This review is not quite accurate. This person brought their car in on a wrecker and it was not running at all. He did not "drop it off".
We wrote up a detailed work order which the customer read and then signed with 6 specific items to address.
The list he approved was; Engine Turns Over But Does Not Fire - Get Car Running; Check Tune-Up Items (plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, carb and adjustments, timing, points, dwell and both mechanical and vacuum advance systems); Check Operation of All Fuses (every circuit, switch and light bulb in the car and make a list of any issues); Reroute and Replace Fuel Hose From Filter to Carb - Leaking; Lube, Oil & Filter; Check For Transmission Leaks (clean everything off with brake cleaner, clean the floor from the run-off, and then run the car to verify any leaks and pin point them). There is no mention of providing estimates anywhere on the work order.
He also called back that day and ask us to fix both exterior door locks not turning with the key inserted (damaged lock cylinders, missing rods and clips, 36 years of dried grease, dirt and repaints), and diagnose why the horn didn't work.
In his review he states that he approved the work.
He was charged $69.09 for the new door lock set, a flasher, and the oil and filter. We did not charge for the brake cleaner or any of the new bulbs, fuses, lock rods or clips, etc. The labor for all he approved was $700.
The hose that the customer is referring to was on the final invoice as; " Re-Route Fuel Hose". We did not replace the fuel hose just as he states, because the hose was brand new and just needed to be rerouted off the heater and upper radiator hoses and the clamp tightened. There was no reason to replace his new hose.
All parts and labor are covered under warranty.
The real issue came when the customer disclosed that he had no money to pay for ANYTHING he had approved on the list he provided, not even the oil & filter and diagnosis of his items. We tried to work with the customer, and even stored his car for 2 weeks after he told us he would come and get it several times. We did not charge for storage.
When he picked up the car it had been washed, vacuumed and detailed at no cost to the customer (we do that to all cars), and I stayed 40 minutes late on a Friday to personally deliver the car.
I am still very confused why anyone would bring a car in on a wrecker, give a specific list of items to diagnose and repair, read and sign a work order and then tell us he had no money to pay for any of it.
All of this is over an invoice of $774.79 with tax. I removed the labor to get the car running of $300 (plus the items we never charged for), to try to help him out. $447.79 was the "huge" bill he refers to, after all the work listed and completed.
Also, we do not accept credit cards, but if you absolutely need too, we can use Square by adding the industry standard 3.25%. This is his "hefty percentage" he refers to. We only do credit cards a few times a year. I am sorry he could not come up with $447 in cash or check. He finally barrowed the money from his cousin.
I don't think it is fare to make all customers pay for using a credit card if they don't want to. "We DO NOT Accept Credit Cards" and our policy is clearly stated in bright red on the work order he signed, and the invoice. It is also on a large sign in the office, and was verbally explained and physically pointed out to him on the work order, along with insurance requirements in Texas before he signed the work order. Our labor rate is also posted as required by law.
We are blessed to have outstanding customers and a very good international reputation for our quality and attention-to-detail. It is clear to see that we have never had any negative reviews in all the years we have been in business. I would suggest anyone looking to bring a car in to look at the website, read the testimonials on our sight, and come visit the shop. We can also provide references and you can see our work at almost any car show in the DFW area, national car shows and around the world.
