Business ProfileforAce Auto & Marine Electric

******************************************************************************* Subject: ACE AUTO CLINIC STATE ID #******* 1239 S LINCOLN AVE CLEARWATER FL MADAM/SIR The first week of December 2019 I stopped by ACE AUTO CLINIC and met JOHN.by coincidence JOHN is also from NEW JERSEY during our meeting we realized we had done business in the past. I owned a automobile leasing company in NEW JERSEY SHORE AUTO LEASE,INC and I used the place where JOHN worked to do repairs I told him my 1998 ASTON MARTIN DUNHILL ADDITION #23 A very rare and collectible automobile value $60K to $70K had a inoperable convertible top .JOHN was recommended to me by a local mechanic as the go to guy with automotive electrical issues.On our initial meeting I told JOHN I drove the car down from NEW JERSEY APRIL 2018 I stopped in NORTH CAROLINA to visit a friend. I had the convertible top down when I went to put the top up but it failed. Fortunately the top is also operable manually.I got to my condo in CLEARWATER having limited parking. I rented a storage unit in PALM HARBOR.The power top is operated by a module in the trunk. There was also a problem with the driver's window; it functioned intermittently. On 12/15/2019 I dropped the car at ACE AUTO CLINIC The following day i stopped by to see JOHN admired the ASTON I I gave him a brief history of the car I owned for 15 yrs it had only 37000 MLS on it JOHN told me he could not look at the issue until after the HOLIDAYS I agreed JOHN told me he would not charge storage and keep the car in a available bay.again I agreed and gave him $500 in advance.I stopped by in FEBRUARY 2020.JOHN had removed the MODULE and gave it to me at that point I told JOHN I would order the part from ASTON MARTIN and have it shipped to the shop i would also get the complete wiring diagram from ASTON MARTIN downloaded on a flash drive JOHN responded "THAT WILL MAKE THE JOB EASIER". MARCH & APRIL 2020 the PANDEMIC was here. no news on the part in MAY I ordered it from a company in the UK I was back in NJ at that time I mailed JOHN a copy of the part order. SUMMER 2020 I was talking to JOHN every couple of weeks still no part was still on backorder.that's when JOHN told me of his idea to install a switch and a couple of relays to operate the top & drivers windows HE would put the switch under the dash not noticeable i agreed I told JOHN due to the PANDEMIC i would not be back in florida till OCTOBER 2020 every time i talked to JOHN prior to OCTOBER. HE told me the car was safe at his place. I believed & trusted JOHN. I did not return to FLORIDA until NOVEMBER due to personal health issues I got to CLEARWATER in mid NOVEMBER I stopped by the shop and met with JOHN. HE told me HE was going to start working on the ASTON but it needed a new battery I told him the battery was new before I left NJ JOHN told me his mechanic forgot to disconnect the battery while at the shop & now would not hold a charge so 11/23/20 I paid $678.25 for a new battery to get the ASTON running check the drivers window & work on the electrical issue at that point JOHN had the car for 1 yr I did not see the car I was told it was in the back garage. so I left DECEMBER 9 2020. I went back to NJ for the holidays JANUARY 7 2021 I had emergency heart surgery I did not return to FLORIDA until JUNE 2021 I called the shop I was told JOHN was on vacation again. Finally one morning in late June I met with JOHN and told him how disappointed I was "I WANT MY CAR FIXED" you had the ASTON for 18 mths JOHN promised HE would give it HIS immediate attention.At that point I had $1178. invested with no results. I asked to see the ASTON JOHN said it was in the garage "I am really busy " Come back next week I will have it on the lift.I stopped back the following week the car was in one of his bays the hood was open JOHN said "my best guy is on it. I called JOHN a few days later and told him I was heading back to NJ. I won't be back till SEPTEMBER. Unfortunately, I had serious health issues. I did not get back to CLEARWATER till December 17,2021. After the holidays I stopped by the shop on a Sunday with my son. The car was parked in the corner with 9 other cars. I noticed a cracked windshield and 2 flat tires.I was absolutely PISSED OFF ANGRY The next day I went to the shop when one of JOHN'S guys told me JOHN was away to check.back next week I asked for the keys to the ASTON the worker the keys were in JOHNS desk the desk was locked I asked for JOHN'S cell number the worker told me HE can't give it out.I asked him why is the ASTON parked back there HE said it's been back there thats where JOHN put it. I stopped by a few more times every time I was told JOHN was out and would be back later FEBRUARY 2022 I was not doing well health wise MARCH 2022 I was back in the hospital for another heart angioplasty i did not get back to CLEARWATER until JUNE 15 2022 i went to the shop saw The ASTON was totally trashed I got in the car the smell was awful mold mildew musty paint peeling scratches flat tires he never used the car cover it was still in the trunk my $60,000 car was a disaster his worker told me JOHN had covid and would not be back for a couple of weeks.JULY 8 2022 I went to the shop JOHN was not there his worker said JOHN was away car is all done he gave me a bill for $3248.41 JOHN called me HE told the car was fully serviced everything was done per the bill I got in the car both windows were not working noise in motor 2 flat tires his bill said A/C was fully charged working fine A/c blowing hot The first item on his bill was another battery $444.00 thats the third battery in the car over 22 mths then there was a charge for $354 for window repair that still was not working and the passenger window was not working that always worked there was another charge for $1180 for wiring repairs back in 11/23/2020 his bill for $678.25 said the window was fixed and power top had faulty wiring & control module so if that was done back in 11/23/2020 why am I being billed again another major issue noise in the motor JOHN said its not my fault I said that car ran perfect back in 2018 when I drove it down from NJ basically he never started the car or did anything addressing the noise in the motor JOHN told me to take the car to his friend WAYNE PURDY to fix the noise in the motor that was caused by JOHN balant negligence WAYNE PURDY wanted $1500 just to look at the supercharger JOHN's responsibility as a repair shop to keep the car in the care and condition when it was dropped off its abvious JOHN did not take care of this car and keep it in the condition my Professional assestment there is probably $10,000 damage to ASTON MARTIN that is caused by his neglect the present day value of ths ASTON MARTIN is between $60,000 to 70,000 on 8/8/22 I got a text message from JOHN telling me to get this car out of here the business was sold the new owner takes possession on 8/20/22 now this is in your hands what do you do as the BBB my intention is to SUE his business and JOHN personally for the present damage PLEASE ADVISE REGARDS ********************** ...