Business ProfileforGerman Auto Services, Inc.

I turned a Mercedes Benz 1983 300 SD over to this business for repairs in late August with the understanding that repairs would not be addressed for two weeks. In the 3rd week I called to inquire to work status, was told it was being evaluated. Called again the following week, was told it would cost $4800 for repairs, ok'd repair. Called the following week and was told delays in receiving parts because of hurricanes, no work done. Called the following, given new estimate $700 then previous. Finally after being told no work done, said I was coming over to retrieve vehicle, he stated I would have to pay bill, bill came to $2240. I paid and took the car to another shop. Told by that shop that the repairs I paid for were done in a manner not consistent with good work procedure involving the motor mounts and auxiliary items that should have been installed at the same time as the mounts, would require $640 to address but if done at the same time as the mount replacement would have been parts only. The fuel filter and pre-filter were replaced, but they are leaking because of a missing seal. All in all the workmanship was shoddy, the customer service terrible, and the moving estimates infuriating. I would not under any circumstance recommend this repair shop.

After performing diagnostic testing, we determined that the car has many problems, including that it would not start due to a defective neutral safety switch. In general, the car was in poor mechanical condition.
I called the customer with an estimate and he approved the work for $ 2,240.00. I don't recall nor do I have written approval for $ 4,800.00. We did the approved work, then called him to discuss other necessary repairs we uncovered in the course of the repairs. We sent him an email with the estimate or the additional work so that we could better communicate the exact repairs which needed to be done to his car. Mr. C****** called back on October 6th, 2021 and asked for the price of the work already completed. He picked up his car the next day, but refused the additional recommended repairs, many of which are directly involved in the safety of the vehicle.
We did replace the motor mounts, but we did not see anything wrong with the engine absorbers. There were many problems left to be repaired, but Mr. C****** declined to have the work done. The cost for the replacement of the engine shocks absorbers is $ 233,00 not $ 640.00. This includes 2x $ 75.00 for the parts, plus 0.6 hrs for labor. The different price between the estimate for $ 4,800.00 and the $ 700.00 higher estimate was due to the addition of replacing caster bushings, an added repair.
If Mr. C****** has a problem with the repairs which were completed at our business, he is welcome to bring the car back to our service for warranty work. We always try to perform our work honestly and properly. The current labor shortage and supply chain issues are impacting this industry and making it difficult for us to fulfill our commitment to our customers as quickly as we would like and have in the past.
Zygmunt S****
German Auto Service, Inc
President
10/18/2021

He had a phone call where he told me the cost to fix everything would be 4800, I ok'd that, later he called and increased his estimate to 5500, At that time I felt as if I were being played. I told him no on the phone, he did not have written authorization to perform the work, the nest thing I knew he said the bill would be for 2,240. This was 2 days after I told him no on the repairs. At the time I said no, I asked him if he had done anything yet, he replied no. As for his claim of labor shortages and supply chain issues, the mechanic I took it to afterwards had repairs done in a week compared to over 6 weeks at Mr. S****'s shop. I can only surmise that something else was affoot and there is no way I would ever allow him to touch a vehicle of mine again.