ComplaintsforMike's Affordable Auto Repair, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My passenger head light went out on April 30th, so I initially called dealership - they were slow to respond so I spoke with **** at ****'s Affordable and he said to bring the car by on Friday morning May 5th -and they would try to fit in. I asked him to check brake ************** because a ********** on ***** told me 2/13 I needed both items. I informed ********** had a warranty policy but that it was most likely not covered since all those items are considered wear & tear.A few hours later, on 5/5 **** informed me that i had blown gaskets and was driving a time bomb -and needed a new engine in addition to new passenger light. I was originally provided a verbal quote of $500 and I paid $1763.06 and when I picked my car up on Thursday June 23rd - my car had significant acid or corrosive fluid spilled on passenger side, fluid spill damage on front grill, bumper and hood, side view mirror corrosion and rust, rust on molding on side and liquid stains down side and a significant amount of corrosion on passenger back light and even front bumper. I immediately texted photos of damage and assumed it was vandalized under their care. I assumed they would check cameras and work together to resolve is***. Instead, I was told my car arrived in that condition and "good luck trying to *** us, you won't win". My auto insurance is pursuing them on my behalf. I have witnesses who can attest my car was NOT damaged until under their care and I work from home. They deserve to be shut down.

  Business response

  08/22/2023

  Tell us why here... Good morning, my name is *****************************, owner of Mikes Affordable Auto Repair. I am writing to address case #********.
  
  On Friday May 5th 2023 ************************* dropped her vehicle off to have her headlight repaired and her brakes and battery checked. The price given for the headlight was $450.61. Upon inspecting her brakes and battery, it was determined that neither needed any work. We did notice however that she had a leaking water pump. Anytime we have a vehicle in the shop with cooling system problems we also check to make sure the vehicle does not have a blown head gasket. Unfortunately, the head gasket was blown and needed repair.
  
  ****(my shop manager) informed ****** of our findings and she asked how long she could drive it like that. **** informed her that the damage was already done and we couldnt guess how much longer before it gets worse and breaks down. ****** informed us that she has an extended warranty on the vehicle and gave us all the information to start the claim process.
  
  
  We then contacted the warranty company and started the claim process which took around a week to get approval. During this time the vehicle was parked outside on the side of the shop. The attached files that were submitted to the ********** of *********** give more specific details into the claim process and timeline.
  
  
  The warranty company approved the removal of the heads for further inspection.When the vehicle was pulled back in, I noticed what looked to be rust coming from behind the tail light. I pointed it out to **** and he showed me the passenger mirror which had the same ***** streaks coming out of it. The rust marks were dry and did not appear to look fresh so we didnt think to much in to it. We see ***** cars a day and the majority of them have cosmetic flaws, (rust, scratch, dent,etc) We are not a body nor detail shop so we didnt address the is*** any further.
  
  
  Upon removal of the heads, we noticed some worn timing components. We informed the warranty company and they asked us to remove the oil pan for further inspection. We removed the oil pan and saw metal shavings in the bottom of it. The warranty company decided that it would be better to replace the engine rather than repair it.
  
  
  The first motor the part store sent us looked as if it had been used already. We didnt feel comfortable installing that one and requested the part store send us another. **** stayed in touch with ****** and kept her informed of everything that was going on.
  
  
  ****** picked her vehicle up on Thursday May 22,2023. ****** was so pleased that she gave **** a bottle of wine for him and his wife and thanked him for everything. The next day when I came in to the shop I saw a text message from ****** that included 4 pictures. 2 of the right rear tail light and 2 of the passenger mirror. We immediately sent her a text asking her to call us.
  
  
  ****** called us right away and asked **** what we put on her vehicle to cause this.**** tried to explain to her that we didnt and wouldnt have any reason to put anything on her vehicle. She then accused us of putting acid on her vehicle. She threatened to call the police, *** us, and report us to the BBB. When he realized that he was getting nowhere with her he turned the phone over to me. She immediately threatened me and accused me of vandalizing her vehicle. I tried to talk to her and she kept interrupting me, insisting that we poured acid on her car. She continued to threaten with the BBB and to tell me she was going to *** me. She was verbally abusive and one can only take so much. So I did tell her to go ahead and *** me then and hung up the phone.
  
  
  I then proceeded to call the BBB myself and spoke with ******. I explained the situation and what was going on. I was informed that there was nothing that could be done until ****** filed a complaint with the BBB
  
  
  The next week we were contacted by a *********** insurance agent. We told her everything about the situation and that we would go through our surveillance footage to see if the damage was there upon arrival.Unfortunately, where the vehicle was parked only shows the front and driver side of the vehicle. **** was off that week so he watched many hours of surveillance footage of the week the vehicle sat on the side of the shop to see if it may have been vandalized. We saw nothing that showed any type of such thing. We stayed in contact with ****,the *********** agent, and let her know that the videos showed nothing to help the case. Where the vehicle was parked only showed the front and drivers side of the vehicle. We also informed the agent that they could send someone out to copy anything they needed off of the security DVR. We tried to put it on a flash drive but unfortunately couldnt figure out how.
  
  
  We then received an email from the ********** of *********** on July 5, 2023. I had **** write a report on the whole incident since he was the one in contact with ****** through the whole repair process. I also wrote one. I am attaching copies of both to this response. The ********** of *********** sent me an email on July 24, 2023 stating that after reviewing everything the case was closed.
  
  
  In mid July customer that was at my shop showed me a screenshot of ****** contacting her,via ********* slandering me. ****** and the customer did not personally know each other nor were they acquaintances on social media. I did not hear anything else from ****** until Sunday, August 20, 2023 when she left a 1 star review on both ****** and Yelp. The following day, Monday, August 21, 2023, I received an email from the BBB stating that she had filed a complaint.
  
  
  On the new complaint she is now stating that there was damage to the front of her vehicle as well. Nothing was ever said about damage to the front of her vehicle on the ********** of *********** complaint nor did I see any damage that day she left.
  
  
  To sum it all up, I would have absolutely nothing to gain by doing such a thing as vandalizing a customers vehicle. I do feel bad for ****** and believe that she feels that this all happened here. It would take some time for this corrosion to set in and with it being on the passenger side and back, she may not have noticed it. I dont know if she had it detailed recently and if a chemical was put on that wasnt rinsed properly. I simply dont know what caused this. I only know that we did not put anything on her vehicle. I even offered to the ********** of *********** to install a new taillight and mirror for her because I am empathetic for her,
  
  
  Since this incident,I have purchased several I pads and my employees are in instructed to take photos of the entire car at the time of drop off to prevent another situation like this happening again. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at anytime. Thank you for time.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  *****************************
  *************
  ********************

  Business response

  08/28/2023

  Please let me know if you received it. I have done everything within my power to resolve this complaint. I feel I have no other choice other than to turn this over to my insurance. By doing so, I am not admitting fault, but I simply feel that it has escalated to the point that is beyond my control.

     Thank you,

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

• Initial Complaint

  01/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Called Wednesday. My chief complaint was egr airflo problem. Car was stalling. Had it towed to them. Next day they called around noon and said alternator needed replacement and would call back when done. No cb that day. Friday they called and told me that the alternator was 'on the way' . I asked when I could expect full repairs to be finished so I could have a driveable car again. The answer was " Actually, the property owner told us we have to be out of here next week and we won't be able to fix but I would owe them $165.00 for the labor re-installing my alternator and charging the battery. I asked them how I was supposed to drive out in a dangerous vehicle that is still stalling. They said they'd call back. I live on a very small soc. security income. (below poverty level) . This car is the last thing I own and is my lifeline. Please Help !

  Business response

  01/23/2023

  The car came in stalling. Upon inspection we found the alternator to be overcharging. Also, the customer had a broken *** valve that he had broken himself. The customer told us that he had a warranty on the alternator through Autozone. So, we removed the Alternator and got Auto zone to warranty it out at no charge to the customer. We also replaced the broken *** valve.  After installing the customers warranty alternator,  it was still overcharging. We then called the customer and explained that it was an electrical issue and we would not be able to diagnose it any further because we have less than a week to move our shop location. We did not charge the customer for the alternator replacement, only the *** valve which was $66.32. We apologized to the customer for any inconvenience and explained to him that he would have to have it towed to another shop for further electrical diagnostics as we simply didn't have the time with our current moving situation.  

  Thank you,

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

  Owner

  Customer response

  01/25/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************************

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