolve this all **** would have to do is bring me the van and I would  put it back together, he refused several times. I also let him know that the only reason his vehicle left in that state is because I was not given enough time to put it back together.  We went above and beyond did everything we could to provide this repair and currently do still have an open invoice for **** vehicle.  I was not able to return the steering column so I'm out that money as well and was not paid for any parts and only a portion of my labor time was paid.  

  Over all a money losing situation for Duddie Automotive, LLC.

  Customer response

  09/29/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  **** ******

  Customer response

  09/29/2023

  I never gave Joe or any of his employee written consent.   He informed after two weeks after I had to contact him (he or any of.his employee never contacted me on the status) that's he informed me of the amount.  He then said I was required to pay fot parts which I never signed for and never he informed me about paying half for anything.  He also said that "it wasnt worth it to fix it and he was too busy".  He knew on Friday that is was going to get towed Tuesday/Wednesday.  Here's is the text log from when he said he fixed it and when I asked who's gonna pay for the tow.  Included is a pic of the text log. I clearly asked him why he did the things he did there was no harassment as stated. One of the pics clearly shows the time was 5:15 p.m. not 10:00 p.m. as he stated about fixing it.  He basically started to fix my vehicle which again I never signed anything or received a quote.  He just went ahead and proceeded to change parts.  And I have no idea what he's saying about parts cause I have another auto mechanic who is able to get parts for the van.  **** and myself are not friends with him and the reason I yelled at him.is cause he gave me a bill for something I never agreed to. "Connecticut law requires that a repair shop obtain your written authorization that provides an estimate of the maximum cost of parts and labor before performing any work", this is something I was never given before any work was done.  

• Initial Complaint

  10/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On October 6 2022 I called Duddies Automotive to set up an appointment for October 11 2022 to get my 2010 ***** *** that I had purchased a month prior looked at for lack in take off but the car had no codes or any other issues. So I dropped the vehicle off on Monday evening around 5:30 pm they checked out the car for a few days. On October 13 they said I can come and pick up my vehicle and they gave me a quote of over $2000 that I told them I did not have cause I just purchased the vehicle. So I go pick up the vehicle and paid them $158..46 for whatever they done. I drive the car maybe 1 block and I had to return back because the the car was moving at a crawl speed. I drive the car back and they lift up the hood and multiple parts were not tietened down so they had to do that and told me the car was ok. The car was driving as like I bring it to them slow at take off but on the highway it was good. 20 -30 minutes later as I was driving the vehicle home the car started smoking so I pulled over let alone I never had any issues with my vehicle since I had I for a month prior. Next thing I know the vehicle was on fire. So my friend that was following me had to call the fire department and the car is a total loss all I was asking for from them was my $5500 I paid for my vehicle and my $600 for my tow fee and also my $158.00 I will like to get this situation solved easily by getting paid my compensation of $6258 that's all but I contacted them multiple times and they seem not to even care much at all.

  Business response

  01/30/2023

  This message is in regard to a complaint submitted to the BBB about Duddie Automotive, LLC on 10/17/2022 by ****** *****.  This complaint was assigned ID ********.

  This vehicle came in for a diagnostic test. We connected our computer to let the customer know his vehicle needed a turbo. Mr **** declined any repair or service at that time.  We never actually did any work on his vehicle.

  After further investigation on our part we found that Mr **** has his own automotive tow and repair facility in *** *****. Surely he knew there was something going on with his vehicle that he purchased at an auction prior to our test.

  Our insurance company has not received a claim from Mr **** and we have not heard from him either.  

  If you need any other information please let me know.

  Thank you 

  Kind Regards

  Karen B******

  Service Manager

  Duddie Automotive, LLC 

  **** ***** *** ******** ** ***** ************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩