Blaze truck and trailer repair

Yes, We did work on his trailer. It was brought to us because he was having issues with the brakes and multiple wheel seals were leaking. He said it his friend was working on the unit and couldn’t get it put back together properly. He asked for an estimate, we put one together using standard pricing, the total came out to $1268.86. It was for 3 brake sets, 3 wheel seals and 1 brake chamber plus 8 hours of labor. Customer approved. We started the job, inspected and cleaned all components of the braking system, due to corrosion and excessive leaking from the wheel seals. During this process, we discovered the brakes that were needed for this trailer were not the standard size. We called the customer to inform him that the brakes needed for his trailer are a special size and are a much greater cost. We also informed him that his old brake shoes by FMCSA standards were saturated and contaminated from the leaking wheel seals.The FMCSA Regulation: Part 399; Appendix G to Subchapter B of Chapter III—Minimum Periodic Inspection StandardsA vehicle does not pass an inspection if it has one of the following defects or deficiencies: 1. Brake System – (a)Service brakes. (6) Brake linings or pads (b) Saturated with oil, grease, or brake fluid.We were told “do not change the pads” by the customer. We then completed the rest of the work that was approved, in the original estimate, and did not changed the pads on the trailer, we put his old pads back on, as requested. We call customer to let him know the work is completed and the unit is ready for pick, no answer and we left a voicemail. Customer arrives the next day to pick up his trailer and questions the invoice, we have a conversation about it. We voice that we still did all the steps that were originally approved, with the exception of the putting new brakes on. It still took the same amount of time because we still had to follow all the guidelines and procedures for this inspection and repair on the braking system. He agrees to pay the bill, signs the invoice and writes a check. In the mean time, we asked for an estimate, to have work done on our property by the customer, he gave us an estimate, we decided not to use his service. Also, Covid-19 makes a surge and the Government closes all non-essential businesses. Which affects this customer’s livelihood, and now this customer would like an “adjusted bill”. This customer has been coming to this establishment for years and we have never had an issue like this in the past. We always work with and for our customers.

I hear all of your concerns, but I stand by the dependability and integrity of our work. I over see all the work that is done in our shop and the brakes were taken off inspected and cleaned, as per your request. We have been very fair and honest, letting you know what was going on step by step. I was unaware up until this point, that the brakes weren’t working, we tested the braking system several times and did a final test drive before the trailer left the shop and they were in working condition. I would gladly have the problem corrected if I was made aware of it. The trailer could have been brought back to us, before bringing it to another shop.

I am also a customer and I always think about my customers when it come to billing. I would never bill a customer for something that wasn’t done. And again I apologize that you weren’t happy with our pricing.