Avants

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/66263/dscn0579.jpg"></center><p>I just recently had my new suspension installed at O'Reilly motors in Milwaukee, Wi. I went to them on the recommendation of a couple of Audi club members. After installing my suspension in my car I used a complimentary detailing from them that I had won at an Audi event. I actually went out of my way (80 miles) to go to this shop and have them do the install.

When I picked up the car it had a fairly large paint spot missing on the rear bumper. I noticed it as soon as I drove up to the car. I got out and was in shock. My wife was even more angry than me about this damage. I spoke with the Manager who told me to get a couple of estimates and said they would take care of it. Well I wasted an afternoon doing this and faxing it to the owner.

The owner then called me and said he had done a thorough investigation and they didn't cause the damage. He told me his Peruvian detailer who didn't speak English said that is was there before he got the car. The damage looks like they used a high pressure hose at close distance and blew the paint off the car. I then discovered after washing the car for the first time that one of the rims face was all scratched up like it had been dropped on its face. These were brand new rims that were protected in the box that they came in which I inspected after shipping and delivered to them untouched.

The owner has been having circular arguements claiming that scam artist do this to him all the time and that he isn't paying for this damage because it was there before I dropped it off. He offered to look at the damage and determine if it was there fault if I was willing to drive back and forth to Milwaukee and leave my car for two days. Real convienient considering what they did to my car.

I am pissed I have a bill for $483 to repaint the bumper and $120 to fix the scratched rim. The car is flawless otherwise. I even sent him a picture of the car to show him how good of condition it is in. So I think these are my forms of recourse. Sue him in small claims court, File a claim with my credit card company for the services, Or just bury him and his shop in every way I can and bad mouth him at every driving event I go to. That way all the BMW and Audi club members will know what to expect. It just makes me so angry because I KNOW this damage wasn't there before I dropped off this car. Take a look at the pic the car is spotless and I baby it.

PaulW

....I have a car that has blemishes, but looks great.

I don't think you'll get far with them, especially if it's $600 to get it fixed, you'll spend more in time trying to get $300 from him.

When I bring my car to somebody for repair, I make a detailed list of what I want and specify things like "don't scratch the rims when mounting the new tires"...."balance the rims in a two plane, dyanmic balance"....."call me before you do the final transmission fill/starting the car so I can be there"....stuff.

Most people never read it, but the good ones do. And they follow it.

Sorry this happened to you, but it's probably easiest to have it fixed yourself and chalk it up to experience....

Your car looks great!

Paul

2.7Twin

will probably want to know and they might even help by making calls. Second, in California we have the Bureau of automotive repairs who help out consumers with this kind of problem. I had very good luck with them; as, they have help solve a couple of problems without have to go through small claims. I don't know if you have a similar org. out where you're at; but, I would check.

a_o_smith

just an idea if you know someone that is a lawyer you could have them call the shop and intimidate

schnellmb

Do you have any pictures recently before your car went in? Sounds like both are colluding to cover mistakes. Unless you have documentation of condition it may be a your word/his word issue. A letter from an attorney may speed things up. You can always emphasize with others the lack of satisfaction in service with the firm without getting yourself into an issue...people pick up on those things very easily. Good luck.

April

notes of damage inside and out. All in front of the owner before they signed off to have their car detailed. Of course we were often dealing with cars well north of $100K in value, so it was good protection for the owners and ourselves. We had insurance too.

Get it fixed. Do your darnest to collect from the shop. If you have any recent pictures of the car in pristine condition, use them as evidence.

6ULDV8

are morons is a solution either. If you told me to call you when we do the final trans fill I would consider that as an insult of the highest order. Basically you are telling the shop and the tech that they are not capable of getting it right on their own. Ive only had to do this twice in 16 years. I hand you back your keys and say, "I'm sorry sir, but obviously you do not have the confidence in us to perform this service properly so we think it best that you find somebody that you do trust to do this for you."

The best solution concerning mystery damage for both the shop owner and the customer is to do a walk around when the car comes into the shop. When you take your car in somewhere, you do a walkaround with the SA and note any and all damage or lack there of, no exceptions. It is SOP in my shop for every new customer coming in the door. This is the best way I have found to deal with this kind of thing.

PaulW

I have no problem with what you said, but it's about a $5K mistake (or more) if the tranny isn't filled correctly.

So many people have had problems because of it, and bottom line, shops that don't fill a tranny correctly (i.e. underfill) never go back and repair/replace the tranny due to the damage it does. They just won't take responsiblity for a $5K repair when they were doing a $300 service.

So if the shop that I want to have my tranny fluid/filter changed at doesn't want me to witness it, I'll choose another shop.

But I respect your opinion. After I witness it done properly the first time, I will consider not witnessing it the second time, but probably not. I think some shop owners appreciate it and usually both of us learn something from each other during the course of the transaction.

pw

s4master1

I always walk around the car and if I miss something I call the customer and ask about any existing damage in the car
is harder when the car is not clean to see any damage
try to work things out with the owner and don't insult his employees
if the guy don't speak english do you speak spanish?
what that has to do with anything?
good luck

WildBlueYonder

payment while you resolve the issue with the shop owner. Tell him YOU'VE been screwed by scam artists, too, and it isn't going to happen again. It's still your money. Don't let him have it until you're satisfied. Period.

Oh yeah, and that lawyer thing is real good idea... At least TALK to one...

Oh, and I wouldn't let him anywhere NEAR the car again. He blew that opportunity...

Good luck!