ComplaintsforClassic Automotive, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  02/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I knew the manager John of the shop through our children’s friendship. After I had hit a deer with my blue 2013 **** ****** John told me to work through my insurance to get my car to his auto shop Classic Automotive. I got it approved through *****, and drove a fully operational car that I had driven every day for two months after striking a deer to his shop for repair. Once John provided the estimate to *****, ***** decided not to cover the cost of the full repair, and provided me with the option to keep the car and once they paid it off I would own the car out right. I chose this option because John ensured me that he could "restore the car to a fully operational". I asked him if he could ensure that it would pass inspection after the repairs, and he stated that it would. I agreed. John's shop did execute the ordering, and painting of new parts, and informed me that the car was complete. When I arrived at the shop after being informed that it was complete one of Johns workers had cut a panel off of my car that we had agreed would be reused because it only had a minor scratch, no creasing, and could easily be bent back into place. So I was charged $350 for a new panel that had virtually no reason to be touched until cut off by John's personnel. John simply shrugged, and stated that his guy must not have understood his instructions. I asked why the car had not been reassembled, and he stated that he couldn't assemble it on site because it was missing the parts that he himself had advised me NOT to purchase because they were "not necessary to pass inspection". So now a car that was originally delivered to John's shop with a broken headlight, one panel with a minor bend and some scratches, was missing the entire front clip, and was not legal to drive, with the parts piled in the back seat. When I asked John how I was going to get from this point to a drivable car he stated that once we got it to my house he would help me assemble it. He never assisted with reassembly.

  Business response

  12/08/2022

  ***** wrote their own estimate, we only did a tear down. We talked to ****************** about repairing the vehicle properly. He mentioned that it cost too much.
  We emailed him and stated that we can't repair the vehicle without fixing it correctly. The attached image shows that the radiator support was broken and he didn't want to replace it. As for the right fender; the attached image shows that the fender was already damaged when the vehicle arrived at our facility with way too much damage to be repaired. We suggested replacing it. ****************** wanted us to order the fender and paint it. He was going to replace it himself. We never told him that his vehicle will be completed. Furthermore, the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. Per the guidelines, all parts that came with the vehicle must stay with the vehicle when it leaves for the salvage yard according to insurance guidelines. As far as helping him outside working hours, I did tell him I could possibly help him one weekend. This had nothing to do with Classic Automotive **** ********************** son used to date my Daughter, which they no longer have a relationship. Unfortunately, ****************** and I are no longer friends  since January 2022. If you have any more questions please contact us.
  
  Sincerely,
  John L***********
  Operations Director

  Customer response

  12/08/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: ********************* is miss representing the conversations, and subsequent agreement between him and I. I.E. the facts. He did state that he would be able to return the vehicle to operational condition, and that it would pass a Virginia state inspection. To these ends, he stated that he would assist me in repairing the car if I simply "Got it off of the businesses property.".

  This agreement was between two adults, and had nothing to do with our children. The fact that he would attach the promise of an adult to the fickle relationships of two children speaks to his character.

  * However, I do not wish to pursue this issue any further. My intent was simply to get this incident on record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure that it was documented, and to assist future customers. *

  I have since completed the repairs on the car for approximately $500.00. As proof that the repairs were satisfactory after I completed them the vehicle was never totaled/ salvaged by either ***** or the DMV, has passed a Virginia state inspection, is insured through *****, and has been driven since one month after leaving the repair facility.
  I personally completed all repairs for the above price, without the benefit of the 20-30 years of experience, and multi member team of experienced technicians that ************** has at his disposal.

  Regards,

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

*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. ↩