Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  11/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  This statement is lengthy and the events are absurd, but all the details are factual and accurate. 8 mile Auto Center damaged my property (my car is inoperable), stole my catalytic converter (which was on the car prior to ******** **** money ($310.00), and replaced my parts with an illegal object (a straight pipe). When presented with these facts the owner became indignant and grabbed a handgun from behind the counter. Feeling more confident (with a weapon), he antagonized us while refusing to repair what he had damaged (until law enforcement was contacted) On Tues 11-14-23 ********************* (who had previously received a reading on his computer) took my car to 8 mile Auto Center in ******* to request a rear catalytic converter installation. The owner of the shop claimed to have replaced the catalytic converter with a new ($250.00) part but when ********************* went to leave the lot the car cut off in the middle of 8 mile Rd. The car had never cut off like that before so he immediately took the car back to the shop and requested they put the original catalytic converter back on the car. The owner agreed to do it for an additional $60.00 fee. When we returned to pickup the car the owner said it was all set, but it wouldn't start (and when it finally started, it would not accelerate beyond 30 mph) without special measures (which was never an issue prior to taking it to this shop). We took the car back to my house so that ***** could look to see what was done. To our surprise there wasn't a catalytic converter under the car at all, it had been replaced with a straight pipe. ***** called to inquire what happened to the parts I paid to have installed and the original converter we paid to have reinstalled. The owner went on a verbal tirade about his disbelief that the car had never stopped running before. Then he proceeded to call both of us liars (because I informed him the car never had startup issues or cut off like this prior to his hands touching my car). We took the vehicle back to the shop and when I arrived he and ***** were discussing the issue and he kept turning his back. I walked over and asked the same questions I asked during our call: Why did you put a straight pipe on my car? Why didn't you call? Where are the original parts and the new part that I paid $250.00 for? How do we fix this? After I point these things out to him he insists on going inside the building. He then went behind the counter and procured a weapon that he continued to grasp during the remainder of the conversation. We called the police and he agreed to replace the part with an actual catalytic converter. But then changed his mind in the midst of another mechanic pulling my car into the bay. The owner instructed the worker to back the car out despite the fact that ***** and I were both standing there requesting to see all the parts he removed. He proceeded to antagonize us for several minutes before another worker tried to reason with him. We literally had to demand he replace the parts that he kept in his possession after he charged me for a new part (that he kept) along with my original catalytic converter (that he also kept) . This is not only fraud because he charged me for a product that he didn't deliver while he kept my catalytic converters (which he could sell later) but he also added a Bypass a.k.a muffler delete.b.k.a straight pipe. According to ******** Legislature Section ******* (3) "A person shall not operate a vehicle on a highway or street if the vehicle has a defect in the exhaust system that affects sound reduction, is not equipped with a muffler or other noise dissipation device, or is equipped with a cutout, bypass, amplifier, or a smaller device." This shop not only stole my money **** parts, destroyed my car so that it is inoperable, they then broke the law further and put my life in jeopardy with a straight pipe. When we inquired (yet again) why he installed a straight pipe instead of the original converter he said "the way the original was cut I couldn't put it back". Then asked why didn't he call to inform anyone that he could not do what he initially stated. "I did the work you're wasting my time", was his reply. All the while he keeps putting his hand on the gun that is clearly visible. This behavior should be criminal, but at the very least it should require some accountability and repercussion. You might be wondering how it all ended. The only thing he did was claim that he would put the original catalytic converter (the one he said was cut) back on; but I'm not so sure that part was not my original part that he charged $60.00 to return onto the vehicle, as it appeared to be much more rusted than before. The muffler now makes a disturbing noise for as long as we can keep the car running ( it is currently running for 2 mins before cutting off). The $250.00 catalytic converter was never recovered and my money was not refunded for either job. Overall I paid $310.00 for a ***************** that was not rendered. I was antagonized & intimidated while asking for things to be corrected. I was lied to, defrauded, endangered, and as a direct result my car is inoperable which means I now need to purchase a new car. This experience has cost me upwards of $3,800.00 (the going rate of a used car if you're lucky). The amount of ******************** that was required of me in this situation was far more than anyone should have to endure. I admit toward the end I struggled to continue to be polite **** words were sharp for certain (a person can only take so much). This company is crooked & I pray I'm the last person they are able to criminally defraud, threaten, & endanger. (Please note this complaint has been filed under ********************* (as he is the only person listed on the receipt), by the representative & owner of the vehicle). Please reach out via email ************************* or phone with any questions, concerns, or advice you all may have.

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