Rat-T-Cool

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2015/07/01) */
We, Rat-T-Cool Kustoms, received an Acura TL from [redacted] along with a cash deposit of $1,100.00 on X-XX-XX for a complete repaint. a timeframe was given of about 3 work weeks pending a busy workload. During that time [redacted] visited the...

shop to check the status and to make a $400.00 payment towards the balance. it was stated then that car was going to take longer to complete. Personal personnel issues were explained to [redacted] about the delays. At that time [redacted] asked for specific items to be removed from his vehicle ei., bumpers and lights. He was told it would take extra time to have the vehicle taken apart and reassembled after painted. [redacted] said the time was not going to be an issue as long as the vehicle came out looking good. Status updates were given via text messages and picture messages throughout the remainder of the job. When the vehicle was painted, it was explained to [redacted] that the clearcoat takes time to properly cure before it can be buffed and polished without dieback. Upon putting the vehicle back together we watersanded the clear and let it sit in the sun to speed up the curing process. [redacted] stated that he needed the vehicle for his employment and had to have it back as soon as possible. Friday June 5th was the day designated for pick-up at the end of the day. When [redacted] arrived the vehicle was still being worked on and still needed to be cleaned. We explained to [redacted] that the clearcoat was still not cured properly and that dieback was going to continue until fully cured, [redacted] understood. We explained that white residue on the vehicle was from the buffing and polishing compounds and that because we were still working on the vehicle when he arrived we did not get a chance to clean it off. We did not go over the entire vehicle to find imperfections that required extra attention at that time but made arrangements with [redacted] to bring the vehicle back in 2 weeks so that may fix any imperfections and to finish the buffing and polishing. At that time [redacted] paid the balance due of $1,000.00 and left the shop in his vehicle with a clear understanding the vehicle was not completed to our, nor his satisfaction that day. Later that night [redacted] sent a text message with a few complaints regarding some defects he found while going over the vehicle. He was told and reminded that all imperfections would be taken care of when he brought the vehicle back in 2 weeks. He stated that he did not feel he got what he paid for and that he was unhappy. The following day, 6-6-15, [redacted] drove out to the shop with a rep from another paint and body shop to discuss the work done to Justins vehicle. [redacted] became very emotional and started tearing parts off his vehicle saying we broke his side light on the driver side front fender. [redacted] yanked on the driver side mirror stating it was not painted properly. [redacted] was yelling in frustration that he paid too much for what he received. We tried talking to him to remind him we already had an arrangement to finish the vehicle in 2 weeks. We also talked to the body shop rep who came with [redacted] and explained the situation in detail including the prior agreement made with [redacted]. He stated that he did not know [redacted] and that [redacted] had shown up at his shop to ask for advice. As we all walked around the vehicle, [redacted] (shop rep) pointed out imperfections on the vehicle and asked what we were going to do to fix everything. We asked [redacted] to stop scathing off the paint at the bottom of the vehicle where the clearcoat was imperfect. At this point [redacted] became overly irate, and irrational. We thought that we might have a physical altercation to deal with and kept trying to calm him down. At this point we separated into two groups, and [redacted] and [redacted] walked away to talk without any more interruption from [redacted]. It was at this time that [redacted] was made aware that we had an understanding that [redacted] picked up his car before we had a chance to complete the repair tasks, and cleaning of the vehicle. He was under the understanding that we had tried to pass [redacted] the vehicle as done and said he agreed that we should be given the car back. He talked to [redacted] and relayed this information. Nic went back to the vehicle and spoke with [redacted] explaining that he was sorry for the delay, and that he understood that the car was not complete. All four of us were back at the car and before [redacted] and [redacted] left, we all agreed that after [redacted] returned from a social trip out of town, he would redeliver the vehicle to our shop on June 22, 2015. [redacted] and our shop has had no contact since he drove away that day, and we understand why he missed his appointment on the 22nd. Since that time a representive of the Bureau of Automotive Repair came by to show us some pictures of the vehicle after [redacted] ran it through 1 car wash, and it is apparent that he is trying to commit a fraudulent case against our shop. All of the paint was chipped all across the vehicle. This type of paint chipping indicates that he used a high speed air nozzle to get the paint to chip off. Anyone in the business would know that a car wash could never do that sort of damage. Our best guess is that he and [redacted] decided to make it look like a horrible paint job got the paint to chip off deliberately in hopes of winning a judgement against us. We wanted nothing more than to go back and fix the few minor spots that were visible at the time of his arrival back at the shop. We have picture evidence of all our work done on the vehicle. These pictures show how in depth we went with the vehicle to ensure a successful transaction.
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (3000, 10, 2015/07/01) */
(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
Here's the deal. I'm not going play the he say she say game.I have statements from differnt professional Shops stating they laid the clear coat on wet paint And unproper prep work. Is the reason the paint peeled and chipped off my car with a pressure washer from a local car wash business. I have the video to prove that and the owner of the car wash business who seen it all Come off with his car wash sprayers. Not a high speed pressure nozzle. As they calim. So I have plenty of proof that is not the case. They didn't even spray both sides of the bottom of the my car or the back of the driver side mirror. That takes three bolts to come off. Lazy work and all they had was excuses after excuses and blamed each other for unproper work. I have the text to prove that. I have the pictures to prove everything I have stated with videos and witnesses. I'm a very honest person and have been running a very successful personal training business for 12 years. I have plenty people to back up my honesty. I have no reason to deliberately ruin my own car for a lawsuit. Not only has this been stressful but embarrassing, time consuming. Not to mention I'm out 2500 and left with a horrible piant job on A $35,000 dollar Car. Now I'm stuck having to get the job properly finished. With a estimate of $8000 to fix. All I'm asking for is my money back when I should be asking for more from the damages your shop cause my car. If not I'll see you and court.
Final Business Response /* (4000, 13, 2015/07/20) */
The case has been settled between [redacted] and our shop with the help of the bureau of auto repair representative [redacted] Both parties were happy with the resolution and the paperwork has been completed on their end. Thank you
[redacted]
Rat-T-Cool Kustoms